Base time is determined by item complexity and output TL. Simple items (TL ≤ 4, non-electronic): 1D × 10 minutes. Mechanical items (TL 5–7): 1D hours. Electronic or complex items (TL 8+): 2D hours. Items at the fabricator's maximum output TL double the time and require a Engineer (electronics) 8+ check or the run fails.
Raw material feedstock costs approximately 25–40% of the finished item's market value, depending on composition. Feedstock is typically sold by mass at Class A/B starports. A fabricator cannot reduce material cost below this floor — it shapes, it does not conjure.
Material bundles for common items (personal arms, tools, basic electronics) are available pre-packaged at TL10+ worlds as a convenience item. Exotic or restricted material mixes require separate sourcing.
Every item produced requires a design template file. Three categories exist:
Licensed: Purchased from manufacturer; locked to a registered unit serial number. Typically 10–25% of item value. Subscription models exist for high-volume operators.
Open Source: Free-to-reproduce templates distributed through IISS data networks and commercial databases. Quality varies; Engineer 6+ to verify file integrity before first run.
Pirated / Grey Market: Unlicensed copies of proprietary templates. Illegal to possess in most jurisdictions with Law Level 4+. Quality unreliable; roll 1D — on a 1, the template is corrupted (item fails or has hidden flaw).
Firearms, bladed weapons above TL5, and armour templates are Restricted or Prohibited depending on local Law Level. Possession of an unlicensed weapons template is treated the same as possession of the weapon itself for legal purposes. Customs scanners at Class A ports will flag template libraries on declared devices.
| Item | Min TL | Fab TL Req. | Template Status | Fab Time | Material Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knife / blade (non-powered) | 1 | TL8 | Open Source | 30 min | Cr 5 |
| Handcuffs / restraints | 4 | TL8 | Open Source | 45 min | Cr 8 |
| Breather mask (basic) | 5 | TL8 | Open Source | 1D hrs | Cr 40 |
| Auto pistol (TL6 pattern) | 6 | TL8 | Restricted | 2D hrs | Cr 75 |
| Shotgun (TL5 pattern) | 5 | TL8 | Restricted | 2D hrs | Cr 110 |
| Medical diagnostic tablet (TL8) | 8 | TL10 | Licensed | 3D hrs | Cr 600 |
| Comm unit (encrypted, TL8) | 8 | TL10 | Restricted | 2D hrs | Cr 180 |
| Cloth armour (TL7) | 7 | TL10 | Restricted | 3D hrs | Cr 200 |
| Assault rifle (TL6 pattern) | 6 | TL8 | Prohibited LL4+ | 3D hrs | Cr 175 |
| Combat drug (TL10) | 10 | TL13 | Prohibited | 4D hrs | Cr 950 |
| Vacc suit components (partial) | 8 | TL10 | Licensed | 1D days | Cr 1,800 |
| Neural interface jack (TL12) | 12 | TL13 | Prohibited LL6+ | 2D days | Cr 12,000 |
First run from any new template requires Engineer 6+. Failure: 1D — 1–2: item has hidden flaw (GM determines; may not manifest immediately), 3–6: item is substandard (−1 to relevant rolls).
Pirated templates: roll regardless of success; on a 1, flaw is severe or dangerous.
Substituting lower-quality feedstock reduces material cost by 40% but imposes the same substandard result as a template failure, and stacks with it. A cost-cut weapon that also used a dodgy template is doubly unreliable.
The fabricator cannot detect substituted stock. Operator's problem.
Active fabricators produce heat, chemical off-gassing, and electromagnetic signatures. Recon 8+ or Electronics (sensors) 8+ to detect within 20m.
Custom ports and Class A starport cargo scans will flag chemical signatures associated with weapons-grade feedstock in undeclared quantities.