Serum Lab: cost, levels and upgrades
Short answer
The Serum Lab brews serum, the rarest material, and runs the four research tracks.
What it does
Only one Serum Lab fits in a village. It makes serum every hour, and its level sets the highest research level you can reach, up to 3.
Serum binds zombies, pays for research and mutations, and fuels spore bursts in raids. Distill research multiplies the Lab's output.
Levels and upgrade costs
| Level | Serum per hour | Highest research level | Upgrade to next | Time | Expansions needed | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 1 | 80 scrap, 45 timber | 40 min | 0 | – |
| 2 | 13.5 | 2 | 145 scrap, 80 timber, 75 biomass, 60 serum | 1 h 20 min | 0 | – |
| 3 | 18.2 | 3 | 655 scrap, 365 timber, 330 biomass, 260 serum | 2 h 40 min | 2 | – |
| 4 | 24.6 | 3 | 2,950 scrap, 1,640 timber, 1,475 biomass, 1,180 serum | 5 h 20 min | 3 | – |
| 5 | 33.2 | 3 | 5,905 scrap, 3,280 timber, 2,955 biomass, 2,360 serum | 8 h | 3 | – |
| 6 | 44.8 | 3 | 11,810 scrap, 6,560 timber, 5,905 biomass, 4,725 serum | 12 h | 3 | Iron |
| 7 | 60.5 | 3 | 23,620 scrap, 13,120 timber, 11,810 biomass, 9,450 serum | 18 h | 3 | Steel |
| 8 | 81.7 | 3 | 47,240 scrap, 26,245 timber, 23,620 biomass, 18,895 serum | 1 d | 3 | Chrome |
| 9 | 110 | 3 | 94,480 scrap, 52,490 timber, 47,240 biomass, 37,790 serum | 1 d | 3 | Warlord |
| 10 | 149 | 3 | Max | – | 3 | Warlord |
Specialization paths
At levels 3 and 5 an upgrade asks you to pick one of two paths. The choice is permanent.
| Level | Specialization paths | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Distillery | 25 % more serum. |
| 3 | Catalyst Stores | Holds 50 % more serum. |
| 5 | Deep Research | Research finishes 25 % faster. |
| 5 | Serum Reserve | Research and binding draw 30 % less serum. |
Tips
- Research Distill early: it multiplies every drop of serum the Lab makes from then on.
- Keep a small serum reserve before a raid if you use spore bursts.
- Serum has its own, smaller store. A Warehouse raises it too.
Questions
How much does the Serum Lab cost in Voxhorde?
Building it costs 45 scrap, 25 timber and takes 20 min. The first upgrade, to level 2, costs 80 scrap, 45 timber and takes 40 min.
What is the Serum Lab's max level?
Level 10. Levels past 2 need island expansions: level 3 needs 2 and level 5 needs 3. Levels 6 to 10 also need a league reached at least once: Iron for 6, Steel for 7, Chrome for 8 and Warlord for 9 and 10.
Numbers come straight from the game's rules and update with every release.
