Sub Tech
Tech Tiers — T0 Neo · Med · Ind │ T1 Cyber · Spacer · Holo │ T2 Fusion · Star · Warp │ T3 Super · Hyper · Ultra │ T4+ Archo · Magic · Angel · Omni
Domains: Gravity · Shield · AI · Comm · Weapon · Energy · Prop │ Sub: Psi · Plasmoid · MHD · EGrav · MGrav · Robo · Mecha · Bio · Nano · Quantum · Temporal · Dim · more…
Faction: Tho'ra · EA · Nefarium · Viran · CABAL · Seporian
Sub Tech
A Sub Tech (also Sub-Technology) is a specialized technology domain that exists within or across one or more primary Tech Level tiers. Unlike the main tech levels which represent civilization-scale progressions, sub techs are focused disciplines that can appear at multiple tiers simultaneously, growing in sophistication as the parent civilization advances.
Relationship to Tech Levels
The Technology Tier System defines 13 primary tech levels from Neolithic Tech (Type 0) through Omni Tech (Type VII). Each represents a fundamental leap in capability. Sub techs, by contrast, are orthogonal specializations — they cut across tiers rather than defining them.
For example:
- Psi Tech first appears at the Cyber Tech level (Type I) with basic EEG and brain-computer interfaces, but continues evolving through Spacer Tech (neural uplinks), Fusion Tech (psionic resonance systems), and beyond to Angel Tech (divine-tier psi systems).
- Electrogravitic Tech begins as classified research at Cyber Tech, becomes operational at Spacer Tech, and is fully integrated at Fusion Tech and above.
Classification
Sub techs are identified by their focused scope:
| Sub Tech | Primary Domain | First Appears | Peak Integration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psi Tech | Psionic / neural technology | Cyber Tech | Super Tech |
| Plasmoid Tech | Plasma physics / energy generation | Cyber Tech | Fusion Tech |
| MHD Tech | Magnetohydrodynamic systems | Cyber Tech | Star Tech |
| Electrogravitic Tech | Gravity manipulation via electric fields | Cyber Tech | Warp Tech |
| Magnetogravitic Tech | Gravity manipulation via magnetic fields | Cyber Tech | Warp Tech |
| Scalar Bubble Tech | Scalar field containment / shielding | Spacer Tech | Super Tech |
| Starfighter Tech | Aerospace combat systems | Spacer Tech | Star Tech |
| Tho'ra Tech | Proprietary Tho'ra family technology | Fusion Tech | Angel Tech |
| Electrokinetic Tech | Electrical energy manipulation | Cyber Tech | Super Tech |
| Magnetokinetic Tech | Magnetic energy manipulation | Cyber Tech | Super Tech |
| Auto Tech | Autonomous / self-replicating systems | Spacer Tech | Hyper Tech |
| Glitch Tech | Reality exploitation / error-state technology | Holo Tech | Archo Tech |
Sub Tech vs. Main Tech
| Property | Main Tech Level | Sub Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Civilization-defining | Domain-specific |
| Tier | Single tier (e.g., Tier 4 = Fusion Tech) | Spans multiple tiers |
| Progression | Sequential (Tier 1 → 2 → 3...) | Parallel (grows with civilization) |
| Kardashev | Defines Kardashev Type | Contributes to, but doesn't define |
| Examples | Cyber Tech, Fusion Tech, Star Tech | Psi Tech, Plasmoid Tech, MHD Tech |
See Also
- Technology — The master Technology Tier System
- Tech Levels — Detailed civilization classification
- Psi Tech — The most prominent sub tech in the Natura universe
- Classified Technologies — Sub techs with restricted access
