Tech and meta levels: Difference between revisions

Shortened to "T2", these modules are manufactured by players through the slightly complicated Invention process. T2 modules are usually more effective than Tech 1 Meta 4 modules, but sometimes they are the same. T2 modules are never less effective than meta 4 modules. Tech 2 modules often require more skills to use than Tech 1 modules, and they usually take more CPU and/or Powergrid to fit. T2 modules have a meta level of 5 in their item attributes.

Deadspace and Officer modules are dropped in deadspace complexes and as loot drops from rare named enemies. These are the best modules and as such are very expensive. These items typically have a meta level of 9 or higher in their attributes. Deadspace modules have names based on their faction and quality such as "Pithi B-Type Large Shield Booster". Officer modules are named after the NPC they drop from, such as "Estamel's Modified Adaptive Invulnerability Field". While officer modules are usually better than deadspace modules, this is not always the case; always check the attributes before you buy.

Tech 1 ships such as the [[Rifter]] are bought from NPCs or manufactured by players from blueprints seeded on the market. Within ship types there are "tiers". For example, the Tier 1 Minmatar combat frigate is the [[Slasher]], the Tier 2 combat frigate is the [[Breacher]], and the Tier 3 combat frigate is the [[Rifter]]. This does not necessarily mean that the Tier 3 Rifter is better at everything than the Tier 2 Breacher. You should consider the role you expect to fill over the tier level of the tech 1 ship, as that is far more important.  The [[Breacher]] performs better at long range than a [[Rifter]], for example, but higher tier ships usually have better performance, more slots, more CPU and Powergrid, and are more expensive. The tier of a ship is not shown in game as an attribute, it can only be inferred from stats and production cost.

Empire faction ships such as the [[Imperial Navy Slicer]] are bought from the loyalty point stores of empire factions, such as the Gallente Federation Navy or Minmatar Republic Fleet. They are obtained as either complete ships or as limited run blueprint copies. You can also purchase these ships from players on the market. Empire faction ships are more powerful and much more expensive than Tech 1 ships, and are  normally less powerful than Tech 2 or Pirate faction ships. The main advantage of Empire faction ships is their low skill requirements.  If you can fly a faction's Tech 1 ships, you can fly the Empire faction ships, making them a good way of gaining an advantage during the long skill train to Tech 2 or Pirate faction ships.

These ships are only manufactured by players through the invention process. They are usually more powerful and slightly cheaper than Empire faction ships, but have high skill requirements to use. As well as better performance and bonuses, T2 ships have increased damage resistance, making them tougher. An example of a Tech 2 frigate is the [[Wolf]], a Tech 2 Minmatar [[Assault Frigate]] based on the [[Rifter]].

These ships are bought from pirate faction loyalty point stores. They can also be purchased from players. Pirate faction ships require two different factions' spaceship command skills to use. For example, the [[Dramiel]], a Pirate frigate, requires Minmatar and Gallente frigate skills. They do not require high levels in them, however, making them considerably easier to train for than Tech 2 ships. Pirate ships typically have equal or better performance to Tech 2 ships, but cost more.

Tech 2 rigs are made from materials salvaged from Tech 2 player ships. As such they are an much more rare and expensive than T1 rigs, but they also provide larger bonuses.