r/OldSchoolShadowrun

371 archived posts · Oct 2018 – Sep 2026

OldSchoolShadowrun

For fans of the 3rd edition and earlier Shadowrun games and background, including those who want to use other systems (including modern Shadowrun systems) to model the ethos and gameplay of FASA era classic Shadowrun. Identifying elements of the Old School that Shadowrun players wanted to invest their more modern Shadowrun games with might be an interesting source of discussion as well.

Created Oct 29, 2018

1.2KMembers (last snapshot)

371Archived posts

For those who want to experience classic flavors of Shadowrun, whether run under their original systems or using newer or alternative rulesets.

Get the Classic Rules and Run Old School

1e @DriveThruRPG @Amazon
2e ~~@DriveThruRPG~~ @Amazon
3e @DriveThruRPG @Amazon
4e ~~@DriveThruRPG~~ @Amazon
20 An. Ed. @DTRPG @Amazon

The Old School as a Hack

SR 2050: 2nd edition style game using Anarchy modified with elements of SR2 and SR5.
Shadowrun in The Sprawl: Adds Shadowrun functionality to the Sprawl, a mission based cyberpunk game that is Powered by The Apocalypse.
Runners in the Shadows: A complete RPG built using the open content Blades in the Dark system.
Savage Shadowrun: A very detailed old school style conversion for Savage Worlds, Explorer Edition.

Use the Resources

2e Shadowland issues 1-7 (250MB zip)
Big batch of adventures (16MB zip)
2e combat flowchart (PDF)
HQ Seattle 2050 map with security zones (129MB PDF)
Blackjack's Shadowrun Page
1e Autofire Calculator
1e Discord dicebot

Join the Community

Classic Shadowrun discord

For Shadowrun fandom generally, see r/Shadowrun.

For the video games Shadowrun Returns / Dragonfall / Hong Kong, see r/ShadowrunReturns;

FAQ

Q: What's the best edition of Shadowrun? A: If you like crunchy, diverse, basic systems, where lore is baked into mechanics at every turn, go earlier editions. If you prefer advanced systems with every detail spelled out in full clarity, go later editions. Shadowrun is made to be house-ruled; many players use Anarchy, Savage Worlds, Fate, or another system, only using Shadowrun books for lore and setting.

Q: Where's the PDF for the Shadowrun 2e core rule book? A: Legally nonexistent. This is also why DTRPG can't sell B&W prints of it.

Q: Can my hack or resource be added to the sidebar? A: Maybe! Ask for feedback about it here or on the discord and we'll see what happens! (Be patient!)

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