How to Use Shadowrun Critter Deck in Sixth World
By Catalyst Game Labs Store | Published: 2026-10-22
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use the Shadowrun Critter Deck (Sixth World Critter Cards) to quickly reference creature stats, run random encounters, and add variety to your game.
Quick answer
The Shadowrun Critter Deck gives you a quick-reference card for each creature, so you can pull stats, abilities, and art mid-session without flipping through books.
Why use a dedicated critter deck
The Sixth World is full of creatures from toxic slimes to awakened bears. Keeping their stats in your head or scattered across rulebook pages slows down combat. The Critter Deck puts one creature per card with game stats and art, letting you grab exactly what you need when the runners stumble into a territorial barghest or a hidden hellhound.
A common mistake is treating the deck like a bestiary you read cover-to-cover. Instead, treat it as a lookup tool. Shuffle a few cards before the session and set aside the ones that fit your adventure. That way you are not searching for a specific card while the table waits.
Steps to use the Critter Deck effectively
- 1. Sort cards by environment before the session: Flip through the deck and pull cards that match the terrain your runners are in—urban sewers, forest, toxic waste, etc. Keep the rest aside. This prevents you from fumbling through irrelevant creatures mid-game. A common mistake is keeping the whole deck in play order. Pre-sorting saves time and keeps the game moving.
- 2. Use a card to set up a random encounter on the fly: When the runners take an unexpected route or you need a quick complication, draw a card from your pre-sorted pile. The stat block and abilities are right there, so you can run the encounter without pausing to look up rules. If a drawn creature does not fit the scene, discard it and draw again. The deck is a tool, not a railroad.
- 3. Reference the art to describe the creature: Show the card art to the players (or describe it from the card) to give them a clear visual. The deck’s art helps players picture the creature without you having to invent details on the spot. Do not reveal the stat side unless the runners have made a successful knowledge check or you want to share mechanical info for tactical decisions.
- 4. Track damage and conditions on the card itself: Use a dry-erase marker or small tokens on the card to mark current damage, stun, or ongoing effects. Because each card is dedicated to one creature, you can reuse it across sessions without losing state. Avoid writing directly on the card. A dry-erase marker wipes clean and keeps the card in good condition for future games.
Product facts
- Shadowrun: Critter Deck (Sixth World Critter Cards): The Critter Deck rounds up dozens of critters from all sorts of environments, with game stats and art for each. You get a visual and mechanical reference for each creature, which speeds up encounter setup and helps players identify threats at a glance.
Shadowrun: Critter Deck (Sixth World Critter Cards)
