Tech Level

Tech Levels describe the current technological capacity of a species (or state). There are 10 levels on the tech scale, with the majority on the Interstellar levels (INT-1 through INT-4). It originates from the Victory By Any Means ruleset (specifically starting on Campaign Moderator's Companion, p. 99). The following are the rules, as they apply to the SFC RPG:

Note: These rules are in early development/adaption for SFC!

Terms

Starting Points

This is the number of RPs the species has when inserted into the campaign and are available to purchase assets. In each case, the starting point amount is determined relative to the species' beginning system income. For example, an INT-1 species is stated to begin with “2 x Total Domestic Product” in starting parts. If the final system output of the species’ controlled systems is 87, then the species would have 87 x 2 = 174 economic points to spend on its initial infrastructure.

Pre-Contact Exploration

This level determines the amount of systems (within a predetermined distance from the home system) that species has explored (prior to campaign insertion). The method to be used to determine this has not yet been established.

# of Colonized Systems

This is the number of colonized systems controlled by the species at contact. This is represented as a fixed number plus a random modifier based on the species' pre-campaign exploration. A species that has performed more extensive pre-campaign exploration will typically have more (or larger) colonies than those that have not journeyed very far from home.

Tech Advancement Requirement

A tech advancement requirement exists for all pre-Interstellar civilizations. This requirement is the amount of tech investment required to reach the next level of technological development. Tech development progresses linearly, from P-IND, to IND-1; from IND-1 to IND-2; from IND-2 to IND-3; and (finally) from IND-3 to INT-1. Unlike normal tech advancement, new technological levels are reached as soon as the last required point of tech investment is applied to the advance (i.e., no rolls necessary). The method to be used to determine this has not yet been fully established.

Pre-Industrial Level (P-IND)

Starting Points

None

Pre-Contact Exploration

None

# of Colonized Systems

None

Tech Advancement Requirement

2000

Overview

P-IND civilizations range in technological sophistication from primitive Stone Age savages to fairly advanced Iron Age citystates. P-IND civilizations are not sufficiently advanced to have a major impact on a campaign and their chance of achieving industrialization (let alone spaceflight!) during the course of the campaign is extremely remote. P-IND powers are under several special restrictions due to their small size and technological naiveté. P-IND powers cannot experience population growth; they ignore all population growth checks. P-IND powers do not begin play with any Productivity and are incapable of purchasing Productivity improvements until they achieve IND-1. In fact, P-IND Census cannot even utilize Productivity unless enslaved.

Early Industrial (IND-1)

Starting Points

None

Pre-Contact Exploration

None

# of Colonized Systems

None

Tech Advancement Requirement

1000

Overview

IND-1 civilizations have begun the process of industrialization, developing more advanced technologies for use in medicine, transportation, and war, among other applications. Although they have the beginnings of a heavy industrial society, IND-1 civilizations do not have the capacity to meaningfully combat the forces of more advanced powers. As with P-IND powers, IND-1 powers begin play without any native Productivity. Unlike P-IND powers, IND-1 powers can build Productivity. This creates a situation in which the IND-1 power will remain largely stagnant until a random event or exterior power provides the economic points to purchase their first Productivity point, jump starting their economy. Other than this limitation on starting Productivity, IND-1 powers are under no other special penalties.

Late Industrial (IND-2)

Starting Points

1 x Total Domestic Product

Pre-Contact Exploration

Home system only

# of Colonized Systems

None

Tech Advancement Requirement

500

Overview

IND-2 civilizations have advanced their technology to the point that orbital spaceflight and unmanned solar missions are possible. Limitations in drive technology continue to limit the IND-2 power to their world of origin, but for the first time in their history they are capable of building and operating meaningful industrial infrastructure. IND-2 powers begin play with half their normal starting Productivity (round down). IND-1 powers that advance to IND-2 through tech investment receive a single point of Productivity immediately upon reaching IND-2. This is in addition to any other Productivity they possessed prior to the tech advance. IND-2 is the first stage of technological development in which a power is allowed to build space units. IND-2 powers cannot build starships or civilian fleets (Colony, Transport, Trade), but they are allowed to build primitive bases, flights, mines, and satellites. These units should be extremely crude and primitive compared to those fielded by more advanced powers.