Tech is an optional “house” rule. Its not allowed in tournaments. I suppose this means that when you use it you might as well modify it since all of it would be house rules. It doesn’t feel as well developed as the rest of the game, and even when we turn the option on, no one does it.
I have not heard of any restriction on when you can use tech, which is probably fine because unless you tweak the rules that are in the book, there are only 2-3 really awesome ones of 12 and a 33% chance of a %16 chance is not that great. One whole chart is broken and way too weak.
These factors mean that trying for tech isn’t a good deal at $5 or a game changer OOB and so if your opponent wants to do it from turn 1, I’m thinking go right ahead.
YG’s idea of giving you a free tech when you get a Victory Token is awesome, my spin on that one was that it should be a specific, flavorful tech (Germany takes UK gets Jets).
It is equally cool to start the game with each power having a themey tech like UK/radar Germany/Jets Japan/Super Subs etc Have fun.