Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

SHADOWRUN STYLE GUIDE

Last Modified: October 2001

GENERAL STYLE NOTES

CAPITALIZATION
1. Capitalize all types of tests:
Damage Resistance Test, Open Test, Success Contest, Dodge Test
2. Capitalize specific skill names, types of damage, attribute names and rating/statistic names, but do not capitalize the
term itself:
Pistols skill, Electronic Warfare specialization, Body attribute, Reaction, Flux rating, Combat Pool dice, Impact
armor, Reach, Power
3. Capitalize game terms relating to damage.
Damage Code, Serious Physical Wound, Condition Monitor, Damage Level
4. Capitalize specific spell names and totems:
Shield Wall spell, Coyote shaman
5. Lowercase specific spell categories, metamagic techniques and magician types:
combat spells, centering metamagic, conjurer aspected magician,
6. Lowercase spirit types, critters, critter powers and adept powers:
spirit of the waves, fire elemental, eastern dragon, concealment power, traceless walk power
7. Capitalize specific Matrix operations, Matrix host subsystems and Matrix host security codes:
Logon to Host operation, Access rating, Red host, Orange-7 host
8. Lowercase specific decker utilities and types of IC:
deception utility, blaster IC
9. Capitalize specific types of lifestyles:
Low lifestyle, High lifestyle
10. Capitalize other specific game terms defining actions or periods of time (except base time):
Exclusive Action, Simple Action, Initiative, Combat Phase, Combat Turn, base time

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

11. Capitalize any type of points used during design or maintenance of a character, vehicle, etc:
Stress Points, Karma Points, Skill Points, Attribute Points, Design Points, Design Point Value
12. Lowercase other game terms:
+2 target number modifier, 2 successes, burst fire mode, background count, security tally
13. Lowercase game items, gear and wares:
grappling gun, datajack cyberware, cerebral booster bioware, carcerand-plus nanoware, atropine
14. Capitalize corporation and brand names:
Saeder-Krupp, Ares Predator heavy pistol, Gemini nanoware
15. Capitalize underworld syndicates
Mafia, Yakuza, Triads, Seoulpa Rings
16. If a number follows a term, capitalize the term:
Target Number 4, Killer IC-7, Impact Armor 4, Flux Rating 5, Security Tally 8, Rating 4 maglock

TERMINOLOGY
1. A test should always be named after the attribute or rating specifically used (ie., whatever determines the amount of
dice rolled), unless the specific statistic is undefined (ie. a Driving test). Perception Tests, Attack Tests, System Tests
and specific test types (Success Tests, Opposed Tests) are an exception to this rule.
2. Always use the word power after an adept or critter power.
3. Always use the word utility after a decker utility.
4. When referring to a skill, remember to include the in front of it:
The character may use the Athletics skill for this test.
5. Note that many skill names are plural (ie., Pistols skill, not Pistol skill).

NUMBERS
1. Use the N dash (option-dash) to indicate a negative number, continuing number or a subtraction:
3, see pp. 3235 or pp. 1014, (5 3 = 2)
2. Use the M dash (option-shift-dash) for spaces on tables.
3. Follow the Chicago Manual of Style (spell out all whole numbers between one and ninety-nine, as well as any
numbers followed by hundred, thousand, million, and so on"five hundred"except in the following cases:
a. Numbers that pertain to game rules or concepts:
2 Combat Turns, Step 3 damage, numbers expressed in formulas, etc.

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

b. Whole numbers under one hundred if they appear in the same sentence or paragraph as numbers that should be
expressed numerically:
"All 12 of the snakes were 166 feet long."
c. When a sequence contains several spelled-out numbers that are difficult to read:
"Type all documents on 8 1/2 by 11-inch paper."
d. Do not spell out numbers in hours, degrees, percent; however, do spell out the words "percent" and "degrees"
24 hours, 60 percent, 30 degrees
e. Use 50 in tables, 50 nuyen in text.
General examples:
100 kilometers

1 box (Condition Monitor)

10 minutes

10 meters

Target Number 7

3 dice

5 successes

3 turns

2 kilograms

2 Force rating points

one level

one stage

REFERENCES
1. Shadowrun the game is always italicized, as are product titles
2. References in text should read as follows:
section references in the same book: Section Name, p. XX
book references: p. XX, Book Name
section reference in another book: Section Name, p. XX, Book Name
3. References to tables should not be italicized.
4. Dont reference out of print books or books not yet published.
5. Use the following abbreviations for Shadowrun books:
SR3 (Shadowrun, Third Edition), SRComp (Shadowrun Companion), MITS (Magic in the Shadows), M&M (Man
and Machine), CC (Cannon Companion), CD (Corporate Download), R3 (Rigger 3), Matrix, YOTC (Year of the
Comet), T:AL (Target: Awakened Lands), T:SH (Target: Smuggler Havens), T2 (Threats 2), SONA (Shadows of North
America), T:W (Target: Wastelands), WOTC (Wake of the Comet).

PUNCTUATION
1. When using serial commas, do not place a comma before the and.
Sharon, Mike and Bryan have worked at FASA for ages.

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

2. A sentences punctuation should appear inside quotation marks. So we should have:

FastJack sliced through the Black IC like flechettes through spandex.
and not:
FastJack sliced through the Black IC like flechettes through spandex.
3. Use the curly quote (option-shift-]) for words that require a quote mark before the word: wares.
4. The punctuation following a word should follow the word format, except for closing parantheses:
Davidson loves VOR, but hates Crimson Skies.
5. If you use an ellipsis (), use the actual ellipsis symbol (option-semicolon), not just 3 periods in a row. An ellipsis
should be followed by a single space before and after just like that.
6. Hyphens should only be used for hyphenated words. In all other places, use either en dashes or em dashes. En dashes
should be used for continuing numbers, such as see pp. 9295. Em dashes should be used for breaks in a sentence (I
was telling himhey! Whyd you hit me?) or to fill in empty slots on a table.

GENERAL STYLE
1. Don't use the terms "adventurers" or "party." Use team, group, shadowteam, runners, players' group, player
characters, etc.
2. Use gamemaster instead of GM or DM.
3. Use though instead of although.
4. Plural for dwarf is dwarfs but plural for elf is elves.

GENDER
1. An attempt should be made to use gender-inclusive language. This means using phrases such as him or her or he
or she, or occasionally using feminine pronouns when describing an undefined person (If the gamemaster wants to
rule otherwise, she may do so. However, do not overuse gender-inclusive language in a single sentencefind
substitutes for pronouns so that the sentence does not become cumbersome. Likewise, do not switch between masculine
and feminine pronouns in a paragraph or examplestick to one gender.
2. Do not use they, them, or their as a substitute since these words are plural and connote more than one person.
For example, do not write: Ask the player their opinion. Instead write: Ask the player his or her opinion.

ABBREVIATIONS
1. The following abbreviations are ok to use:
Attributes: BOD, STR, QUI, INT, CHA, WIL, INIT
Damage Levels: L, M, S, D

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

Firing Modes: SS, SA, BF, FA

ACIFS (Matrix host system ratingsAccess, Control,
Index, Files, Slave)

IC (intrusion countermeasures)
I/O (input/output)

AOD (activate on demand)

IR (infrared)
ASIST
technology)

(artificial

sensory

induction

system
LMG (light machine gun)

AV (anti-vehicular)

LTG (local telecommunications grid)

AP (anti-personnel NOT armor-piercing)

MAD (magnetic anomaly detector)

APDS (armor piercing discarding sabot)

MCT (Mitsuhama Computer Technologies)

B/R skill (Build/Repair skill)

MMG (medium machine gun)

BTL (better-than-life)

Mp (megapulse)

CAS (Confederated American States)

MPCP (Master Persona Control Program)

CATCO (Cross Applied Technologies Corporation)

NANs (Native American Nations)

CFS (California Free State)

NPC (non-player character)

DNI (direct neural interface)

PLTG (private local telecommunications grid)

ECD (electronic counter-deception)

RTG (regional telecommunications grid)

ED (electronic deception)

R/W skill (Read/Write skill)

ECM (electronic countermeasures)

SIN (system ID number)

ECCM (electronic counter-countermeasures)

SMG (submachine gun)

GPS (global positioning system)

UCAS (United Canadian and American States)

HE (high-explosive)

UGE (unexplained genetic expression)

HMG (heavy machine gun)

VCR (vehicle control rig)

HMHVV (human-metahuman vampiric virus)

VITAS (virally-induced toxic allergy syndrome)

2. Do not use INIT for Initiative except in tables.

3. Do not use TN for target number except in tables.

FORMAT EXAMPLES

Skills and Specializations

The specialization and its rating should follow in parantheses after the skill and its rating:

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

Etiquette 3 (Corporate 4, Mafia 6)

The following is NOT correct:
Etiquette (Corporate) 3 (4)

Tests
For Success Tests, the target number should appear in parentheses between the skill name and test:
Athletics (6) Test
If a specialization is applicable to the test, it should also be listed in parentheses:
Athletics (Swimming) (6) Test.
For Opposed Tests, the opposing attribute should appear in parentheses between the skill name and test:
Strength (Body) Test

Cyberdeck MPCP Ratings

MPCP rating/Bod/Evasion/Masking/Sensor
MPCP8/8/5/6/5

Matrix Host System Rating Format

Security CodeSecurity Value/Access/Control/Index/Files/Slave
Red6/10/12/13/9/9

NPC Stats
NPC statistics are always written in the same format; their attributes are listed in the first two lines, followed by
Initiative, dice pools, Karma Pool and Professional rating, and then any skills, spells, metamagic, adept powers, geasa,
cyberware, bioware, nanoware or gear.

6 (7)

4 (7)

4 (6)

INIT: 4 (6) + 1D6 (2D6), Astral INIT: 24 (27) + 1D6

Dice Pools: Astral 3, Astral Combat 8, Combat 7
Karma Pool/Professional Rating: 5/3

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

Active Skills: Biotech 2 (Cybertechnology Implantation 4), Car 3, Computer 4 (Cybernetics 6), Electronics 6, Etiquette
4 (Corporate 7), Negotiation 8, Small Unit Tactics 4
Knowledge Skills: Corporate Politics 6, Cybertechnolgy 3, Novatech Structure 5, Microtronics 4, Psychology 6,
Renraku Structure 3
Spells: Flamethrower 8, Hot Potato 6
Metamagic (Initiate Grade 3): Centering, Masking, Quickening
Adept Powers: Killing Hands D, Nerve Strike
Geasa: Condition (only at night), Gesture, Talisman (wedding ring)

Gear
A sample gear listing appears below. Ratings, if applicable, are listed after the piece of gear in parentheses. The
specific rating or classification of magical gear also appears in parentheses. Damage Codes (where applicable) are
listed in brackets.
Weapons are the most diverse items and are listed in alphabetical order. Following each weapons name in
brackets is an abbreviation of its class, followed by the firing mode(s), Damage Code, recoil compensation (if any,
including any provided by the characters Strength) and its ammo and reload system. For guns and other ranged
weapons, the range for each weapon is listed below these statistics. Following each range category is the target number
for that range, taking into account any aiming or vision accessories the character may have (the best option is used if
more than one system is available) but not counting for recoil modifications. Melee weapons list the Damage Code and
range (if any) in brackets. Damage Codes for items that do damage based on the Strength of the wielder have already
been calculated. Armor is listed separately, with its rating in brackets. Multiple pieces are listed in alphabetical order.
Cyberware is listed alphabetically within its own section. The name of each piece of cyberware is listed first, with
its grade and rating following in parentheses. Any information in brackets refers to something contained within that
piece of cyberware.
Gear with excessive statistics, such as cyberdecks, remote control decks, vehicles and drones, should be given
their own heading. A deckers cyberdeck is always listed with its MPCP rating and other adaptations in brackets,
followed by attachments and programs with their ratings. Vehicles weaponry affixed to firmpoints and hardpoints is
listed in parentheses; if the vehicle is rigged or customized for remote control, that is also noted in parentheses.
All other gear should appear under a generic Gear heading, with ratings in parentheses.
Note that the normal rules for capitalization apply to listed gear.

Weapons: AK-97 [AR, SA/BF/FA, 8M, RC 3 (4), 38 (c) w/2 extra clips, folding stock, gas vent 3, smartgun link]
Range (TN): 050 (2), 51150 (3), 151350 (4), 351500 (7)
Colt American L36 [LP, SA, 6L, RC 0, 11(c)]
Range (TN): 05 (4), 615 (5), 1630 (6), 3150 (9)
Concussion Grenade [12M Stun]
Sword [8M, +1 Reach]

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

Armor: Lined coat [4/2]

Cyberware: Obvious cyberlimb (alphaware) [with built-in smartgun link, strength enhancement (rating 2) and
retractable spur]
Bioware (all cultured): Cerebral booster 1, synthacardium
Nanoware: Nanosymbiotes
Cyberdeck: Novatech Hyperdeck6 [MPCP 6, response increase 1] with hitcher jacks and the following programs:
Analyze 4, Browse 4, Commlink 6, Deception 4, Decrypt 5, Read/Write 4, Sleaze 5
Vehicle: Hughes WK-2 Stallion rotorcraft (rigged) with external hardpoints (Ares Vermicide autocannon, smartlinked,
100 rounds)
Gear: Micro-transceiver (rating 1), fetish (Heal), shamanic lodge (rating 5)

ADVENTURE FORMAT
Each adventure should break down into the following chapters (#2 heads):
Preparing to Play: This chapter introduces the adventure. It should include a Background Story section that gives
a breakdown of the events leading up to the adventure and an overview of the adventure itself. It may also include a
Timeline section, perhaps as a table, that discusses any events that need to occur in a certain order.
Scenarios: Every adventure includes various encounters, from getting hired to fighting the gargoyle to negotiating
for more money because the run was harder than expected. These encounters are called scenarios. A series of scenarios
makes up an adventure. See Scenario Format below.
Picking Up the Pieces: This chapter wraps up the adventure and aftermath, and so appears at the end. It should
include four sections:
Its a Wrap deals with potential fallout, player questions, future developments, plot ideas and other items that wrap
up the adventure (or explain why it doesnt get wrapped up).
Awarding Karma contains guidelines for awarding Karma to individual player characters.
Legwork. At any time during an adventure, the player characters might search for information using their contacts,
various Matrix connections or even astral space. Because players may choose to do this at any time, all of the possible
searches and results are gathered together in the Legwork section. Having all the information in one place makes for
easy gamemaster reference.
Cast of Shadows includes descriptions, background information and game statistics for important non-player
characters in the adventure. These characters have fully fleshed-out histories as well as complete statistics, just like
player characters.

SCENARIO FORMAT
Each scenario includes the following subsections, which help gamemasters deal with the information necessary to
run the scenario.
What's Up, Chummer?: This section offers a synopsis of the action in the scenario for use as a quick reference
and overview. It also tells you how a given scenario connects to those before and after it.

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

Tell It To Them Straight: Generally written to be read out loud, this section is what the gamemaster tells the
players.
Hooks: This section offers hints on mood and other features that set the stage for the scenario. It also reminds the
gamemaster of twists and hidden information that the player characters may or may not discover.
Behind the Scenes: This section includes the bulk of the information for the scenario. It lays out for the
gamemaster what needs to be set in motion and how subsequent actions unfold. It also covers how non-player
characters react to the player characters actions. Depending on the individual scenario, Behind the Scenes may include
maps, descriptions of important items, information that player characters can gather through legwork, statistics for nonplayer characters or critters, and information on what the player characters discover.
Pushing the Envelope: This section details things the gamemaster can do to make the scenario more of a
challenge (and/or more dangerous) to the characters.
Debugging: This section offers solutions to potential problems the gamemaster may encounter in a scenario.

LEGWORK FORMAT
The following is an example contact information table that may appear in the Legwork section.
Note that if the target number for all appropriate contacts is the same, it should be listed in parentheses before the
colon. If two or more contacts have different target numbers, the target number for each contact should appear in
parantheses after the contact.

TEKLON ELECTRONICS
Appropriate Contacts (TN 4): Corporate, Law Enforcement, Matrix search
or
Appropriate Contacts: Corporate (TN 4), Law Enforcement (TN 5), Matrix search (TN 5), Street (TN 6)
Success

Results

Never heard of them. They arent in my database or corporate listing.

A microtronics manufacturing company in Auburn.

They claim that 75 percent of all cyberlimbs include TekLon microtronics.

TekLon lost a lot of business during the corp war. Some investment company pulled out.

Lakeview International Holding Company pulled their backing. TekLons owners didnt know how
deep they were in to this company.

Lakeview was actually a Fuchi shell company; Novatech and Renraku are both claiming
investment ownership.

6+

Next week, TekLons supposed to announce its revolutionary microtronics circuitry. That should
save their bacon.

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

SPECIFIC WORDS AND TERMS

A
action (but Simple Action)
active memory
adept
air cushion
ally
area effect spell
artificing (or Artificing specialization)
assense
astral barrier
astral being
astral combat
astral form
astral perception
Astral Perception Test
astral plane
Astral Pool
astral projection
Astral Reaction
astral space
attack utility
Attribute Points
attributes
augmented attribute rating
aura
Awakened being
Awakening

10

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

Aztlan

B
background count
Ballistic armor
banishing
Barrier rating
base bandwidth
base time
Bear shaman
bioweapon
bitstream
Blue host
Body dice
booby trap

C
Centering skill
Centering Test
centering technique
changeling
combat maneuvers
Confederated American States (CAS)not Confederate American States
chipjack
chipslots
chokepoint
combat options
Combat Pool dice
Combat Turn

11

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

combat spell
combat utility
commlink
Complex Action
Condition Monitor
contact range

D
Damage Code
Damage Level
databank
database
datacore
data files
datajack
dataline
datapath
datareader
datasteal
datastore
datastream
datatrail
datawork
dataworm
deck modesdefault mode, bod mode, evasion mode, etc.
deed ordeal
degrees (spell out)
Delayed Action
detection spell

12

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

dice pool (but Spell Pool)

domain (of a spirit)
Drain
Drain Code
Drain Level
Drain Resistance Test
dwarf (dwarfs, not dwarves); use dwarf as adjective also, not dwarven
Dweller on the Threshold

E
eco-terrorist
elemental
elemental effects
elf
elven is the adjective
Elvish is the language, not the singer
e-mail
enchanting (Enchanting skill)
Essence rating
Euro-Wars
event trigger
Exclusive Action
exclusive spell

F
fetish focus
fire elemental
firefight
first bonding

13

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

foci (plural)
focus formula
Force
Free Action

G
gamemaster, not GM
geas/geasa
genetech
goblinization
grade of initiation; but Grade 1, Grade 4, etc.
grid
guardian spirits
gun-cam

H
Hacking Pool dice
handset
hardcore
headware
health spell
hearth spirit
heavy weapons
hell hound
hermetic
hermetic circle
Hidden Circle
High Prince
host

14

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

hotwire
houngan

IJ
Impact armor
ingentisization
Initiate Grade rating
initiate
initiation
Initiative total
injury modifier
intrusion countermeasures (IC)
jackpoint

K
Karma (as opposed to karma as destiny)
Karma awards
Karma cost
Karma Points
Karma dice

L
lifestyle (but Luxury lifestyle)
local telecom grid (LTG)
loa
log-on

M
Mafia (but mob)

Last Updated August 7, 2015

15

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

mage
mageblade
Magic attribute
Magic rating
magic (unless referring to specific Magic attribute)
magical group
magician
mana spell
masking power
master persona control program (MPCP)
material link
Matrix
material link
materialization power
melee combat
metahuman
metamagic
metaplanes
Mind Probe spell
minigun

N
nature spirits
Negotiation skill

O
operational utility
Opposed Test
optical-chip encoder

16

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

optical-code chip (OCC)

ordnance (not ordinance for weapons)
ork (use ork as adjective, not orkishorkish is the argot orks speak, not a formal language)
otaku
oyabun

P
paladins
Panicbuttons
panVITAS = paraVITAS
paraglider
passcode
passive alert
paydata
persona
persona chip
persona programs
personal domain
physical attributes
Physical damage
Place (on the metaplanes)
player character, never pc
Power Level of the Damage Code
power focus
powers (e.g. illusion, low-light, vision enhancement)
primary effects

Q
Queen spirit

17

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

quest
quester

R
R&D
railgun
ranged combat
Restoration
ritual of change
ritual of summoning
ritual sorcery
roll-out screen
roleplaying
rotor craft

S
Saeder-Krupp
samurai (pl)
satlink interface
secondary effects
security code
security tally
semiballistic
sensor range
Seoulpa Ring
Serious damage
shaman, but Rat shaman
shamans (pl)
shielding (spell defense)

Last Updated August 7, 2015

18

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

Simple Action
simsense
situation modifier (not situational)
Sixth World
skill (but Whips skill)
Skill Points
skill rating
skillwires
Sorcery skill
specializations
spells (but Levitate spell)
spell defense
spell focus
spell formula
spellcasting
sprawl
Street lifestyle
Strength Minimum
storage memory
Stun damage
suborbital
subsystem (but Access subsystem, Control subsystem, etc.)
system operation (but Analyze Host operation)

T
target modifier
target number
Task Pool
t-bird

19

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

Last Updated August 7, 2015

telecom
Threshold
Tir Tairngire
Tr na ng
Tong
totems
capitalize names of totemsWolf, Dog, Mouse, etc.
totem advantage
totem modifiers
toxic shaman
Triad
troll

U
UGE (unexplained genetic expression)
unarmed combat
underbarrel
upgrade
uplink
utility programs

V
vehicle control rig (VCR)
vidphone
voiceprint

W
wage mage (2 words)
wards

20

Shadowrun Master Style Sheet

watcher spirits
wendigo
western dragon
wetware
wetwork
workstation
wujen
Wuxing

YZ
Yakashima
Yakuza
Yamatetsu
Yucatn
Zeta-ImpChem

Last Updated August 7, 2015

21