Ever had problems describing your tech levels? Say no more! For an example: Humans are Type 7 and have only found interstellar travel.
Technology Tiers
Type 1: Non-Sapient
Species that fall into this category are non-sapient wild animals that live on instinct. Species like this are usually tamed and turned into pets.
Type 2: Primitive (AT)
Whilst species in this category are sapient, they are exceedingly primitive. Species here haven't developed clothes or might not even have made any sort of advanced language. Rocks and pebbles are the only tools species like this know.
Type 3: Ancient (AT)
Species in this category have created basic tools using stones and flint along with clothing and advanced languages. They may be nomadic or be farmers and some may have formed a civilization.
Type 4: Pre-Industrial (PT)
By human standards, a species would qualify as Pre-Industrial if they have managed to start civilization, establish a written language and use tools made of anything other than stones. The use of metals such as bronze or iron would start here.
Type 5: Industrial (PT)
The era of mass production. Species of this era have discovered machines and will support a much higher population. Automobiles, blimps and even planes will start showing up here along with serious scientific advancement.
Type 6: Nuclear (PT-MT-PMT)
Species has achieved the ability to use Atomic and Nuclear energy as a form of energy production and/or as a weapon. Satellites, probes and the occasional manned flight will be used by the species to explore celestial bodies within their system. Diseases are mostly eliminated though the species may be stuck in a cold war if they do not cause their own extinction first.
Type 7: Space Borne (PMT-FT)
Species has discovered efficient sub-light space travel and will travel regularly between celestial bodies in their system. At this point, a Post-Scarcity form of economy can be achieved depending on if species has sufficient advancements in automation. More advanced ballistic weapons and even directed energy weapons will show up here. A form of cybernetic and biological enhancement will start to make a real impact here.
Type 8: Interstellar (FT)
Species has discovered a form of FTL travel and can travel between the stars. At the highest end of this type, they are extremely accurate though prove to be inaccurate at the lower end. Cybernetics and biological enhancements are extremely common and quite advanced here. E.g. The UNSC from Halo.
Type 9: Transapient (FT)
Species have discarded most or all of their biological body and are now a machine. Species will probably be the equivalent of superman in human terms or to an ancient civilization, a god. Species will use directed energy weapons and advanced RKV (Relativity Kill Vehicle) weapons regularity along with accurate and fast FTL travel. Technology at this point will accelerate rapidly. E.g. The Covenant from Halo and the Ceph from Crysis.
Type 10: Post-Transapient (FFT)
Species here are highly advanced and have achieved a state of digital immortality (or biological immortality) and no longer have to inhabit a body. They are nearly god like and can create artificial planets, stars, moons and even entire solar systems. FTL travel will be pinpoint and extremely fast. They will be able to manipulate things like Quantum Strings and Foam with ease. Powerful directed energy weapons will be the staple weapon here and species may use highly advanced robots to fight for them. Neuro physics will start becoming a thing here and the species may be able to travel to other universes and dimensions. Species will also be able to create and accelerate the evolution of any other species. E.g. The Forerunners from Halo and Scrin from C&C Tiberium Wars.
Type 11: Transcendent (TT)
Species here have become physical gods and would be considered invincible for anyone with lower technology levels than a Post-Transapient race. Species can travel between galaxies, create star systems and will use neuro physics to achieve things things that would break the laws of physics. FTL travel is extremely fast or instant and the species may be able to create entire galaxies. E.g. the Precursors in Halo.
Type 12: Post-Transcendent (PTT)
At this point, the species have become a species of gods equivalent to that of the ones in human religions. They will have instant FTL travel and don't require any sort of ship or weapon to fight or move around. They can live outside the bounds of the Multiverse, create universes and dimensions along with destroy them. Species may not even live as part of a civilization anymore at this point and freely roam the Multiverse. e.g. Pagan Gods.
Type X: Eldritch God (ET)
The theoretical level of Eldritch God has not been observed as of yet. Eldritch Gods are speculated to be able to destroy and create universes and dimensions with little to no effort. Their existence in any universe or dimension violates all laws of physics and the universe will try and reject them, the only thing keeping them there being their own power. Most species will die or go insane just by looking at them. Their powers and abilities are hard to differentiate between magic and technology even for a Type 11 species. E.g. Lovecraftian Deities, Abrahamic Gods (Christianity, Judaism, Islam etc). If proven to exist, the species would be the highest of priorities as a threat. Nothing else is more intimidating and threatening than an Eldritch God.
No 12 or X for it has been decreed from the Great God Vulnus himself! /sarcasm