I remember SR2 (or was it 3?) had Paranormal Animals of North America and of Europe, whch detailed a lot of interesting awakened critters. There's a small selection of them in the back of the SR4 corebook. Not that something like it would be strictly necessary for 4E, but are there any plans for a nice shiny hardback in that vein? Maybe one that compiles the info from the 2E books and adds one creatures from other regions. It could offer ideas on how to include them in SR other than "random encounter" monsters to fight.

If there's nothing coming down the line for this, it would make a nice fan project. Maybe someone has done something like this?

We don't have plans for future books this second, but we've got Running Wild, which might fill the bill!

Jason H.

Yeah, I think running wild is what you're looking for. About half of it or so is devoted just to critter entries, with the rest being a scattering of training rules, qualities, lifestyles, warform and augmentation and such for animals. Perhaps one of the books you won't be reaching for most often unless you're a GM or running an animal trainer type character, but still a fun book.

I can't imagine converting critters from Paranormal Animals of North America/Europe into 4e would be too difficult if you have or can find a copy of those books.

Almost everything from PAoNA and PAoE, plus some others, were in Running Wild. There's a few things missing, but not much. Granted, they're not full 2-page spreads like those books... You're just not going to see that anymore. AFAIK, they generally don't sell enough, and that format doesn't work for a game with as much "stuff" as Shadowrun has anymore. Though I do miss it, and I cherish my own copies of all those old gear and critter books

Bull

The Abrams writeup was a thing of glory, particularly when you consider that I was somewhere around 12 or 13 when I borrowed Paranormal Animals from an older friend. That's really the perfect age for appreciating vicious lobster attacks being played for laughs.

Two words: Each Uisge.

I *still* think that thing is terrifying.

Aw hell yeah. That's what I'm talking about, Willis.

Thanks!

The old Paranormal Animals books may be dated but they make fantastic handouts. In this regard it doesn't hurt that it uses the older game mechanics. Several of my players' characters still insist on carry around a copy of the Paterson Guide (the in game name for the guide) with them just so they can reference the book during play.