Tech and meta levels: Difference between revisions

Most modules in EVE have several (up to tens) of variants (each a module in their own right), which fulfill the same basic function, but have different statistics. <!-- This needs a screenshot --> You can find all related modules through the in-game "Show Info" window, under the "related items" tab, where you can also compare the modules' statistics using the item comparison tool. Modules have an attribute (also visible in the "Show Info" window) called "Meta level", which is roughly a measure of the module's quality - a module with a higher meta level will generally (but not always!) have better stats than the equivalent module with a lower meta level.  

For official CCP explanations of tiericide, see [http://community.eveonline.com/news/dev-blogs/rebalancing-eve-one-module-at-a-time/ this article], written in 2014 introducing the project; and [https://www.eveonline.com/article/qbroym/deciphering-tiericide this article] written in June 2020 explaining the methodology behind it and outlining what's left to do.

These are the basic modules that are [[Manufacturing#T1 Production|manufactured by players]] from blueprints seeded on the market by NPCs. Meta 0 modules have no Meta level attribute visible in their attributes. They have generic names based on their type such as "1MN Afterburner I".

These are dropped by NPC ships and are not manufactured by players. The higher the meta level the better quality the item. Higher meta level items are more effective and usually have lower fitting requirements as well, but this is not always the case. Meta level 1-4 items do not require more skills to use than meta 0. Because of their better performance, some high-demand meta modules may have much higher market prices than tech 1 or even tech 2 modules; however because of plentiful supply, many meta modules have comparable or even lower market prices than tech 1 modules.

Storyline modules are rewards from missions, specifically [[COSMOS]] missions and some Epic Arc missions. In COSMOS missions you don't get the item itself, but you receive 3-run Blueprint Copies (BPCs) that need some decent skills and sleeper technology to produce and most of them are quite expensive (in ISK and skills) to produce. Epic Arc rewards are given as items but their availability is limited to how often you can do the epic arc, and the time it takes to complete them. As such, both types of storyline items tend to be expensive, and are not traded in great numbers. Stats-wise, Storyline modules are a bit inconsistent, often falling in line with Tech 2 modules, but they almost always have the fitting costs of Compact modules, which can make them surprisingly useful in rare circumstances.

* '''Sisters''': Sisters of Eve

Integrated Drones are a rarely-used drone variation, which deal slightly more damage than their Tech 1 versions and are slightly more durable, but also deal their damage as split between their race's preferred primary ''and secondary'' damage types. They are manufactured from components and blueprints found in Rogue Drones. Their price, split damage types, and generally inferior performance to Navy drones make them unpopular.

These ships are bought from non-empire faction loyalty point stores, including Pirate factions, and others, such as Sisters Of Eve; and single-run blueprints for them can be found by destroying rare commander and sometimes tougher NPCs in certain combat sites. They can also be purchased second-hand from players on the market. These non-empire faction ships require two different races' Spaceship Command skills to use. For example, the [[Dramiel]], an Angel Cartel frigate, requires both Minmatar and Gallente frigate skills. However, they do not require high levels in these skills, making them considerably easier to train for than Tech 2 ships. Non-Empire ships typically have equal or better performance to Tech 2 ships, including very powerful unique bonuses specific to their pirate faction, but also cost considerably more than Tech 2 ships and do not benefit from [[T2 Resists|T2 resist bonuses]].

* [[Strategic Cruiser]]s are the most flexible and among the most powerful ships in the game for their size (and mass), with enormous possible variations in their capabilities. Flying strategic cruisers requires training in Subsystem skills, and may require a much wider range of other combat skills than T2 ships.

* [http://community.eveonline.com/news/dev-blogs/rebalancing-eve-one-module-at-a-time Dev Blog: Rebalancing Eve one module at a time] (Sep 2014)