You won't need to design basic
spell chips, but you might want a special spell chip. When designing a new special spell chip, your spell chip's level will usually be 1 to 2 levels higher than the basic spell chip, depending on the magnitude of the special effect. You can always design a new tech or hybrid item with a spell chip permanently installed, but make sure it uses a spell thematically appropriate with the base item. Remember that if you make the spell chip 2 levels higher, it's now competing with spell chips of a spell a whole level higher, so the special effect should be worth that cost!