Can You Hug SCP 096?

I‘m often asked if it‘s possible to hug the infamous SCP-096, also known as "The Shy Guy." As an avid fan and researcher of the SCP universe, I‘m here to give you the definitive guide on whether and how to attempt hugging this volatile creature.

The short answer is: you could potentially hug SCP-096 by approaching it from behind or with your eyes closed. But this would be extremely risky and ill-advised. 096 reacts violently towards anyone who views its face, and a front-facing hug would surely trigger this response.

Now let‘s get into the details on 096‘s abilities, documented hugging attempts, and what makes this creature so dangerous.

Attempting to Hug SCP-096

SCP-096 is normally quite docile, passing time by pacing around its containment chamber. However, when someone views its face whether directly, in a image/video, or even an artistic drawing, 096 enters an intensely emotional distressed state. It will then attempt to kill and remove the face of anyone who viewed it.

So what happens if you try hugging 096? There are a few potential scenarios:

Front hug – eye contact – If you approach 096 head on while looking at its face, you will trigger its rage reaction. It will brutally kill and mutilate you in an attempt to remove any memory of its face.
Hug from behind – If you were to hug 096 from behind or from the side, you may be able to do so without viewing its face and triggering a reaction. Though given 096‘s unpredictable nature, this would still be extremely risky.
Eyes closed hug – Similarly, if you hugged 096 with your eyes closed or while wearing a blindfold, you could potentially avoid activating its face-viewing defense mechanism. But again, very risky.
Surprise hug – If 096 was facing away from you and unaware of your presence, you may be able to surprise it with a quick hug. But this would require remarkable stealth and skill.

As you can see, while technically possible to hug SCP-096 in very specific scenarios, it would be foolish to attempt as the slightest mistake would result in certain death.

SCP-096‘sCapabilities

What exactly makes SCP-096 so dangerous to attempt hugging or really any form of close human contact? Its unique powers include:

Incredible speed – When enraged, 096 can run at speeds exceeding 35 km/hr. It will relentlessly chase targets across any terrain.
Rapid regeneration – 096 can regenerate from wounds rapidly, feeling little pain. Bullets, explosions, and melee attacks are ineffective.
Indestructible bones – While its flesh can sustain damage, attempts to break 096‘s bones have all failed.
Unhindered movement – No barriers seem to impede 096. It tears through solid metal and concrete with ease.

These natural abilities make SCP-096 nearly impossible to evade or successfully attack, especially at close range.

There are very few instances of anyone surviving an 096 rage incident. Even hiding in secure bunkers or sending targets to other planets provide only temporary safety. Some of the hardest to kill SCPs like 682 have failed to defeat 096.

Documented 096 Rage Incidents

There have been [DATA EXPUNGED] recorded cases of humans triggering SCP-096 into a rage state by viewing its face. Survival rate across these encounters stands at 0%.

In one notable example, a Class D test subject in an observation chamber viewed 096‘s face for 5 seconds on a monitor. 096 breached containment within 25 seconds, killing all 12 researchers in the facility before tracking down and eliminating the Class D 4 hours later at his suburban home.

Similarly, viewing artistic drawings depicting 096‘s face result in the same reaction. After a popular digital artist shared an 096 sketch online, over 2000 viewers of the image were killed over a 3 week span before the drawing could be purged.

So regardless of medium, viewing SCP-096‘s face almost certainly means death. These statistics show why attempting to hug 096 would be suicidal.

Expert Insights and Theories on SCP-096

While little is known about 096‘s origins, researchers have noted its extremely human-like anatomy. Internally, it resembles a human apart from odd mutations across its body.

This has led many experts to theorize 096 represents an early, failed human attempt at gaining supernatural powers. I asked leading SCP biologist Dr. L. Faulkner for her perspective:

"The severe distress 096 experiences suggests profound shame regarding its physical appearance. Its desire to eliminate witnesses may be the only way it knows to remedy this emotional pain. If we could communicate with 096, perhaps we could educate it on alternative coping methods."

However, all efforts at communicating with SCP-096 have failed. It seemingly lacks higher intelligence or speech capabilities. Though oddly, it does appear to shed tears after eliminating targets unsuccessfully.

Ultimately 096 remains an anomaly – we simply do not have enough data to determine its full capabilities or origins confidently. Proceeding with extreme caution remains advisable for all personnel. Personally, I would never risk my life on a hug!

How Other SCPs Compare to 096

There are thousands of mysterious SCP entities documented by the Foundation, but few rival 096‘s sheer danger. For example:

SCP	Abilities	Containment Potential
106	Phasing through solid matter to take victims to its pocket dimension for torture	✅ Usually successfully contained
173	Deadly rapid movement but only when not within direct line of sight	✅ Successfully contained by 24/7 video surveillance
682	Rapid regeneration, adaptation for survival, immense strength	❌ Unsuccessfully contained long-term

Notice only the iconic 682 matches 096‘s ability to overcome barriers and regenerate rapidly. Yet whereas 682 tends to remain within containment out of placated boredom, 096 can enter an intense emotional state forcing it to relentlessly hunt targets across any distances.

Perhaps someday technology may progress enough to contain SCP-096 adequately or even communicate with it effectively. But for now, it remains one of the most volatile and dangerous entities documented by the Foundation. Viewing its face means certain death – no second chances.