There are many different kinds of shape-changers in the World of Darkness, the setting of the Storyteller games. Each were created by Gaia with a purpose in mind. They are known alternately as Bęte or Fera. Here is an overview of the ones not yet extinct.
This list is presented possibly more conveniently at www.secretdoors.com/weavermoon/shifters.htmll.
Note: this is not canonical; it is based mostly off the books, but with modifications and rulings made by me and my troupe. Also, these fine images came from www.wodgraphics.com.
The Ananasi are strange. No two ways about it. They can step sideways as easily as any Garou, have no Rage, and thus take no special damage from silver, and suck blood for sustenance. (Some Asian Ananasi do take special damage from Hong Mu rosewood, due to pacts they made with spirits in times long past.) The fact that they have no Rage throws into question their standing as Fera, but the fact that the Nuwisha are Rageless seems to refute that. Also, they have Gnosis, which is really the unifying factor among the changing breeds.
The Ananasi are not all Wyld-allied. They align themselves in equal-ish amounts with all three aspects of the Triat. This makes them very annoying. You can not easily tell what side they're on. Treat them as wild cards.
When making an Ananasi character, determine Gnosis and Willpower by breed, and Rage is zero. Blood Points can be determined as for a starting vampire (i.e., 1d10 worth.)
The werecats were charged by Gaia to be her eyes and ears. To seek out secrets on her surface. This they did, but in the War of Rage were decimated by the Garou, and have since begun to rather brood and plot. They are still of Gaia, and mainly the Wyld, so are to be trusted at a basic level, but are unfriendly with the Garou.
The Bastet cannot step sideways except within their own Den-realms, or once they have learned a certain Gift. Simply learning Gifts in the first place can be difficult, as until they can enter the Umbra, they must talk to spirits through the Gauntlet. They are injured by silver as Garou are.
For Bastet characters, Rage and Willpower are determined by tribe, and Gnosis by breed.
The wereravens were to be the eyes in the sky among the Fera. Scouting from high above, they could survey the terrain for the others, and coordinate the other breeds. After the War of Rage and resulting tensions among the Bęte, this role has been forgotten somewhat. The Corax are the only other Bęte to maintain good relations with most Garou. They now act as scouts and researchers for Garou and themselves, and have all but forsaken contact with other werebeasts.
Corax can step sideways as normal, and take special damage from gold only. Silver doesn't even dampen their Gnosis. They do have some issues with passing on the shifting blood, but that is too complex for discussion here.
For a starting Corax, Rage equals one, Gnosis six and Willpower three. Always.
Werewolves. The classic. The most populous. The most troubled. The Garou were to be the warriors of Gaia, and fell her foes. They became obsessed with this idea, and early in human history, they began the War of Rage. This was a crusade against the other Fera, and as it was initiated by the warriors of the Earth, it was frighteningly effective. Many kinds were wiped out, and many others brought to the brink of extinction. Now, as the prophesies tell of an impending apocalypse, many regret the actions of their ancestors, wishing that the other Bęte will side with them in the coming wars despite past actions.
Werewolves can step sideways anytime anyplace, but it is made easier with a mirror to look into. They take unsoakable damage from silver, and when not in breed form, take contact damage in the form of burning. (Metis, however, take this damage even in breed form.)
Starting Garou have Rage determined by Auspice, Gnosis by breed and Willpower by tribe.
The bears were thought extinct by many until recently. Originally the healers and protectors, they were hit hardest by the War of Rage. They have only now begun to re-emerge, as the End Times draw near.
Gurahl cannot use Rage points for extra actions, instead being able to make new Health levels (that last for a scene), add to Strength an amount potentially equal to their Homid for Strength, and add to Stamina an amount potentially equal to their current form's Stamina (the last two options lasting only a turn, and raising Strength or Stamina only by one per point of Rage spent). They are harmed by silver as are Garou, and can step sideways normally, but find it easiest in their dens.
A starting werebear has Rage and Gnosis determined by breed, and a starting Willpower of six.
The werefoxes are the youngest of Gaia's children. They are functionally similar to the Nuwisha, but have Asia as their domain. They do not regenerate at the speeds of their brethren, and do take damage from silver. They can step sideways unhindered.
The Kitsune also do not cause the Delirium in onlookers in any form. This is because they never participated in the Impergium, and no primal fears are associated with them.
A starting Kitsune has Rage determined by Path (similar to auspice), Gnosis determined by breed and Willpower of five.
Gaia's memory. These are the werelizards, of all descriptions. They range from werecrocodiles to weregeckos. They have but three forms, the usual human and animal forms, then a midway form dreamed up from ancestral memories of dinosaurs and dragons. They consider neither the Impergium nor the War of Rage to be over, and from time to time hunt other werebeasts and humans. They are tied to both the sun and moon, taking especial damage from both gold and silver. Also, they cannot step sideways without a fourth-rank Gift. None-the-less, they are fearsome.
Beginning Mokolé have Rage and Willpower determined by what sort of lizard their animal form is, and Gnosis by breed.
These creatures are believed to be dead by most who know about these things. They are, however, very much not so. Created to be the police of the Bęte, they took advantage of the War of Rage to slip quietly away, hiding in their serpentine forms and blending into humanity. Now, they can keep the others in the correct roles without much danger to themselves.
They are as vulnerable to silver as most other Fera, and cannot step sideways except in their own den (Ananta) or with that powerful Gift used by others thus limited. They carry a potent venom in their fangs, one that can even down a Garou.
Beginning Nagah have Rage determined by Auspice, Gnosis by breed, and Willpower of 3.
Everyone needs a laugh. That's what the werecoyotes say. They exist to try and keep everyone sane, by virtue of humor. Long ago they seem to have offended Luna, and thus have no connection to her anymore. They are neither harmed by silver (any more than a normal wound) nor possess Rage. The latter is a mixed blessing, for while they will not frenzy, they also cannot act as quickly as others, nor regenerate as quickly in times of stress. They can step sideways as easily as a Garou, and, in fact, are rather dedicated explorers of the Umbra.
Nuwisha start with no Rage, Gnosis from breed, and a Willpower of 4.
There are two main divisions of werecreature: the Asian ones, or Hengeyokai, and the others. Mostly, there are no more than cultural differences. But in the case of the wererats, or Nezumi as the Asian ones are known, there are many practical differences. All wererats are damaged by silver, and can step sideways easily. Nezumi, however, have some strange limitations. Unless they are human-born, they have trouble shifting into that form. They inspire the Delirium (a psychological shapeshifter defense mechanism) in Asian mortals, and certain of their Aspects are much more frenzy-prone.
Ratkin and Nezumi begin with Rage based on Aspect, Gnosis based on breed, and Willpower of 3.
The clinically immortal weresharks were made to be the custodians of all life, the most primordial of all Fera. However, it seems that a curious detail was overlooked: all were shark-born. There was no human blood to temper the instinctual thought processes. Thus, when their environment changed recently (with post-WWII testing of nuclear weapons in the South Pacific, major oil spills, excessive whaling and other such assaults on the water,) they shifted to a radical anti-human point of view, rather than being just passively anti-human. Now, any that choose to walk among humans are hunted down by their comrades. Things do not bode well.
The Rokea are harmed by silver, and cannot step sideways unless one of the following conditions is met: their shark form is that of a goblin shark (or tenguzame in Japanese); they possess that fourth-rank Gift; or they swim to a very deep ocean trench and perform a very sacred rite.
Rokea begin with Rage based on Auspice, Gnosis on breed, and Willpower of 4.