Getting a bad feeling about Pandaclysm pets....

[Slickrock]

Looking back at what we got in Cata, I'm starting to get a bad feeling about what pets we'll see in Pandaclysm.

While we got a LOT of new looks (or rather a lot of unused skins were released to us, and a thanks to Noah for that), there were very few new pet models in Cata. We had the new crabs and shale spiders, mastiffs and the fire spiders, the foxes, and then a handful of uniques.

Since we've now used up most of the unused skins, I'm wondering if we'll actually see many new pets in Pandaclysm.

What will be really sad is that if with the new asian theme we get more rehashes of existing models.

And yeah, I'm looking at the negative side of things, but based on what we got in Cata, I'm not optimistic. The lack of any new pets in 4.3 perhaps is a sign of what is to come.

(And no, I'm not blaming Noah, if he doesn't get the resources to develop new models, which I realize is a lot of work, there's not much he can do).

[Vephriel]

It's nice to get a bunch of new pets and species each expansion, but if they do it every time we're just going to end up with a ridiculous amount of them. I think we have more than plenty to choose from now, and if they slow down on adding more it's not a big deal. We really are lucky to get as much attention and specialized consideration already. Not many other classes have so many individual perks added just for them. We're swimming in tameable models now, I think it's feasible that Blizzard might slow the pace and spread things out over future expansions. Sure there's a few existing species I'd love to see tameable, but I can be patient. A few new theme-appropriate skins would be great for MoP, but I won't complain if there isn't much. And what's wrong with rehashing? It's time consuming and expensive to create a completely brand new model. Blizzard can get a lot of mileage out of one animation skeleton, and they're great at using them in creative ways. I don't mind seeing 'rehashes', it's still a new look regardless.

[Nili]

I agree, Veph.
I feel absolutely spoiled as a hunter this expansion when it comes to our variety of pets.
I won't be too fussed if they don't give us as many pets as Cata. I'll just be happy to play a Panda

[Kyria]

I'd also like to point out that we ARE getting new pets in 4.3. End Time contains two new shiny cats, and not ones that previously existed in the database, to my knowledge. Given how busy the developers must be with the new Darkmoon Faire, the Deathwing raid and the instances, I think that has to count for something.

[Lupis]

As much as I want new pet models, I've got to admit that even more would be getting a bit ridiculous. We have TONS of pets to choose from already.
Besides, there's nothing wrong with a good rehash. "Rehashes" have been some of the most anticipated pets out there.

[Vephriel]

I think someone (maybe on these boards?) once made a comparison to Dudley Dursley.

"Thirty-six. That's two less than last year!"

Times when we're surprised with an awesome amount of new pets should be seen as a bonus, not as a standard that can only be built up from.

[Slickrock]

As much as I want new pet models, I've got to admit that even more would be getting a bit ridiculous. We have TONS of pets to choose from already.
Besides, there's nothing wrong with a good rehash. "Rehashes" have been some of the most anticipated pets out there.

Agreed regarding the rehashes, but we've kind of used them up.

The other thing is with the amazing detail that's been seen sofar in the Pandaclysm, it would be a shame to see models that just don't fit the Asian theme.

Guess what I really want is enough asian models and/or skins that we don't see 30,000 Panda hunters running around with the same green cat.

[Lupis]

Ah, now that I can agree with. I would love some skins or models that are more related to the Asian theme. Perhaps not whole families, though.
I'm expecting to mostly see new skins, but that's fine with me.

[Azunara]

I think someone (maybe on these boards?) once made a comparison to Dudley Dursley.

"Thirty-six. That's two less than last year!"

Times when we're surprised with an awesome amount of new pets should be seen as a bonus, not as a standard that can only be built up from.

This time a million. Seriously.

[Slickrock]

Ah, now that I can agree with. I would love some skins or models that are more related to the Asian theme. Perhaps not whole families, though.
I'm expecting to mostly see new skins, but that's fine with me.

Yeah, I don't think we necessarily need new families, depending on what they want to do. Most of the suggestions in the other thread could fit into existing families. (Kirin-type beasts, should they appear, probably need a new family).

But we need some new models that fit the asian theme.

[Slickrock]

I think someone (maybe on these boards?) once made a comparison to Dudley Dursley.

"Thirty-six. That's two less than last year!"

Times when we're surprised with an awesome amount of new pets should be seen as a bonus, not as a standard that can only be built up from.

This time a million. Seriously.

We don't need the 200+ "new" skins that we got in Cata....

But you are kinda missing my point. I'm fully expecting that we won't see that. My fear is that we won't get models adapted to the new theme.

[Teigan]

I would like to see asian themed wildlife, but reskins with an asian feel....say, a cloud leopard skin on a saber cat or panda bear skin on a regular bear, would be quite sufficient. Much as I bemoan the state of box-cat and snarlyblockwolf, I doubt we will be getting new models. We're already spoiled rotten. Is there any other class that gets so much special treatment? Not that I mind! (thank you Noah!)

[Kyria]

If we don't, we don't. Personally, I feel that there are far more important things for Blizzard to handle. We've already gotten far more than we expected and possibly more than we ever deserved, and if they think that creating brand new models and skeletons so that hunters can have even more shinies has to take a backseat to everything else, I'll be content with that. We'll at least get a few new skins, and that's enough for me.

[Andine]

All I really expect from Blizzard is some exotic families that people were asking for since a long time - hydras, basilisks, etc. Other that that, I'm happy with the choices we have.

[Slickrock]

All I really expect from Blizzard is some exotic families that people were asking for since a long time - hydras, basilisks, etc. Other that that, I'm happy with the choices we have.

Any of which have a place in asian lore?...

[Azunara]

Slick.

Blizz has to cater to...what, 12 different classes now? They are not going to put in as much effort as you'd like to make skins and models only one class can use. They have higher priorities, like designing new zones, or designing several entirely new races, cleaning up the current playable races as best as they can for monks, and developing a whole new class system.

There is no way there's going to be a bunch of new asian themes families. I'll say one or two new, Asian themed families, a few old but should be tamable families (I.E. hydras or basiliks) and new skins, but otherwise I doubt it's going to be as huge an exciting pet expansion as people want it to be.

[Lisaara]

Slick.

Blizz has to cater to...what, 12 different classes now? They are not going to put in as much effort as you'd like to make skins and models only one class can use. They have higher priorities, like designing new zones, or designing several entirely new races, cleaning up the current playable races as best as they can for monks, and developing a whole new class system.

There is no way there's going to be a bunch of new asian themes families. I'll say one or two new, Asian themed families, a few old but should be tamable families (I.E. hydras or basiliks) and new skins, but otherwise I doubt it's going to be as huge an exciting pet expansion as people want it to be.

Definitely agreed and 2nded.

[Slickrock4]

So, I guess everyone is telling me to be satisfied with a wonderful Asian landscape (from the artwork we've seen sofar, that certainly seems to be the case), filled with the euro-centric based creatures that fill the game now.

That seems sad.

While others are threatening to quit the game over the loss of melee weapons, this is the type of oversight that might make me finally loose interest in the game.

[Nubhorns]

So, I guess everyone is telling me to be satisfied with a wonderful Asian landscape (from the artwork we've seen sofar, that certainly seems to be the case), filled with the euro-centric based creatures that fill the game now.

What? No. They're just saying don't expect 4 or 5 new families or, hell, any new families at all, because they're certainly not a requirement. The pet families we have now can be reskinned and tweaked to fit the environment in the same way you wind up with tigers in Stranglethorn and a cheetah in the Barrens and would work just as well as brand new families or models(like that tiger we've seen).

Speaking of the tiger, every potentially tameable model we have seen so far fits the theme of the expansion as well as fitting quite nicely into an already existing family(cranes could easily be added to the tallstriders, for example).

Really there's no telling what they'll do, but we have been spoiled quite a bit this expansion, and I'm not really sure if I want another round of pet families to juggle. We kind of have enough as-is.

But if you want to see more specifically Asian-esque critters(and I'm not really sure what you'd ask for, honestly) then say so! Toss some ideas around. Maybe take it to the official forums as well as here. You never know.

[Loki]

I know people always bring up the "Oh, we got X amount of new skins last time, be happy" but the trouble with this is that it is akin to someone who likes sweets but not chocolate getting handed a bucketful of sweets time and time again and when he complains about wanting chocolate everyone uses this argument. Sure, we got new skins but there are certain families and probably even skins people have wanted for many patches (even expansions) and no amount of other families/skins is going to make them happy enough to not keep asking.

I do understand that devs have to work on 12 classes, dungeons, zones etc., but I feel using the Dudley argument is a little unfair. Just because you maybe got that skin or family you wanted and are happy, doesn't mean everyone else shouldn't stop hoping for lots of new things to tame in upcoming patches/expansions.