The Moonkin Repository

Druids are getting a bunch of really great glyphs according to the MoP release info. Resto druids get a cosmetic perma-tree back that they've been asking for. We get orca form & stag form for aquatic & travel forms (respectively). There's also a neat effect for bears/cats to get a random color when they shift. These all add additional value to the aspect of shapeshifting. The resto druid community is doing cartwheels and dances in the street out of excitement for having their shapeshift form returned to them after a long hard expansion of fighting to have it back.

Then, instead of cool graphical updates to moonkin form, balance druids get the option of losing moonkin form entirely and just being a shadow-priest copy where you'll just have a shading effect applied to your humanoid appearance. I'm really not sure I'm okay with having this instead of getting updates or ways to modify our moonkin appearance without losing our moonkin identity in the process of getting to change our look.

I don't think I could be a balance druid without being "moonkin". If everyone else is fine with the glyph of stars and really just wants moonkin to die in a fire, then I guess I have to support what the community wants, but I'm just not sure everyone here wants to look like a shadow priest instead of a moonkin. Is this what the community really wanted?

I must have missed that news. Can you link it?

http://www.restokin.com/2012/03/the-mop ... uid-forms/

I previewed the new glyphs on my blog. Maybe I should have copy/pasted this part first. lol

All the info is in the WoWhead blogs. Link here: Clicky!

At least the Glyph is very optional for PvE, so you can keep yourself as a Moonkin in raids. Still, in PvP I think it will be a must to blend yourself a bit in the BGs. Probably there will be cries about how is this, but the druid community warned the potential issues and no one heard us, so... *goes to the store and buys some popcorn*

What I'm more impressed about is the Glyph of Moonbeast. Cast all heals without dropping the shapeshift?! I don't think this will go through the beta, and if there are not other glyphs that can provide comparable utility or situational powerups, this will be a real must, specially when paired with Dream of Cenarius or Heart of the Wild.

Depends on if the Restokin glyph is a minor or a major glyph (and yes, that's what I'm going to call the "heal in form" glyph, lol).

Very likely it's going to be Major. See the mage's examples (IceLance hits an additional target for 50% of it's dmg and Counterspell can be used while casting or channelling) and you will notice that these are either utilities or situational powerups.

My problem with this glyph, which you and others have stated in other threads, is that it drastically reduces the chance that moonkin form will get a model update anytime in the foreseeable future. But really, that's my only beef with it (granted, it's a rather big beef... like, 5 taurens or something).

I don't see it as a problem that others will have a choice to remove moonkin form if they want. Maybe I'm just not as attached to moonkin for as others. I like it, don't get me wrong. But I never was one of those people who claim they will quit the game due to removal of a form.

While I generally want the game I play to be aesthetically pleasing to me, I don't play the game or this spec because of looks. I play it because I enjoy the druid class, and specifically, the gameplay feel of balance. I think it's fun and amusing to be a giant fat chicken with antlers and a silly dance, but for me, it's not what makes the class amazing, and it's not what keeps me playing it as my main since the very beginning. And if some other player really dislikes staring at that fat owlbeast day in and day out, what is it to me that they choose to look like some glowy elf or troll (or cow... lol)?

If we're talking mutually exclusive (for all intents and purposes) options, then yes, I'm angry that the form I prefer didn't get more pixels. But if we're just talking about the mere existence of a glyph that lets people choose what they look like? I don't see what the problem is.

I got assurances that the glyph wasn't going to impact the future art development updates for moonkin forms, but since we never knew what the future art development timeline was in the first place, that's only slightly reassuring, lol.

So, I'm feeling a little bit better now. I still, however, feel like Christmas came and all I got in my stocking was coal. That feeling, however, will pass. lol

After the intruduction of transmogging, I kind of look forward to this abit. My guess is that it will look like glyphed shadow form but with white/arcane glow instead of purple/shadow.

I might just be pessimistic as always, but I don't see updated moonkin form in the forseeable future

I'm guessing it'll look like your character when you're running back from a raid wipe, and will probably have some silver shimmering aura attached for good measure.

The cynical side of me however will giggle significantly if the new graphic is shiny enough that one's transmog stuff cannot be seen with any significant detail.

I have kinda mixed feelings about it. As it was already stated by someone above, it might meen we won't be seeing an update to moonkin form any time soon. On the other hand I am curious how it will look in practice - if it's shiny enough it might actually be kinda interesting (it would be cool if it was Algalon themed ^^ ). I gues I would be more thrilled before I switched to Worgen tho since I've always liked Night Elf casting animations (I've been a Night Elf for years); I don't have this connection to Worgen form yet.

I have to say that that when there is no development for an updated moonkin form, it's impossible for it to be negatively affected by a glyph.

the balance druid shapeshift has always been really odd. it's never made sense to me.

it's been developed like priest shadow form which actually is shadow mode, and this spirit glyph actually makes it look like a moonkin mode instead of form. THe form has never felt and active part of the spec... i look at metmarophosis, especially the Mists of panderia updates, and this is exactly what moonkin form should've been like or rather something as integral to the spec's playstyle as metmorphosis is to demonology.

they should rename the form away from moonkin and give you astral form as the default then give an optional glyph of hte mooonkin for those who like it. Later, when they think off or decided that the shapeshift form is ready to play a huge role in the spec's playstyle like metamoprhoisis, then they can actually give it. i'm a bit surpirse, Chosen of ELune form was the perfect opprotunity to add the extra dimensionality to playstylel that made the form actually part of the playstyle .. a compelxity that talents is ideal for, becuse if you didn't like the added complexity you could always skip it in favor for another.

Still i do wonder what night elves look like in this form with the glyph.. are they wisps?

From some stream, pretty sure that's the astral form.
Doesn't look more fun than that atm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_zfeCTc ... r_embedded

That is a Wowhead News video. The first glyph shown is the astral form. Seems boring.