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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsVideo of new Night Elf Druid forms in 3.2
by Allison Robert 
Jun 30th 2009 at 9:00AM
And here are the Night Elf forms! I think I've avoided some of the annoying audio issues from the video on the 3.2 Tauren Druid forms, and I've also included an extended shot of the NE cat form's run animation, as it's one of the things that really distinguishes the bigger, sleeker cat model from its live counterpart. Unfortunately, they haven't fixed the bug where one of the bear models (the one linked to the NE's green hair) is unavailable (you'll get the black bear form instead), so only 4 of the 5 new bear colors could be included here.
If you're unable to play this with audio, the pertinent commentary is that: a). I tried to keep the camera as close as possible to help people appreciate the detail, mostly because: b). A lot of the subtler color distinctions just don't come across very well on the capture, and I think I spent too much time trying to get every angle as a result: c). The forms are really gorgeous, and the NE cat in motion is lovely, and: d). I'm still a dork.
UPDATE: A new PTR build went live late last night after the video was completed and uploaded, and Blizzard fixed the bug where one of the Night Elf bear forms was unavailable. I've included pictures past the cut.
This will be one of the more visually interesting bear forms available to Night Elves, and it's the option available with green hair.
Other highlights of the new PTR build include the continuing bug with visible weapons in Tauren Cat form (very funny, but the video I've shot of it is too dark to be usable, so I'll try to get a picture today) and a wonderful (albeit equally funny) bug where Improved Leader of the Pack procs off every crit in bear and cat form with what appears to be no cooldown. Swiping a trash pull and instantly healing yourself for 3-5K+ health each time is the sort of thing you could get used to alarmingly fast, so it was with great reluctance and much wailing and gnashing of teeth that a bug report was submitted.
I'm working on cutting the NE forms video to a YouTube (read: < 10 minutes) format but have run into some technical difficulties of the PEBKAC variety. Stay tuned!
Filed under: Druid, Patches, Analysis / Opinion, Machinima, Features
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Siddaru Jun 30th 2009 1:52PM
There is nothing wrong with your taste for playing a giant cow =P
I like this video. Thanks for going out of your way to show the animations rather than just the models and skins, like the other video I saw did.
Also, I love your voice. It's very soothing.
dubaba Jun 30th 2009 1:59PM
and what about the big bug on the right rear paw ? the bone seems to be broken.. OMG Bliz FIX it NOW !!
dubaba Jun 30th 2009 2:04PM
i forgot to say I was talking about cat form... forgive my english : (
Draelan Jun 30th 2009 2:42PM
Very nice. The volume of your voice was much better against the game's sounds, though I still had to turn it up a little bit. (Maybe it's because I'm used to people shouting in my ear over vent? -_-)
Now that the green bear form is available, perhaps you could upload some video showing it off? Personally, after seeing it in motion, it's my second favorite after the black bear form.
I'm a bit torn over which forms I want. On the one hand, I'm used to my druid having dark blue hair, and I really love the black bear form, but for some reason I don't really like the black cat form... (Can't quite put my finger on why...) Or I could go with dark green hair (which is alright, though I'm wary of making another of my Nelfs have green hair... I need variety!) That would give me the green bear form (which is pretty cool), and the green cat form (which happens to be my favorite cat form.)
Decisions, decisions!
Also, premade tauren druid is giving my own druid an inferiority complex. =O
MazokuRanma Jun 30th 2009 5:35PM
Hey, just wanted to say great job on this one.
I haven't changed any of my volume settings and this time I had no problems making out any of the audio.
I did get some skipping, but I think that was my computer and not your video, so if no one else had a similar problem then ignore this part.
Druid is the only class I've never rolled at all, but Tauren cat form is looking enticing, and even these NE ones seem pretty cool.
DesertFox82 Jun 30th 2009 6:07PM
Very nice vids, thanks Allison. I'm looking forward to the change on both of my druids.
The bear forms do almost seem to have broken front legs, the night elf bears more so than the tauren. I know the wild bears have much the same slanting back, but why so low? It's sort of distracting.
I dont' agree with others that say you have a "dork voice." I'm not even sure what that means. I've been around intelligent, well-spoken women my whole life, so I recognize another intelligent, well-spoken woman's voice here.
Thera Jul 1st 2009 7:45AM
I really hate those 2d sprites that face to your screen all the time which blizz seems to like to use on the models. The necklace on the catforms is like that and I think it's just plain horrible. They can have some clever uses but 99% of the time they just end up looking stupid and clip into things very easily.
Netara Jul 1st 2009 8:14AM
Looking lovely
ch Jul 1st 2009 10:52AM
i think they need more work on the bear forms more, when u run in bear form it looks like your dragging your feet. but the cat form looks ALOT better. the night elf cat form currently has messed up back legs if you look at it closely at it and im glad it will be fixed
Entbark Jul 1st 2009 9:54PM
Thanks for the video, Allison! Loved it!
Rialyn Jul 6th 2009 12:37PM
Your second video turned out great. The audio was MUCH better then the Tauren one, at least on my system. I agree with the comment earlier, about you seeming to be very comfortable on the mic. You also have a great voice, and clearly very educated/intelligent. I have to admit laughing out loud at the "stupid planter" remark!
Usually I am on the Horde side, but now I may just have to work on my NE Druid again! (At least when 3.2 goes live.)
Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Twidget Jul 9th 2009 8:27AM
Does anyone know if they ever plan to release a new water form? The walrus thingy is just ugly. Something more sleek and dolphinish would be nice.
Arby Jul 8th 2009 12:19AM
I know a lot of people are pretty annoyed with the new forms. Most complaints I hear are that they're too feminine but I think there are plenty of arguments to that complaint >.>
But at any rate I for one think they look awesome. One thing bothers me though, not about the new forms but more about the patch in general... does anyone have any idea when it's supposed to go live?
Ben Jul 9th 2009 2:44AM
What color hair did you have to get the last form?
Tnx