# ShadowRun ![[ShadowRun (cover).jpg]] Put cyberpunk and classic fantasy in the same city and make them call each other neighbor — that's the bet **Shadowrun** has been running since the late '80s, and it's still the point of it. You're a shadowrunner in a near-future Seattle thick with elves who carry guns and dragons who sit on board seats, hacking the same net you'd hex. It's not a polite universe; the megacorps own everything not nailed down, and the law is mostly a suggestion. The system has cycled through more editions than the genre has excuses, but everyone has always shown up for the same reason — the world, which remains gloriously, unapologetically extra. Starting with a pile of six-sided dice that might as well be a dragon's hoard, the core mechanic involves rolling these d6s hoping for 5s and 6s – these are your hits, your tickets to success. But beware, for the treacherous "Glitch" lurks when half your dice betray you with ones. Yes, in **Shadowrun**, not even the dice are on your side. Fast forward through six editions, and you'll find each has its own flavor of complexity. By the time we hit the sixth edition, it's as if the developers thought, "You know what this game needs? Fewer actions for Street Sams and Adepts and more headaches with the Edge system." The Edge system, once a pool of luck to dip into, has been transformed into a convoluted mess that insists on comparing ratings for every action to hand out points. It’s like needing to do your taxes every time you want to take a swing at someone. And then, there's the Wild Dice – a mechanic so bizarre it makes you wonder if the rulebook was cursed by a mischievous spirit. Roll it, and it might grant you triple successes or just implode your entire action, because consistency is apparently overrated. It seems like a rule designed by someone who thought gambling with high stakes wasn't quite thrilling enough. So, if diving into this chaotic blend of tech and magic tickles your fancy, you can snag a copy of **Shadowrun** and choose your edition based on how much you enjoy complexity, or perhaps masochism. You can find the latest editions ready for purchase and deep dives into corporate espionage at [DriveThruRPG](https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/286850/shadowrun-sixth-world-core-rulebook-city-edition-seattle). Just be prepared to navigate a world where the only thing more unreliable than your fixer is the rulebook itself. For those intrigued by the chaotic world of **Shadowrun** and looking to take the plunge into its dystopian depths, here are the references to guide your journey: - Discover the rich history and evolution of **Shadowrun** through the comprehensive overview provided by [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadowrun). From its inception to the latest editions, trace the game's journey through the cyberpunk and fantasy realms. - If you're curious about the latest iteration of the game, **Shadowrun 6th Edition**, and its attempt at streamlining the iconic system, don't miss the critique on [Geek Native](https://www.geeknative.com/72866/it-says-shadowrun-on-the-cover-a-review-of-shadowrun-6e/). This review addresses the changes, challenges, and controversies surrounding the newest edition, from the reworked Edge system to the introduction of Wild Dice. And finally, when you're ready to dive into the Sixth World, gear up, and choose your edition, you can find **Shadowrun** available for purchase at [DriveThruRPG](https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/286850/shadowrun-sixth-world-core-rulebook-city-edition-seattle). Whether you're a fan of the classic editions or looking to explore the streamlined mechanics of the latest releases, DriveThruRPG has you covered with digital and physical copies ready for your next adventure. > [!note] Editor's Note > > I think he needs a tuneup. He's getting sloppy with his links. > > The idea of putting cyberpunk and classic fantasy magic together in the same space and making it Seattle-coffee-flavored was deeply inspired. It was also a creature of its time and unlike many, I might argue that Second Edition was the cream of the crop as far as it went. > > But nobody played **Shadowrun** for the system. They played it for the cool.