Tinker

"Are you aware of the Tinker classification?" "Covers anyone with powers that give them an advanced grasp of science. Lets them make technology years ahead of its time. Ray guns, ice blasters, mechanized suits of armor, advanced computers."<ref>https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/gestation-1-6/</ref>

Tinkers are parahumans that can create devices or alter existing devices well beyond their usual restrictions on education, knowledge, resources and/or laws of physics.

The term "Tinker" was initially created by the PRT ground-patrol and response teams in New York as a means of quickly identifying threats and adopting strategies.<ref name="PRT Quest">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Swjz8BZZNE4bq6lTkHanTK4sJ-K_xVlFudxA16mYjH4/edit#heading=h.1x68bg9w7rc5</ref>

Summary

Tinkers can create devices or alter existing devices well beyond their usual restrictions on education, knowledge, resources and/or laws of physics. They are driven by an inspiration aspect and vary a great deal in how they get their ideas. In many cases, Tinkers can get new ideas by studying powers and the work of other Tinkers. For example, Bakuda developed time and space warping bombs by scanning and studying material that had been affected by Clockblocker and Vista's powers.

Tinkers break down into two main categories: method and specialty Tinkers.

Specialty Tinkers are Tinkers that specialize in a specific area such as concealed devices, medicine, remote control, travel (underground) wavelengths and etc.
Method Tinkers are unique in how they tinker; they might have Manton-derived limitations or approach tinkering from a unique approach. These Tinkers tend to fall into the wide scope and narrow scope categories, in turn.

Tinkers work within the laws of physics, but many work with extradimensional forces<ref>https://parahumans.wordpress.com/cast-spoiler-free/cast/</ref>. It's generally impossible for anyone but a Tinker to repair or maintain a Tinker's technology, which prevents them mass-marketing their inventions<ref>https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/scourge-19-6/</ref>.

Tinker are hard to "slap a rating" on, but the PRT judges them based on the threat that they pose to the PRT and the greater community.

Strategies to Fight Tinkers

Tinkers are less dangerous when removed from their gear, but should not be assumed
to be harmless. A typical tinker can artificially assume any number of other classifications, depending on specialty. Specialty should be appended to the
classification in every case possible. (ie. phasing specialty or electricity specialty)<ref name="PRT Quest" />

Notes

Wildbow has made a page about tinkers, that can be found here.

References