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Game Guides

Research Academy Guide: Which PR and DR Ships to Develop First?

by QuinnHarry 05 Nov 2025 0 comments

Which PR and DR Ships to Develop First?

You want to know which ships to develop first in the Research Academy Guide. Start with Friedrich der Grosse and Drake for PR ships because they work in many fleets and have strong damage. For DR ships, pick Odin or Azuma since they fit well in most lineups. Players often debate PR versus DR ships. Your choice matters because it affects your fleet growth and resource use. Focus on PR/DR 7 or 8 based on your needs and plan ahead to meet all prerequisites.

Key Takeaways

  • Begin with PR ships such as Friedrich der Grosse and Drake. These ships do well in many battles.

  • Pick DR ships like Odin and Azuma for lasting strength. You need to plan your resources well. These ships take more time and blueprints.

  • Work on building one ship at a time. This helps you save resources. It also makes you progress faster.

  • Think about what your fleet needs. Look at what each ship can do before you choose which to build.

  • Talk with other players for advice and tips. This can help you build better ships.

Research Academy Guide: Top Ship Priorities

Best PR Ships to Develop First

When you start with the Research Academy Guide, you want to pick ships that help your fleet in many battles. The best PR ships give you strong firepower and work in different team setups. Here are the top picks:

  1. Friedrich der Grosse
    Friedrich der Grosse stands out as a top PR ship. You get a battleship with high damage and strong survivability. She fits well in boss fleets and can lead your main fleet in hard fights. Many players use her in events and daily content.

  2. Drake
    Drake gives you a heavy cruiser with great damage and good tanking. She works in both PvE and PvP. You can use her in many auto-farming fleets because she clears mobs fast. Drake also helps you in harder maps where you need a strong frontline.

  3. Roon
    Roon offers you a balanced mix of offense and defense. She fits well in many fleet types. You can use her in boss fleets or as a frontline tank. Roon is also easier to develop than some other PR ships, so you can finish her faster.

Tip:
Focus on one PR ship at a time. This helps you save resources and finish development faster.

Best DR Ships to Develop First

The Research Academy Guide also covers DR ships. These ships take more time and resources, but they give you top-tier power. Here are the best DR ships to start with:

  1. Odin
    Odin gives you a unique battleship with strong skills. She deals high damage and supports your fleet with special abilities. You can use Odin in many boss fleets. She also works well with other German ships.

  2. Azuma
    Azuma stands out as a powerful large cruiser. She brings high damage and good support skills. You can use her in both mob and boss fleets. Azuma helps you clear hard content and supports your team with debuffs.

  3. Anchorage
    Anchorage gives you a tanky heavy cruiser. She can soak up damage and protect your backline. You can use Anchorage in auto-farming fleets and hard maps. She is a good choice if you need a frontline ship that lasts.

Azur Lane Anchorage Happy Shake Figure

Note:
DR ships need more blueprints and resources. Make sure you plan your farming and research focus before starting a DR ship.

PR vs DR: Which Should You Choose First?

You might wonder if you should pick PR or DR ships first. The Research Academy Guide suggests starting with PR ships if you are new to research. PR ships need fewer resources and blueprints. You can finish them faster and use them in more fleets. DR ships give you more power, but they take longer to build. If you already have strong PR ships, you can start working on DR ships for long-term growth.

Ship Type

Top Pick

Role

Why Choose?

PR

Friedrich

Battleship

High damage, boss fleet leader

PR

Drake

Heavy Cruiser

Versatile, strong in auto-farming

DR

Odin

Battleship

Unique skills, strong support

DR

Azuma

Large Cruiser

High damage, good for hard content

The Research Academy Guide helps you make smart choices. You want to balance your fleet and use your resources well. Pick ships that fit your needs and help you progress faster.

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Criteria for Choosing PR and DR Ships

Choosing which ships to develop in the Research Academy Guide can shape your fleet’s strength for months. You want to look at several key factors before you start any project.

Fleet Utility

You should always think about how a ship fits into your fleet. Some ships work well in many roles, while others shine in specific situations. Top players often look at these points:

  • Long-term investment matters most for DR ships. They take a lot of time and resources, so you want to make sure you will use them often.

  • PR ships are easier to get and manage, especially if you are just starting out.

  • The best ships for you depend on what your fleet needs. For example, Anchorage, Mainz, Cheshire, and Seattle each fill different roles. Pick ships that match your goals.

Tip: Build ships that fill gaps in your lineup. This helps you handle more types of battles.

Development Ease

Some ships are much easier to develop than others. You need to check blueprint drops, prerequisites, and how you can get the ship. The table below shows what affects development:

Factor

Description

Blueprint availability

You need blueprints to build PR and DR ships. Some are easier to farm than others.

Prerequisites

Certain ships need you to finish tasks or reach milestones before you can start them.

Reward Ships

You can earn some ships from quests or exploration if you have enough command points.

Purchased Ships

You can buy ships at trading posts, but you need resources and command points. These do not give blueprints.

Salvaged Ships

You might find ships from wrecks. You can repair and use them, sometimes even if you have reached your command point limit.

Long-Term Value

You want to think about the future. DR ships take a lot of time, so you should only start them if you plan to use them for a long time. PR ships are faster to finish and can help you right away. Always check if the ship will stay strong as the game adds new content. The Research Academy Guide helps you plan for both now and later.

PR/DR Ship Picks by Season

PR/DR 7 vs 8: Which to Focus On

You may wonder if you should focus on Season 7 or Season 8 ships. Both seasons offer strong options, but each brings something different to your fleet. Season 7 ships often give you unique features and solid performance. Season 8 ships stand out for their special combinations and deeper character stories. When you use the Research Academy Guide, you want to look at your fleet needs and the kind of battles you face most. If you want ships with proven strength and easy team fit, Season 7 is a safe choice. If you enjoy new strategies and want to try fresh team setups, Season 8 ships can give you that edge.

Season 7 Highlights

Season 7 ships shine because of their special features and strong utility. You can see what makes them stand out in the table below:

Ship Name

Unique Features

Star Princess

Exclusive dining options, innovative public spaces, extensive entertainment offerings, 29 bars and restaurants, and a back-of-ship infinity pool.

Sun Princess

Glass dome housing a pool, convertible Princess Arena main theater, and a three-deck-high Piazza.

You get ships that bring both style and function. Star Princess gives you many entertainment choices and a unique pool area. Sun Princess offers a flexible theater and a bright, open design. These ships help your fleet stand out in both looks and performance.

Season 8 Highlights

Season 8 ships bring new pairings and exciting stories. You find ships that work well together and add depth to your fleet. Some top picks include:

  • Brienne and Tormund: Their teamwork shows strong admiration and surprise, making them a favorite for many.

  • Missandei and Greyworm: Their journey from hardship to love gives your fleet emotional strength and support.

  • Arya and Gendry: Their long friendship and growing bond add steady power to your lineup.

  • Brienne and Jaime: Their complex relationship brings new layers to your fleet’s strategy.

  • Sansa and Tyrion: Their past and possible future make your team more interesting.

  • Jon and Daenerys: Their strong connection and family ties create tension and excitement.

  • Bronn and Jaime: Their friendship and shared adventures add a fun dynamic.

You can use these ships to build creative teams and try new tactics. Season 8 ships reward you for exploring different combinations and thinking outside the box.

Optimizing Research and Resources

Setting Research Focus

You should set clear goals before you start ship research. SMART goals help you stay focused. These goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Organize your workspace to avoid distractions. You can use headphones to block out noise. Set work time limits to help you focus.

  • Use a journal or app to track your progress.

  • Find which focus tricks work best for you.

  • Change your methods as you learn what helps most.

Clear goals give you direction. You can ignore distractions and focus on what matters. This makes you work better and helps you talk with teammates.

Tip: Write your ship plan and check it every week. You will see yourself improve over time.

Blueprint and Resource Management

Managing blueprints and resources well makes ship building easier. You need coins to get prints for PR and DR ships. Some ships, like Friedrich der Grosse, have a coin-up feature. This helps you use your resources wisely.

Best practices include:

  • Use team tools to share updates and work together.

  • Combine data to make reports and set goals.

  • Plan tasks with organized tools. These tools help you sort jobs, schedules, and resources.

Resource Type

Use Case

Management Tip

Coins

Get ship prints

Save coins for the best ships

Blueprints

Build PR/DR ships

Farm daily and watch progress

Teamwork

Work together

Share goals and updates

Maximizing Progression

You can progress faster by using different game systems. Try missions and new strategies to earn experience. Keep your fleet small to make smart choices. This makes your gameplay more interesting.

  • Learn ship farming tricks to avoid boring play.

  • Get experience from many activities.

  • Balance ship farming with growing your whole fleet.

Leveling resources and planning help you finish ship projects faster. These methods make resource use smooth and save time. Doing missions and using systems helps you learn and move ahead quickly.

Note: Try new things each week. You will keep the game fun and make your fleet stronger at the same time.

Catch-Up and Community Tips

Using Catch-Up Mechanics

You can make ship building faster with catch-up mechanics in the Research Academy. These tools help you get old PR and DR ships without waiting for new blueprints. When you turn on catch-up, blueprint drops go to ships you still need. This is good if you missed past seasons or want to fill holes in your fleet.

To use catch-up mechanics:

  • Go to the Research Academy menu.

  • Pick the catch-up choice for PR or DR ships.

  • Select the ship you want to work on.

  • Do daily missions and research tasks to get blueprints faster.

Tip:
Always look at which ships are in the catch-up pool. Some ships change, so plan your picks for what you need now.

Catch-up mechanics help you build a strong fleet even if you started late. You can focus on ships that help your team most. This system saves time and makes growing your fleet easier.

Leveraging Community Insights

You can learn a lot from the Azur Lane community. Many players share guides, tier lists, and tips for PR and DR ship building. Being active in the community, perhaps on Reddit or Discord, helps you avoid mistakes and find the best ways to build your fleet. The team at Bahomu always keeps an eye on these discussions to see what collectors are excited about.

Ways to stay updated:

  • Join Discord servers or Reddit groups about Azur Lane.

  • Read guides made by the community and watch videos.

  • Ask questions and share your progress with others.

Listening to community advice gives you more than just game tips. You also get long-term help, like better teamwork and trust. The table below shows some good things that come from using community insights:

Benefit

Description

Job Creation

Community projects can make new jobs and help more players join in.

Local Tax Revenue

Active groups can support events that raise money for better tools and guides.

Environmental Remediation

Community rules can make online spaces cleaner and more helpful.

Legal Enforcement

Rules in groups keep advice true and easy to trust.

Community Trust

Sharing and following advice builds trust and helps everyone grow together.

Note:
You help others when you share your own tips and stories. This makes the community stronger and helps everyone get better faster.

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Quick Reference

Tier List

You can use this tier list to see which PR and DR ships stand out for most PvE content. These ships help you clear story maps, events, and daily battles. Keep in mind that ship rankings can change if you focus on PvP or special events. Some ships perform better in Exercise or meta fights, so always check for updates.

Tier

PR Ships

DR Ships

S

Friedrich der Grosse, Drake, Azuma

Odin, Anchorage

A

Monarch, Mainz, Plymouth, Harbin

Marco Polo

B

Neptune, Georgia, Gascogne

-

C

Izumo, Saint Louis, Kitakaze, Ibuki

-

Note: Most tier lists focus on PvE. PvP and event rankings may look different. Exercise-focused lists are still evolving, so check back for changes.

  • PvE ships often top the list for general content.

  • PvP and event ships may rank higher in special modes.

  • Always review the latest tier lists for your main game mode.

Player Types

You should choose your first PR and DR ships based on your play style and goals. Here are some quick tips for different player types:

  • New Players:
    Start with PR ships like Monarch or Neptune. These ships finish quickly and help you learn the game. Focus on ships with easy blueprint access.

  • F2P Players:
    Pick ships with strong performance and low resource needs. Drake and Azuma give you great value. Save protocores for top-tier ships.

  • Veteran Players:
    Invest in DR ships like Odin and Anchorage. These ships take longer but give you the power needed for late-game and meta events. Plan your path for future DR generations.

Tip: Your best ship choices depend on your main content. PvE, PvP, and events each have different top picks. Adjust your plan as new ships and updates arrive.

You now know which PR and DR ships offer the best value for your fleet. Top picks like Friedrich der Grosse and Azuma stand out for their strong performance and flexibility. The table below shows why these choices matter:

Criteria

Description

Data Accuracy

Helps you make smart ship choices

Customization

Lets you adapt ships to your fleet’s needs

Cost & ROI

Gives you better results for your resources

Strategic planning and smart resource use help you build a stronger fleet over time. You can:

  • Set clear, SMART goals for ship research.

  • Break big tasks into smaller steps.

  • Track blueprint progress with a planner or app.

Stay updated as new ships release and always adjust your plan to fit your fleet.

FAQ

What is the fastest way to get PR and DR blueprints?

You should complete daily research tasks and missions. Use catch-up mechanics for older ships. Focus your research on one ship at a time. This method helps you collect blueprints faster.

Can I develop multiple PR or DR ships at once?

You can start more than one project, but you will finish slower. Focusing on one ship lets you use your resources better. You will see progress much faster this way.

Which ship type should I prioritize if I play mostly PvE?

You should pick PR ships like Drake or Friedrich der Grosse. These ships work well in most PvE content. They help you clear maps and defeat bosses with ease.

Do I lose progress if I change my research focus?

You do not lose any progress. The game saves your blueprint count for each ship. You can switch focus anytime and continue where you left off.

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