If the races got new models, new animations, and new customization options, i think the druid forms should get the same treatment, as we spend most of our time in them. I am aware that they recently got updated combat, walking and running animations, but i still think it could be improved.
Cat Form
Standing
Notice how it's not crouching, it's not moving erratically like a mortal kombat character, the tail is curved at the end, the claws are retracted, the mouth is sometimes open sometimes closed, the face is not constantly snarling, it has whiskers, the ears are mostly pointing forward, and they have a black outliner around their mouth.
Walking
Notice how it's not stalking, but instead walking calmly upright.
Trotting
There is a middle ground between walking and running, and that is trotting. there should be a middle option for cat form, which is neither walking nor running.
Running (& sprinting)
Running can not be in slow motion, as it devalues the feel of the animation. therefore, running should start out slowly and then speed up untill it reaches maximum speed.
Balance
When they chase their prey, they use their tail to maintain balance. therefore, it should be animated accordingly in-game.
Stealthing
Notice how it is now crouching, and not while standing or walking. the shoulders create a hump, and the movement is very slowly, unlike the silly fast tracking we had untill recently. now, blizzard decided to give the stealth animation a normal running animation, and while out of stealth you are still crouching. i don't get their logic.
Cowering
Although not really present in big cats, it would be nice to have a cowering animation while being feared. Notice the arched back, tail between the legs, eyes wide open, ears back and legs stretched.
Stretching
They mostly got it right, except for the extraction of the claws, the tongue sticking out and the eyes being shut.
Jumping
I think they used it as an inspiration for the first WoW cinematic, when the druid transforms into a panther and jumps down the waterfall. even so, the intricacies of the limbs and the tail in action are not so visible in the in-game model.
Attacking
Much more expressive and fearsome than the in-game model. Notice the snarl, the ears go back, the head is lower, the body is puffed to give an impression of being bigger, the mouth is wide open, baring the teeth, the eyes are squinted a little bit, the tail moving erratically, and the muscles are very accentuated.
Pouncing
Never seen a better example. Look at how the jaw is wide open, the claws are extracted, the ears go back, the tail is moving, and the limbs are stretched.
Clawing
Notice the rapid swings, instead of trying to grab your leg, like the in-game model does.
Eating
Notice how it's chewing (while laying down) sideways, and that is because cats can't move their jaws from side to side, like us.
Drinking
same as the kneel animation, but instead of moving the head and mouth, animate a tongue.
Digging
Using both his arms most of the time, at a much faster rate, his back is arched and the tail is curved.
Roaring
The tiger roars (or hisses) by snarling, baring his teeth, squinting the eyes and flattening his ears.
The lion roars by clenching his mouth and emiting a long distance sound.
Swimming (above water & underwater)
Pretty much as in-game, except the eyes are a bit shut.
Notice the snarl and the ears are flattened.
Sleeping
The eyes are shut for god sake. and the only thing visible is the breathing. animate the eyes so they can be shut closed. same goes for combat - when the cat dodges, for example, the eyes should blink.
Defensive Posture
They lay on their back, baring their teeth and clawing at everything near them in order to protect their vital organs. this animation should be associated with a defensive cooldown, which reduces physical damage taken for the duration.
Climbing
Should be an animation in-game, as it is an integral part of what it means being a cat. let us climb trees in-game.
Ears
An ear twitch or ear movement should be added to increase the immersion of playing a big cat.
Tail
A tail swing should be added from time to time, to increase the feel of playing a big cat. and i don't mean the movement from side to side like we have now, but a more elaborate twisting of the tail. and make it curve at the end, for god sake.
Licking
It would be nice to have your character lick their lips from time to time, to increase immersion.
Blinking
Same goes for blinking.
Claws
Claws should remain retracted, untill you get into combat or other activities (or unless you are in cheetah form).
Night Time Vision
Their eyes glow in the dark.
Shaking
It would be nice to have a shaking off animation that will get rid of water, snow or sand accumulated on the character from rain, snowstorm or sandstorm in-game.
Scratching
Cats scratch trees to mark their territory.
Blizzard couls potentially associate it with a buff: "Sharpen your claws, increasing your damage by X for Y min.
Twisting
Most cats land on their feet due to their flexible spines.
Blizzard could associate such an animation with a knock off effect, like how our characters get up.
Now, as for customization options, i think they should let us have more species available for us as options instead of associating a race to a single species (and giving them different fur colors). for example:
Leopard
Black Panther
Clouded Leopard
Tiger
Snow Leopard
Lion (Male & Female variants)
Jaguar
Caracal
Lynx
Cheetah (Travel Form - Glyph of the cheetah)
Cougar
Bear Form
Standing
The bear is not crouching, like it is in-game, where the head and belly are almost touching the ground, and the legs are bent. Moreover, the in-game model is missing the iconic hump of a bear. their face is not permanently snarled, and their mouth is sometimes open sometimes closed. their eyes are also very small in comparison with their face.
Walking
Not so much stylized, but rather calm and smooth.
Slow Run
The middle ground between walking and running.
Running
Notice how you can feel the weight of his body, because of the muscles and fat rippling through the fur.
Roaring
Bears roar by opening their mouth, baring their teeth and curling their lips. they sometimes do it while standing upright on two legs.
Fighting
Bears mostly wrestle and bite, with some pushing and roaring.
Attacking
Again, using the mouth to toss around their victim.
Using their claws as well to tear at the enemy.
scratching
Bears usually scratch their backs on trees.
Pouncing
They use this to drive prey out of its hiding.
Digging
Jumping
Notice how their ass is not prominent (if you get what i mean).
Swimming (and diving)
Sleeping
The eyes are shut.
Signs of aggression
Before they fight, they lower their heads, and tap with their mouths, usually staring at the opponent.
Charge
Should be slightly different than the running animation.
Standing upright
To combine with a roar or an attack.
Sniffing
Bears sniff a lot. and they also blink from time to time.
Mouth
The mouth of the bear, especially the lips, are very flexible and should be animated accordingly.
Shaking
It would be nice to have a shaking off animation that would get rid of water, snow or sand accumulated on the character from rain, snowstorm or sandstorm in-game.
As with the cat form, i think Blizzard should add more diversity, rather than just fur color:
Brown Bear
Polar Bear
American Black Bear
Asian Black bear
Sun bear
Sloth Bear
Spectacled Bear
Panda Bear
With Dragonflight introducing Dragonriding, i've decided to add a Flight Form section, alongside Travel and Aquatic forms, in the hopes that it would one day be like that. Since there are many types of birds, i decided to go with Birds of Prey for the Druid Flight Form.
Flight Form
Flying
The feet are retracted, the tail is used for steering and the head moves to scan the surroundings.
Taking off
Not just a simple take off, but one that takes effort.
Diving
Just like how Dragonriding allows you to dive, i think it should be added to flight form to increase immersion.
Landing
Upon reaching the ground, there should be a landing animation.
Hovering
Much faster flapping of the wings to stay in the air, with the feet retracted and the body horizontal instead of vertical.
Soaring
Much more tilted than what we have now, like Dragonriding.
Walking
They should add a walking animation, as birds have feet.
Running
Same as with walking, birds can run. Looks very similar to Protodragons.
Blinking
Birds blink from time to time.
Headbobbing
Most birds usually bob their head around to scan their environment.
Calling
Some birds can emit a calling from their mouths.
Attacking
Birds of Prey use their beaks and claws to fight each other or tear at their prey.
Eating\Drinking
Birds of Prey rip chunks of meat off of their prey and swallow them whole. When drinking, they sip and move it down their throats.
Flapping
Birds will sometimes flap their wings to stretch before flying.
Grooming & shaking off
Birds often clean themselves and their wings.
Iike other animals, they do this to dry up their feathers.
Swimming\Diving
Not the most elegant, but they can still proper themselves to move across bodies of water.
The diving can be inspired by aquatic birds.
Digging
Birds can use their feet to dig.
The customizations available should be:
Eagle
Hawk
Falcon
Owl
Vulture
Travel Form
For the Travel Form, i decided to go with the Deer, as the Icon for the ability is a hoof. For those wanting to stick with Cheetas, you've got the Cat From section for reference.
Walking
A bit stiff, but you get the general idea.
Running
Sort of a gallop.
Hopping
The unique trait of deers is their ability to hop.
Jumping
Different than hopping.
Sleeping
Sleeping. With eyes shut.
Attacking
Deer attack either by using their antlers or their legs.
Calling
Some deer, like the Elk, are able to use a unique call.
Grazing\Drinking
A grazing animation would be natural for such a form, as well as drinking.
Tail
Deer can wag their tail.
Grooming
Deer sometimes use their antlers to scratch themselves, and their tongue to clean themselves.
Ears
An ear movement from time to time would be a welcome addition.
Shaking off
A shaking off animation, removing accumulated water or snow, would be great as well.
Swimming
A swimming animation. Though, i don't know how deer look when they dive underwater (if they ever do).
Digging
A digging animation, for when you collect things.
Example of Deer species for customization options:
Tufted Deer
Fallow Deer
Elk
Reindeer
White-tailed Deer
Moose
Aquatic Form
I decided to go with the whale family, despite the iconic seal form, since the icon is that of a whale fin. Just like Dragonriding, i want it to have an assortment of fluid and rapid movements to best represent the feel of playing one.
Swimming
They mostly move their fin to propel themselves forward. Some can use their other fins.
Blowhole
They release a stream of water from their blowhole once they surface since they do not breath underwater.
Bubbles
Under water it looks like that, i guess.
Skipping
Although reserved to the smaller and more agile of the species, i think it should be represented.
Diving
When diving, i want a splash of water coming from the water surface due to your fin.
Movements
Jumping out of water. Most likely to stun fish.
Rolling underwater. Either sideways or forward\backward.
Tricks
Some of the species can perform amazing tricks.
The various Aquatic Forms should be:
Humpback Whale
Sperm Whale
Dolphin
Killer Whale
Beluga
Narwhal