S-Class

S-Class threats are those classified by the PRT as among the most dangerous threats in the world.<ref name="18.3"/>

Requirements

There are multiple ways for something to be labelled a class-S threat.

High level duplicators and villains who operate to any exponential degree are automatically considered S-class if their powers generate more instances of power generation or recurring effect in an epidemic pattern.<ref name="18.4"/>

Three PRT Thinkers must all rate a situation sufficiently highly before it can be considered an S-class situation.<ref name="18.4">Queen 18.4</ref>

Response

According to Miss Militia, the difference in response to a class A crisis and a class S one is minor. Some tertiary protocols change, the Triumvirate are guaranteed to assist, and there are penalties for anyone who subscribed to the critical situation roster if they sit it out.<ref name="18.4"/>

There are epidemic protocols for dealing with a Class S situation.<ref name="18.4"/>

Historic Examples

At the beginning of the story, there were six recognized class S threats:<ref name="18.3">Queen 18.3</ref>

Behemoth<ref name="18.3"/>
Leviathan<ref name="18.3"/>
The Simurgh<ref name="18.3"/>
The Slaughterhouse Nine (collectively)<ref name="18.3"/>
Nilbog<ref name="18.4"/>
Sleeper<ref name="18.4"/>

Later additions:

The above emerged as class S threats over the course of the story. Further, Ash Beast has the potential of being an S-class threat but moves slowly enough to be avoidable,<ref name="30.5">Speck 30.5</ref> and Blasto had a "high risk" of becoming S-class.<ref name="19.x"> Interlude 19 (Donation Bonus 1)</ref>

There were threats of a similar level that were not widely known, and were dealt with by organisations such as the Thanda.<ref>[The Thanda fight] the class-S threats that aren't so obvious as Sleeper, Nilbog or the Blasphemies, and the villains who don't take the spotlight. Some tinkers like Blasto [...] Perhaps it would be better to say Class-S level? Not necessarily known & classified, but arguably as dangerous in their own right? -Comments by Wildbow on SpaceBattles</ref><ref name="I19">Interlude 19</ref> Some tinkers such as, Bonesaw, Jamestowner, Monstrum, Mosaic, and Rattenfänger, have the potential for becoming S-class threats.<ref name="18.1">Queen 18.1</ref>

References