[douglas]

In TechArea.txt, Start Level is the tech level each player starts with on a low tech start, and Raise Level is the level for a medium tech start. High tech start gives everything at max level. One level of the appropriate colonization tech is also given out on top of this, though I don't remember off the top of my head exactly how which tech to give is determined.

To give a different default starting weapon, you just need to set the Start Level for its prerequisite technologies to whatever level is required for the level of the weapon you want.