When technology levels are low, the Kardashev civilizations classification is relatively adaptable.
However, when technology level exceeds a certain limit, the class gap between civilizations cannot be simply measured by the amount of energy used.
For example, humans, if humans were to invent the Dyson membrane and then fall into an eternal technological bottleneck with no further progress, as long as Earthlings are given time, they can still spread their footprints throughout the Milky Way Galaxy, utilizing every star within and even covet the Galactic Center, gradually climbing the ladder to a Tier 3 Civilization.
Yet, Earthlings still cannot leave the Milky Way to reach extragalactic galaxies; they would still lose in the face of the invading Compound-Eyed Observer.
Even if the opponent only sent a million warships, their total energy combined would not be one in a hundred billion of the entire Milky Way, but they can still win.
