New Druid looks are still incoming
by Mike Schramm 
Feb 27th 2009 at 5:30PM
Hidden deep in this thread, under layers of back and forth about the 1000g dual spec charge, whether it will ruin the economy, and Zarhym's worries about getting four of his wisdom teeth taken out (get well soon, buddy -- make sure to ride the great drugs they give you for as long as you can), is this little nugget: new Druid form models are still being worked on.It's definitely been a big request for a long time, and surely even the devs have seen the awesome work of artists like Andrige to update and enhance the models currently in the game. Zarhym says artists are "very actively working" on redesigning the Druid models, and that "it's way beyond being an idea at this point." He doesn't think they'll show up as soon as 3.1 (and neither do we), but he says that it's in progress. You have to think, then, that there's concept art, if not working models somewhere ready to go into the game in the future. Excellent news for Druids seeking a slightly more updated look than what they've had since the game began.
Filed under: Druid, Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Classes, Fan art
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
tonedeff Feb 27th 2009 5:35PM
I dont play a druids. But im so sick of seeing the same dam bear/cat/tree .ect running around. Cant wait to see a different big bear but in my raid!
Kakistocracy Feb 27th 2009 5:43PM
Yeah, that's pretty much why I stopped leveling my feral druid and started a rogue (who I also have set aside for now...), another 40 levels of looking exactly the same didn't appeal.
Baluki Feb 27th 2009 8:57PM
While they're at it, can we get some new Totem models?
Tom Feb 28th 2009 3:55AM
Agreed. It will be a major cosmetic change for the community as a whole.
Narshe Feb 27th 2009 5:38PM
Cmon, theres no reason this cant be released for 3.1
If people like Andrige can come up with awesome skins and doesnt get paid for it, wth is the hold up for Blizz.
At least show us something.
rosencratz Feb 28th 2009 5:07AM
How to implement it properly in a way that pleases everyone or the majority rather than just YOU.... i imagine that's whats holding them up.
shinken Feb 27th 2009 5:39PM
Good Blizzard we need 20 more fucking two hander models!!!
Or 5 new pets for hunters.
This is absol-fucking -utely no reason there are no new models for druids. I'm amazed, really I am.
Druids were this terrible afterthought when WOW came out.
People knock everquest or warhammer. but they atleast give every class the same love and not leave a class in beta state for several years.
The only damn reason they are considering models now is that the druid population is much bigger ( thanks FOTM tards who cry about every nerf)
Meldlm Feb 27th 2009 5:40PM
While I appreciate them working on new models, I'm hoping it's not just an across the board update to all druids. That gets us no better than where we are now.
I'd MUCH rather see them give us choices (even if it's just "new" bear form or "old" bear form). Giving players choices on things like forms that have no impact on the gameplay itself is an easy way to create diversity without unbalancing gameplay.
We aren't forced to all ride the same mounts, have the same eyes or hair, or wear the same armor sets. Why should all druids look the same in bear/cat/manatee?
Kakistocracy Feb 27th 2009 5:44PM
You clearly don't play the version released in the USSR :D
Evi Feb 27th 2009 5:51PM
I hope so, too. I really hope we're given -customization- choices, not just "hey we made a new model for each form, here you go!"
Jamesisgreat Feb 27th 2009 6:10PM
Worst thing is - if your playing with other druids in the same form it can get fecking confusing trying to figure out which is your toon! It sounds dumb but try playing A WG match with 5 other kitties attacking the same siege engine you are and you'll see what I mean :(
Eternauta Feb 27th 2009 7:07PM
@ Kakistocracy
You're mentioning a (country?) that just doesn't exist.
I'm sure of it, I checked out in my atlas.
Back to the Druid topic, I'm very happy that they're working on that. I don't play a druid myself, and one of the reasons is that they all look always the same when shapeshifted.
I really hope Blizz gives Druids more choices of customization.
(Without recurring to a glyph, if possible. even a minor glyph takes space that can be useful for other glyphs that affect class mechanics, and not just aesthetics. A min/max raider cannot afford to sacrifice spell utility for "looking cool").
Jay Feb 27th 2009 5:46PM
While new models would be nice, I'd really be happy if they'd make it the model changes as we upgrade gear...
That's the biggest reason the models feels so stale, they never change...
Stormsinger Feb 27th 2009 5:48PM
My guess is that they are doing a real new models (or at least modified) and not just textures. Maybe some animations as well. Blizz seems to like to do overhauls one time. Although I don't know how much precedence there is for playable characters. They may change spell effects or the size of armor pieces, but they haven't redone an entire race/class (after beta).
Hope they surprise me, but like most druids, I'd be happy with even a new texture.
I wonder if the goofy crescent moon helm for T8 will stay visible in forms.
J Feb 27th 2009 7:05PM
@Zarhym: screenshot or it isn't true!
RogueJedi86 Feb 27th 2009 5:57PM
I can't wait to see what they come up with. I can't imagine anything better than the Moonkin form models, so my mind swirls at the thoughts of what the forms could look like. I hear they'll show some parts of our gear in forms, so that'll be nice. Put a nice big cape on my moonkin. :)
It'd be nice if Blizzard would show us this stuff early as possible. It's not like this stuff is gamechanging that would have people doing theorycrafting on elitistjerks. Letting players see the concepts in progress and giving feedback could help Blizz narrow down the new looks. Lord knows we players love that kind of feedback, knowing we're making a big difference.
Chaelura Feb 27th 2009 10:14PM
Absolutely, I would *love* to at least see the concept art. It might shut us up for a while ;) hehe
Kung Fu Hamster Feb 27th 2009 6:22PM
The real question we should be asking is: will the new Tauren cat form look as retarded as the old one?
Cadychan Feb 27th 2009 6:59PM
Well, considering the tauren cat form is a wyvern head plastered onto a needlessly hairy lion body, I am THRILLED to hear they're updating the models!
I adore my druid, and can't imagine having another main, so I'm super-excited to see what they're making. On the other hand, though, I do agree with some of the comments here saying that it is inexcusable that they've had druid forms basically in beta for the last several years. I won't pretend to know their schedule, budget, or manpower, but I would think it enough to redesign a hacked-together class like the druid.
In any case, thanks Blizz! I'll be eargerly waiting!
Nihilas Feb 27th 2009 6:06PM
I think its funny they linked to a site dedicated to hacking scamming and exploiting in a good way.