Tech

The skill that shows your ability to use and understand the technologies of the Future Universe.

Table: Tech Skill Ranks

Tech Skill Rank	Ability
0	Able to use some items that allow it, however with a -2 penalty
1	Able to use items without penalty. However a check is required for some items.
2	Able to repair a broken item. However you take a -4 penalty on your craft repair check.
3	Able to craft an item. However you cannot make a master worked item of this tech level. However you take a -4 penalty to crafting.
4	Able to modify an item. However you take a -4 penalty on your craft modify item. Any repair check is now only -2.
5	Modify penalty now only -2. Crafting penalty is now -2.
6	Able to modify without penalty. Able to Repair without penalty.
7	Able to craft master worked items. Able to craft without penalty.

This skill is Rank Dependent and just like Craft/Preform/Language have different categories. The different Tech categories are the Tech Levels explained in the Tech Level and Civ Progress page. For a quick review the levels are -1 through 4 and they represent the different scientific knowledges and advancements necessary to not only understand but construct the technology. Every gadget and gismo from something as simple as the Hammer or Plow to a Warp Drive FTL Engine or Plasma Rifle requires some understanding of science. Without at least the basic understanding a Character may not even be able to recognize and thus use the item and most certainly not able to repair/modify/craft the item.

Items in Future Path will be categorized by Tech level. A Character will be given a Tech level at creation. The Character by defaults inherits the Tech level of the Civilization he is associated with. However there are exceptions to this rule you will have to read up on those during Character creation.

The Tech Skill level determines at what Tech level a Character can craft and repair in. A Character can attempt to repair an item of one higher tech level but must take disadvantage on the Craft Repair check. Any higher then one above the tech level and the Character cannot even attempt a repair. The Character can repair and craft any item of the same or lower tech level.

To Rank up the Tech skill the player must spend 3 skill points the Tech Level is *NEVER* considered a Class Skill by any class. However it is 'Trained' by default for all characters unless you spin up a Character from a tech 0 or -1 civilization.

Identify Technology

Current developments in cutting-edge devices, as well as the background necessary to identify various technological devices. You can make a Knowledge (technology) check to correctly identify starships, mecha, robots, and cybernetic attachments, as well as identify unfamiliar technological devices.

Check

The DCs for identifying technological items vary depending on the type of information required: Identifying a starship by its type and subtype, identifying a mecha by its superstructure, or identifying a robot by its frame: DC 10.

Determining the function or purpose of a particular mechanical system or cybernetic attachment: DC 15. Recalling the standard, factory-model design specs of a particular type or class of starship, mecha, or robot: DC 20.

When confronted with an unfamiliar piece of technology or alien artifact, you can make a Knowledge (technology) check to correctly surmise the primary (if not singular) purpose of the device. A successful check result does not enable you to activate the item, nor does it make you proficient with the item. The DC of the Knowledge (technology) check depends on the item being identified and the difference in Progress Level, as shown below:

Unfamiliar Item	DC
Basic tool or instrument	10
Robotic or vehicular component	15
Cybernetic attachment	20
Alien weapon or nanotechnology	25
Alien artifact	30
Each step in Progress Level (up or down)	5