Superpowers

History

It's unknown when exactly humans first began developing superpowers. Possible records of superhumans have been found going as far back as Ancient Egypt. Some historians even speculate that many of the gods in most historical pantheons were actually superpowered humans who became famed in story. Still, instances of superhumans were few and far between for several centuries, to the point where many firmly believed they didn't even exist. Beginning in 1900, however, the entire globe saw a large spike in superhuman birth rates. This "Super Boom," as it was dubbed, brought the world's attention to the undoubted confirmation of the existence of superhumans. A second similar Super Boom occurred in the year 2000.

Power Classes and Levels

While there is currently no proven scientific method of classifying superhumans' power types and power levels, that certainly hasn't stopped people from trying. The most well-known and widely used classification and rating system is the SRD System, which was developed as a means of quickly assessing superhuman threats and adopting strategies to deal with them. Each classification is matched with a number, with higher numbers indicating a greater threat to public safety; some superhumans can have multiple classifications depending on their power sets. In theory, power classifications are only intended to rate the threat posed by the power, not the user's skill or any other factor. Nor are they intended to rate the "power level", usefulness, or raw strength of an ability; just the threat it poses to response personnel and civilians. However, in practice, they are often used poorly or simply to cut through "red tape" and justify treating a superhuman a certain way. Regardless, the system itself has proven popular with superpower monitoring groups across the globe and is the go-to method of assessing a superhuman's capabilities.

Classifications

• Fleet - Power enhances movement or mobility, allowing transportation to other areas through various means.
• Zone - Power has an area of effect, allowing some degree of control of the battlefield.
• Brick - Power offers enhanced strength or durability, usually both.
• Shift - Power allows the user to change their physical form, appearances, abilities, or even their state of matter.
• Sway - Power can control others or create controllable "minions."
• Blast - Power has ranged offensive capabilities.
• Psi - Power is mental based and relates receiving, gathering, or dispersing information.
• Strike - Power has close range or touch-based abilities.
• Sneak - Power is related to stealth, distraction, infiltration, and subterfuge.

Threat Levels

• 1 - Ability poses a threat only just above human norms. An average individual may be able to cope with the ability or walk away unharmed from an altercation. The ability should be assumed to be a non-threat and need not be identified if other matters prove more pressing.
• 2 - An alert, exceptional, well equipped, or trained individual should be able to answer or address the ability in question, but it can prove problematic. Responders are reminded of standard countermeasures and should put these measures in effect when there are no pressing other matters.
• 3 - Civilians, even alert or fit civilians, will not be able to handle the ability or abilities in question. Several trained individuals may be required to deal with the situation. Care should be taken to remove civilians from the area and discourage them from participating.
• 4 - One full squad of trained operatives should be able to deal with the situation alone, but exceptional circumstances, context, and environment may bias things one way or the other.
• 5 - Additional countermeasures come into effect. A typical superhuman or one superhuman assisting a squad of operatives should be able to deal with the power in question. Operatives can engage until assistance arrives.
• 6 - A typical trained superhuman or one superhuman assisting a squad of operatives should be able to deal with the power in question. Operatives should postpone engagement. Superhumans and operatives should assume that traditional actions are going to be met by a complication. Acquiring further intel is recommended where possible but not mandated.
• 7 - Superhumans should engage in pairs or trios at a minimum. Two fully equipped squads should be deployed. Acquiring further intel is mandated, and all acting parties should shift to the defensive or delay until intel can be acquired.
• 8 - Evacuation of civilians should take priority for all squad members. Engaging should be avoided outside of specific missions and tasks. Superhumans should engage only when supported by their team to ensure a minimum amount of complications or danger.
• 9 - Assume extreme complications, with standard tactics not applying, or the power in question having an additional factor that exaggerates its effect. Superhumans and operatives should evacuate where possible, and should only engage when a specific mission and strategy has been outlined. Major countermeasures should take effect.
• 10 - In the event of a serious confrontation, additional teams or specific high-rated individuals should be called in to manage the crisis.

Manifestation

For the most part, humans possessing superpowers are no physically different from baseline humans. They may undergo physiological changes while utilizing their powers, but these changes are usually temporary and can be hidden or displayed at will.

Localization

Superpower development as a whole is incredibly rare. One of the most recent studies (in 2010) estimated that less than 0.1% of the world's population either have powers or have the capability of gaining powers. Superpowers tend to be a more common sight in heavily populated urban areas, but it's theorized that this is due more to higher population concentration than any urban environmental effects.