Superhuman Power Ranking Systems

Upon establishing his rule, Atlas created a ranking system for superhumans that determines the lethality and utility of their powers, and by extension, the restrictions imposed on them. B-Rank individuals and above are required to wear badges to display their rank. While Atlas invented this system, other countries outside of his influence have chosen to adopt it, such as Russia.

## Overview

Superhuman tests vary in accuracy. Quick hormone tests are used to determine only if an individual possesses superhuman hormones (is awakened) or doesn't (is not awakened). These tests are available at most pharmacies, and schools under The Owl's rule require periodic testing to attend. Children that possess the superhuman gene in Russia are forced to undergo basic testing every month.

More sophisticated tests exist that evaluate the concentrations of superhuman hormones in an individual's bloodstream and can identify their power rank (e.g. the test administered to Kira in Spectrophobia). While most of the scientific aspect is too advanced to be inside the scope of narration in the Anchor universe, one superhuman hormone was revealed to be called hemocyperphysine, and it is highly concentrated in the blood of A-Ranks and most likely S-Ranks.

## D-Rank

This rank encompasses abilities that are either virtually useless or weak but somewhat useful. Often, weaker D-Rank individuals do not realize that they have abilities at all; their awakening event was so unnoticeable or mild that they don't know until they take a blood test. The vast majority of D-Ranks are harmless and thus treated almost identically to those who possess the gene but are unawakened.

Uranaishi and Isla are the only D-Ranks that have appeared thus far.

## C-Rank

This category contains abilities which are either strong but harmless, or strong but highly limited. In theory, these latter abilities could be powerful, but they have such harsh limitations that it is very difficult to use them in a harmful way. C-Rank superhumans often face general discrimination if they reveal their abilities, so they usually don’t make their powers public knowledge.

Anchor is falsely registered as a C-Rank superhuman with limited powers of magnetism, affording him far more opportunities in life than an A-Rank. Actual C-Ranks include Sanadora and Centimeter.

Any superhuman with a rank higher than C is required to wear a badge to show that they possess potentially dangerous abilities.

## B-Rank

These powers either have a basis of inconveniencing people or mildly injuring them, or they can easily be used in malicious ways to inadvertently harm people. For example, Melatonin lands in B-Rank because her sleep-inducing ability affects people, but not in a harmful way. Powers such as invisibility, walking through walls, mind-reading, etc., also fall into this rank, as, although they are not directly harmful, they can easily be used for malicious intent. The government often finds these powers threatening, as they are useful for spying or quick escapes. Discrimination is strong against B-rank superhumans; most, but not all, public facilities do allow B-Rank superhumans onto the premises, but only after an identification check.

B-Rank superhumans that have appeared thus far include Melatonin and Dropkick.

## A-Rank

These powers are inherently dangerous. In the wrong hands, they can cause destruction to property, as well as badly injure or even kill people. However, these powers are usually contained to a small area, so they do not cause *mass* destruction or *mass* murder. Also, people with A-Rank abilities are usually easy to kill or incapacitate; they often have the durability of an average human, so in the case of A-Rank criminals, they can simply be shot down.

A-Rank superhumans face extreme discrimination stemming from the public's fear of their powers. They are sometimes refused service at public facilities such as restaurants, grocery stores, amusement parks, etc., and experience difficulty securing a job. A-Rank superhumans are never allowed on airplanes, or most public transportation, for that matter. Furthermore, A-Ranks who have caused any sort of public unrest, no matter how trivial, must wear a tracking device for at least a year afterwards so the police can keep tabs on them.

The A-Ranks that have made an appearance are Anchor, Blackout, Marionette, Fen, Flare, Best Girl, and Mercury.

## S-Rank

These superhumans are exceedingly rare and incredibly powerful. Many possess both short-range and long-range abilities with the potential to cause mass death and destruction. Additionally, many S-Ranks possess extra abilities of resistance, regeneration, strength, etc., which renders them extremely difficult to kill. As such, S-Rank superhumans are treated as outcasts and criminals. They are rarely allowed to use public facilities and often require police escorts if they wish to leave their homes. Most S-Rank superhumans are hermits who live cut off from society, relying on government welfare, as they are unable to find employment. Any hint of aggression from an S-Rank superhuman results in immediate incarceration. Alcoholism and drug abuse is common among S-Ranks, as are suicide attempts; however, many S-Rank humans are unable to kill themselves due to their durability, leaving them in despair that they cannot even die.

S-Ranks are very rare but can shape the course of a conflict. Napalm, Faultline, and Archangel fit into this category.

Napalm is the first recorded S-rank superhuman, awakening when he was five years old, with other S-ranks awakening more and more frequently in the following decades. While low-ranking abilities have existed for about seventy years, S-rank abilities have only existed for the past forty-five years.

## Other Ranking Systems

### Pre-Atlas Russia

A "lethality rank" system was in use prior to Atlas' rise to power: superhumans were assigned a code based solely on how lethal their powers are. This system only minimally accounted for powers that don't directly harm but can be used for espionage, theft, stalking, etc.

1L: Powers that are harmless. Comparable to D- and C-Rank.

2L: Powers that can be a security risk. Comparable to B-Rank.

3L: Powers that can cause bodily harm. Comparable to B- or A-Rank.

4L: Powers that can kill. Roughly equivalent to A-Rank.

5L: Powers that can cause mass destruction and death. Identical to S-Rank.

The lethality rank system was quickly abandoned in favor of Atlas' system due to said system more accurately identifying the threat level of particular powers.

## Trivia

* A-Ranks make up the biggest percentage of Squad 6's recruits.
* Becoming a public supporter of Atlas alleviates some of the discrimination for superhumans of any rank, but the majority of higher rank superhumans refuse to even pretend to do this.
* The B-Rank badge is orange, the A-Rank badge is red, and the S-Rank badge is gold.