Doclowell

Vote progress:

RANGER STUFF

Guide Index:

Treantmonk's Guide to Bards in Pathfinder
Treantmonk's Guide to Pathfinder Wizards: Being a God

Treantmonk's Guide to Rangers in Pathfinder

Rangers were a class that struggled to find its place in 3rd Edition Dungeons and Dragons. In 3.0 the Ranger was a one level class, the quick way to give your rogue two weapon fighting. In 3.5 the Ranger gathered a bit of dignity, but still tended to have difficulty finding a place where he excelled. Yes, he was sneaky, and could shoot a bow, and spot things, but so could a Fighter/Rogue, and the Fighter/Rogue was the better combatant. The Ranger's spells weren't very good, his animal companion was a complete waste, and even Druids were better trackers.

However, come Pathfinder the Ranger has something exciting, actual options to be effective. The new Ranger is an effective melee combatant, an effective archer, unchallenged as the best tracker in any party, and finally can put aside his nostalgia for 1st and 2nd edition.

The Builds: A Pathfinder Ranger has two mechanical options, the "archery" path and the "Two weapon fighting" path, but when it comes to optimization, these actually aren't your best build-theme options. I think from an optimization standpoint there are two viable Ranger Styles if you aren't multiclassing, and neither are two weapon fighters. I will also suggest what to do if you are interested in a Two Weapon Fighting build, which in a nutshell, is don't be a straight Ranger.

The Guide to the Guide: In this Guide we will be discussing a lot of options, because Rangers have many choices. Therefore, in order to provide my advice on these choices, I'll be Color-coding and rating them. I will also color coat the Ranger abilities, just so you know which ones are great, good, or just flavoring.

ONE STAR * This is a choice I don't recommend - keep clear
TWO STARS ** This option is good, but not great
THREE STARS * I recommend this option
FOUR STARS ** I highly recommend this option - practically a "must have"

Simple enough, like a movie review. So lets move into the Ranger skills and abilities:

Favored Enemy ***: Now a +2 bonus right from 1st level, also, now gives a bonus to hit (in addition to damage and a few skills). Favored enemy is tougher than ever, but, unfortunately, as always, it is circumstantial. It's very hard to pick what your favored enemy will be, because what you are going to be fighting all the time really depends on the campaign. If you have no idea, then these are the favored enemies I think are pretty safe bets: Humanoid (human), Undead, Outsider (evil), Magical Beast. These are all pretty common enemies, but if your DM will give you a suggestion, take it.

Track **: WOW, Rangers are once again the best trackers in the game. Add half your level to your survival for your tracking rolls, which means, really, nobody else in your party needs even bother taking survival.

Wild Empathy **: Diplomacy for animals. The great thing is you get this (basically maxed out) for free, the bad thing is that it is based on CHA (a dump stat). Nevertheless, it is handy to have, and a great ability to use in conjunction with Charm Animal, allowing you to move the animal from your worst enemy, to your loving companion forever.

Combat Style : 5 bonus feats over 18 levels, what's not to like? Much improved in that you can actually CHOOSE which feat to take, in addition, as always, you can avoid prerequisites, which means a Ranger with a moderate Dex score is still quite viable.

Endurance *: The Endurance feat as a bonus feat, yippee. This is the feat that nobody takes unless it's given, but nevertheless, I'll take it when it's given.

Favored Terrain **: A new ability for Rangers (we saw similar abilities in 3.5 Prestige Classes), you get this at 3rd level, and over your career you will get a total of 5. The bonus begins at +2, and like Favored Enemy, increases with each additional favored terrain. The bonus isn't to anything too impressive, but it does add to initiative (which is nice), and some other skills. Rangers leave no trail in favored terrain, but can still be tracked by scent we assume, so Pass Without Trace is still going to be a good spell.

Hunter's Bond ***: Now the Ranger gets a choice whether he wants an animal companion, or the ability to share his favored enemies with his allies. Here's the quick rundown for you. The bond with the companions gives 1/2 his favored enemy bonus against a single target only, as a move action, for as many rounds as his wisdom modifier (so likely 2 rounds). Yuck. The other is to get an animal companion far improved from Rangers of 3.5 (now it's your full level -3 advancement). Get the animal companion. I know, animal companions for Rangers have always sucked before. Not anymore, and the alternative really does suck. Get the animal companion every time.

Woodland Stride **: Move through overgrown terrain (as long as it is natural) at full speed. Very, very circumstantial, but hey, I'll take it. A good way to lose pursuers as well.

Swift Tracker **: Track at higher speeds. If you use track a lot, this is going to be quite helpful, especially if you are tracking something that specifically is trying to get away from you.

Evasion ***: A wonderful ability to have. You have to wait until 9th level, but a very handy ability to have. Enemy wizards love to blast.

Quarry *: Provides a small attack bonus and automatic critical confirming to one enemy per day (at 11th level). If he tries to run, god help him, because you can track him in your sleep. Not a huge ability, but basically an offensive output buff, which is always nice, however, it takes a standard action to activate, which means that quite often, this simply will not pay off in the long run. If your enemy attempts fleeing, slap this on, otherwise, not worth it most of the time.

Camouflage **: Granted at 12th level, this is basically Hide-In-Plain-Sight for all your favored terrains. Obviously this will be trumped when you get the real hide in plain sight, but until then, hide in plain sight is a nice ability to have.

Improved Evasion ***: Wade into fireballs and cones of cold without concern. Even a failed save means you will take reduced damage. If you happen to have Resist Energy up, you are all but immune to wizard blasting.

Hide in Plain Sight ***: Not granted until 17th level, Hide in Plain Sight means you can use stealth anywhere at any time. In an open field in daylight with a horde of guards specifically staring at you? No problem, goodbye.

Improved Quarry ***: You can now use your Quarry ability as a free action, which suddenly makes this ability quite a bit more useful. Also, his bonuses double, and he only has to wait 10 minutes between new quarries, which means probably one quarry for every combat.

Master Hunter : In most campaigns you will never see this ability, and in the few campaigns you do, you won't see it until the end. Yes, it's a great ability, as capstone abilities often are, but they are level 20 abilities for a Reason, to give you something you can always look forward to. Once you get this, there's nothing left.

Spells ***: For anybody who gets these, this is a big advantage. Naturally, if you multiclass, you should expect to give up the lion's share of this advantage. You can live without, but, when you do have it, you'll be glad for it. I have a detailed spell section after the builds.

Recommended Skills:

Handle Animal ***: If you get an animal companion, and as mentioned before, you should, handle animal is very necessary for proper training. Furthermore a Ranger who doesn't have Handle Animal simply can't be a Ranger anymore, sorry.

Intimidate **: Not 100% necessary, and based off a dump stat, but you don't have a lot of skills allowing you any advantage when interacting with humanoids, so you may find this useful for that. You can live without it, but nice to have.

Knowledge (nature) ***: Of the knowledge's you have, this will be the most useful. Lots of creatures are identified through the Knowledge (nature) skill. Knowledge (Dungeoneering) should be considered as a secondary option of you have the room.

Perception : Simply the most used skill in the game period. Also, what kind of scout doesn't have perception? This is absolutely the most useful skill, the most iconic skill, and your #1 priority. No Ranger should not have perception, are we clear?

Ride **: This is a definite maybe. If you plan on having your Ranger mounted (which is a viable option), then this is necessary, otherwise, it may be occasionally handy, but can be lived without, or with just a couple levels.

Stealth : I would max this out every time. Scouting requires you to be sneaky, so you have this as a class skill for a reason.

Survival : You use this for tracking, and you are a Ranger. It's also used for survival in the wilderness, and you are a Ranger. A must have.

Climb **: I would never max this out, but taking 1 rank at level 1 will give you a decent chance at modest climbing, a cheap investment for something that may come in handy

Swim **: I would never max this out, but like climb, 1 rank is a good investment. It will give you the ability to swim decently, which normally will be all you need.

Favored Class Bonus: For the archery build, you are probably OK with the extra skill point, but for any build entering melee, you probably want the extra HP.

Animal Companion Choices: Your bond should be an animal companion, here are your choices:

Badger **: Not a terrible combat option, gets Rage for 6 rounds/day. Doesn't have a great Str score, so until you get to 7th level, it will have a pretty light hit. Does get both burrow and climb which can be handy. Also has scent and low light vision, also both handy.

Bird **: The obvious advantage here is the ability to fly. The cost is the ability to fight. Birds are small, so large enough to threaten, which means large enough to flank, and they get 3 attacks per round, so they aren't entirely useless in combat, but without animal growth, you will likely find their hits to be pretty unimpressive. They will eventually have a high enough Str to qualify for Power Attack, this is a must have.

Camel *: Clearly a mount option for specific types of campaigns. Generally a worse choice than a horse, so even in a desert campaign, I would normally choose the latter.

Cheetah/leopard : Not any faster than a horse or camel, and the damage is poor. However, has a great Dex which means that you can get weapon finesse for a nice chance to hit. Also the sprint ability gives it short range bursts of speed that will be impressive. Agile maneuvers will allow you to use the dex modifier towards combat maneuvers, and these get a trip attack with a successful bite attack. Specifically an archer might find that handy to keep the enemies at distance. Gets scent as well, which is handy to have.

Dire rat: There aren't stats for the dire rat in the base book because Dire Rats appear to not be an option for Druids. I wouldn't expect much more than a potential disease attack (which tend not to be to great), so probably no big loss.

Dog *: One obvious advantage is that a dog is going to be welcome in pretty much any city, but otherwise this is purely a weaker option than the Cheetah or Leopard.

Horse ***: If you plan to be a mounted Ranger, this is likely your best choice. Horses are actually pretty tough in combat with decent STR scores and large size. At 7th level it will become war trained as well. The horse also has scent, making it just as good at tracking by scent as a dog. Horses, like dogs, are going to be welcome in any city. A good choice.

Pony *: Pretty much worse than the horse in almost every way. If you are small size, you may need a smaller mount, in which case this is an understandable choice, otherwise, there is no reason to go this route.

Shark: Aquatic campaigns only, in an aquatic campaign, it's really the only choice, in a non-aquatic campaign, it's a non-choice.

Snake, constrictor ***: The point of this guy is to grab and constrict, something he won't be doing on medium foes until 7th level, after that, he's OK at it. Note that the snake is also a swimmer, giving you that versatility as well. Snakes get the scent ability too.

Snake, viper *: Like the constrictor, but give up all the combat stuff for a poison bite, which won't cease to let you down. If you want a snake, go for the big one.

Wolf ***: Very iconic choice, and very competitive with the Cheetah/Leopard. Stats are very similar and both have the tripping ability. Both advance similarly at 7th level as well. The Wolf does not have the sprinting ability, and it uses the single attack rather than the triple attack, so in the end, probably slightly weaker.

Deadly Aim except that it is normally better to use deadly aim then not to. This can change if either: Your base damage before deadly aim happens to be very high (eg. you are fighting a favored foe), or your to hit number is very high. Always apply Deadly Aim "to hit" modifiers before deciding whether to apply Rapid Shot.

Archery Basics:

As a Ranger, expect that using a Bow is very often going to be part of your character. It may be your main focus, or it may be just one aspect of the whole. However, some changes have occurred to archery in Pathfinder (mainly for the good), but sometimes it's hard to know which feats you should be applying to which shots.

Vital Strike: If you want to play hit and run, this is really your only archery option to increase your damage. Make a full move, fire with Vital shot, do more damage. Period. Vital Shot is NOT for full attacks, and when you can get a full attack, it is almost always better to take it then to use this feat.

Rapid Shot: Rapid shot is available right at level 2 with an Archery style, and level 2 is when you get the biggest bang for your buck. Essentially you double your arrow output for a -2 on each arrow. When do you want to use Rapid Shot? If Rapid Shot or firing a single arrow are your choices - then the only time that the single arrow is better is if you need to roll an 18 to hit before adding Rapid Shot (so RS brings you to an even 20 to hit). Any other time, rapid shot is the better choice.

Manyshot: Absolutely a must have for Rangers, gives you an extra arrow without any minus like Manyshot. Always better than firing a single arrow. If you have Manyshot and Rapid shot, always use manyshot on a full attack, and use Rapid Shot as well whenever your target number "To Hit" is 15 or less, if you need more than a 15 to hit before adjusting for Rapid Shot, then don't bother with it. Once you get a 2nd attack at level 6, reduce that number to 13. 14 or higher to hit, don't use Rapid Shot, 13 or lower, use it.

Deadly Aim: No hard and fast rules for when to use this because it changes based on the pre-existing damage bonuses you have. Suffice it to say that Deadly Aim is USUALLY going to be a good choice. If you need extra damage to punch through DR, it's going to universally be a good choice. If you find you are doing lots of damage without (because of Favored Enemy for example), or you find that your to hit number is really high (18 or so - though this can vary based on arrow damage), then it MAY not be the best option in those cases. However, if in doubt, my suggestion is to use Deadly Aim.

The Archer Ranger ***

The Archer Ranger is a dedicated archer, and pretty darned Iconic too. He likely owns a melee weapon…somewhere, but make sure to wipe off the dust before you use it, he gave up using it by 3rd level. In reality the archer Ranger has several different weapon options: Enchanted, Cold Iron, Alchemical Silver etc. The Archer Ranger is best to stay out of melee, he doesn't aid the battle tactically, instead he simply fires arrows. If you make a character dedicated to firing arrows, he must deliver damage consistently and reliably, otherwise, he's just a spectator. This build concentrates on ensuring your Ranger does more than fire arrows, this build ensures those arrows are constantly dropping opponents.

3.5 had a hate-on for archery. I don't know why, but they just did. In the end it meant that archery builds were hard to make effective…you could shoot a lot of arrows, you could make those arrows hit, but reliable damage was a problem, not just a problem, it was a big one. Pathfinder has added options to make archery good again. Thank you! When you are talking about a Bard, you are talking about Arcane strike. For a Ranger, it's Deadly Aim. This feat is not an option, and if you play an archer without it, you'll know why after you wipe away the tears of frusturation.

Ability Scores:

Dexterity is the primary stat for archers for a reason. A Ranger can avoid several Feat required attribute levels, but Dexterity still determines your "to hit", your AC bonus, and your Initiative, all important. Strength allows you to deliver damage, which with archery, is very important since damage bonuses are a bit harder to get. Wisdom affects your ability to cast spells, as well as the duration on one of your potential abilities, so a bit is needed, Con affects your HP, which are less important since you wont be in melee most of the time, not a dump stat, but not all that important. Int affects your skill points, which is nice, but you have a decent amount of skills already, so not too important. Cha is your only true "dump stat".

Race:

When choosing Race you want something that is going to boost your Dexterity, or at least your Strength or Wisdom. A movement score of 30 is definitely a nice to have, though not primary. Expect to fight at range, so torchlight just won't cut it, making Low Light vision or Darkvision nearly a must have, or at least, a huge bonus. Remember that small size races will be using Shortbows, not the end of the world, but it will reduce both damage and range moderately.

Half Elf ***: The ability bonus can be put in DEX, and low light vision is good to have. The skill focus feat is nice for stealth or perception (if you put it in perception that will stack with the racial +2 bonus). The elven immunities are decent as well. The multiclass bonus may be helpful too depending on your build

Half Orc ***: The ability bonus can be put in DEX, and Darkvision is very helpful (better than low light in dungeons when scouting). Not much else specifically suited to the role, but that alone makes the Half Orc a decent choice.

Elf ***: +2 to Dex is great, while the Int and Con modifiers will likely cancel out. Low Light vision is very helpful, as are the bonuses to Perception and enchantment. The Spellcraft and Spell DC bonuses likely won't have much impact. Overall a strong choice, on par with the Half-elf.

Human ***: +2 goes into DEX, and the bonus feat is very handy, especially at low levels. The extra skill point will come in handy. Having no special vision type hurts, but it isn't the end of the world, eventually you can get spells that will do the job. At very high and very low levels, I think this is the best choice. At mid-later levels, but before you get the darkvision spell, you may find the lack of special vision to be a liability.

Feats:

Well, naturally you are going the archery route, so some of your feats will come from that, but beyond the archery combat style feats, the rest of your feats need to also concentrate on archery. Fortunately, there are plenty of choices:

Point blank Shot **: The obvious first choice. A first level archery Ranger needs to be willing to enter melee, but when firing his regular bow, that +1 to hit and damage will be significant.

Rapid Shot ***: Getting 2 arrows in the air is a big deal. Essentially you are doubling your offensive output. Once again, be prepared to draw a sword once everyone enters melee, but until then, twang twang!

Precise Shot ***: Now you are a dedicated archer. Hopefully by this time you are using a mighty composite bow, and now you have no penalties for firing into melee, you should be able to deliver damage steadily and reliably

Deadly Aim : This is a great deal, -1 to hit for +2 damage is good, and it gets better as levels increase. Your arrows will be mighty painful at this point. You absolutely need this somewhere down the line. Certainly by 9th level if you haven't taken this yet, get it.

Manyshot : You can now put 2 arrows into the air with a standard attack, or at least one extra on a full attack, and they all should be delivering very nice damage.

Weapon Focus **: If you have a weakness in archery, it's all the to hit penalties, so even a +1 is handy

Improved Critical **: You are only improving the threat range by one, but Archery criticals are very nice (and all your bonuses multiply) so this is worth it

Improved Precise Shot ***: Cover bonuses come up all the time in archery (often by the positioning of your own allies), so eliminating them is terrific

Critical Focus *: By itself nothing special, but it opens up all the nice critical options

Staggering critical ***: Staggered is a devastating effect, and it also prevents enemies from charging you.

Vital Strike***: This feat only helps you on a Standard attack, which generally you want to avoid in archery. However, if you want to use your move action on the same round you fire, then Vital Strike simply improves your damage for no penalty to hit. Costs you a feat, but if you like that tactic, then this should be a standard for you.

Other Feats you may want to consider:

Fleet **: Extra movement is good, it helps positioning, and gives you control over range. Even 5 feet is helpful

Mobility **: Allows retreat from adjacent foes with less chance of being pounded.

Mounted Archery **: Prerequisite: Mounted Combat. Mounted Rangers are a definite option, and it's great for maneuverability.

Multiclassing:

The Archer Ranger doesn't need to multiclass, but one option would be to take one level of rogue; That gives you not only a 1d6 sneak attack (for your first round of combat if you win initiative, which you often will), but also gives you the ability to detect traps. This can be a handy skill for a Ranger to have.

Prestige Classes:

The obvious choice is Arcane Archer . In order to qualify you are going to be an elf or half-elf (no problem, good choices anyways), and you are going to need to be able to cast 1st level arcane spells (oh.) Your best bet is to take a single level of Wizard to qualify. If you do this, your original build should favor Int over Wisdom. A 14 starting INT should suffice, and Wisdom of 10 will do you fine.

The Two Weapon Fighter * (Or "Help me make a 2xScimitar Drow Ranger, but he's not a Drizzt clone, his name is Drazzt")

Why the hate for the TWF Ranger? Glad you asked, because he isn't very good, that's why. At least as a single class he isn't. Allow me to explain:

A Ranger has full selection of Martial Weapons. Lets take paired short swords for a hypothetical Ranger, then let's take an Archer Ranger and give him a Greatsword. Lets say each Ranger has a Strength score of 18. Level 2 arrives, and the Two Weapon Fighting Ranger now has the feat. So who is better in melee?

The Two Weapon Fighting Ranger attacks twice per round of full attack. His final attack bonus is +4/+4 (2 BAB, -2 TWF, +4 STR). His damage with his primary weapon is 1d6+4. His damage with his secondary weapon is 1d6+2, if he hits with both, that's 2d6+6, assuming no DR.

The Archer Ranger attacks once per round with full attack. His final attack bonus is +6 (2 BAB, +4 STR). His damage with his primary weapon is 2d6+6 (sound familiar? In this case 2d6 for greatsword, + 1 1/2 Str bonus). So he does just as much damage, but hits more often.

It gets worse if there is movement involved. If a standard attack is taken, the TWF Ranger gets only one attack, while the Archer Ranger also gets one attack, but the Archer Ranger hits just as often and does nearly twice the damage.

Every time the TWF Ranger gets the next level of TWF (improved, greater), it basically gives him one attack with his off hand for every attack he had with his primary hand, at the same chance to hit. The Archer Ranger is still hitting more often, for the same overall damage, consistently. In the end, with all those feats, the TWF Ranger is actually WORSE than the Archer Ranger who took out a Greatsword.

Now Pathfinder has some options to make TWF a bit better. You can now power attack with small weapons, which gives only 1/2 damage for the off hand weapon, so again, no advantage to the TWF, and Double Slice, which will give you 2x str bonus to damage, rather than the 1.5. However, you are eating up feats like crazy, and considering the 2 handed Ranger didn't need to spend those feats, and had +2 to hit right from the beginning, the TWF Ranger is not faring well in comparison.

Finally, Two Weapon Rend should carry the Two Weapon Fighting Ranger's damage above the 2-handed weapon Archery Ranger. This is only after taking 5 feats to do so. Ugh.

So what do you do if you WANT a TWF Ranger? My suggestion is to multiclass with Rogue. A 1/2 Ranger, 1/2 Rogue TWF gets full sneak attack bonus on both weapons, and counts on that sneak attack for damage. Rogue skills mesh nicely with Ranger skills, so you will find yourself still an effective Ranger-type of character. I'm just going to breeze over this build, since it's not a dedicated Ranger…

If you do this, you can reduce your Wisdom stat requirement, a 12 will do you fine, even long term.

Race: My suggested race would be Half-Elf. Get the your full money's worth out of the multiclassing bonus, and skill focus acrobatics will be of use.

Attributes: I would make Dex the highest priority, followed by Wis, Con and Int. Str can be moderate, as can be CHA.

Feats: Weapon Finesse is a must. Then pump up your two weapon fighting and maneuverability options.

The Switch Hitter (Saving the best until last)

This brings me to my highest suggestion for a Pathfinder Ranger build, I was quite excited when I started to play around with some builds, and found to my surprise, "Hey! This actually works!!!". I would NEVER recommend this for a 3.5 build, there are just too few feats to pull this off, but for Pathfinder, this works nicely. The Switch hitter uses the bow at range, then switches to a single melee weapon for melee.

I know, I know, who ever heard of a Ranger doing that? Not what you picture when you think of an Iconic "Ranger"…

Ahh…right. Forgot about him. Doesn't get more Iconic than the original and most well-known Ranger.

The Switch Hitter isn't quite the Archer that the Archer Ranger is, but he's close. Furthermore, the switch hitter is a melee character, ready to wade into melee whenever the chance presents itself. You know those video games where you can switch between archery and melee fighting and be good at both? That's the Switch hitter in a nutshell. A fighter can pull this off too, but wouldn't you rather have all the skills, all the spells, the animal companion, the class abilities, excellence in archery, and excellence in melee? Sound too good to be true? It's not, and I'll prove it.

Tactics: At first level you are just a melee fighter. Grab a greatsword or a longsword and shield if you prefer and bash away. You'll find that high strength melee builds are always optimal at first level, and the switch hitter is no exception.

When you can afford a mighty composite longbow, get one. You should have quick draw early on, so you'll be firing a bow at range, and when the range drops, you drop the bow and draw your melee weapon. At this point don't be using a shield, you just don't have time to get it on. Therefore, your melee weapon at this point should be two handed, beyond that, whatever you like.

When you get to 6th level you will notice that your arrows are really quite deadly. With Deadly Aim, Manyshot, and Rapid shot, you can fire 4 arrows in one round for pretty nice damage potential. Then when you drop your bow and enter melee, you should be having a to hit and damage that rivals pure melee builds. This is in addition to all the skills and the spells you are starting to receive. The animal companion is just gravy in the mix.

By upper levels your arrows will continue to rival a dedicated archer's, and your melee ability should rival a dedicated meleer. The pure fighter will outshine you in melee eventually, and the Paladin will outshine you vs. evil, unless you are fighting a favored enemy, which will tilt the scale in your favor, but you will always be competitive, with the archery ability as a pure bonus.

Combat Style: The combat style of the Switch Hitter is Archery. The Switch Hitter doesn't use TWF, he uses a two handed weapon instead. His skill in archery is gained through the combat style class feature, while his skill in melee is gained through his regular feat selection.

Ability Scores:

Strength is the primary stat for the switch hitter. The Switch hitter doesn't need a high Dex to qualify for Archery Feats because combat style allows you to bypass stat requirements. Strength however will determine the strength of the mighty composite longbow (damage), and determine to hit and damage for a 2 handed weapon (utilizing a 1 and 1/2 bonus to damage on the weapon). Dexterity will affect your to hit with archery, as well as affect your AC. It's not as important as Str, because you've got a great BAB already, so those arrows will have a pretty good to hit anyways. That said, jump on Dex stat bonus items when they become available. Wisdom affects your ability to cast spells, as well as the duration on one of your potential abilities, so a bit is needed, Con affects your HP, which are nice to have, but you have a good base already. Int affects your skill points, which is nice, but you have a decent amount of skills already, so not too important. Cha is your only true "dump stat".

Race:

Remember the Archer Ranger? Remove Elf, and put the +2 stat into Strength for the others. That's it.

Combat Style Feats to choose:

2nd: Rapid Shot
6th: Manyshot (for a Ranger, this is just better than Rapid Shot)
10th: Improved Precise Shot
14th: Your Choice
18th: Your Choice

Why no precise shot? If you think about it, precise shot is worthless to the switch hitter, because when melee breaks out, he's in it, and you don't need it to qualify for Improved Precise Shot, because you are a Ranger…yay! Why no Point Blank Shot? Because he doesn't need it. Ranger's can avoid prerequisite feats for their combat style bonus feats. The only other archery feat you'll be taking is deadly aim, and Point Blank Shot isn't required for that either.

Regular Feat Selection:

Level 5: At level 5 you will select Deadly Aim. Its the one archery feat you will select with your regular feats, and it's absolutely a necessity, so just do it.

Quickdraw : In order to make the switch from Bow to Two Handed Weapon, this is a must. Level 3 at the latest.

Power Attack : An excellent deal with two handed weapons, grants +3 damage for -1 to hit. As a Ranger you have a great chance to hit, so this is a great deal

Cleave ***: This has become a nice skirmish feat. Move into position where you threaten two enemies, attack one, and if you hit, make an attack on the other. Nice.

Great Cleave **: Harder to set up than Cleave, but if you can, it's almost like pounce, except you don't need to charge.

Step Up **: A good way to hound archers and spellcasters who use the "5 foot step back and cast or fire arrows" tactic. Force them to give you an attack of opportunity instead.

Improved Sunder **: I like this feat for a two-handed weapon strength build. You have a really nice chance of destroying the weapon.

Lunge **: A handy feat for someone who is a skirmish meleer. Also works nicely with Cleave (to improve the reach for threatening foes).

Dodge **: Nice to have, just for the AC boost.

Vital Strike***: A nice feat for skirmishing, because it adds damage to standard action attacks. Also, this feat is adding to both your ranged and melee attacks. If you have two potential targets in Melee, Cleave is better, but if you are fighting a single target, then Vital Strike is just extra damage.

Heavy Armor Proficiency ***: A good expenditure of a feat so you can wear Mithril Full Plate

Improved Critical (Falchion) ***: Here's where you start to specialize in a specific weapon. The Falchion works very nicely with Improved Critical

Critical Focus (Falchion) **: Obviously just one in the chain…

Blinding Critical (Falchion) : Take advantage of the Falchion's nice crit range to blind foes. Rangers have full BAB, and mesh well with the critical feats.

So how does this turn out? Lets take an example build. Say a 10th level Switch Hitter Ranger, how good is he?

Human 15 point stat buy

Str (+2 racial): 18 (10)
Dex: 13 (3)
Con: 13 (3)
Wis: 13 (3)
Int: 10
Cha: 7 (-4)

Raise the Dex at level 4, the Con at level 8, the Wis at level 12, and Str at levels 16 and 20.

Level 1: Feats: Power attack/Cleave: At this level the character is a Greatsword Wielder. With a Breastplate he has a 17 AC, and 12 HP (for first level not too bad). His to hit with his Greatsword is +4, and damage is 2d6+9 (pretty good)

Level 6: Add feats: Quick Draw, Deadly Aim, Manyshot, Rapid Shot Dex has been increased to 14 at level 4: Equipment: Now the character is using a Greatsword and a Mighty Composite Longbow (+4 str). When enemies are at range, the ranger can take his normal move and fire 2 arrows, each at +7 to hit (1 attack roll, both hit or miss), or take a 5 foot step and attack 3 times, each at +5 to hit. Damage with each is 1d8+8. This is without any magical bonuses. Not bad eh?

The enemies close, he drops his bow, quick draws a greatsword, and in Melee he is now doing 2d6+12 on two attacks, or even on three with a move action if he plans it well. Welcome to the switch hitter.

Keep those feats concentrating on melee, archery will take care of itself now. Rapid shot and Many Shot will ensure you get all kinds of arrows in the air, and Deadly Aim will ensure they hit with a deadly punch. When melee comes, drop the longbow, and switch to a two handed weapon. Eventually a Falchion may be your best bet to take the best advantage of critical feats.

The Switch Hitter and Multiclassing:

Really, the Switch Hitter is a single class character build. A single dip into Rogue is always a decent option for Ranger, but not required. Fighter dips are also possible, but in the long run, you aren't going to see the payoff for what you give up.

Your best Switch Hitter plans on 20 levels of Ranger.

The Switch Hitter and Prestige Classes:

Again, not really the way to go with a switch hitter. Keep him Ranger all the way, use the bonus feats to keep his archery top notch, and his regular feats to ensure his melee ability remains great.

The weaknesses of the build: There is only one that I can see, and only at lower levels. It is the Armor Class. The Switch Hitter needs to concentrate on Strength, which means his AC, considering he wears only a breastplate, will mean a moderately lower AC than a fighter two handed weapon build. Heavy Armor Proficiency plus Mithril Full Plate should eliminate this weakness entirely at higher levels. Otherwise you have a ranged capacity far better than a focused melee build, but aren't facing much disadvantage in melee, you have spells, skills, an animal companion, class special abilities galore, favored enemies, favored terrain…can't complain!

Rangers and Spellcasting:

Spellcasting is an important part of the Ranger package, but it is by no means the most important part. For a Ranger, spellcasting is a convenience, merely an enhancement of his current abilities (and many of the Rangers spells specifically work in this manner). There are a few things to remember when it comes to spellcasting as a Ranger:

1) Rangers no longer use 1/2 their level as their spellcasting level. Instead they use their level -3. This means that defeating SR is no longer an impossibility with a higher level Ranger, and many spells you may find useful longer. Overall, this is an important powerup that needs to be considered when memorizing spells.

2) Rangers have no zero level spells, which means all their casting is limited in times/day. Rangers get few spells, even at high levels, so Spellcasting isn't going to be anything you do often

3) Rangers are Wisdom based casters, so you will eventually need a Wisdom of 14 to take advantage of the full spellcasting selection. Also note that Rangers get "0"'s on their spellcasting chart, which means, unless you have bonus spells of that level, you won't be able to cast that level spells. In most cases, that won't prevent 1st or 2nd level casting at the appropriate levels, but it is fairly likely you will be waiting until 11th level for 3rd level spells and 14th level for 4th level spells. This isn't a big deal, certainly not worth putting too many important stat points into Wisdom.

4) Rangers are divine prepared casters, so you can alter your spell selection daily. This means the most circumstantial spells are only a day away when needed.
1st-Level Ranger Spells
Alarm: I like this more for Rangers than for other casters. Who but a Ranger is going to be scouting alone, and need to take a rest without a rotating watch? Level 7 is when you can get a full 8 hours (Thank you new Ranger-caster level mechanics!).
Animal Messenger: I also like this more for Rangers than for other classes. The Animal Messenger spell again works specifically well for a scout getting information back to his allies quickly and efficiently. Also note this is early entry, Druids and Bards get this as a 2nd level spell.
Calm Animals: Rangers sometimes need to be sneaky, and I specifically see this as a helpful way to get past guard dogs quietly. Pretty circumstantial admittedly. Anyone else have handy uses for this one?
Charm Animal: Want a new pet? Maybe that Dire Bear over there…Start with Charm Animals to make it friendly, then Wild Empathy to make it helpful, and now it "woves you fowever". Handy enough? In addition, animals and high will saves just don't go together.
Delay Poison: Delay Poison, which in certain circumstances can be more useful than Neutralize Poison, and early entry as a first level spell. Very handy to have on short notice.
Detect Animals or Plants: Maybe if you're looking for Herb. "HERB! HERB?", I know, your sides are splitting. Sorry, trying to think of a good use for this spell…not succeeding.
Detect Poison: Forget the detecting, memorize Delay Poison instead. This spell is actually LATE entry for the Ranger. (Normally level 0)
Detect Snares and Pits: I'm kind of surprised this spell still exists. It was a way to give a Druid a kind of "natural" alternative to Clerics and Detect Traps. Who wants a spell that detects natural traps only? Seems like only getting half the job done to me.
Endure Elements: Allows you to endure hot or cold climate, but does not provide any energy resistance. Potentially useful in circumstantial circumstances. Good to have on the list, but something you won't want to memorize unless you know you'll need it.
Entangle: Even the Druid, with 9 levels of spells, finds this spell to be potentially the best for its level on their entire list. Rangers are fortunate to have it as well. Not early entry, but still very handy. Excellent battlefield control, and can also be used for a quick getaway when scouting.
Hide from Animals: You can get the whole party past animals with this spell. I don't know how often you need to do that, but, when you do, this spell is on the list.
Jump: Gives a flat bonus to jump checks with acrobatics. Not the kind of bonus that has you leaping in a supernatural manner (you likely won't clear the high wall for example). Honestly, I can't see the point of using a memorization slot for the very off chance you'll need it, and by the time you could memorize it, the need will likely have passed or an alternative found.
Longstrider: Increase your base speed by 10 feet. Mechanically inferior to expeditious retreat? Nope, look at the duration, this is a hour per level kind of buff. Cast this when you begin your day of adventuring, and depending on level, it may last the whole day. By the way, extra movement for scouts and skirmishers is very handy to have.
Magic Fang: Turns one natural weapon magical (+1 enhancement) for 1 min/level. The main use is for your animal companion or a summoned animal to be able to bypass DR/magic. That is pretty circumstantial, but perhaps handy occasionally.
Pass without Trace: Get the whole party through an area without tracks, or even leaving a scent. Probably circumstantial, because lets face it, there's always one guy in the party determined for a head-on fight with anything, but I still think this is handy, and very Ranger-appropriate. Also, this can work for just you to sneak past anything that would normally detect you with a scent ability, not just animals. Edit: Maybe not, this spell keeps you from being tracked by scent, but not necessarily detected by scent.
Read Magic: Ranger scrolls may not be common, but they do exist, and you need this spell to read them. Fortunately, it's on the list, there if you need it. Don't memorize it regularly though.
Resist Energy: My personal favorite spell for dealing with energy attacks (because it has no limit before it disappears), and not only does the Ranger get it, they get it early entry. In addition, the new mechanics for caster level serve you well here.
Speak with Animals: Allows you to play Dr. Doolittle. Personally, unless you want to ask about the group of orcs that may have passed by the area, direct verbal communication with animals isn't required beyond the handle animal commands.
Summon Nature's Ally I: I do like summoning, but Rangers come too late in the game for this to provide much use in combat. Honestly, a Riding Dog when you are level 4 isn't much value in a fight. There are some utility uses to summoning, but they are reduced with the natures ally line, and more suited to the summon monster line.
2nd-Level Ranger Spells
Barkskin: A decent duration buff that's value will largely depend on the availability of magic items in your campaign. Natural Armor doesn't stack, so if you have magical items that provide the bonus, this isn't much use, if not, it's a valuable AC boost with a decent duration.
Bear's Endurance: I have the same problem with all the stat boost spells. They don't stack with the most common stat boost magic items in the game. If magic is rare in your campaign, these might be handy (but note a limited duration), otherwise they may be useless. Special note about Bear's Endurance is that it can also work as an emergency replacement for healing. Throw 4 points of Con on a wounded ally and they get 2 hp/level. It's not really healing, but it may provide the same benefit in regards to surviving the combat.
Cat's Grace: See Bear's Endurance.
Cure Light Wounds: This is late entry for the Ranger and not recommended for memorization. That said, whether 2nd level or 4th level, it's helpful for this to be on the spell list, because it makes you able to use the very cheap and immensely recommended Cure Light Wounds wands.
Hold Animal: With Animal Empathy, Pass Without Trace, and Charm Animal on the list, why are you still fighting animals? This has to be pretty rarely needed I would think.
Owl's Wisdom: See Bear's Endurance
Protection from Energy: This isn't my favorite energy protection (see Resist Energy above), but it does overlap with the latter for increased protection, and it is early entry.
Snare: Creates a snare trap. The upside is that it is permanent until triggered, therefore having this on your spell list is a boon. The downside is it's pretty circumstantial.
Speak with Plants: Me no likely. As the spell description points out, plants are stupid and have no reason to be friendly with you. Perhaps useful for getting some very basic information, though Speak with animals will probably serve as well for the same purpose.
Spike Growth: Ahhh…now we're talking. Intended as an inconvenient trap spell, in fact, this spell is battlefield control. Choose the squares to be affected, and those moving over make a saving throw or are slowed. Not as good as slowing like the spell slow, but still, halving their movement. There's some minor damage as well. Also, the squares you trap are DC 27 search check to reveal, and unless your enemies are using Search during a battle, that means they won't see what's coming. A good way to slow down fast moving enemies.
Summon Nature's Ally II: Still too weak for the level to be used in combat, but summoning elementals has utility purpose. The Earth Elemental can glide through the wall and let you know what's on the other side. Fire elementals can start fires, while Water elementals can put them out. Air elementals of course fly at perfect, so can be handy scouts as well. The duration isn't long, so small jobs only.
Wind Wall: Wind Wall is an effective battlefield control spell, even for Wizards who get this at 3rd level. However, also note that Wizards use this spell to block conventional weaponry while they fire spells through it. You however rely on conventional weaponry. Instead use this so the wizard doesn't have to, then leap into melee.
3rd-Level Ranger Spells
Command Plants: This is essentially "Charm Plants". Needs of course plant creatures to be effective (and they tend to be not all that common). Probably too circumstantial to ever memorize.
Cure Moderate Wounds: Late entry for one of the less impressive cure spells. Not a cheap wand either, so lacks the "good to have on the list" aspect of cure light wounds.
Darkvision: This is late entry, which hurts (and not sure why?). However, Ranger's can benefit greatly from this spell when scouting pure-darkness environments. The duration is good as well.
Diminish Plants: Very circumstantial. Can be used to dispel nasty plant spells like entangle, or cause a drought (you jerk!), or allow you to pass overgrown plants more easily. I'm not sure that this is worth a 3rd level spell, or even a 2nd level spell.
Magic Fang, Greater: This spell increases the value of the enhancement of Magic Fang, but even more importantly, has 60 times the duration. You probably want to memorize this every day (at least once) for your animal companions natural weaponry.
Neutralize Poison: I still wonder if this spell is actually better than Delay Poison most of the time, and furthermore, Ranger's get Delay Poison early entry, and this one isn't.
Plant Growth: Interesting how Pathfinder nerfed Solid Fog, but left the same mechanic alive with Plant Growth? As a battlefield control (when the plants are handy) this is absolutely amazing, and there is no spell resistance or saving throw.
Reduce Animal: Late entry spell that makes an animal smaller for a long duration. In most cases, making an animal smaller really isn't that useful. Perhaps if it is scouting…but how intelligent do you need to be to scout effectively? Probably smarter than most animals I would think…
Remove Disease: Pretty circumstantial, and not worth a memorization slot, but good to have on the list. Usually curing someone the next day will be good enough.
Repel Vermin: This is early entry for you, but is also circumstantial. If you are going somewhere where vermin are almost certain to be swarming (the sewer for example), then this is a good buff to have up (the duration is pretty decent). Keep in mind that you only repel 1/3 your CL, which means big swarms may just walk on through.
Summon Nature's Ally III: Pretty much all combat forms, and I've explained the problem with Rangers summoning for combat.
Tree Shape: Late entry for Rangers and works as advertised. Congrats…you're a tree. If you are in a forest and looking for a safe way to rest, there could be value in this, otherwise, really, what are you using it for?
Water Walk: Have you and your allies walk on water. The obvious use is to pretend to be Jesus, but beyond that, there is utility value as well.
4th-Level Ranger Spells
Animal Growth: This should not be confused to be "enlarge person" for animals. The bonuses an animal gets with this spell are pretty impressive. It will turn your animal companion from a slight boost to your combat ability, to the main attraction. At one minute/level, this isn't an all day buff, but it will last at least one combat, and maybe a few.
Commune with Nature: This divination spell gives you information about the surrounding natural area, including where there is water, what kind of life exists, etc. You can use this (with reduced range) in natural caverns as well, to find out if the cave in inhabited by Orcs or a Red Dragon. Potentially useful, and early entry for the Ranger.
Cure Serious Wounds: Your "best" healing spell. Late entry, and not worth memorizing in my opinion. Rangers just aren't magical healers beyond the cure light wounds wand.
Freedom of Movement: I'm wary about the wording of this spell, it's vague, and I've had arguments with my GM in the past whether things like an Air Elementals vortex, Gust of Wind, or other factors that technically could be considered to hinder movement. However, the value of this spell is certain regardless of the interpretation just from the examples given in the spell description alone.
Nondetection: I'm not a fan of using spell slots to try to evade scrying. If someone capable of scry wants you spied on, you are going to have trouble stopping them. This spell certainly won't on its own.
Summon Nature's Ally IV: Mephits occasionally have useful SLA's, but by the time you get this, not really. Too little, too late.
Tree Stride: First of all, this spell trumps "Tree Shape" giving you absolutely no reason to use that spell ever. However, the main purpose of this spell it to give you the ability to teleport short ranges. Alone, not all that great, but being able to do it as often as you like for 1 hour/level is all kinds of useful. Travel across the world in a couple days, scout out far distances, make quick escapes, unfortunately, you can't cast this on anyone else, which is the biggest drawback for actual gameplay use.

Equipment Choices for your Ranger:

Armor:

Breastplate: Breastplate may not be full plate but it is a solid armor. Good AC bonus with decent Dex bonus and non-crippling ACP. Masterwork it, then Mithril it.
Mithril Full Plate: The great hope for the Switch Hitter
Animated Shield: You have shield proficiency, but will almost never use one, so an animated shield just means pure win. Get one if you can.
Shadow Armor: +5 competence bonus to stealth checks, a natural plus for Rangers
Shadow, Improved: The +5 becomes +10
Shadow, Greater: Now +15
Celestial Armor: For the Archer Ranger, this has to be pretty much the crown jewel.

Weapons:

Mighty Composite Longbow: The standard of the archer Ranger and the Switch Hitter
Holy: +2d6 damage to the most common enemies
Seeking: avoid concealment miss chance
Energy: Any energy bonus damage is really nice. Get it on the Bow and every arrow bursts for extra damage.

• If you are a Switch Hitter - make sure you have a backup ranged weapon. Being a skirmisher, you are going to be dropping your ranged weapon when you enter melee, a second ranged weapon (certainly which should be nothing near the value of your primary), gives you a ranged option in those cases. Either a Str bow, or thrown weapons should do the trick.

Arrows:
Cold Iron: Dirt cheap, always have them on hand
Silver, Alchemical: Also dirt cheap, no excuse for not having them. You do one less point of damage, but they are SOOO much cheaper than mithril
Adamantium: Super expensive. Buy some, and only use them when needed to bypass DR.

Melee: For the Switch hitter it can be any two handed melee weapon. Greatswords, Greataxes, and Falchions are all good choices.
Dancing: Let it go, quick draw another weapon, go to town
Holy: Most bad guys, are, well, bad.
Mighty Cleaving: Improve on your Cleaving ability. Might be overkill
Speed: An ability made for two handed weapons

Rapier of puncturing: Rapier isn't your weapon of choice, but I only mention this weapon as a warning to DM's. This is broken, broken, broken. Notice that there is no save DC for the Con damage ability? This is clearly an oversight, but I didn't see anything in errata for it either (and I looked). This item needs a DC to avoid the Con bleed, without it this simply shouldn't exist in any campaign…you've been warned.

Wands/Staves/Rods/Scrolls:

Metamagic Rods, lesser: Will enhance all but your 4th level spells. Specifically the extend rod is an excellent deal and very useful for you.
Scrolls: Really only for those spells that you only need once in awhile, but when you need them, you need them: Remove Disease, Repel Vermin, that kind of spell
Wands: Cure light wounds. Super cheap, super good, especially because you don't want to memorize it.
Staves: What, you're a Druid now? Staves are a bit heavy hitting for a recreational caster

Rings:

Protection: Obviously one of your two rings is protection, the more the better.
Mind Shielding: Detect thoughts is a great way to detect the hidden, unless they have this ring
Invisibility: When you are a sneaky scout, sometimes invisibility is just another layer of stealth, but a welcome layer.
Freedom of Movement: An excellent effect to have, and a ring is always there when you need it.

Misc. Magic, minor:

Universal Solvent: One shot item that tends to find itself being very useful somewhere along the line. A cheap investment, get 2.
Feather Token, Tree: Instant ladder, Instant cover, Instant Tree Stride, cheap.
Cloak of Resistance: Kind of a staple…for a reason
Pearl of Power, 1st level: Use this to get extra Delay Poisons, Resist Elements, and they are cheap. A great deal.
Efficient Quiver: Get your Cold Iron arrow when you need a Cold Iron Arrow.
Amulet of Natural Armor: Not super important, as you can cast Barkskin, but, still worth it
Handy Haversack: If you don't know why you want this, you've obviously never played D&D before.
Boots and Cloak of elvenkind: Be sneaky, be real sneaky
Chime of opening: You can't pick locks, so this could be handy when on your own.
Belt, Stat bonus: For the switch hitter, Str is prime, Dex secondary. For the Archer, the reverse.
Headband, Stat bonus: Probably Wisdom is your best choice, for spellcasting, survival, and perception
Slippers of spider climbing: Exceptionally handy exceptionally often, shoot arrows down from a high ceiling for example.
Archery Bracers: Whether greater or lesser, a bonus to hit and damage with your bow is going to be a nice bonus.
Boots of striding and springing: +10 feet to movement is great, but note this does NOT stack with longstrider :(
Boots of Speed: Mainly for the Switch Hitter, all two-handed-weapon fighters should want this unless they have their own personal mage
Boots of Levitation: Mainly for the archer ranger, a great way to stay out of melee

001 PROPOSAL

INSTANT APARTMENTS

MORE TO COME BITCHES

HUMANITY

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be kept under shielded guard at all times. As they develop, exit points from SCP-XXXX are to be sealed internally by deployment of O2E cognitohazard amnestic broadcast devices (CABs). CAB activity signals are to be monitored to ascertain risk of discovery and are to be replaced as necessary.

Under no circumstance is SCP-XXXX-1 to be allowed any further information regarding the existence of outside civilizations¹

Description: SCP-XXXX is a levitating sphere of unknown construction and origin. Located during exploration of ██████████, ██████, ███, SCP-XXXX relocates sapient creatures on contact, along with all carried and worn items, to one of a set of destinations, each depending on the point of contact. All known destinations are located on the surface of a planet possessing anomalous topography that, while respectively consistent between contact points and destination, bears no resemblance to SCP-XXXX itself.

The topography of SCP-XXXX appears to be a conglomeration of numerous biomes, with as many as four different biome types within ███ kilometers of a single location. Borders between biomes are arbitrary, but consistent within the topography. Each biome has a number of different native species, with those contained varying widely, even between biomes of the same type. By and large, no species poses any real threat outside of direct conflict with individuals, and as a whole, SCP-XXXX residents and the original artifact are considered relatively safe to study or approach.

SCP-XXXX-1 is an exception, however, and is dangerous, extremely hostile and xenophobic- to date, no agents to come into direct contact with instances of SCP-XXXX-1 outside of strictly managed lab conditions have survived.

SCP-XXXX-1 possesses a number of capabilities that require permanent and total containment of SCP-XXXX, among them:

• Superior recovery capabilities. Injured specimens can survive the loss of both single and multiple appendages without significant reduction in combat efficacy. Some who lost limbs and escaped later returned with crude replacement limbs capable of almost completely mitigating the loss of the limb with regards to combat ability.
• Advanced combat skills. Even when their projectile weapons were fully drained, only shielded agents showed any significant advantage in close quarters combat. They are known to make extensive use of small blades and improvised melee weapons. While their claws and teeth are capable of inflicting relatively minimal damage, some specimens can inflict severe blunt trauma without the use of any weapons at all.
• Biological weaponry. While nonvenomous, the bite of SCP-XXXX-1 can inflict any of an extremely wide variety of illnesses and infections to which they are presumably resistant.
• Heightened senses. While their sense of smell is relatively weak, SCP-XXXX-1 has shown itself to be an extremely talented hunter, relying on hearing and producing a wide variety of manufactured and improvised light sources when isolated from its limited range of visible light.
• Adaptability. SCP-XXXX-1 is found in nearly every surface biome on SCP-XXXX.
• Extreme pain tolerance. Instances of SCP-XXXX have been witnessed using crude tools to detach limbs caught or crushed beneath rubble or debris to free themselves. In most instances, these specimens survived.
• Physical superiority. Comparative to other known species both native and not, while SCP-XXXX-1 is not overly strong, it is remarkably resilient and agile. Records of hunting parties simply following prey without ceasing until it died of exhaustion have been recovered, and some less developed tribes still practice this successfully.

Addendum: GoI-001 is a small group of SCP-XXXX-01 specimens in control of a large organization of disparate tribal origins and professions who, prior to Foundation contact, had begun to document and contain anomalous items and specimens. Under the direct command of the O5 council, GoI-001 has been restructure and organized in a similar fashion to the Foundation. All contact with specimens outside of GoI-001 is currently prohibited, as SCP-XXXX-1's communication technology has reached global saturation and the risk of exposure is simply too high.

MIRRORMEN

Item #: SCP-XXXX

SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: The domicile containing SCP-XXXX has been converted into Armed Research Site-17. The sunroom i
n which SCP-XXXX is located has been bisected by a wall, the secure side of which has been lined with monitors displaying video feed of the exposure zone. A single door with hinges, lock and handle exclusively on the secure side allows access to the exposure zone for testing purposes. The secure side of the laboratory is to be staffed by at least as many security personnel as there are subjects within the exposure zone, and whatever researchers are required for testing.

The sunroom comprising the exposure zone has been walled off from the courtyard beyond, and has a number of cameras and microphones installed at ceiling level inside and out, directed to canvass the exposure zone in its entirety and to monitor the territory of SCP-XXXX-1. SCP-XXXX itself is contained behind a retractable wall, controlled remotely from the secure side of the laboratory, and is to be exposed only during approved testing.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a

Addendum: [Optional additional paragraphs]
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a

Instances of SCP-XXXX-1 in courtyard containment

a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
[collapsible]

CAUSAL DISTORTION

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is assigned to a modified humanoid containment cell at Site-17. All floor panels are to be replaced with pressure-sensitive light grids, so as to reflect the subject's current location and movements at all times. The commode and shower are to be similarly equipped to be illuminated when subject is present, as is the bed- the latter item is to dim the lights when occupied. At all other times, SCP-XXXX's cell is to be fully lit and monitored remotely from the G-Section guard station on two separate feeds- one in real-time, the other delayed by 12 minutes and 31 seconds, to be consulted prior to allowing entry into the cell. If SCP-XXXX-1 breaches containment, security footage is to be reviewed to ascertain the method by which he will be recovered and returned to containment. Subject is to be fed three times a day and has been provided with a variety of printed and electronic media, contingent on its continued cooperation with testing. Subject is not to be provided with any loose items due to the frequency of attempted containment breaches.

An adjoining chamber has been equipped with a simplistic keyboard and display- entries into the keyboard are also displayed within the G-section guard station to allow for communication with the subject. They are to be recorded on the Site-17 intranet.

Description: SCP-XXXX is an adult male of Caucasian descent, below average height and slightly above average weight. Contact with SCP-XXXX, its clothing or carried objects causes temporal displacement of light. As a result, subject and its immediate possessions are, thus, invisible and preceded by their own appearance (SCP-XXXX-1). This image is consistent with facial casts, contour maps of the subject's body and reflects visible marks on the subject and associated objects, but is entirely intangible. The projection depicts SCP-XXXX and associated objects as they will be in 12 minutes, 31 seconds. As of yet, it has proven infallible in² a highly accurate method of predicting the actions of SCP-XXXX and reactions to future stimuli.

Conversation with SCP-XXXX reveals that it is mentally and socially immature, likely as a result of the effective isolation caused by its anomalous condition.

Addendum XXXX-28-V: During a breach of security caused by an previously unheard-of trigger of SCP-████, SCP-████ predicted the entire population of Site 17 barring itself returning to and remaining within their respective quarters for the next twenty-four hours. The prompt exposure to attempting to prevent it from escaping and ensuring its release in doing so . As causality forced the scenario to play out as predicted, SCP-XXXX attempted to breach its cell and escape containment. SCP-XXXX's success in doing so was in violation of the causal shift, and incidentally proved instrumental in recapturing SCP-████ when a door SCP-XXXX locked behind itself invalidated the remainder of the prediction and sent SCP-████ into violation shock, allowing for its recapture without further incident.

SCP-XXXX-1 acted as predicted by SCP-████ up until 12 minutes and 30 seconds following the premature termination of the predictive course of events, after which it was seen to freeze and darken to solid black before gradually fading from view. Site security reported the simultaneous appearance of a second instance of SCP-XXXX-1, once more in accordance with SCP-XXXX's activity, pounding at the blast doors sealing the entrance before being apparently subdued and dragged back towards its cell, at the moment movement in the original ceased. Site security proceeded to subdue SCP-XXXX upon arrival and drag it back to its cell.

While we acknowledge that evidence suggests SCP-XXXX is immune to causal backlash and predetermination, gentlemen, remember that the Foundation remains responsible for resolving any paradox that testing a causal-immune subject in such a manner would produce- a Foundation comprised of persons quite susceptible to the ravages of paradoxical existence and reality spasms. Purely theoretical research into implications of causal immunity may continue, with the understanding that no actual testing is going to be approved, no matter how promising the theories are.
O5-█

BOUTIQUE OF LE STARS

Highest quality photo of SCP-XXXX interior currently in Foundation possession

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Safe Neutralized

Special Containment Procedures: All properties surrounding SCP-XXXX have been purchased by Foundation assets and repurposed to establish Research Site-43. Continuing improvements to the front of the building continue, with the rear entrance to the building remaining unsealed. A door installed into a side wall of the boutique now provides all access to the boutique and is under armed guard at all times.

Audio recording devices have been installed to monitor SCP-XXXX-2 interactions. No further attempts to video or photograph the interior of SCP-XXXX is necessary or advised.

Description: SCP-XXXX was a set of six antique hair-drying units branded as "Galactic Divers" located within a repurposed beauty salon, "Boutique of the Stars!" in Hollywood, California. The boutique remains minimally furnished, with a counter, an unbranded computer, and a small seated waiting area comprising the only items present aside from SCP-XXXX.

Each Galactic Diver unit, when its thermostat was set to ███.█ and the device provided with power, placed users in a state of sensory replacement. Persons in an active chair found themselves first in a five-minute instructional segment entitled, "Galactic Diving and You!," in which a cartoon scuba diver explained the mechanics of the device. While no customers were ever able to recount more than the title and theme of the segment, the instruction was always sufficient to allow the user to enjoy the 'dive.'

Following the instructional segment, users found their perceptions relocated to a point several hundred feet above the planet Earth. Rate of movement was at whatever speed the user desired, up to and including instantaneous relocation. Tactile sensation was reported to be like that of swimming in cool water. Hearing, taste and smell functioned as normal- though users consistently reported a general scent akin to seared steak, hot metal and welding fumes upon exiting Earth's atmosphere, with other scents described upon entry into other planetary atmospheres.

Close inspection was achieved by approaching any astronomical body as desired, though proximity to local stars resulted in moderate discomfort due to sensations of strong heat. Astronomers researching SCP-XXXX reported incredible degrees of fidelity in detail when compared with historical observations of known galaxies, and extensive testing with events on Earth confirmed the observations occurred in real-time with a delay of 1.32854 seconds.

After thirty eight minutes of consecutive use, the user's perceptions reintegrated with their body. No long-term effects were observed.

SCP-XXXX-2 refers to the employee/s of SCP-XXXX. No employee/s were seen to leave the boutique at any time, but if left unobserved, they adopted a different appearance upon their next observation, and all exhibited the same level of familiarity with individual customers. SCP-XXXX-2 firmly but politely removed anyone attempting to take a visual record of SCP-XXXX or the employee/s, quoting company policy against photography before leaving them outside the entrance and shutting the door. Foundation staff who fail to maintain at least a verbal pretense of non-affiliation receive the same treatment. Anyone ejected for either reason were refused admission to the property and, if they forced their way inside, were incapable of interacting with SCP-XXXX.

SCP-XXXX ceased to function without warning on ██/██/████, interrupting the current agents' use of the device to track the movements of three SCPs in the possession of one rogue Foundation operative, a single SCP being studied to identify its properties before containment attempts and monitoring two meetings³. Attempts to restore activity to the Diver units met with failure, and the boutique was relegated to storage space for Research Site-43.

Foreword: The following audio recording was found in SCP-XXXX's boutique on an answering machine not previously present within the property. The machine was hooked up to neither power nor a phone line but played the following several times without issue.

<Begin Log>

Thank you for your patronage here at the Boutique to the Stars! Our clients hope you enjoyed your time with the Galactic Divers, providing the very best for all our valued parasites. Our records indicate that you made extensive use of our services, but sadly our clients are exercising their rights to terminate continued service to your galaxy. As per company policy, we're required to offer parasites upon termination of services as well as provide details regarding the decision to terminate. Should any adversely affected parasites wish to seek further information or compensation, our parasite service specialists are available 'round the clock for your convenience. Simply dial the Parasite Service Hotline, listed on the front and rear covers of your copy of this century's GD Guide.

Should our clients decide to resume service for your galaxy, we hope to see you at any of our Universal Meet & Greets, also listed for your convenience in your copy of this century's GD Guide.

For now, from all of us here at Boutique to the Stars, we thank you for your patronage once more and look forward to doing business with our loyal parasites or their descendants.

<End Log>

Closing Statement: Following discovery of the above recording, documentation was unsealed which revealed the location of the GD Guide mentioned in the final anomalous recording documented above. Knowledge of its existence had been suppressed so as to prevent misuse of the anomaly to further non-Foundation goals. Examination of the GD Guide revealed segments detailing numerous astronomical events deemed scientifically significant but irrelevant to the purpose of the Foundation, alternate thermostat settings to begin dives in other galactic locations, and numerous "Meet & Greet" sessions, replete with galactic location, local dates and times to attend, and topics of discussion. Contact with extra-planetary species was deemed contrary to the purpose of the Foundation, with numerous dangers including exposure to info-/cognito-hazards and other possible dangers of interaction with unknown beings. Numerous requests from researchers involved in the original recovery to grant access to the GD Guide and SCP-XXXX were repeatedly refused on these grounds. The three posting complaints have since been relocated or reassigned; the fourth is Dr. ███████████ ████, now Overseer of Research Site-43.

---

Highest quality photo of SCP-XXXX interior currently in Foundation possession

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: All properties surrounding SCP-XXXX have been purchased by Foundation assets and repurposed to establish Research Site-43. Continuing improvements to the front of the building continue, with the rear entrance to the building remaining unsealed. A door installed into a side wall of the boutique now provides all access to the boutique and is under armed guard at all times.

Priority allotments for use of SCP-XXXX have been made for intelligence personnel; those researchers wishing to make use of SCP-XXXX may petition a senior agent for allotment dispensation.

Audio recording devices have been installed to monitor SCP-XXXX-2 interactions. No further attempts to video or photograph the interior of SCP-XXXX is necessary or advised.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a set of six antique hair-drying units branded as "Galactic Divers" located within a repurposed beauty salon, "Boutique of the Stars!" in Hollywood, California. It is minimally furnished, with a counter and unbranded computer, a small seated waiting area and a set of six comprising the only items present aside from SCP-XXXX.

Each Galactic Diver unit, when its thermostat is set and the device provided with power, places users in a state of sensory replacement. Persons in an active chair find themselves first in a five-minute instructional segment entitled, "Galactic Diving and You!," in which a cartoon scuba diver explains the mechanics of the device. While no customers have as of yet been able to recount more than the title and theme of the segment, the instruction is always sufficient to allow the user to enjoy the 'dive.'

Following the instructional segment, users find their perceptions relocated to a galaxy determined by the thermostat of the Diver unit. Tactile sensation is reported to be like that of swimming in cool water, warming with proximity to local stars. Hearing, taste and smell are mostly unused- though users consistently report a general scent akin to seared steak, hot metal and welding fumes unless within a planet's atmosphere, and rate of movement is at whatever speed the user desires, up to and including instantaneous relocation.

Close inspection can be achieved by approach near to any astronomical body as desired, though proximity to local stars results in moderate discomfort due to sensations of strong heat. Astronomers researching SCP-XXXX have reported incredible degrees of fidelity in detail when compared with historical observations of known galaxies, and testing with controlled events on Earth have confirmed the observations occur in real-time with a delay of 1.32854 seconds.

After thirty eight minutes of consecutive use, the user's perceptions shift towards Earth and approach at phenomenal speeds as their senses reintegrate with their body, leading to the impression that the sensation of atmospheric reentry and collision with Earth's surface is imminent. While no such sensations are forthcoming, most users are thus extremely agitated upon emergence from SCP-XXXX's effect, with severe nausea, vertigo and hysterics being among the typical reactions for first-time users. No long-term effects have been observed.

SCP-XXXX-2 refers to the employee/s of SCP-XXXX. No employee/s has/have been seen to leave the boutique at any time, but if left unobserved, it/they will have adopted a different appearance upon their next observation, and all exhibit the same level of familiarity with individual customers. Their primary duties appear to be providing customers with the catalog detailing the destinations available to SCP-XXXX users. Each page of the catalog contains a labeled, high-quality picture of numerous galaxies familiar and unfamiliar to the Foundation, including the Milky Way galaxy. The labels appear in the language with which the customer is most comfortable and include a numeric identifier consisting of a temperature.

SCP-XXXX-2 will firmly but politely remove anyone attempting to take a visual record of SCP-XXXX, the catalog or the employee/s, quoting company policy against photography before leaving them outside the entrance and shutting the door. Foundation staff who fail to maintain at least a verbal pretense of non-affiliation receive the same treatment. Anyone ejected for either reason will be refused admission to the property and, should they force their way inside, are incapable of interacting with SCP-XXXX.

Foreword: Initial contact following containment of SCP-XXXX

<Begin Log>

Employee: Welcome to the Boutique of the Stars! How may we serve you today?

████████: I'd like to see what you have to offer. I hear you offer a very unique experience.

Employee: Of course! We provide the best in galactic diving for all our valued parasites. If you'll come this way please, sir-

████████: I'm sorry, I- did you call me a parasite?

Employee: I did! Is there a problem, sir?

████████: No- but why did you call me a parasite?

Employee: Oh, we here at The Boutique to the Stars pride ourselves on our service and our honesty!

████████: How is calling me a parasite good service?

Employee: It isn't! It's being honest. Please, have a seat!

████████: I'm not going to be using your services, ma'am- he is.

Employee: Don't worry, sir, we cater to all manner of parasites here, always five star service. If you'll send the prisoner over here, we'll make sure he's well taken care of.

████████: Go on.

D-Class: Doc, are you sure about this?

At this point, ████████ reports having pulled out Foundation water-marked stationary.

████████: Proceed.

Employee: Sir, I'm sorry, but we don't allow government presence within our establishment. You're going to have to take your prisoner and go.

████████: We're not with the government, we're-

Employee: Thank you for your interest in The Boutique of the Stars, the best in galactic diving and five-star parasite service! Goodbye.

<End Log]>

Closing Statement: Dr. ████████ and the involved D-Class subject were both refused entrance on all following dates.

Foreword: Initial contact of Dr. ████████████ and employees of SCP-XXXX

<Begin Log>

Employee: Good evening, and welcome to the Boutique of the Stars! How may we serve you today?

████████████: I'm looking to try out your Mayall's Object special. Is that still available?

Employee: It's been quite a favorite with our regular parasites! This way, miss.

Note: No non-Foundation customers had been present within SCP-XXXX for two weeks.

████████████: I… see. Can you tell me why you call your customers parasites?

Employee: This unit, miss. And that would be because you're parasites! We pride ourselves on our reliable parasite service and high standards of integrity.

████████████: How do you- oh, thank you, what page is Mayall's?- how do you decide we're parasites? What are we leeching?

Employee: I'm sorry, but our clients have requested that we not answer existential questions. You'll have to ask them directly.

████████████: Ask whom?

Employee: Two hundred fifty two point one five, Miss.

Note: This was later determined to be the thermostat setting to dive into Mayall's Object, as requested.

████████████: Who are your clients?

Employee: I'm not at liberty to discuss.

████████████: Oh. Well, thank you.

Employee: Quite welcome, miss. See you in fourty minutes!

<End Log]>

Closing Statement: Dr. ████████████ was free to return on following visits.

Foreword: Recorded dialogue of SCP-XXXX-2 during unobserved period.

<Begin Log>

Employee: Good afternoon! The day is treating you well, I trust?

No audible response.

Employee: Oh, well enough, I suppose. Parasites or not, it's a living! SCP-XXXX-2 laughs, unconvincingly.

No audible response.

Employee: Well, of course not. I was surprised myself, opening a franchise in your little playground- and in three dimensions, no less. Can you imagine? Well. I suppose you can. It's beneath us, I suppose, but anything for our clients. If you want us to open up their universe a little… well! Maybe they'll grow up.

No audible response.

Employee: … no, I suppose I don't really expect they will. Two years, as the light goes, and the scared parasites are still telling the smart parasites that they're too busy using it to spy on the other parasites to let them see what else is out there. I've already had to remove thirty-six pages from the catalog; they missed their chances. Pity; I really thought they would have benefited from observing the [[UNINTELLIGIBLE]] and their civilization. Would have thought they'd have looked out towards Omega Centauri before now.

No audible response.

Employee: You're right, I suppose. Only [DATA EXPUNGED] left on the contract, after all. Then we can close up shop for good, right?

No audible response.

Employee: Yes, of course. Well- was there anything else with which we can assist you, miss?

No audible response.

Employee: Very well, then. You enjoy your little games, and remember- we do have a Reality Warranty for this property. We're happy to do business, but if you or one of your friends is caught on premises, we won't tolerate any shenanigans. You'll have to get away on your own without un- or re-making anyone on Boutique property. Yes. Have a lovely day, and thank you for visiting your Boutique of the Stars!

<End Log]>

Closing Statement: Research into the identity of the undetected second party, and the clients holding the contract for SCP-XXXX's operations, are ongoing.

PERIODIC TABLE OF EXCLUSION

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is contained in its storage locker within Annex 12, Site ██. Access requires Site ██ Overseer authorization. All testing of SCP-XXXX is to be performed in the designated chamber within the testing suite- chamber 26, for instance, is designed to test exclusion of iron molecules, and as such has been constructed without use of ferrous materials along with all adjoining chambers, so as to prevent structural failure during testing.

A contoured container is available for transport of SCP-XXXX during testing. Contact on primary surfaces of its components is strictly prohibited outside of a testing environment. All tests must first be subjected to scrutiny by at least one senior researcher, qualified as a chemical engineering specialist, assigned to SCP-XXXX.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a set of eight paired wooden discs of four sizes which feature atomic information for between two and thirty-two elements printed on one side each. Collectively, they comprise a complete periodic table, with a number of blank spaces included on the largest disc, presumably for the addition of new elements. A series of dowel segments and shaped slots allow the discs to stack on top of each other in a vaguely conical arrangement.

Contact of sufficient surface area to obscure 72% of an element entry triggers an exclusion event, during which the element in question is abruptly removed from a ten-foot radius centered on the point of contact. Multiple obscured segments restricts the effect to molecules containing all obscured elements⁴

Contact with any surface of a component of SCP-XXXX grants immunity from the effect for the duration of sustained contact. No component of SCP-XXXX has ever been affected by exclusion events, even those which should have resulted in dissolution of wood products.

After-Action Report: Recovery Log

Item to be Recovered: SCP-XXXX-E
Recovery Assigned To: Mobile Task Force Σ-11, "Process of Elimination"
Recovery Theater: Mines beneath Byrnesville, Pennsylvania
Preface: In late 1982, following the abandonment of the town in the face of the Centralia coal fires spreading beneath the town, an embedded agent with the PA Department of Environmental Protection intercepts a report of arboreal die-off in wild-growth expanses around Byrnesville. Die-off is isolated to older trees and determined to be resulting from loss of root structure due to inexplicable spontaneous cellular collapse; agent falsifies reports to indicate the spreading coal seam fire is responsible and informs Foundation leadership of the results. MTF Σ-11 is mobilized the following day and quarantines the town as a precaution, citing a toxic gas leaking from the sewer system.

MTF Σ-11 callsigns are used to designate speakers during audio transcription segments. S1A refers to Sigma's CO; S1 refers to the XO. All other designations are assigned alphabetically; a complete roster of MTF Σ-11 is available on the Foundation HR intranet.

Day 1: Σ-11 CO Logbook

Initial reports indicated anomalous cellular destruction of old tree root systems. Younger trees and other plants were fine, but past a certain depth, the roots were gone. The mud where they were was like a dirt slurry, by the reports- chem analysis said the carbon was pretty much all gone. Like the roots just… dunno. Popped. We're also getting reports that the coal fires are receding back towards Centralia. We'll be heading into the mines with full gear, see how far we can get. Might be a dead end.

After-action reports indicate that investigation of the outermost mine structures revealed a still-toxic atmosphere, but no active coal fires. Visual inspectrion reported lingering smoke, and continuing smoke and vapors from further within the mine structure, but the seam fire near Byrnesville was confirmed to have ceased against all probability. Device readings from Foundation researchers aboveground confirmed the continuing seam fire outside the town limits. Following is a transcription of Sigma communications chatter during the expedition.

EARTH PORTAL

SCP-XXXX-1

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: A safety perimeter of 3 metres is to be maintained around SCP-XXXX at all times, to be enforced by armed guard. Persons exiting SCP-XXXX are to immediately present credentials; those failing to do so are to be removed from the area and terminated. At no point is it acceptable to engage in combat in the vicinity of SCP-XXXX, due to risk of contact with the artifact⁵. Entry into SCP-XXXX is permissible with appropriate clearance, provided an appropriate identity within SCP-XXXX is established beforehand and fluency in at least one SCP-XXXX-native language is confirmed. Personnel staffing Dimensional Unit-01 are to be provided cover identities establishing them within the parent facility, Reliquary Site-06, and trained to assist approved persons through their transition following arrival in SCP-XXXX. The staff of Reliquary Site-06 are not to be made aware of the existence of Dimensional Unit-01. Under no circumstances are the residents of SCP-XXXX to be made aware of their circumstances.

Transfer of anomalies to SCP-XXXX is to be overseen by Mobile Task Force 12-Delta. All members of MTF-12D are trained in "dialing" the time frame of SCP-XXXX and at least one member of MTF-12D must be present to do so prior to a transfer. Consignment of anomalies to SCP-XXXX is assigned reversed contact protocol- they may not be transferred via the approved contact point, regardless of time frame. It is suggested that a reasonable attempt to deposit the anomalies in remote locations be made, but concessions for less remote deposits to improve the chances of inhabitants locating and securing the anomalies is made. A strict record of locations and time frames of transferred anomalies is to be kept and backed up in both hard-copy and digitally.

Description: SCP-XXXX-1 is a levitating sphere with a radius of 2.75m, contained within Dimensional Area-19A; its surface is irregular and pockmarked. Direct contact with SCP-XXXX-1 allows entry to SCP-XXXX on contact; destination varies with corresponding point of contact on SCP-XXXX-1. Entry into SCP-XXXX via the only approved entry point results in arrival in Dimensional Unit-01, within Reliquary Site-06, located in Alexandria, Egypt. SCP-XXXX can be exited by grasping the handle of the door marked "STOREAGE" (sic) within Dimensional Unit-01, kept isolated in a side room under armed guard.

Features of SCP-XXXX are as follows.

• Line of sight directly away from SCP-XXXX does not reveal the existence of the outside world; rather, the illusion of a tremendously vast super-planetary expanse is viewable, provided that refraction of light in the atmosphere or weather conditions do not impede the view. Inhabitant attempts to interact with the illusion invariably meet with failure, but is reported to the inhabitants via deep-cover agents in major media outlets as having varying levels of success.
• Inhabitants of SCP-XXXX are as normal specimens of their species, but with decreased tolerance for weakness and increased aggression. Sickly or weak inhabitants of nearly all species of inhabitants are quickly killed off by sickness or predation, and strong inhabitants invariably thrive, barring outside interference⁶.
• SCP-XXXX is a one-way closed system- in short, affects directed towards SCP-XXXX-1 affect SCP-XXXX, but events within SCP-XXXX can only affect what is within SCP-XXXX.
• Passage of time within SCP-XXXX can be dramatically affected by movement of external, yellow-spectrum light sources across the surface of SCP-XXXX-1. Use of installed equipment allows trained operators to "dial" specific time frames within SCP-XXXX.

Incident Report: XXXX-KT Original population of SCP-XXXX consisted of highly advanced saurians of varying phenotypes. During initial assessments to tune the dialing procedures after discovery of the effects of yellow light on SCP-XXXX-1, an inhabitant of the Velociraptor mongoliensis variety emerged and engaged Foundation personnel. During termination attempts, SCP-XXXX-1 was struck with a stray bullet. Impact was confirmed to have been in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in what the inhabitants know as the Chicxulub crater. The results were quickly observable, as cycling forward and backward in time immediately proved the saurian species to have been driven to extinction with the commencement of an impact winter and the end of the Mesozoic Era.

Interference with the inhabitants of SCP-XXXX is to be minimized; should civilization collapse, it will be difficult to maintain a secure entry point, and without that, our ability to ensure that the world therein continues is inhibited greatly. It is greatly preferential to maintain current standings, as our technology currently allows us to mimic inhabitant biology to an extraordinary degree of similarity. Divergence from the dominant species Homo sapiens would necessitate technical recalibration, and an adjustment period that would prevent us from transferring anomalies reliably until all adjustments were completed. This is to be avoided if possible- these items are dangerous, and will have much more far-reaching effects on our world than in the closed system of SCP-XXXX.

XRAY POND

File photo of sheep skeleton in near-total immersion. Click detail to enlarge.

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: With the purchase of the surrounding property by a Foundation front company, containment has been achieved. Standard Safe object procedures are to be observed, with special emphasis on the prohibition of cross-contamination of anomalous effects- personnel, D-class subjects and all objects to be used on site are to have had no more than third degree contact (contact via at least two intermediaries, typically one technological and one personal) with any anomalous effect.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a pool of transparent, highly oxygenated fluid with no apparent source which maintains steady levels despite periods of high precipitation, low precipitation, and removal of fluid. Removed fluid loses its anomalous properties within several minutes of removal from the pool. Tests indicate no unusual contaminants besides those expected in water exposed to carrion.

Immersion in SCP-XXXX causes objects to experience immediate dimensional displacement, with the submerged portion of the object reflecting an alternative history. Examples include a rusted bucket removed from a dairy farm becoming intact and filled with milk as if it was still in use; a living chicken becoming several piles of cooked and/or raw poultry products; and a stripped cow carcass becoming a living cow. Conversion is contingent upon submersion in the fluid and does not extend to portions of the object outside the pool. Larger organisms such as living human test subjects may suffer from inconsistent transformation due to the time it takes to fully submerge the subject, resulting in blood loss and, if extensive, related organ damage. Swift and complete submersion and emergence will minimize effects.

Recovery Log: SCP-XXXX
Initial recovery efforts were triggered by reports of a "man-eating pond." After interview of witnesses, it was discovered that a local resident had fallen into the pool and immediately been reduced to a pile of bones. Following amnestic treatment of witnesses, retrieval of the bones resulted in removal of a living human from the anomaly, suffering from moderate blood loss due to transition in and out of the pool. Following medical attention, he was remanded to Foundation custody for study. Containment was achieved within 48 hours; research facilities established within 72.

Primary tests of SCP-XXXX on inanimate objects and animals both living and deceased taken from on-site all revealed similar results- each object appeared to become a dilapidated, resuscitated or otherwise fundamentally altered version of itself. Full immersion was at this point reserved for animals and objects while staff awaited approval for live D-class immersion.

Secondary tests began with the approval of full D-class immersion.

JUNIOR ENGINEERS

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: Copies of SCP-XXXX are to be kept in a sealed storage container in Storage Site-██. Level 4 or higher clearance is required to authorize access to SCP-XXXX’s storage locker, and inventory is to occur daily; any unaccounted-for copies must be reported immediately. The locker may also be accessed during introduction of additional copies of SCP-XXXX, but is otherwise to remain sealed. No further testing is permitted on SCP-XXXX.

Description: SCP-XXXX comprises a series of booklets, with the earliest instances published in 1944 by a variety of publishers under the umbrella of JNG, Incorporated. The booklets bear the “Junior N-Gineer” brand name; no official records of any such publishers or publication exist.

SCP-XXXX booklets are a collection of technical instructions and diagrams purporting to teach the reader to dismantle, improve and reassemble a common item or piece of machinery. Each manual includes “instructions” for a particular device or item and a number of improvements that can be made upon them, and instructions to claim a “Junior N-Gineer Achievement Pin” by mail upon completion of all the modifications within. The Junior N-Gineer Achievement Pins have proven without anomaly, and are delivered with a new booklet. New booklets always increase in complexity of the described device or item and reflect the most modern iteration of the subject as of the date of printing.

The contents of each booklet are in flux until completed (see addendum XXXX-a); the text in the booklet can and will change to reflect explicit details regarding the steps necessary to gain access to, and modify, a specific instance of the related device or item until completion, confirmed to be considered as successfully enacting the alteration described in the segment’s subject matter. These alterations include providing directions, opportunities for unobserved access, security weaknesses, locksmith key diagrams, pass codes, optical images capable of passing retinal scans if oriented properly, functioning paper security cards and handprints with the capacity to fool biometric scanners if held in place by a living palm behind the sheet of paper. Completed sections of SCP-XXXX cease to exhibit this quality, and can be referenced to deduce the time and date of its completion by way of the instructions last provided. Uncompleted sections retain this ability and can be used to obtain current instructions to access and “improve” equipment of the type detailed in the booklet.

To date, ████ variations of SCP-XXXX are known to exist, with ██████ individual copies in current containment.

Addendum: Analysis of the publishing and completion dates in completed booklets and cross-reference with their location upon discovery revealed that the booklets are far more frequently found in cities with war-time manufactories or military bases with high rates of mechanical failure, freak accidents and sabotage. Surveillance teams in areas fitting such parameters are on alert for increases in events likely resulting from use of copies of SCP-XXXX.

**

WORLDS WITHIN WORLDS

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class

Special Containment Procedures: An Australian-registered, Foundation-owned patrol vessel staffed by members of MTF Ψ-7 is to be posted in the waters surrounding SCP-XXXX. MTF Ψ-7 leadership has established field command around the access stair and is to continue to prevent inhabitants of internal biomes from breaching containment- as of yet, the security and activity of field command has been sufficient to ward off inhabitants. As a fallback, perimeter alarms around topside entry point are to be keyed to spectrometers calibrated to ultraviolet detection. Perimeter guards are to utilize tranquilizer weapons to capture and return inhabitants to containment inside SCP-XXXX.

During night cycles within the internal biomes, all personnel are to withdraw within field command structures and initiate lockdown for twelve hours. Personnel exposed to nightfall are to be assigned to perimeter duty around field command until such time as enough affected personnel have accumulated to staff an exploratory expedition into the interior. Exposed personnel are subject to the same containment procedures as inhabitants. Termination of exposed personnel is authorized if considered a danger to continued containment.

Description: SCP-XXXX is the remains of the SS ████████ and its interior. Inside SCP-XXXX, the ship's hull and decks have been observed to consistently obey, respectively, hyperbolic and hyperspheric geometry. Each deck curves in on itself as it slants away from the deck above, with the walls forming tractricoids- widening pillars- on opposite poles of the sphere with stairwells leading off the sphere at two points- one "up" and one "down," located halfway between the pillars on opposite sides of the sphere. Stairwells retain normal earth gravity and direction, and from the base of a stairwell, the biome "above" can be seen, and easily visually identified during daylight hours.

Each sphere has diverged into a number of distinct biomes, each segregated from the others by the decks of the ship, with the exception of the 1st internal biome, a subtropical region which has overgrown the ship's deck and is visible from the exterior. Also notable is the absence of infrared electromagnetic radiation within SCP-XXXX, the increased intensity of ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation and the notable absence of predator species.

SCP-XXXX is inhabited with species biologically identical to those which would be found in one or more biomes of similar composition normally, but standard spectral analysis of captured specimens reveals that the subjects' bodies are transparent to all infrared radiation while absorbing abnormal amounts of ultraviolet radiation, an amount of which is released ocularly.

Phenological study of the inhabitant species has revealed a significant deviation in the processes normally involved in encouraging natural selection. Effort dedicated to preserving the lives of the weak and sickly is phenomenal, resulting in an stark overall decrease in the health of inhabitant species. Natural die-off replaces predation as the primary population control; scavengers abound with the proliferation of weak specimens, and are the only carnivorous species present in the anomaly. Inhabitants are universally nocturnal, despite parent special tendencies. Outside organisms exposed to the increased ultraviolet radiation released during the night cycles of SCP-XXXX's biomes develop the same tendencies and peculiarities, as well as a marked decrease in aggression and a proven elimation of attraction towards traits characteristic of a strong mate. This has shown to be a dominant genetic trait.

Exploratory Log, Expedition Ψ-7X-1:
[[/collapsible]]

[[collapsible show="[ LEVEL 5 AUTHORIZATION CYPHER ]" hide="credentials accepted- access granted"]]
Ψ-7X-1 Roster: Expedition comprised of exposed members of MTF Ψ-7 and researchers attached to SCP-XXXX.

• Expedition Designation: Psi-X1 (ΨX1)
• Lieutentant █████████: Psi-1 Actual (Psi-1A)
• Sergeant █████: Psi-2
• Specialist ██████: Psi-X1
• Corporal ███ ███████████: Psi-3
• PFC ███████: Psi-4
• Psi-5 through -13 designates security agents.
• Psi-R1 through -R4 designates attached researchers

All personnel were exposed to SCP-XXXX's night cycle in the course of establishing or maintaining containment.

Ψ-7X-1, Day 1: ΨX1 departs field command located at Ascent/Entry Point 1 at 16:15 with a heading leading the group towards the established location of the Descent Point 1. No significant encounters or discoveries. Destination achieved 03:45 hours after departure. Field camp established around DP1, with descent to occur at daybreak (08:00 hours).

Ψ-7X-1, Day 2: ΨX1 departs field camp at 08:00. Radio log follows.
Psi-X1: This is Psi-X1, reporting descent. Looks like a long way up- er, down. Over.
Field Command: Acknowledged, Psi-1. Proceed.
Psi-4: Looks like up to me. If it was down, we could just… y'know. Slide, right?
Psi-R2: Gravity in the anomaly is subjective to location withi-
Psi-1A: No, no, let the kid learn. Go on, Simmons. Try to climb up.
Psi-4: Aw, shit… I missed something, didn't I? Fuck it. Watch my pack, you bastards.
Momentary verbal silence; radio detects suppressed laughter prior to a loud, sudden clang.
Psi-4: Motherfuckers! SHIT. That hurt, you god-da- Unintelligible due to rampant laughter.
Psi-1A: Like the Ress was saying, gravity's constant relative to whatever structure you're on. Stairwells are independent entities, and they're still treating Earth down as down. We're upside down by that reference. You got that boys? We're gonna sit on the "bottom" of the stairs. Careful not to make contact beforehand, it's your neck.
Psi-4: -amn. Hurt like a bitch.
Psi-R3: Fraks tried to tell you.
Psi-4: Yeah, in Mathese. I don't speak Smart. Someone hand down my pack.

08:27: Radio contact lost during descent.
08:53: Radio contact reestablished.
Psi-X1:-ome in, Field Command.
Field Command:// Psi-1, report.
Psi-X1: We've completed the descent, ma'am.
Field Command: Describe what you saw during descent.
Psi-R1: It's… fascinating. The 1st biome's just like we theorized- spherical, subtropical. The tractricoid pillars seem to expand and connect with their analogues from the next deck- as far as we can tell, we're still closed in, just in a much stranger space. Biome 2 appears arctic- we've switched to appropriate weather gear and are proceeding down the last mile or so as we speak. Topology's consistent- spherical, like we figured- but the actual land is unique, cliffs and rises and stuff don't match what we had up top.
Field Command: Understood. Proceed.
Field Command:

OBSERVER

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: The primary instance of SCP-XXXX is to be contained within an airtight chamber with interior and exterior chronometers; spontaneous change in air pressure or deviation in synchronization between interior and exterior chronometers signifies an emergence from its two-dimensional state and requires a site-wide lockdown until readings normalize. Access to the interior chamber of SCP-XXXX for maintenance by appropriately skilled D-class personnel is permitted and to be regulated by airlock. At no time are both doors to the airlock to be opened- should sensors be disabled during an event, SCP-XXXX's chamber is to be permanently sealed, bricked over and removed from all floorplans of the site.

All retrieval teams specializing in spacetime or temporal containment, as well as all agents planted in mass media outlets, have been ordered to familarize themselves with SCP-XXXX's documentation. Indications of extratemporal events or casualties consistent with spacetime compression are to be considered possible containment breaches regardless of the current state and location of SCP-XXXX. Secondary instances are to be exposed to saturation fire from small arms until it shifts; in the event of a "downwards" shift, it is to be contained in an identical manner to the primary instance. Under no circumstances are two instances to be contained at the same site.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a creature capable of altering nearby spacetime by opening or closing a number of its eyes, the appearance of which- two eyes (achromatic with black pupil) flanking a single eye (red with black pupil), with two eyes beneath them (as of yet, closed for duration of all encounters)- is the only constant in its physiology. Its description while four or five dimensional has varied both between and during reports, but is consistently described as "impossible." These descriptions are consistent with individual narratives while maintaining two or three dimensional existence, changing only after an "upwards" shift, suggesting that it is natively extradimensional and presents a different cross-section each time it condenses itself to interact with three or two-dimensional spacetime. This dimensional compression does not seem to adversely affect SCP-XXXX, but shifts also extend to all organisms within line of effect from the instance- transparent walls have proven sufficient to prevent the effect, but clear faceplates in hermetically sealed suits have provided no protection.

Exposure to dimensional shifts has inevitable detrimental consequences to exposed organisms- dimensional compression results in "flattenting" of the body- after which, the affected organism has been described to "slice" downwards through the floor and proceed downwards without obstruction. Additional casualties have been reported in cases where a compressed organism in an elevated position has apparently fallen through persons located below, resulting in partial or complete bisection. Individuals caught in an "upwards" dimensional shift are observed to either vanish- presumed to be a four-dimensional shift in which they temporally displace with the specimen- or to simply collapse as though little more than dust in the case of all five eyes opening- this effect has been likened to a pencil drawing that suddenly is without paper upon which to reside.

The total of opened eyes can be used to deduce its current state of being. It is notably hostile to sentient, three-dimensional life.SCP-XXXX is currently a two-dimensional image upon a 10cm x 15cm glossy print depicting the interior of a wooden box with a number of small, unidentified vials. SCP-XXXX was forced to shift "downward" when faced with saturation fire from small arms while three-dimensional, suggesting some small amount of time is necessary for an opened eye to affect it. It has not displayed the ability to independently open or close its own eyes while two-dimensional- but while it has proven capable of appearing without warning, current containment protocol based on the theory that it cannot "shift" into a place where it has not been, and will not be able to leave afterwards, has proven successful.

Addendum:
Excerpt from Release Proposal, submitted by Dr. Piedmont: …despite the lack of evidence indicating initial hostility. From all indications, casualties may admittedly have been a result of its escapes, not attacks- as a child dragging a pencil on a page while flinching. Later hostilities on containment sites could be escape attempts- and if it is antagonized via further entrapment, we do risk escalating attempts or outright attacks- however, they are attempts, and they are continuing, meaning that it will not be successful in releasing its future/past self or it would have released itself immediately after containment. The attacks are, thus, attempts to free itself prior to the point of its eventual escape. Release of all instances may prevent further attacks; continued containment assures them.
Denied. O5-█

http://imgur.com/gallery/0E7omqu

Footnotes

1. GoI 001 is an exception- see Incident Report 1-AD.

2. Refer to Addendum XXXX-28-V.

3. one MC&D, Ltd. shareholder meeting and a Serpent's Hand gathering

4. Obscuring oxygen while another obscures hydrogen would generate two fields which exclude both water and hydrogen peroxide without affecting hydrochloric acid or carbon dioxide.

5. See Incident Report: XXXX-KT.

6. See Incident Report: XXXX-KT.