Tech
The skill that shows your ability to use and understand the technologies of the Future Universe.
| Tech Skill Rank | Ability |
|---|---|
| 0 | Able to use some items that allow it, however with a -1 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 Language/Knowledge/Craft/Preform have different categories. The different Tech categories are the Tech Levels explained in the Technologies rules section. For a quick review the levels are -1 through 4 and they represent the different scientific knowledges and advancements necessary to not only understand by 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. Although some technology is designed to be intuitive and simple. A gun for example is pretty easy to identify and use even if one doesn't even remotely understand how it works.
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. In order to use an Item you do not normally need to do a Skill check unless specified. However some items you cannot use unless you have at least a Rank in the items Tech level. So if the Nano-MedPac is a Tech Level 2 item you must have a rank in the skill Tech(Level 2). Only a single Rank is required for the use of any item of any Tech Level. Some items do not require a rank in the skill Tech for use. You can attempt to use those items but with a -2 penalty where applicable. For example most weapons do not require ranks in there associated Tech Level to use. However without the rank the Player must take a -2 penalty when using that weapon. For more information on what you can/cannot do per Tech rank review the table below.
Whatever your Characters starting Tech level is they start out with Rank 3 in that Tech Level and Rank 7 in all Tech levels below that Level. That Tech level and the Tech levels below it are considered "class skills" when spending skill points. (However you do not get the bonus +3 that you get with other Class skills that have Ranks.) That means when adding Ranks to your Tech Level skill you only have to spend one point for one Rank.