Tech files

Tech files (AKA boxes) are a resource that players purchase or receive in a number of different ways. Tech files are **researched** on the Research Panel, which is accessed from the Expanse View by hitting the  Research Button in the lower left corner.

**See also:**

* Blueprints
* Blueprint availability

## What is in the File?

Most of the tech files must be purchased by players before they can be researched. So how is a player supposed to know what they are getting for their purchase?

   All of the tech files will have a contents button -  on the purchase screen that will display a list of items that may be contained in that particular tech file.

    In addition, the contents list will have a lower case **i** button at the top that will display the probabilities for the key contents. The United Tech File gives a 50% chance of either a Frigate or Destroyer blueprint. So effectively a 50% chance of getting a Winged Hussar, a 25% chance of a Reliat, and a 25% chance of a Mare Tranquillitatis.

Players should **carefully** read the documentation for any unusual tech files **before** purchasing, especially if they are playing on a limited budget - some of the limited release tech files are not good bargains.

Careful research has shown that the basic layout of a tech file is determined at the time it is purchased/claimed but that, if it contains a blueprint, only the **class** (Cruiser, Frigate, etc.) is determined at that point. The actual ship is determined **when the box is opened**. This means that a player can buy boxes before something new becomes available, and wait to open them until after it is available, and the player will have a (very small) chance of actually getting the new ship.

## 2.0 version Tech Files

The **Black Market Tech Files**, the **Ship & Aircraft BP Files**, and the **Generic Tech Files** are different in different systems.

In Phase I servers and in the Hub system, the original (unlabelled 1.0) versions are available. In Phase II servers, the 2.0 versions are available.

The 2.0 versions may contain Star System Limited Blueprints (see Blueprint availability) - but only after the first week or so. During the first week (or two?), the Star System Limited blueprints are only available from special boxes (named what?).

## Black Market Tech Files

Black Market Tech Files (of either type) can be obtained by:

* Purchase - 150 Proxima Coin once per day
* Purchase - 300 Proxima Coin
* Purchase - 888 Proxima coin for a triple sized version, literally three regular Black Market Tech Files that have been chained together
* Purchase - 2660 Proxima coin for a jumbo version, literally nine regular Black Market Tech Files that have been chained together
* Reward for achieving certain levels of the Partnership Agreement or **Strategic Partnerships Agreement**
* Some of the "Interstellar Caravan" rewards? (150/300/450 Proxima tech files)

The daily 150 Proxima Coin boxes, in conjunction with the Dawn Financial Plan and Partnership Agreement are the primary means by which free-to-play gain blueprints and tech points

1.0 (Phase I and Hub):

* No blueprint: 90.0%
* Frigate: 3.0%
* Destroyer: 2.5%
* Cruiser: 1.2%
* Battlecruiser: 0.5%
* Carrier: 0.3%
* Fighter: 1.0%
* Corvette: 1.5%

2.0 (Phase II systems):

* No blueprint: 90.0%
* Frigate: 2.8%
* Destroyer: 2.4%
* Cruiser: 1.2%
* Battlecruiser: 0.5%
* Auxiliary Ship: 0.3%
* Carrier: 0.3%
* Fighter: 1.0%
* Corvette: 1.5%

## Star System Limited Tech Files (is that what they're called?)

These can be purchased at the beginning of each new Phase II season/system/server for 450 Proxima Coin. These are only available for a limited time, but while they are available, they are the only way to obtain Star System Limited blueprints.

## Ship & Aircraft BP Files

These boxes are "guaranteed" to contain a blueprint. Unfortunately, the pool of blueprints contains all of the generic ships, and are heavily weighted towards frigates and destroyers (see table).

**Cost:** 15 Research point

1.0 (Phase I systems and Hub):

* Frigate: 30%
* Destroyer: 25%
* Cruiser: 12%
* Battlecruiser: 5%
* Carrier: 3%
* Fighter: 10%
* Corvette: 15%

2.0 (Phase II systems):

* Frigate: 28%
* Destroyer: 24%
* Cruiser: 12%
* Battlecruiser: 5%
* Auxiliary Ship: 3%
* Carrier: 3%
* Fighter: 10%
* Corvette: 15%

## Generic Tech Files, 1.0 and 2.0

* Cost 10,000 UEcoin

These boxes mostly contain Weapon tech and combat microchips, however there is a 10% chance of getting a ship-specific tech point (for a 'generic' ship - distribution is not given) and a 3% chance of getting a **generic** blueprint:

* Frigate: 0.8%
* Destroyer: 0.7%
* Cruiser: 0.2%
* Battlecruiser: 0.1%
* Auxiliary ship: 0.1%
* Carrier: 0.1%
* Fighter 0.5%
* Corvette: 0.5%

1.0 (Phase I systems):
(similar to the 2.0 boxes, but without the FSV830)

2.0 (Phase II systems):

* No blueprint - 87%
* No blueprint, but a ship-specific Tech point for one of the generic ships: 10%
* FG300 - 0.8%
* AC721 - 0.7%
* Cruiser - 0.2%
	+ CAS066
	+ KCCPV2.0
* ST59 - Defensive Battlecruiser - 0.1%
* FSV830 - Fast Combat Support Ship - 0.1%
* CV3000 - High-Speed Carrier - 0.1%
* SC002 - Quantum Scout - 0.5%
* Corvette -0.5%
	+ CV-T800 - Pulsar Corvette
	+ CV-M011
	+ CV-II003

## From the Development Rating Rewards Store

There is a special tab that only becomes available after the account has completed Phase I and is restocked at the end of each server/system - the Development Rating Rewards. This store offers a number of special tech files for purchase.

### Enterprise BP Files

Each box costs 200 Dawn Points and is guaranteed to have a blueprint, but with no guarantee that it isn't one that the player already has.

### Enterprise Tech Files

Each box costs 450 Proxima and contains two **tech points** plus a 10% chance for a blueprint from a specific company. Because the various companies have different ship lineups, the exact chance of getting a particular class of ship varies.

* Standard Military Ship Tech Files
* Jupiter Ind Tech Files
* Antonios Tech Files
* NOMA Tech Files

## Other Special Files

### New Ships

When new ships are released, there is usually a special limited edition set of tech files that **may** contain the the new blueprint. These files are usually 450 Proxima. Some contain double tech points while others only contain double research points. Players should carefully read the descriptions to understand what they are getting for their money.

### Festivals

Some festivals have accompanying stores that may contain all sorts of things but often include festive Livery, and may also include tech files. Players should read the descriptions **very carefully** as these tech files may include all sorts of special features which a player may or may not be interested in.

The Earth Day Tech pack was part of the festival, and also commemorated the introduction of the AT021, a new model of Fighter. It included only five tech files but also included a permanent, limited edition, livery.

## Updates

The ships specific tech points in the Generic Tech Files were added in the Patch for 2023-10-11.