If you’re a fan of Supernatural, the CW’s epic saga of two brothers cruising the backroads in a ’67 Chevy Impala, slaying demons and cracking wise, then you’ve probably daydreamed about joining Sam and Dean Winchester on a hunt. But let’s be real facing a crocotta or banishing a tulpa without a clue is like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions. Enter Supernatural: Guide to the Hunted, the ultimate monster manual for the Supernatural Role Playing Game (RPG). Published in 2010 by Margaret Weis Productions, this full colour, 130 page sourcebook is your ticket to diving headfirst into the dark, dangerous, and occasionally hilarious world of the Winchester brothers. Buckle up, because we’re about to take a deep dive into this book, with all the lore, stats, and charm you’d expect from a Supernatural adventure plus a few chuckles along the way.
Table of Contents
What’s This Book All About?
Picture this: you’re flipping through a weathered journal that looks like it’s been stashed in the Impala’s glove compartment, complete with scribbled notes, fake Post It reminders, and the occasional coffee stain (okay, maybe that’s just your imagination). That’s the vibe of Supernatural: Guide to the Hunted. Designed as a supplement to the Supernatural RPG, this book is a love letter to the show’s first four and a bit seasons, cataloguing the spooks, freaks, and threats that have given the Winchesters a run for their rock salt. Written by a talented crew including Cam Banks, Rob Donoghue, Jason Durall, and others, it’s packed with Cortex System game statistics, lore, and tips for game masters (GMs) and players alike. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a newbie who just learned that silver kills werewolves, this guide has you covered.
The book’s tagline, “Know Just Enough To Be Dangerous,” sums it up perfectly. It’s not about overwhelming you with every detail of the Supernatural universe (because, let’s face it, that’d take a library bigger than Bobby Singer’s). Instead, it gives you the tools to tackle the monsters Sam and Dean have faced, from garden variety ghosts to the downright bizarre (looking at you, tulpa). It’s like having John Winchester’s journal, but with better formatting and fewer cryptic ramblings about “the thing in the woods.”
The Meat of the Monster Manual
The heart of Guide to the Hunted is its monster compendium, which takes up the bulk of the book’s 130 pages. This isn’t just a list of baddies it’s a detailed rundown of the creatures that haunted the first four seasons of Supernatural, with a sneak peek into Season 5. Each entry feels like a page torn from a hunter’s notebook, complete with lore, weaknesses, and Cortex System stats to make your RPG sessions as thrilling as a Winchester showdown.
The Usual Suspects: Ghosts, Demons, and Werewolves
If you know Supernatural, you know the classics: ghosts that need a good salting and burning, demons that require an exorcism (or a swift stab with Ruby’s knife), and werewolves that go down with a silver bullet. The guide covers these staples with gusto, offering practical tips like “rock salt keeps out ghosts” (Folklore 101, people). But it doesn’t stop at the basics. Each entry weaves in show specific details, so you’re not just fighting a ghost you’re dealing with the vengeful spirit of a Civil War soldier who’s got a grudge and a penchant for flickering lights. The stats are tailored to the Cortex System, which means you get attributes like Agility, Strength, and Willpower, plus skills and traits that make each monster a unique challenge. For example, a demon’s Possession trait means it can jump bodies faster than you can say “Christo,” so you’d better have a Plan B.
The Weird and Wonderful: Crocottas, Tulpas, and Angels (Oh My!)
Where Guide to the Hunted really shines is in its coverage of the show’s weirder critters. Ever wondered how to gank a crocotta, that freaky monster that lures victims by mimicking voices? The book’s got you covered with lore about its phone based hunting habits and stats that make it a slippery foe. Or how about a tulpa, the thought form creature brought to life by collective belief? The guide explains how to banish one (hint: it involves disrupting the idea that powers it), complete with a nod to the Supernatural episode where a creepy internet meme becomes a real world nightmare.
And then there’s the Angel of the Lord. Yes, Castiel and his heavenly brethren get their own entries, which is both awesome and terrifying. Angels in Supernatural aren’t your grandma’s harp playing cherubs they’re cosmic powerhouses with a knack for smiting. The guide provides stats for these divine beings, along with tips for dealing with them (spoiler: you probably can’t). It’s a testament to the book’s thoroughness that it tackles everything from low level spooks to celestial heavyweights, all while keeping the tone true to the show’s mix of grit and wit.
New Kids on the Block
Not content to just recap the show, the guide throws in some original monsters to spice up your campaigns. Sasquatches, Mothmen, Chupacabras, and the Jersey Devil make appearances, each crafted with a Supernatural twist. These aren’t your X-Files knockoffs they’re grounded in the show’s lore, with weaknesses and behaviors that feel like they could’ve come straight from an episode. For instance, the Chupacabra’s entry includes a mix of Latin American folklore and hunter practicality, making it a perfect addition to a campaign set in the Southwest. These new monsters add replayability, letting GMs surprise players with threats the Winchesters haven’t faced on-screen.
Beyond the Monsters: Curses, Hexes, and More
Monsters aren’t the only threats in the Supernatural universe, and Guide to the Hunted knows it. About 20 pages are dedicated to non monster challenges like curses, hexes, and mystical illnesses. Remember the episode where Dean was cursed to die in a freak accident? Or the one where Sam got hit with a bad case of supernatural bad luck? The guide breaks down how to incorporate these plot devices into your game, complete with mechanics for inflicting (or curing) them. There’s even a section on characters like Bela Talbot, the thief who always seemed to have a hex bag up her sleeve. These entries give GMs tools to craft stories that go beyond “find monster, kill monster,” adding depth and variety to your campaigns.
Building Your Own Nightmares
One of the book’s standout features is its final 15 pages, which focus on creating your own monsters and campaigns. This section is a goldmine for GMs who want to go off-script. It includes guidelines for designing custom creatures, from their lore and weaknesses to their Cortex System stats. Want to pit your hunters against a haunted toaster that shoots demonic bagels? The guide won’t judge it’ll help you make it happen. There’s also advice on running campaigns where players take on monstrous roles, like a vampire hunter or a demon with a conscience. A sidebar on “Filing off the Serial Numbers” offers tips for creating original stories that capture the Supernatural vibe without copying the show beat for beat. It’s like being handed the keys to the Impala and told to take it for a spin.
The Look and Feel: A Hunter’s Journal Come to Life
Let’s talk aesthetics, because Guide to the Hunted nails the Supernatural vibe. The layout mimics John Winchester’s journal, with a gritty, scrapbook like design. Fake Post It notes, sketches, and scribbled annotations give it an authentic, lived in feel, like it’s been passed around by hunters for years. Full colour photos from the show jog your memory of key episodes (because who can keep track of all 327 of them?), and the writing is peppered with Winchester esque snark. The foreword by the Ghostfacers, Supernatural’s lovable wannabe hunters, is a hilarious touch that sets the tone perfectly. Customers on Amazon have praised the conversational style, with some saying it reads like “Dean himself wrote it.” The only downside? The busy design can occasionally make it hard to find specific info, especially if you’re flipping through mid session while a wendigo’s breathing down your neck.
Who’s This Book For?
Guide to the Hunted is a must have for Supernatural RPG players, but it’s also a treat for fans who just want a deeper dive into the show’s mythology. If you’re a GM, the monster stats and campaign tips make it easy to craft sessions that feel like they belong in the Supernatural universe. Players will love the detailed lore, which helps them strategize against threats (or roleplay their hunter’s panic when they realize they forgot the holy water). Even if you’re not into RPGs, the book’s a fun read for its insights into the show’s creatures and its faithful recreation of the Winchester world. Just don’t expect it to cover seasons beyond the early ones it’s firmly rooted in the 2005-2009 era, before the show went full apocalyptic soap opera.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ghostly
The Good
- Comprehensive Monster Coverage: From ghosts to angels, the guide captures the full spectrum of Supernatural threats, with detailed lore and stats.
- Show Accurate Tone: The writing nails the mix of horror, humour, and heart that defines Supernatural. The Ghostfacers foreword is comedy gold.
- Versatility: Whether you’re running a straight from the show campaign or creating your own monsters, the book provides the tools you need.
- Visual Appeal: The journal like design and full colour photos make it a joy to flip through.
The Bad
- Dense Layout: The scrapbook aesthetic, while cool, can make it tricky to find specific info quickly. Not ideal for mid game panic searches.
- Limited Scope: It only covers the first four ish seasons, so fans of later seasons (or creatures like Leviathans) are out of luck.
- Niche Audience: If you’re not into RPGs or Supernatural’s early years, this might not be your cup of holy oil.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
At its core, Supernatural: Guide to the Hunted is about capturing the spirit of the show: the thrill of the hunt, the bond of family, and the absurd joy of facing down a monster with nothing but a shotgun and a bad attitude. It’s a love letter to the fans who’ve spent years cheering for Sam and Dean, and it invites you to step into their world. Whether you’re rolling dice to banish a demon or just geeking out over the lore of the Mothman, this book delivers. As one Amazon reviewer put it, “What the monster manual does for D&D, this does for Supernatural the Roleplaying game.” High praise, and well deserved.
Final Thoughts: Carry On, My Wayward Hunter
In a world where monsters lurk in every shadow, Supernatural: Guide to the Hunted is your trusty sidekick. It’s not perfect the dense layout and early season focus might irk some fans but it’s a damn fine companion for anyone who wants to live the hunter life. So grab your rock salt, crank up some classic rock, and dive into this guide. Just don’t blame me if you start checking under your bed for wendigos.
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