[Tsuzua]

Another question. From a purely optimization point of view, are any of the more exotic creatures (Shapeshifters, Drakes, Sapient Critters) worth the points? Do their upgraded attributes make up for their inability to take 'ware? Is a pure Adept worth it when these are considered (I figure that the lowered mental abilities kind of mean it has to be some kind of fighter)?

They vary wildly.  Drakes are way overpriced.  Bear Shapeshifters are a good choice for tanks.  I forget about the other shapeshifters. 

Pixies are amazingly smart and lucky.  If you can live with body 2*, they're pretty powerful.  Nagas make alright charisma magicians.  The others are just not worth the trouble unless you really truly want to be a centaur or whatever.

*- Either by being sure you won't get shot or using increase body/possession to hit body 4.

[ArkangelWinter]

The only character options that are "exotic" and could be adepts thats worth the BP are pixied and some of the Infected, namely vampires and banshees. Ghouls losee at dual natured because it ruins their stealth unless they become Masked initiates.

[JustADude]

Another question. From a purely optimization point of view, are any of the more exotic creatures (Shapeshifters, Drakes, Sapient Critters) worth the points? Do their upgraded attributes make up for their inability to take 'ware? Is a pure Adept worth it when these are considered (I figure that the lowered mental abilities kind of mean it has to be some kind of fighter)?

A Pixie Mage is pretty good. Concealment means that, at Magic 6 people are at a -6 to see you, astral or physical. Throw on a chameleon suit and physical perception is at -10! Kinda hard to geek the mage when you can't find him.

[UmaroVI]

Shapeshifters are potentially good, but not as pure adepts because are dual-natured all of the time and that, plus no ranged attacks on the Astral, makes you a giant, glowing sitting duck. Same goes for Infected adepts. Pixie adept is workable and potentially worth it. None of the others really are, although most of them can be made to be OK if you really want to be a sasquatch or whatever.

[ArkangelWinter]

Umaro: not all Infected are dual natured.

[UmaroVI]

Sorry, I meant to specify dual-natured infected.

[Glyph]

The infected/shifters/sapient critters, and drakes, are a mixed bag.  Some, like drakes or wolf shapeshifters, are overpriced.  Others are good for niche roles.  And some are bargains.  Ghouls get enough Attribute bonuses to more than offset their loss of a point of Essence.  They are better as augmented mundane characters, though.  Pixies also get incredible bonuses, and some nifty abilities, but are not very durable.  They make great adepts, just not great combat-oriented ones (other than stealthy assassin-type roles).

For a blade-oriented adept, an ork with UmaroIV's suggestions is probably the best bet.  When you improve your magic, be sure to pick up a level of counterstrike.  When you combine two-weapon style's ability to get full defense without spending an action with counterstrike's ability to add your successes from defense to your next attack roll, you have a devastating combo.

[All4BigGuns]

The infected/shifters/sapient critters, and drakes, are a mixed bag.  Some, like drakes or wolf shapeshifters, are overpriced.  Others are good for niche roles.  And some are bargains.  Ghouls get enough Attribute bonuses to more than offset their loss of a point of Essence.  They are better as augmented mundane characters, though.  Pixies also get incredible bonuses, and some nifty abilities, but are not very durable.  They make great adepts, just not great combat-oriented ones (other than stealthy assassin-type roles).

For a blade-oriented adept, an ork with UmaroIV's suggestions is probably the best bet.  When you improve your magic, be sure to pick up a level of counterstrike.  When you combine two-weapon style's ability to get full defense without spending an action with counterstrike's ability to add your successes from defense to your next attack roll, you have a devastating combo.

Don't Ghouls come with basically the Sensitive System quality at a base, or am I flashing back to SR3?

[UmaroVI]

The big thing that makes ghoul adept bad is that Dual-Natured makes you a sitting duck. As a mundane, you can burn out your magic easily, and get cybereyes. As a magician, you can defend yourself on the astral. As an always-dual-natured adept...not good.

[Glyph]

Don't Ghouls come with basically the Sensitive System quality at a base, or am I flashing back to SR3?

You are thinking of SR3.  In SR4, however, they do start out with 1 less point of Essence, and cannot take geneware.