====== Research ======

There are several research paths available, each has 5 levels.

Levels cost time and money.

=====Concept roll=====

Modifiers:
   * Level: -6/level
   * +5 if you have a working model you’re trying to copy, or +2 if the device already exists but you don’t have a model.
   * if the item is a variant on a existing one; 
     * +3 if you improve a device by one step
     * +2 if you do a weapon or armor that is very similar(cybersuit and light cybersuit, or pistol and smg)
     * +1 if you do a weapon or armor in the same category(heavy and light power armor, a smg and rifle)
   * -5 if the basic technology is totally new to the campaign (regardless of TL);
   * -5 if the device is one TL above the inventor’s TL.

Each inventor may roll once per day. 
   * On a success, proceed to the next step.
   * On a failure, the inventor makes  no breakthrough but may try again the next day at no additional penalty.
   * On a critical failure, the inventor comes up with a “flawed theory” that looks good but that will never work in practice – go on to the next step, but note that it is doomed to failure

Of course, if the inventor has somehow obtained actual blueprints for the device, he can skip this stage altogether!

=====Prototype=====

A success – or critical failure – on the Concept roll gives the inventor a  theory he can test in the laboratory. The next step is to construct a prototype (working model). This requires a second roll against invention skill. The GM makes this “Prototype roll” in secret.

Modifiers:
   * All modifiers listed for Concept rolls; 
   * +1 per assistant with skill 20+ in one of the skills required for the invention, to a maximum of +4;
   * -1 to -10 if the inventor must make do with anything less than the most advanced tools and facilities for his TL. 
     * Base thing is: +6 program and +4 laboratory(100 units of very fine laboratory module), each below that is -1

a success, the inventor proves his theory and creates a prototype. On a failure, he may try again, provided he has the time and money (see below). On a critical failure, an explosion or accident occurs. This inflicts at least 2d damage to the inventor and each assistant – and destroys the facilities, which must be rebuilt at full cost before making another attempt. If the inventor was working with a flawed theory, he will never create a working prototype (this is why the GM rolls in secret!), but a critical success
on the Prototype roll lets him realize that his theory was bad.

Time for prototype for given levels.
   - 1d-2 days
   - 2d days
   - 7d days
   - 4d-2 weeks
   - 3d months

For the ship upgrades, multiply time by 4.

Each attempt to produce a prototype has a cost equal to the retail price of the item being built, as given in the appropriate game supplement or real-world source, or as set by the GM. Triple this cost if the invention is one TL in advance of the inventor’s TL.

=====Testing and bugs=====
The majority of prototypes have shortcomings, or “bugs.” Critical success on the Prototype roll means there are no bugs; success by three or more gives 1d/2 minor bugs; and any other success gives 1d/2 major bugs and 1d minor bugs. Minor bugs are annoying, but not critical. Major bugs are catastrophic to the function of the device – and sometimes to the user as well!

To find bugs requires testing. Once per week of testing, roll vs. operation skill (e.g., Driving for a car, Electronics Operation for a radio) at -3. Each success finds one bug; a critical success finds  all bugs. A failure triggers a major bug, if present, or finds nothing.

A critical failure causes a problem similar to a major bug without encountering any real bugs; alternatively, the tester is convinced, erroneously, that no bugs remain.

Bugs that remain after testing surface on any operation skill roll that fails by 5 or more. A major bug always surfaces on a critical failure.


=====Weapons=====
Each weapon has 3-4 paths: Damage, accuracy, weight. 
   * Damage increases damage by 10%/level
   * Accuracy increases accuracy by +1 acc/level.
   * Weight reduces the weight of weapon without ammo/power cells by 10%/level
   * Beam weapons, gaus and grav weapons have also: Ammo capacity: each level gives +10% shots/magazine and power cell.

=====Shields=====
Have 3 research paths
   * Effect: Each level increases maximum shield value by 10%
   * Recharge delay: Each level reduces the delay until it starts regenerating by one multiple.(*0.7,*0.5,*0.3,*0.2,*0.15)
   * Recharge rate: Each level increase the recharge rate by one multiple(*1.5, *2, *3, *5, *7)
   * Hardening: Levels 1,3,5 increase hardening against beam weapons and levels 2,4 against projectiles, each level also cause lowering of the shield DR by 10% due to compression.

=====Durability=====
Have 3 research paths
   * Skin weave: Each level increases the armor value of the implant armor by 20%.
   * Reinforcement: Increases the armor value of the internal reinforcement by +1/level and levels 1,3,5 give +1 hard to subdue each, 2 and 4 give +1 hard to kill each.
   * Hit point capacity: each level raised maximum limit +1 hitpoint over the normal limit.

=====Armor=====
Each armor material has 3 research paths
   * Protection: each level gives +10% armor protection
   * Weight: each level gives -10% weight/level.
   * Hardening: Levels 1,3,5 increase hardening against beam weapons and levels 2,4 against projectiles.

=====Medical=====
   * Improved Regen: gives +1 to HT/level for all purposed of the drug.
   * Regen delay reduction: Each level reduces the regen use delay by one step multiple from calculated(*0.7,*0.5,*0.3,*0.2,*0.15)
   * Better quick heal: Each level heals +1 HP more/quick heal.
   * Faster quick heal: Each level divides time for quick heal to work by one step multiple(*0.7,*0.5,*0.3,*0.2,*0.15)

=====Other gear=====
Any other gear can be improved in the same way.

Normally you can improve it to be lighter or have longer operating duration.

=====Ship increases=====
   * Ship shields: each gives +10% shields.
   * Ship armor: each gives +10% armor
   * Ship sensors: each gives +1 sensor/comm value.
   * Ship lasers: each gives +10% ship laser damage
   * Ship grav guns: each gives +10% ship grav gun damage
   * Ship blaster: each gives +10% ship blaster damage
   * Ship stealth: each gives extra -1 to be detected.
   * Ship maneuverability: levels 1,3,5 give +1 stability rating, level 2,4 give +1 handling rating.
   * Ship ftl: Each gives +10% ftl speed.
   * Ship maneuver: Each gives +10% maneuver drive acceleration
   * Ship Reinforcement: levels 1,3,5 give +10% hitpoints, 2,4 give +1 HT.