09 Jun 2009 | WoW: Druid forms updated

OK, so I am a bit late to the party.   I have been a bit busy lately, however I did take some to look (aka drool) at the new Druid forms that will be released when Patch 3.2 drops.   However it’s time for me to post my thoughts on the new forms.

Druid Cat form (since I spend lots of time in Kitty form hunting Rogues and clothies:

I have been playing Druids since June of 2005 (not long after WoW was released in the EU.   When i started playing Druids they were noted for several things:  Decent Healers (if you wanted to Raid as a Druid, you healed even though raiding at the time was UBRS, Onyxia’s Lair and Molten Core which had just recently been added to the game), an “free kill” to anyone who wanted to gank you (Warlocks were in the same position) and the fact we changed our shape.    While Druids have certinaly changed (we can now raid using all three Talent trees, four if you consider the Tank/DPS split in the Feral tree, the fact that Druids are fearsome opponants in PvP (indeed, in Arena teams, Druids are the top healers but in open world PvP, we are extremely hard to kill with our heals, damage and the fact we can break snares like nobody’s buisness) one thing that has not changed is the look of our animal forms.   Yes, I have been staring at the same furry ass for the last 3-4 years now).   While classes have been able to change their looks via there gear and more recently, the Barber Shop, Druid forms have not changed.   Night Elf Druid forms where not bad, however Tauren forms (in particular Cat) sucked.  Big time.   The retarded looking Wyvern/Lion hybrid that could not close its mouth, stinks.  The travel form for both Races has been a placeholder model (a simple Cheetah model) and don’t get me started on that strange looking “Seal” (Aquatic) model.   At least the Moonkin and Flight/Swift Flight Forms for both races look OK (in the case of the SFF, its rather awesome).   Finally, things have changed.   The Druids are getting new form models.   Not the old models that have been “reskinned” but completely new models.   To quote Tychus Findlay (Terran Marine from Starcraft II), “Hell, it’s about time!”   Druids will be getting updated Cat and Bear forms first (in Patch 3.2).   Updated Tree of Life and Moonkin forms will come later.   No word on Travel form yet, though I would imagine that is in the pipeline as well.   Flight and Swift Flight Forms don’t need an upate though in my opinion, the Night Elf Flight Form could use some varitations as it’s the same model as the “Raven” mob models in the game.

Now for my take.   Reaction around the Druid community has been mixed though most agree that the new forms are an improvement, in particular for the Tauren models.    I agree.  

The Tauren models were in most need of an upgrade and they got them.   The Tauren cat models do look what a bovine type of creature would look like if they shifted into a feline form.   Yes they look and move like a cat, however that original bovine nature is still there.    Everything from the horns (those things look deadly), to the sloped nose/muzzle to the nosering, to the tribal jewelery and braids in the mane just reflects the Tauren race and their Native American inspired artwork.   The Tauren bear form just looks like trouble.   That is one bear you do not want to tangle with. 

The Night Elf forms did not change as much.   The NE bear pretty kept it’s shape however it did get the new color/marking changes plus the “accessories”.    The NE cat, has bulked up a bit.   Some have complained that the color is too pinkish, however to me, that reflects the environs that the Kaldorei live in.   Those colors are well suited for the deep forests of Ashenvale and Darkshore where the Druids stalk intruders or go for some solitude so they can get some thinking/resting accomplished away from the fields of war.   The claws in the cat forms are not as prounced as in the older version but then again, not many cats walk around with the claws extended.   It’s better to keep the claws sheathed so they stay sharp and ready to tear through some unsuspecting foe.   Some commenters do not like NE forms eyes, however I think they fit the Night Elf “look” just fine.   Night Elves like the Draneai do not have visible pupils in their humaniond forms, why should they suddenely have visible pupils in their feral forms?   Some don’t like the jewelary/bracers on the forms, however I like that little touch.   It tells the observer that the cat/bear they see is not an ordinary cat. 

Now my quibbles.   There are not many here thankfully.    I would like to see a different form for both Bear and Dire Bear.   Dire Bear should be a bit bulkier and nastier looking compared to the pre Level 40 Bear form.  Maybe remove the jewelary/bracers from the Bear form and put them on the Dire Bear form.     Have some kind of difference between male and female forms.   This would give some more variety in game.   Finally, figure out some way to display some effect from the armor a Druid wears.   Currently when you shift, the look of your armor is gone.   Figuring out some way to display some effect from at least the shoulder slot and maybe Helm (if the player has chosen to display the Helm) would be nice.    However the new forms are a huge improvement over the old.    Two dew claws up from this Feral Druid. 

Images of all the new Druid forms can be found at Blizzard’s Under Development page:  WoW -> Under Development -> Druid Forms