Shapeshifters

Shapeshifters are a race of supernatural creatures who can shed and take the form of a human being.

Characteristics
Shapeshifter have been encountered by hunters and by Sam and Dean Winchester. They are human-like creatures that start out human, but later learn how to change their form to look like anyone they want. When exactly they learn is not consistent, some can learn from infancy, while others do not learn until much later in their lives. Due to starting off as humans, shapeshifters can have human urges and vices, such as greed, lust, etc. They are also arguably the most human monsters there are. When a shapeshifter takes the shape of the person they choose to change into, they literally shed their skin, teeth and nails. When they change into the person's physical appearance, they access the thoughts of the person they are mimicking. Some shapeshifters are known to change their shape in a matter of seconds while others are known to take up to several hours. They can also take the forms of fictional characters or inhuman characteristics, such as vampire fangs or werewolf claws. They can also alter their eyes so they resemble their retinal flare. Some shapeshifters have displayed the ability to shift seamlessly into whoever they want without shedding their skin, similar to their Alpha.

Powers and Abilities

 * Shapeshifting - Shapeshifters can take on a living or dead person's physical appearance by shedding their skin. When they change, they literally become the person they're mimicking, gaining everything, including fingerprints and DNA; they can also mimic wounds, even very serious ones. Once a shapeshifter transforms into that person, they can access the thoughts and memories of the person they are mimicking provided that the person is still alive. At least some Shapeshifters share their Alpha's ability to change shape without shedding as shown in "Blade Runners" and "Bloodlines".
 * Superhuman strength - Even though they appear human, shapeshifters do possess amazing physical strength. They can easily overpower human beings.
 * Superhuman speed - Shapeshifters seem to be able to run faster than humans; on several occasions, shapeshifters have managed to easily escape from pursuers. One was able to run faster than a gun could be aimed.
 * Superhuman agility - They possess quicker reflexes than typical humans. One of them was able to dodge a bullet, jump out of a house without hurting itself, and left a bloody footprint on a telephone pole, indicating it can climb it.
 * Regeneration - As they can change their form easily, shapeshifters can heal non-fatal wounds, and even replace body parts.

Weakness

 * Silver - They can be killed by a silver bullet or silver blade to the heart. Lesser hits will hurt them, possibly driving them away from the fight. Silver-caused cuts react with them, similar to how iron reacts with demons.
 * Retinal flare - They are identified by a retinal flare that shows when they are filmed.
 * Iridium - It has never been used against an ordinary shapeshifter due to the fact that it's extremely rare and very expensive, but since it's capable of harming the Alpha Shapeshifter, it can be assumed that it can harm ordinary shapeshifters as well.
 * Vamptonite - Edgar states that the Leviathan additive is engineered to kill shapeshifters in addition to Vampires and Ghouls.
 * The Colt - Since this gun can kill next to anything, it can presumably kill Shapeshifters.
 * Dogs - Like certain supernatural phenomena, certain animals such as dogs can sense Shapeshifters regardless of the form they take. The sight of one turned one dog from harmless to vicious, while the Alpha Shapershifter's presence caused multiple dogs to howl.
 * Decapitation - As decapitation could kill the Alpha, it is probable that decapitating a shifter would kill it.

Known Shapeshifters

 * Alpha Shapeshifter (Deceased)
 * Movie-Monsters Shapeshifter (Deceased)
 * Bobby John
 * David Lassiter
 * Margo Lassiter
 * Sal Lassiter (Deceased)
 * Olivia (Deceased)
 * Olivia's father (Deceased)

Appearances

 * Season 1
 * Skin


 * Season 2
 * Nightshifter


 * Season 4
 * Monster Movie


 * Season 6
 * Two And A Half Men
 * Caged Heat
 * Mommy Dearest
 * Season 9
 * Dog Dean Afternoon (mentioned)
 * Blade Runners
 * Bloodlines


 * Season 10
 * Ask Jeeves

Trivia
Formwandler
 * Hunters usually shorten shapeshifter names to just "shifters."
 * Shapeshifters sometimes make their lairs in the sewers.
 * SpnAnime1.jpg's unknown what shapeshifters really look like, but claimed to be monstrous and deformed. In Supernatural The Animation episode The Alter Ego, the shapeshifter reveals its true form. The creature appear to be humanoid with green skin, thin body, large mouth and no eyes. This is anime-only.
 * Although they have never been seen doing, or implied they intended to, it has been indirectly stated that at least some shapeshifters eat humans, much like several other monsters.
 * Shapeshifters, along with Rugarus, are one of the few monsters shown so far that reproduce almost solely by sexual contact with a human. The offspring that results is assured to be a shifter.
 * Its indicated that some shapeshifers may have preferred form as the shapeshifter in "Blade Runners" and the Lassiter family in "Bloodlines" all returned to one particular form after finishing with their shifting activities. Its possible that in the case of the Lassiters this is their original form.
 * One shapeshifter has shown the ability to change only his hair.
 * Unlike shapeshifters in most other forms of fiction, most of these ones do not simply "morph" into a new form, but rather shed their skin into it. There have been a few exceptions to this such as the Alpha Shapershifter, the shapeshifter in "Blade Runners" and the Lassiter family.