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Q u o t e:
Looks totally cool Blizzard. Awesome job. Too bad ferals get theirs first =P

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We've suffered with ours the longest. :p

Based on the extent of complaints about druid models these past few years, I'm really surprised most people are satisfied with these minor changes. I would have liked to see not just new skins but different models to choose from as well. Every one of those tauren bears are the same exact model with the same exact markings, the same exact horns, the same exact armor pieces (which I am happy to see added), just different skins/colors. I do really like the look of most of those skins, but I was under the impression that the druid community had been asking for so much more. As such, this seems like a major let down.

Things that I believe are a MUST:

All forms must be given at least some options. I agree that feral was the most necessary. But Tree form and Moonkin form have been staples to their specs as much as bear and cat are to feral. Bear and cat are really no longer the all purpose druid forms they used to be. The only time a resto druid or moonkin will find himself in cat form is to sprint/prowl, and bear...never. Additions to tree and moonkin, and eventually a couple options for travel, aquatic and flight form, would be wonderful.

There must be a few possible models to choose from. But WoW in general is highly lacking in the model choice department. Very few modern MMOs have fewer character customization options than WoW, which is something that should be looked at in general, probably before touching druids further.

ARMOR. It's not just a different look that we desire, it's a visual progression. Progression is the key that drives any MMO or any RPG really. People play to feel like they're accomplishing something and improving, be it by simple level up, stat increases, new abilities, higher spell ranks, or newer cooler armor. The visual progression of a character in an MMO is something you can't achieve in any other type of game, and it's key. Druids lack this entirely. So now we can be a white bear. We'll be a white bear from level 10-80. They need some progression. Maybe make them look younger > older. But the absolute best idea, in my opinion, is to gradually increase the types of armor they wear in forms. There are a few possibilities for implementing this: 1) based on level, 2) based on actual equipped gear (probably average item level). The gear itself could even have different shades/skins based on whether the item level gear is pvp or pve (in the way that the BC tier sets used to mimic the pvp sets but used a different skin). I really think this would drive a druid to continue to progress. It would feel amazing to transcend to the next skin form after getting a few raiding upgrades. And then that druid can show it off like all other classes can. People would see that druid sitting in bear form in a PUG and actually think "wow, he must be decked out." Rather than every druid in every form being a stagnant icon in the raid as they are now.

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Q u o t e:


Not to mention the mouth is drastically changed, the fur on the back is better, and the edges are significantly smoother.

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Yeah there is a tongue in there! Neat!

Any chance that instead of linking it directly to our hair/fur color, we could instead climb into the barber chair in form and let each individual form get tweaked? It'll be pretty depressing to have to choose between getting the cat form you want and the bear form you want... and then if you manage to get both, looking retarded while in caster form. You know?

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Um.

What makes you think there won't be any changes to Tree of Life form? Did you even read the article or original post? This is a small preview; the rest is coming throughout the week.

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Before you try to insult someone maybe you should practice what you preach

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Q u o t e:
In our next major content patch, druids will find a host of new textures for two major forms, cat and bear

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Q u o t e:
Work continues on new looks for the remaining druid forms and we hope to add them in future content patches.

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It's the same base model. The only different model changes are additional claw, different beard. The rest is retexturing. Oh, and maybe the ears are different too.

Big whoop. It still looks like crap.

/bitter.

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Actually that's not true. I didn't see it at first glance either, but look closely at the profile of the arms, shoulders, etc. The polygon count is much higher. It will be much more apparent in-game, and this will translate to a much smoother and realistic model.

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Q u o t e:
We also would like to allow gear to affect the visual look of the forms, but this too is something that is going to need additional work in order to get it to work properly and look good.

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So what, another four years?

Page 7.

Now THAT is the Blizzard art we've been waiting for!

Those look AWESOME! I can't *wait* for my druid to have those!!

Good job!!

Do these still override any other appearance-altering buff, like Savory Deviate Delight and Pygmy Oils? The new models are nice, but I'd still like a bit more variety while running around.

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Q u o t e:
Pretty fail imo. Was expecting something totally new and exciting and you give use recolored bears with a few extra markings? I hope this is just concept art.

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If you actually look at the screenshots, you can see how dramatically improved they are. It's not just "recolored" with "extra markings". Are you blind, man? The polygon count has clearly been enhanced so they look much smoother overall, especially around the mane. The texture map has also been redone, with changes especially notable around the mouth, eyes, horns, and claws. Bindings have been added to the horns and forearms, the markings on the shoulder are more elaborately colored, and they now wear a necklace.

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Edit: oh yeah and please don't give my night elf horns, thanks.

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Reading, in addition to looking, could help out too. These are the tauren bear forms. Night elf bear forms will be shown later this week.


The mouth is still too "toothy" for my taste, but at least the improvements to the texture make it bearable.

=)

How about a bear form that doesn't have it's mouth gaping open all the time?

Very very nice Blizzard, however I would still LOVE a cooler looking tree/moonkin form.

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Q u o t e:


This is correct.

Tree and Moonkin forms are still something we'd like to do, but it's something for a bit further in the future. We are aware these are things that people would like to see additional customization for.

We also would like to allow gear to affect the visual look of the forms, but this too is something that is going to need additional work in order to get it to work properly and look good.

You'll see the further distinctions between the forms (bear and cat for tauren and night elf) as we go along in the previews.

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This most likely means that the new moonkin form is 4 years down the road.

Thank you Thank you.

Looking forward to the new Cat forms as well.