Lore : Power Rankings

Many have attempted to find a way to properly categorize superhuman powers by a level system. However, such exacting efforts are mostly futile. The powers of superhumans defy all known laws of physics, and thus are not easily measured. Some tend to fluctuate radically under different circumstances, and as mentioned in the Power Functions article, two different superhumans may appear to have the same power, but said powers function on completely different mechanisms.

Ultimately, it was decided that rather than base such a system on exact measurements, the best means would be to judge the degree to which a power enables a superhuman to bend or break our physical laws. A bottom rank ability on such a scale would be a minor power with a comparatively miniscule effect that could be replicated by normal physics, while a top rank ability would be flat out impossible to accomplish by any mundane human means.

Some wished to break things down by at least a 10-tier scale, but once applied, many will endlessly argue the minutiae of different powers, where one level ends and the other begins, and then start adding in decimal points to try and narrow it down further. Some have argued for a simpler 3-tier scale, but many feel that to be too nebulous.

As of 2031, the most commonly excepted system is the Numbered Class system, but a popular alternative is the Letter Rank system. They are basically equivalent. The Class System numbers from 1 to 5, with 5+ being considered beyond scale. The Rank System goes from E to A in rising order, with S being considered beyond scale.

Below are some examples of the approximate limits of each category. Expect some degree of leeway, and if you find yourself engaged in battle with a superhuman, always assume they are on the higher end of that leeway than not.

Class One / Rank E

Class One powers are barely outside the realm of human possibility. These powers could be easily replicated and surpassed with machines, and it may be possible for a truly exemplar human specimen to match their powers. A Class One in anything is rare, or at will least go unnoticed easily, but they are most often distinguishable when used by someone with obvious deficiencies for the feat they are trying to accomplish.

For example, a stick thin little girl with Class 1 Strength might be able to dead lift 1000 lbs using her Strength power. The world dead lift record by a normal human is 1047 lbs. Ergo, the girl would not technically be outside the realm of human possibility, but she clearly is superhuman since there is no way a person of her slight frame would normally be able to lift that kind of weight.

Similarly, a person with the ability to spit small flames at a short range is obviously superhuman, but anyone with a flamethrower could replicate the feat.

Generally speaking, a Class 1 superhuman would be best exemplified in action films, where the hero is able to shrug off getting slammed into walls, can flip over a car to save someone with extreme effort, can outfight a dozen men at once with fancy martial arts, can run and fight for extended periods and only be a little winded, can suffer a serious injury but still keep going just by bandaging it up and being really determined, etc.

Class 2 / Rank D

Class 2 is clearly outside the realm of human possibility, but still not so far as to be yet unstoppable by mortal effort, or replicable by certain technologies.

A person with Class 2 strength could pick up a small car and throw it a hundred feet with some wind-up. Class 2 speed, they’d be fast enough to see a bullet leave gun, if not be quick enough to dodge it. Class 2 durability would be merely bruised by bullets from most guns, and suffer less injury by high-powered guns. A Class 2 energy blast power may equal the explosive power of a grenade or a jackhammer, while a force field may be on par with a steel plate.

This is also reserved for superhumans whose powers may bolster their physicality in ways beyond Class 1, but still can be limited by physics. The most obvious example is a shape shifter than can transform into different animals. Transforming into an elephant will make them massively stronger than any human, but their strength may still be limited to a real elephant’s strength.

With some leeway given for more exotic forms of defense, Class 2 superhumans can still be killed or at least severely injured by sufficiently large explosions, heavy artillery fire, lightning bolts, having a building collapse on them, drowning, sufficiently potent toxins, etc.

Class 3 / Rank C

At this point, a superhuman truly begins to leave the limits of reality behind them. The laws of the world bend to their will to the point of near breaking. Physical powers function on levels that cannot be replicated even by the most powerful construction vehicles, the fastest travel vehicles, and all but the most destructive weapons.

Class 3 strength enables one to throw tanks half way across cities and smashing down buildings with just a couple blows. Class 3 durability enables survival against any weapon short of the most powerful missiles. Class 3 energies can destroy whole towns and chunks of cities. Class 3 speeds allow casual dodging of bullets.

Class 4 / Rank B

Few things are beyond the means of a Class 4 superhuman. At this point, superhuman physical powers simply break reality, and even their simpler abilities demonstrate “extra” effects to them.

Class 4 strength enables one to pick up a building and throw it. For some of these individuals, the physical structure of the building even remains intact, so that the part they are gripping doesn’t just snap off in their hand, and instead, they can swing the whole building like a bludgeon without it falling apart until they let go.

Class 4 durability can ignore even nuclear explosions and volcanic eruptions. Class 4 speed allows the user to move through a nearly frozen world, able to perform tasks between the beats of a fly’s wings. Class 4 energy blasts can vaporize entire cities. Class 4 telekinetic control can lift multiple skyscrapers into the sky. Class 4 extra sensory perception can read the minds of thousands, and pick out individual thoughts from the crowd.

Most superhuman powers appear to cap out at this level, with only a handful of examples going beyond.

Class 5 / Rank A

A Class 5 can do everything a Class 4 can do, but even more. Given the feats of Class 4’s already break reality about as far as it can go, the main way to tell the difference between a 4 and a 5 is that a 5 can very clearly overpower a 4 in the same area.

Those with Class 5 strength can damage those with Class 4 durability, while a 5 in durability can ignore the blows of a 4 in strength. A 5 can run circles around a 4 with super speed, can over power the energies a 4 with a blast power, can cancel 4’s more exotic powers with their own, etc.

Class 6 / Rank S

A currently theoretical power level, in which the superhuman is able to surpass even the abilities of a Class 5. Should a superhuman of this caliber come to exist, pray that they choose to restrict themselves in their interactions with the world, for they could very well have the power to shatter it.