- Object Classes indicate containment difficulty, not danger level.
- Safe SCPs are easily contained, while Keter require immense resources.
- Thaumiel objects are used by the Foundation to contain other anomalies.
- Esoteric classes like Apollyon represent uncontainable threats.
- Primary classes determine resource allocation and research priority.
Understanding Object Classes
Object Classes serve as a standardized system within the SCP Foundation to categorize anomalies based on their containment requirements. These classifications are not measures of how dangerous an item is, but rather an indicator of how difficult it is to lock up. This distinction is crucial for resource allocation, budgeting, and research prioritization.
The vast majority of anomalies fall into the three primary classifications: Safe, Euclid, and Keter. However, the Foundation utilizes a variety of secondary and esoteric classes for unique or extreme scenarios.
Safe Class
- Containment: Easy and reliable
- Trigger: Often requires activation
- Risk: Low if left alone
Euclid Class
- Containment: Unpredictable
- Behavior: Autonomous or sapient
- Risk: Hard to predict
Keter Class
- Containment: Extremely difficult
- Cost: High resource usage
- Risk: Hard to maintain
Classifying an anomaly as "Safe" does not mean it is harmless. It simply means the Foundation can put it in a box and leave it alone without it escaping. A Safe SCP can still be lethal if activated improperly.
| Class | Difficulty | Autonomy | Resource Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe | Low | None | Low |
| Euclid | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Keter | Extreme | Variable | High |
| Thaumiel | N/A | High | Very High |
The Big Three: Safe, Euclid, Keter
The Locked Box Test is the informal guideline researchers use to determine the appropriate Object Class. If you lock it in a box, leave it alone, and nothing happens, it is Safe. If you are unsure what will happen, it is Euclid. If it easily escapes, it is Keter.
Identify Containment Needs
Assess the resources required to keep the anomaly secured. Does it need a standard locker, or a complex multi-layered facility?
Evaluate Behavior
Determine if the object is autonomous, sapient, or predictable. Living entities are almost always at least Euclid class due to their needs.
Assign Classification
Apply the Locked Box Test. If the object requires constant attention or specific triggers to be contained, avoid the Safe label.
Any SCP that is alive, autonomous, or sapient is generally classified as Euclid. You cannot simply lock a living being in a box without consequences, making them inherently unpredictable to contain.
| Criteria | Safe | Euclid | Keter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locked Box Test | Nothing happens | Unsure what happens | It escapes |
| Knowledge | Well understood | Insufficiently understood | Poorly understood |
| Reliability | 100% reliable | Unreliable | Containment is complex |
Secondary and Esoteric Classes
Beyond the standard three, the Foundation recognizes several Secondary Classes for specific containment scenarios. These are distinct from "Esoteric" classes, which are often unique to a specific narrative.
Thaumiel class objects are anomalies that the Foundation uses to contain other anomalies. Their existence is often classified to the highest levels, known only to the O5 Council. Conversely, Apollyon class anomalies represent uncontainable threats, often associated with world-ending scenarios that cannot be stopped.
Secondary classes like Archon and Cernunnos describe anomalies that can be contained but are not, either due to dire consequences (Archon) or ethical/logistical reasons (Cernunnos).
| Class | Definition | Containment Status |
|---|---|---|
| Thaumiel | Used to contain other SCPs | Active Foundation use |
| Apollyon | Uncontainable world-ending threat | Impossible |
| Archon | Best left uncontained | Theoretical refusal |
| Neutralized | No longer anomalous | Destroyed or disabled |
| Explained | Debunked or understood by science | None needed |
Classification Checklist & Maintenance
Proper classification is not static. Anomalies can change classes as they are studied, destroyed, or better understood. Maintaining accurate records is vital for the safety of Foundation personnel.
Classification Review Checklist:
- Verify the Locked Box Test results
- Confirm if the anomaly is autonomous or sapient
- Assess if current containment procedures are failing
- Update status if anomaly is destroyed (Neutralized)
- Review if new science explains the phenomenon (Explained)
If an SCP is fully understood by mainstream science or debunked as a hoax, it must be reclassified as Explained. If it is destroyed or its effects cease, it becomes Neutralized.
| Old Class | New Class | Reason for Change |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Neutralized | Destroyed or effects ceased |
| Any Class | Explained | Science debunks the anomaly |
| Any Class | Decommissioned | Intentional destruction |
| Pending | Primary Class | Research completed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does a higher Object Class mean the SCP is more dangerous?
No. Object Classes strictly refer to the difficulty of containment, not the lethality of the anomaly. A Safe SCP can instantly kill you if you interact with it, while a Keter SCP might be completely harmless but impossible to keep in a box.
Q: What is the 'Locked Box Test'?
The Locked Box Test is a heuristic: If you lock it in a box and nothing happens, it is Safe. If you are unsure what will happen, it is Euclid. If it escapes easily, it is Keter.
Q: What are Thaumiel class objects?
Thaumiel class SCPs are anomalies that the Foundation utilizes to contain other anomalies. They are typically extremely powerful and their existence is a high-level secret.
Q: Can an SCP have more than one Object Class?
Generally, no. However, it is permitted to use a secondary class in addition to a primary one for tagging purposes, especially if the classification changes over time within the article's narrative.