Attempted to post yesterday, but boyfriend brought me my mail which was not one, but two hospital bills from my ER visit a few weeks ago. I got so upset with the cost that I just closed the window with the post I had been working on. So here goes attempt two.
Basilisks
I know we had a TON of color variations for them, but I still thought the family needed a graphics upgrade like Crocs got. They use practically the same model so I wasn't sure why they weren't both done at the same time. With that being said, I like them... but.. they almost seem too crocy now. Their snout is much longer than the old basilisk models, which I think is what gives them a more croc look. Old models were short and thin, these are elongated and wide. These new ones are REALLY long compared to the Outlands Basilisks as well, which were very short and snappy. If they went somewhere inbetween the two old versions in terms a length, it might look a ton better.
Reference:
Outlands Basilisk
Old World Basilisk
New Crocolisk
This guy is my favorite coloration, although I think it would look much better with a blue or white glowing eye. The color now blends in too much. The same goes for the yellow and green ones.
Bears
Not a bear user at all, but glad to see them finally get an update. Given, their old model wasn't as bad as some. Maybe the use of them as a replacement of the old models is mostly just to test out the new skeletons/mesh? I hope so as I'm not a fan of replacing old models and forcing change on people. While some would welcome it with open arms, I'm sure there may be people with sentimental value of their old bears.. or just not want their old bear to change. Once they work out the kinks I'm sure it will be fine. Right now I'm noticing the ear clipping with the back and the obvious back crease mentioned. They look like their missing their ears completely at this point.
I hope we see a new Arcturis type using this new model. The one thing that held me back from Arcturis was the quality of the bear model. I have him on my Worgen Hunter I think? Or maybe I planned on getting him on my Panda because bear. I wouldn't mind a direct update for him, but again as I previously stated..
Eagles
That was unexpected. I really liked the old models. I thought they held up pretty well through the years. This is a nice little touch. My Worgen I believe has Heronis so I welcome the upgrade. It's very subtle, so I don't feel it is forcing change on anyone to simply replace the old models with this one. It's basically just an HQ model where the feathers can be seen in better detail. I'd love to see the Carrion Birds get an upgrade like this as well. I've always loved the
two headed striped models, but they didn't age well.
Hellhounds
Is, is this true? Will we be getting them?? I'm not currently playing and haven't been for a while. If so.. *happy dance* I swear there was a blue one? I can only find red, orange, and green. I -swear- there was a blue model. =(
Hippogryphs
I really don't like the new models at all. They just seem too... pointy. Feathers sticking out everywhere. I feel like they should be smoother. If they were to become tamable, I'd probably stick with the older models.
Mana Wurms
I like the update of them. They were a little hard to see the detail of because of their size, so maybe this will help them. While I agree the time/effort could have been put elsewhere, I have a feeling they probably didn't take that long or maybe they did it in their off time and were like, "oh hey, this is the perfect time to add these!"
Moose/Musk Oxen
Not a big ungulate fan. Happy for people who want more to tame. They look good. Moose nose kind of makes me feel awkward though. They're also very grumpy mooses. >(
Night/Mana Sabers
I'm always up for new cat models, but... they look so top heavy. I'm expecting them to face plant at any second. Their neck and head are so long. Mostly just their face I think. I understand they're trying to go for the old nightsaber look with the hunched down model, but it's horribly misproportioned. Maybe it's the angle of the picture that's misleading? To me it looks like their neck/head is a good 2/3 of their body length. A shortening of the snout should help, I hope. Maybe even an inch off the neck length. Just.. something.
That being said, I'm torn between these two Mana Sabers.


I like the contrasting of dark and light on the second one, but love the blue/white color of the first.
Owls
Birds have always been a second favorite to tame, but I always shied away from it because of their quality and usefulness. I have a few between my several Hunters. I've always liked the owl models, so seeing them get a nice upgrade makes me happy. It's about time. Druid Flight Forms got a nice reskin, so I always wondered when the rest would.
I'm in love with these two, although wishing the white one had the pretty blue eyes of the black/gold one.

Raven
Finally! I could not STAND the old model. Like most people I wanted a Raven on my Worgen Hunter, but that old model was so horrible. It was a black seagull. It was just bad. BAD. Now this, this I can have by my Hunter's side! They legs are a little.. odd, but it's worlds better than the old one. I will accept it's weird, fat thighed, chicken legs... and if my Worgen ever gets hungry, well. Those are some meaty little legs.
Rocs
I could take it or leave it with these guys. I like the Dread Ravens much more. The odd spikey sharp bits sticking out of the wings just don't look right. The wings themselves just don't look plausible for flight. They look like giant hairy tufts of fur sticking out of this things back and the spikey bits just scream "Guys, how can we make this thing look cool?" Because spikes/horns/etc intensify coolness! It kinda looks like a hairy wurm with taloned feet and a big beak. That's just my opinion though.
Spiders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyAZQ45uww
That's all I have to say.
Crystal Scorpid
YES. I loved the Amber models, so naturally the Amber model(slight variances) with blue coloration would be win for me. This little guy will replace my blue Madexx wannabe.