OOME scale

The Order of Magnitude-Efficiency (OOME) scale replaced the Kardashev scale in the early 23rd century. Breaking down power consumption was actually strategically and economically useful, but referring to numbers like .035, .113, 1.4, 2.03, and so on did not give a particularly clear picture as to what was going on, unless someone converted these raw numbers to their equivalent values.

The OOME scale was made with this in mind - a typical citizen might earn a rating of 3A or 4B, an entire geren might have command over 7A or more, and so on. This gave a more solid analysis of a group's capabilities.

First comes the number - a simple logarithmic value representing the order of magnitude of the group in watts - 3 is 1,000 (10^3), 14 is 100,000,000,000 (10^14), and so on. Decimals are sometimes used to give more specific values - 3.7 is roughly 5,012, for example.

The letter represents the rough efficiency of the group.

• R: Newest classification, for infusions, cerevates, and hypomatter. Stands for Regalia. Sometimes also written as 'G' for 'Godlike'.
• S: A combination of the H and M ratings, where appropriate.
• H: Hadronium and exomatter. Ability to construct and/or has access to a strategically significant amount of it.
• M: Mobius patterns. Exceeds theoretical maximums - only valid as a classification inside the Milky Way's halo.
• A: Between 50% and 100% of theoretical maximum for normal matter. Humans reached this level in the late 21st century.
• B: Between 25% and 50% of theoretical maximum. Earth reached this level during the early 21st century.
• C: Between 10% and 25% of theoretical maximum. Most advanced pre-space colonization societies.
• D: Between 5% and 10%. This is the lowest level wherein a civilization is considered 'technical'.
• F: For Fail. Anything less. These civilizations are usually pre-industrial.

The result is a fairly apt description of a civilization's technical capabilities. The move from D to A is often quite rapid - it took some three cycles for humans. The average is suspected to be around twelve, assuming a lack of interference. This isn't always beneficial - many portions of the Triad were stuck at class B until well into the Diaspora, due to the First's interference.