Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsNew Tauren cat forms revealed
by Eliah Hecht 
Jun 2nd 2009 at 1:17PM
So far we've already seen the bear forms for Tauren and Night Elves. Today, Blizzard unveiled the replacements for the much-maligned Tauren cat form. You can see the results above. My initial reaction is that they're still a bit ugly, but way better than the previous Tauren cat form (which is marked "Old Cat form" above).
Here's what a few of our staff members thought:
Elizabeth: "A million times better. Still not as cool as night elf, but better."
Allison: "The eyes are way too small. Still going to be glad I play a bear."
Lesley: "Those horns are evil."
Alex: "I'm gonna roll a Tauren Druid so I can play that black one with the grey mane. I'm going to RP an old grizzled war vet Druid."
What do you think?
Reader Comments (Page 6 of 10)
Rylka Jun 2nd 2009 2:06PM
And having hooves instead of paws would look even more silly than having horns. :)
Alchemistmerlin Jun 2nd 2009 2:15PM
Isn't the whole point of the different forms that they're shapeshifting? Why would all of the Tauren's bones change shape, but not the horns?
Amaxe Jun 2nd 2009 3:09PM
Does this mean the Nelf ones will have big ears?
Eli Jun 2nd 2009 7:31PM
@amaxe the night elf bear and cat forms have ALWAYS had long ears.
http://www.regressionx.com/wow/Images/Druid_CatForm-NE.jpg
http://thestinkypete.com/nightelf/Images/Druid_BearForm-NE.jpg
Osis Jun 2nd 2009 1:55PM
Much better than before. The snout is awkward on first glance, but actually make a better overall impression. Mouth is finally closed, thank God. And I actually like the detail of the eyes. They are small, but there is personality in them now. I love the black lines coming down from the corners; much more realistic (if you can say that about a lion with cat horns).
speeza Jun 2nd 2009 1:55PM
First reaction was "WOW". I don't think there ugly at all and are a huge improvement. They look a lot more like lions now, and a lot more fierce. It is a great example on how the graphics in wow have improved as well. Great job to Blizzard.
Randomrestodruid Jun 2nd 2009 1:58PM
Do'h, my above comment was meant as a reply to a post that's been deleted...
anywho, I'm gonna have a really hard time picking which forms I want, lol
Badaboom Jun 2nd 2009 2:00PM
Great work, I love it. They all look great but the upper left and lower right are my two favorite.
The only little problem I see is the back of the mouth which is a bit weird... looks like they are smiling strangely, could be smoothed out. No big deal.
But here is my question: Knowing the Tauren fur color will be selectable and will give the cat/bear combo their colors, how is it possible that Bear have a yellow/black/brown/blue/white selection while cats have a dark brown/yellow/blackish/light brown/whitish selection.
So what bear color correspond to the cat colors. I can see:
- Yellow bear and yellow cat combo
- White bear and whitish cat combo
- Black bear and blackish cat combo
but then... where is the equivalent of the blue bear in cat form? And where is the bear equivalent of the light brown (lower left) cat?
Any idea?
I still love them, great work Blizz.
Catiya of Feathermoon Jun 2nd 2009 2:01PM
I agree D: Significant other and I were trying to figure out how these al corrospond, I don't get it D:
Infinite Duck Jun 2nd 2009 3:28PM
Think of the tauren fur colours. You have white, tan, red brown, gray, and black. Which you can see clearly on the bear forms so apply those colours to the cats and you get a light brown cat with a blond mane out of place... is that supposed to be the gray tauren? What they couldn't have black and gray because they looked too much a like?
It's bugging me. It's out of place... Sadly it's my favorite.
Komakat Jun 2nd 2009 2:03PM
I love the new forms... all of them so far. I'm still stuck wishing for a dire bear that looks even slightly different from normal bear. Maybe just... scaled up? I know my dream of a huge scary monster bear won't happen, but bigger would be nicer for the dire bearness.
Charlie Jun 2nd 2009 2:08PM
Awsome! I thought the new bears, were ok, but these are kick ass. The two on the right are freaking awsome.
It makes me want to possibly actually roll a druid. Lol. I haven't been able to get them past level 7, but I might be able to push myself, lol.
Badger Jun 2nd 2009 2:53PM
Between this and the new Bear Forms ... Well, that settles it. I'm rolling a Druid.
Syme Jun 2nd 2009 2:12PM
I like these new forms. They are also not at all what I was expecting. It's a good blending of the bovine and feline aspects--better integrated than just putting horns on a lion.
Ice Jun 2nd 2009 2:13PM
I can already hear the next news on these after nelf catform images.
"Druids that wants to change fur of their shapeshifts will have to pay 5000 gold passive skill at level 78 from barber in order to allow those goblins to trim your fur" wich wow.com responds usual way of "its ok when thinking about how fast you get money" and then comes rage of high prices and saying people would have better use of money and responds to that rage are "lol I get 3k a day l2auction" and totally missing the point the rage.
All negative "joking" aside. Amazing thing. They look odd but when you see them in action im sure they look even better. Now just wonder how does nelfs look.. afterall nelf catform looks great as it is.
h Jun 2nd 2009 8:51PM
they look like they are from the lion king :P
Eros Jun 2nd 2009 2:18PM
My only complaint is that the eyes are to small, besides that FANTASTIC!
Hyperius Jun 2nd 2009 2:20PM
Some have commented on how the faces look a little jacked, but if you look closely, you can still see traces of Tauren-type features on them. I love the fact that you can tell these are actually cows that have morphed into this feral form. I
Rage Jun 2nd 2009 2:23PM
Is anyone else scared that they are going to make Horde cats better then NE because their form sucked for so long? I pray that they keep NE cats looking pimp!
Rage Jun 2nd 2009 2:25PM
I find it funny that people are complaining about the eyes and the ring when its the FEET that are the only thing wrong with them. Those round fat feet just don't look right.