Kobracan,

     I am unclear as to which upgrades you are referring.  Can you give us a couple of examples?

Thanks,

Ged

I've wondered, what does researching the 2nd level of Vasari Phasic Trap (on hangers) do?

Of a little more impact it also increases the duration from 45 secs to 60 secs.

If those researches you are refering to are used to unlock abilities, researching multiple levels improves the effectiveness of the ability you initially unlocked. In addition to phasic trap, the Vasari hull reintegration second level increases the Skirmishes healing ability from 16 hull/sec to 24 hull/sec. I'm trying to think of a non-Vasari tech but all I can think of is the Advent antimatter recharger which I don't have the numbers for.

Vasari Reintegration is one example. The other races have one or two of these techs too. You guys are right. The first level unlocks the ability and the second level improves it. Reintegration is 16 HP/sec at 1st and 24 HP/sec at 2nd. Unfortunately, the info card doesn't mention this. Anyway, mystery solved.