The SCP Foundation categorizes its anomalies using a standardized system of classes that describe the logistical difficulty of securing an object, person, or entity. This numerical and alphabetical designation does not strictly refer to the power level of the anomaly, but rather to the resources required to contain it safely. Understanding these classifications is essential for anyone studying the database, as it provides insight into the operational challenges faced by the organization.
Primary Containment Classes
The primary containment classes form the backbone of the Foundation’s logistical planning. These designations—Safe, Euclid, and Keter—represent a spectrum of manageability, ranging from items that pose minimal risk to those that threaten global stability. The classification is determined by the current containment procedures and the likelihood of a breach occurring under standard conditions.
Safe Class
An SCP classified as Safe is easily contained and does not require extensive resources to maintain security. These anomalies typically exhibit predictable behavior and can be secured with standard lockdown procedures and minimal personnel. Examples include items that are inert or require specific triggers to activate, making them reliable and straightforward to store within standard containment cells.
Euclid Class
Euclid class SCPs are the most numerous category and represent the greatest challenge in terms of standardization. These anomalies display unpredictable or poorly understood behaviors that make consistent containment difficult. Even with rigorous procedures, there is a significant risk of malfunction or escape, requiring heightened security measures and often individualized containment solutions to mitigate the threat they pose.
Keter Class
Keter class anomalies are those which currently cannot be fully contained or are too dangerous to allow to roam free. These entities or objects breach containment with relative ease and often require extreme measures to subdue or neutralize. The classification serves as a warning to personnel that standard protocols will likely fail, necessitating emergency response plans and maximum resource allocation to prevent disaster.
Secondary and Tertiary Classifications
Beyond the primary classes, the Foundation utilizes a secondary layer of designations to convey additional information regarding the nature of the anomaly. These classifications are often used in conjunction with the primary class to provide a more detailed understanding of the threat level and the ethical considerations involved in handling the entity.
Neutralized and Thaumiel
The Neutralized classification is applied to anomalies that have been successfully destroyed or rendered harmless. Conversely, Thaumiel class SCPs are a rare and critical category; these anomalies are used by the Foundation to contain other, more dangerous SCPs. They represent a strategic asset, functioning as a countermeasure or failsafe against Keter-level threats.
Explained and Apollyon
An SCP marked as Explained is an anomaly that has been fully understood and subsequently lost its anomalous properties, often due to a shift in human perception or scientific advancement. The Apollyon classification is reserved for entities that are uncontainable and actively rebellious, representing an imminent or ongoing reality breach that current protocols are powerless to stop.
Special Designators and Object Class Usage
While the standard classes provide a framework for containment difficulty, special addendums and designators are used to denote specific risks related to cognition, memetic effects, or metaphysical presence. These tags ensure that researchers are aware of unconventional dangers that do not fit neatly into the standard physical threat matrix.
Designators such as Cognitohazardous, Memetic, and Non-Corporeal alert staff to the intangible nature of the threat. Furthermore, the Object Class is often used interchangeably in field reports to quickly identify the general threat level, with the strict definitions ensuring that even a Safe designation is treated with the appropriate level of caution based on the specific circumstances of the anomaly.
