This article is intended to be a very simplified overview of the system. I have a more thorough explanation on my YouTube Channel if you want to learn more without reading the Wiki.
Techmaturgy is a craft in Runarcana that empowers its craftspeople to combine magic and technology to create incredible devices and inventions. From holographic cloaks to motorcycles to giant mecha suits, the possibilities for what amazing things you make as a techmaturge are endless. This is actually true, because you can create your own formulas.
On the Runarcana Wiki, Techmaturgy is split into three sections: The Techmaturgy, the Techmaturgy Craft, and Gadgets. I’m going to simplify the many pages that go into this system and give you the highlights, but for total understanding, you’ll have to read the Wiki. I’ll be putting the Gadgets with the other Formulas in the craft, but the Wiki has them under The Techmaturgy.
The Techmaturgy
The Techmaturgy page describes how Techmaturgy manifests itself in each region, called a Techmaturgical Line or Techmaturgical Expression (they use both interchangeably). We’ll talk more about that later, but it’s essentially a specific way to combine magic with technology that is unique to a region. For example, Piltovans use the Hextech Techmaturgical line and would be familiar with hextech tools, but not the True Ice inventions from the Freljord. You may choose any Techmaturgical Line, and will have opportunities to select more later on. The only other vital information in this page is about Energy Sources
Energy
In Runarcana, Energy is the resource that powers techmaturgical devices. Think of it like the mana of magical technology. If you want to use a device, you need to spend some energy. Energy is stored in the device itself in one of three things: Cells, Cores, and Reactors. Specific decisions during character creation may give characters energy as a trait, allowing them to channel their own energy directly into the device. Let’s break that all down.
Artificial Energy Sources
A Cell is like a disposable battery. It gets charged with energy when its created, but once it runs out, it cannot be recharged. You’ll need a new Cell for your device.
A Core is a bit more expensive, but it’s like a rechargeable battery. It gets charged with energy, and every day, it can be recharged with mana from a source such as a player character.
A Reactor is the most expensive, but definitely the best. It recharges itself daily, so you don’t have to worry about recharging it yourself.
Below are the different Techmaturgical Lines and the Base Materials for Cells and Cores in that line.
Organic Energy Sources
The last way to get energy is through your character. Some characters have the ability to use energy directly from their bodies instead of needing to use a Cell.
If you have the Techmaturgical Line that matches that of a particular device and your character has the Energy trait from one of the sources below, you may use your personal Energy instead of that of the Cell, Core, or Reactor to operate a device. However, if you do not have that Techmaturgical Line, on your first attempt, you must make a Technology check with the DC = 10+ Device Level. If you succeed, you may use it without needing to go through this process again. On a failure, you expend the energy but do not successfully use the device.
Currently, only the three sources below exist for Organic Energy
- The Chirean Origin grants energy equal to half of your Proficiency Bonus.
- The Recognized Experiment Heritage grants energy equal to half of your Proficiency Bonus
- The Bioenergy Heritage grants Energy equal to your Proficiency Bonus
Techmaturgy as a Craft
Overview
Techmaturgy uses Intelligence as its attribute and synergizes with the Arcana, History, and Technology skills, granting bonuses to checks or bonus features for each.
The set includes various tools like screwdrivers, hammers, gears, and a portable torch.
You will also choose a Techmaturgical Line that is connected to a region, but it does not have to be the one your character is from. These are the types of inventions you can work with. You can add a Techmaturgical Line instead of learning a new formula, so you’re not just stuck with what you started with. An example of two different techmaturgical lines could be an automobile made with Hextech (Piltover), and a Necropulse made with Azakana (Ionia) magic. From my experience, it’s mostly thematic, but it matters as much as your GM wants it to.
How to Get this Craft
There are many ways to get a craft. Everything in the list below will either allow you to select Techmaturgy specifically or any craft of your choice.
Origins: Human, Nocti Chirean, Envoy Construct, Shimon Vastaya
Pasts: Craftsman, Creation, Inventor
Enhancements: Master Artisan, Nazumite Craftsman, Skilled, Technomaniac, Zaunite Experiment
Formulas
The formulas in Techmaturgy are all inventions or gadgets of various types. They’re all fully explained in the Wiki, but I wanted to just list what they are in categories that made sense to me: Apparatuses (super advanced formulas requiring a lot of steps) and Inventions (less complicated formulas). I split the inventions into Offensive (deal damage), Defensive (protect yourself or others), and Utility (mobility, skill check enhancement, etc.). Most inventiones offer utility in addition to offense or defense, so only things that are strictly utility will go in that list.
Apparatuses
Apparatuses are an incredibly advanced, complicated formula with tons of customization options. Generally, Gadgets are character-defining. These each deserve their own deep-dives. The Gadget Categories are:
- Improved Weaponry: A variety of unique inventions to improve and modify traditional weapons
- Blasters*: Like super advanced guns. An elixir gun that shoots healing capsules and poison capsules, for example
- Projectiles*: Enhanced ammunitions of any type that can do things like explode, track enemies, or freeze things
- Servos: Automotons that are controlled through a neural link in your brain
- Mechas: Giant metal suits that blast things or wield gigantic swords
*In some cases, you can use your Techmaturgical Projectiles in your Techmaturgical Blasters
Inventions
Sources of Energy
- Level 1
- Energy Cell
- Energy Core
- Power Reactor
- Level 3
- Advanced Cell
- Level 4
- Residual Energy Storer
Offensive Formulas
- Level 1
- Chirean Adjustable Wrench
- Lenses of Prey
- Master Craftsman’s Gloves
- Note from Jonas: This speeds up techmaturgy crafting, so I’d get this ASAP!
- Level 4
- Offensive Amplifier
- Level 5
- Artillery Engine
- Bionic Lens
- Freezing Ray
- Level 6
- Gravity Manipulator
Defensive Formulas
- Level 1
- Chirean Mask
- Mechanical Helmet
- Medical Propulsor
- Level 2
- Energy Shield
- Andrenochrome Infuser
- Holographic Cloak
- Firelight Mask
- Level 3
- Elemental Resuscitator
- Level 4
- Defensive Amplifier
Utility Formulas
- Level 1
- Climber
- Explorer’s Lenses
- Necropulse
- Level 2
- Diving Equipment
- Voice Modulator
- Firelight Plank
- Straight up hoverboard
- Level 3
- Boots of Strength
- Jet Pack
- Overload Trigger
- Portable Engine
- Tanotic Reader
- Level 4
- Floating Shoes
- Motorcycle
- Neuro Adaptive Diadem
- Level 5
- Automobile
- Level 6
- Quantum Probability Calculator
- Quantum Probability Calculator
Crafting Your Techmaturgical Device
Crafting a Techmaturgical Device is exactly the same as crafting anything else in Runarcana. This is all described in the “Creating Items” section of the Crafts page.
First, you’ll need to be proficient in Techmaturgy (level 1 or higher with the craft). Then, pick a formula.
Let’s do an example. Let’s assume the following: we’re only Techmaturge Level 2, we selected the “True Ice” Techmaturgical Line, we’re level 5 with a Proficiency Bonus of 3, and we have an Intelligence Modifier of +2. We are making a device with a DC of 13 and Market Value of 70GP.
To make our device, we need a cell, some materials, and our Craft Set. We have our Craft Set since we’re Techmaturges, and we can say we purchased or built the rest already.
Cost: Our device has a Market Value of 70GP, which means it has a crafting cost of 35GP (half the MV).
GP/Day: Let’s assume we’re going to work for 8 hours a day in our free time to not make calculations complicated. We start at 5GP/Day like always. We’re working alone, so no need to worry about that. Because we’re Techmaturge Level 2, we get +1 GP/Day, bringing our total to 6. Lastly, we’ll say we have some blueprints which will give us another +1 GP/Day boost, bringing us to 7 GP/Day.
This means we need to generate 35GP worth of work, at 7GP/Day, so it’ll take us 5 full days to complete this.
Preparation Roll: Now that we know how long it should take, we need to roll to see if we complete it successfully in time. We need to roll a d20 and add our preparation modifier. We just need to beat the DC listed on the formula, which for us, is 13.
Preparation Modifier = your craft level + ½ proficiency bonus + Attribute modifier. So to our d20 we add 2 (Techmaturgy Level 2) +2 (Half of our Proficiency Bonus of 3 rounded up) +2 (Our Intelligence Modifier). On average we roll about 10, so we’ll say our final result is 16, meaning we’re successful in completing our device!
We pay our 35GP, we spend our time, and we move on with our adventure.
Energy Cells, Cores, and Reactors
The Correct way to calculate creating a Cell, Core, and Reactor is actually different than the other devices. It simply follows the table shown above (or on the actual formula). So if we wanted a 1-energy Core at Techmaturgy Level 2, we would just spend the 1 hour and 40 minutes, spend the money, and roll the check.
In Conclusion
Techmaturgy is by far the most advanced and complex craft in Runarcana. There is just so much you can do. While it’s overwhelming, it definitely rewards understanding with incredible things in game. If you have questions or want to discuss Techmaturgy, send a message in the Runarcana Discord!
Champions of Runeterra 
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