Before it can do anything with a type of unit,
the side must have the appropriate tech level for that type,
which is just a number ranging from 0 up to tech-level-max
.
Each type has a distinct tech level.
Tech levels always increase
(since they represent abstract knowledge rather than physical plant).
Tech can be transferred freely to any other side
via the message tech
[xref to messages].
For each unit type, the following parameters define the minimum tech levels at which sides can do various things.
UnitTypeProperty: tech-to-see
tl
This property is the minimum tech level that a side must have before it can see
a unit of this type.
Defaults to 0
.
UnitTypeProperty: tech-to-own
tl
This property is the minimum tech level
that a side must have in order to have a unit of this type.
Defaults to 0
.
UnitTypeProperty: tech-from-ownership
tl
This property is the tech level that may be reached
by acquiring a unit of this type.
Since this is expressed as a minimum,
multiple acquisitions have no additional effect.
Defaults to 0
.
UnitTypeProperty: tech-to-use
tl
This property is the minimum tech level that a side must have in order to
give actions to this type of unit.
Defaults to 0
.
UnitTypeProperty: tech-to-build
tl
This property is the minimum tech level that a side
must have in order to build this type of unit.
Defaults to 0
.
UnitTypeProperty: tech-max
tl
This property is the absolute maximum tech level possible for this type.
Defaults to 0
.
Table: tech-crossover
u1 u2 -> n%
This table is the minimum tech level for u2 that is guaranteed by a particular
tech level for u1, expressed as a percentage of the tech-max
for the types.
For instance, if tech-crossover
is 80, and the tech level for u1
is 10 out of a max of 20, and the max for u2 is also 20,
then the side has a tech for u2 at least 8.
Defaults to 0
.
It is possible to gain some tech level just by being in the same game with a side that is more advanced.
UnitTypeProperty: tech-leakage
.01tl
This property is the amount of tech level gain per turn that can happen
to any side's tech level that is less than the max of all sides in the game.
This only happens if at least one unit on the side has nonzero coverage
of a unit on a more advanced side.
Defaults to 0
.