Customer Reviews

Shadowtech (Shadowrun, 7110)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Karl Wu's book, Shadowtech, has become an indespensable resource to serious shadowrunners, yet there are several intrinsic problems in his content. His most profound mistake, in the content of the book, is his style of lecturing about the information. People take part in the shadowrun universe to escape the daily lectures from supervisors or teachers. From the opening it reads like a biology text from a college course. A lecture on the human anatomy and how it interrelates with the futuristic ideas of cyberware and bioware are not what shadowrunners are after. Again, near the end of the text, Wu goes on to explain the finer points of genetics. These entire sections of the book can be exempted from serious thought which leaves the rest of the content. The rest of the book is chocked full of meaty examples that pertain to the shadowrun universe. After the lecture sections have been cut and cauterized out of the way we are left with a book that details organic and cybernetic body enhancements of the shadowrun future. Lists and examples of how to procure and utilize these body enhancements are included. Also included, and equally interesting, is the section that deals with technological body enhancements and legality. A runner can become a near superman in the future "mean streets" of Seattle, but he had better keep an eye out for the police. Overall, From muscle enhancements to orthoskin replacements, the book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in taking part in the shadowrun universe.

Shadowtech is an essential guide to all that is cyber, and much more. This book introduces Bioware and is still the only real reference for this wonderful addition to the game. For deckers, the headware selection is immense and expands upon the rules, and even mages can take advantage of the dangerous chemicals- load up your Squirt! In addition to a massive catalog of equipment, this book describes in detail surgical procedures involving cyberware and bioware, as well as laws and fines pertaining to munitions and cyberware. Note: Cyberware, although a fine book in its own right, does not render Shadowtech obselete, nor is it meant to.

If you are reading this, I must warn you not to by this book. Alone it's pretty good but... Fasa will be releasing a book called Man & Machine: Cyberware to outdate this book. It will be combinging Shadowtech and Cybertech. Something for you street sams to cream your jeans about.

The addition of bioware makes this book a worthy addition to any Shadowrun library. But, besides the bioware, you get new cyberware and chemical compoundsto play with. The only major problem that I had with this book was the fact that some parts of it are more like a lecture out of my anatomy and physiology class than a sourcebook. But if you don't mind falling asleep in some of the more boring parts (the section explaning genetics) then this book is a very good buy.

A great book for filling your characters with state-of-the-art biowar

Beef up your charicter with cultured bioware and become the most un-natural creature to grace New Seattle without cyberware! Seriously though, this is a good reference book. If its a toss up between this one and cybtertechnology, go with Shadowtech. The cover looks better too.

"Shadowtech" has everything an NPC or PC could want! This book includes: Bioware, Cyberware, Genetics, and Chemistry for the Shadowrun RPG. An easy way to add new life to old characters, and players who are tired of the "Average Joe" with a gun.

This book is an essental resource for all gm's that want to beef up their characters..or their enemies to make life in the shadows more interesting. must have if you can get a copy of it!

I found this book to have only one problem. It's introduction of Bioware just makes characters better than they were previously, and effectively gives a 'runner double the cyberware capability.The cyberware on offer is interesting and useful, particularly the Bone Lacing and internal deckware. It contains a useful set of biochemical compounds, and is nearly worth getting just for Dikote.The new gear on offer has been well thought out, and has certainly got a lot of use from my group.If you want a book of neat toys, and don't mind the opportunities for power gaming, then this book is an essential buy. If not, go for the Street Sam' sourcebook, or Cybertechnology.

Shadowtech by itself is a useful catalogue of cyber-gadgets, bio-weapons, and chemical compounds, but I believe the most important feature of the book is shown when given to an imaginitive gamemaster. The bio-chemical section is just begging for gamemaster additions, and this, I believe, is the highlight of the book. With Shadowtech, it's easy for gamemasters to come up with new and imaginitive bio-weapons, genetic techniques, and body modifications. I was thoroughly impressed.