Tech
The Technology Branch or Tech Level is a Skill Like ability. It is like a Rank-Dependent Skill, representing the Character's general education and understanding of the universe and their place in it. What the different Tech Levels mean is explained in the Tech Level and Civ Progress page.
Editing Character Sheet: This is located on the first page near the top, just above the 'SKILLS' section and below the 'PASS PERCEPTION' box.
Tech Level for a Character is zero through 4 and usually starts at 2 with a few exceptions. A Character will be given a Tech level at creation that is based on their Species.
The Tech Skill level determines at what Tech level a Character can craft and repair. A Character can attempt to repair an item of one higher tech level, but the DC is a +5 Craft Repair check. Any higher than 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.
Using as a Skill
This is considered to be a Knowledge skill Knowledge (Technology). A Character should consider their Knowledge Technology Skill Rank to be equal to Character Level divided by 2, rounded up. (Character Level / 2, rounded up). At Character level 19, their Knowledge Technology Skill Rank is 19. However, identifying Technology higher than their Tech Level takes a +4 bonus to the DC per Tech Level higher than their own.
Identify Technology
The Tech Level can also act like a Skill. More specifically, it is considered like a Knowledge (Technology) skill which follows the themes of other Knowledge skills. Normally, a Character can use Knowledge Technology to attempt to identify technological items correctly. People utilize technology even without knowledge or education regarding the device but they can tell you what it does.. just now how it does it. All Characters have a Tech Level, and all Characters can attempt to identify the technology using this Skill-like ability.
They cannot use this skill to determine how the technology works. That will require Knowledge Science and/or a Study check and is only possible if the device they are studying is of the same or lower technology level than their own. They cannot use the skill to predict the outcome of a particular action when using the technology. They can only use it to identify what the technological item does.
Checks
The DCs for identifying technological items vary depending on the type of information required:
Identifying a starship by its hull and configuration, 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 |