Researching Traits 101. (Will use Blacksmithing as an example since that is what I do)

1. Wander around and find an item with a trait you want to learn. (You can also chat up other smiths to craft an item for you with the trait you want to learn)
2. Go to the smithing station and select the research tab.
3. Scroll to the item that you have with the trait, our example will be a hand axe with the trait precise.
4. Select the hand axe, and a window will open listing all the axes you have in your possession, be it inventory or bank, with researchable traits.
5. Select the Precise hand axe from that window and select research.
6. Since this is the first trait for hand axes we have tried to learn it will take us 6 hours to learn it.
7. Wait six hours.
8. Go back to the smithing station and marvel at our new trait that we can place on any new hand axe we make provided we have the gem needed to imbue it with that trait.

Okay, that is how the researching works, bonus info as follows. The trait you just learned, that trait is for only that piece of gear, had you learned a trait on heavy armor helmet, it would only be applicable to heavy armor helmets, you could not apply that trait to heavy armor boots, unless you also found boots with that trait and spent at least 6 hours researching that trait for boots as well. Also keep in mind that research time DOUBLES for each trait researched on an item. First is 6 hours, second is 12, third is 24, fourth is 48, ect..ect.. plan accordingly and research the traits you find most useful very early. Total time to research every trait on a single item with no skill points invested is 1530 hours or 63.75 days.

ShallowTech wrote: »

From what I understand is that the trait is researched from a piece of equipment that is in your inventory and it appears to destroy the item upon research, correct?

Yes.

ShallowTech wrote: »

Does the trait learned apply to all of the same equipment classes? Example: If I research a trait for light armor, does it unlock that trait for medium and heavy armor as well?

No. They are all separate.

ShallowTech wrote: »

Is it the gem that determines the strength of the trait?

No. The gem is what is required to construct items using that trait. Constructing items using that trait can only happen after you have researched it.

To construct an item with that trait, you need both the gem and the trait already researched. The gem has nothing to do with the strength of the trait...it is just a material component required to make the item, like ingots or wood or whatever.