So What Are the Odds on the Next Spirit Beast, and When?

[Tahlian]

I personally like the idea of the next spirit beast being a phoenix. The model's been in-game since BC, and it's really, really pretty. The easy way to do it would be to revamp Blazewing, though I'd expect that approach to cause major major drama till people figured out he no longer spawned to drop blues.

Or the other way, to make it a challenge, yet something the hunter could accomplish by himself with a bit of luck...maybe tie the spirit beast into the Archaeology profession. Put in an artifact like, say, a magic lamp that will only become available to hunter archaeologists, maybe those with maxed skill. Once you manage to put the lamp together, it's a blue or purple item. It has 3 charges, so 3 chances on that lamp to tame the phoenix. You right-click the lamp to "release the genie/summon the phoenix." At the end of a set period of time, the phoenix despawns, of course. And once you've used up your three "wishes," the lamp goes away as well. But if you're exceptionally unlucky or what have you, you can always draw the artifact again later by keeping up at your archaeology. Although I should think that once you've tamed your phoenix, it'd need to be removed from your potential artifact list so people couldn't sell phoenix spawns.

Just a rough little idea. Make the mob itself a bit of a challenging tame, and there's work put into assembling the lamp. That might provide the challenge of the hunt without having to get a raid together to get a rare or what have you. As to when we'll see another spirit beast added? Cataclysm started with two already, so I think it might be a good while before we see number three.

[Impulse]

I'm excited and looking forward to the next big patch including a new Spirit Beast, whenever that may be...

My big idea that I want to pitch to a Blizz GM is a Fox Spirit Beast. But not just your typical transparent, ghostly one -- a nine-tailed fiery one. Something similar to how Skoll is blue and crackles with lightning. He'd be a red-orange with crackling flames and nine-tails.

I'm just being creative here. Who knows what will be next. But that's what I'd like to see. lol.

omg this. a thousand times this. LURKER TAKE NOTE! <33333

nine-tail fox would be great (as well as a phoenix!), personally I prefer my "companion" to be more tangible and have a stronger presence rather than being ethereal.

[Royi]

I'd like to see a flying spirit beast, and something "solid" this time, instead of more of the spectral ones. But even more than spirit beasts, I'd love to see more unique/rare skins for "regular" pets instead. A new Devilsaur would be awesome.

How about a Devilsaur spirit beast? Something with 1 million+ health (so no random griefers would be able to solo it easily) and have it be a difficult tame (somewhat like how King krush was back with Tame Beast being a 20 second cast). I liked strutting around with KK in Wrath because he used to be a accomplishment tame, not because he was rare, but because of the difficulty of the tame itself.

[Impulse]

I'd like to see a flying spirit beast, and something "solid" this time, instead of more of the spectral ones. But even more than spirit beasts, I'd love to see more unique/rare skins for "regular" pets instead. A new Devilsaur would be awesome.

How about a Devilsaur spirit beast? Something with 1 million+ health (so no random griefers would be able to solo it easily) and have it be a difficult tame (somewhat like how King krush was back with Tame Beast being a 20 second cast). I liked strutting around with KK in Wrath because he used to be a accomplishment tame, not because he was rare, but because of the difficulty of the tame itself.

I rather go for a triceratops than another devilsaur using rhino model as a base.

[Nanaki]

Haha - I'm glad people like the nine-tailed fox idea. My guild liked it, too.

Of what I've seen so far from people, I DEFINITELY agree with the phoenix pet idea the most! I found Blazewing in Mount Hyjal completely out of chance, not even looking for him - but when I saw him fly over me while I was questing I almost freaked, wondering if he WAS tameable, like an undocumented Bird of Prey or something, so I immediately chased him down. I was very disappointed to see that he was classified as an Elemental and therefore, untameable.

If they don't make Blazewing tameable in the future, they should make another phoenix that is, in a more remote location so it would be easier for Hunters to patrol for it.

[Ryai]

I'm excited and looking forward to the next big patch including a new Spirit Beast, whenever that may be...

My big idea that I want to pitch to a Blizz GM is a Fox Spirit Beast. But not just your typical transparent, ghostly one -- a nine-tailed fiery one. Something similar to how Skoll is blue and crackles with lightning. He'd be a red-orange with crackling flames and nine-tails.

I'm just being creative here. Who knows what will be next. But that's what I'd like to see. lol.

omg this. a thousand times this. LURKER TAKE NOTE! <33333

Belated but, I'd rather not have a Nine Tailed fox show up, atleast, not looking like it was blatantly inspired by Naruto, why? Naruto is alright but it's not alright enough for condone a fox like that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine-tailed_fox
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsune

I'd rather have something more like Loque'nahak, with substance and glow, but no lightning or fire crackling around them,

And guys, a Phoenix is just a tad to far fetched :p

[Teigan]

I'm sorry, but the thought of animals with a bizarrely abnormal number of tails does not please me. It makes me think of atrazine...and frogs....and yuck. http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/li ... redirect=1

[Ryai]

I'm sorry, but the thought of animals with a bizarrely abnormal number of tails does not please me. It makes me think of atrazine...and frogs....and yuck. http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/li ... redirect=1

The tails are not signs of deformation and or mutation though, not with Kitsune/Fox Demons/Fox Youkai/Yokai

Physically, kitsune are noted for having as many as nine tails.[12] Generally, a greater number of tails indicates an older and more powerful fox; in fact, some folktales say that a fox will only grow additional tails after it has lived 100 years.[13] One, five, seven, and nine tails are the most common numbers in folk stories.[14] When a kitsune gains its ninth tail, its fur becomes white or gold.[12] These kyūbi no kitsune (九尾の狐?, nine-tailed foxes) gain the abilities to see and hear anything happening anywhere in the world. Other tales attribute them infinite wisdom (omniscience).[15]

Basically every tail = more power for the fox. The older it is, the more tails. The more tails, the more powerful it is.

Same reason why Vulpix in pokemon have 1 tail at birth, and 6 tails upon maturation, and 9 tails upon evolution into a Ninetales/ninetails.

And Kitsune aren't the only animals depicted with mutiple tails, as Espeon is also based off of a cat demon or cat spirit that had two tails and could control the dead or shadows or something.

[Royi]

I personally like the idea of the next spirit beast being a phoenix. The model's been in-game since BC, and it's really, really pretty. The easy way to do it would be to revamp Blazewing, though I'd expect that approach to cause major major drama till people figured out he no longer spawned to drop blues.

Or the other way, to make it a challenge, yet something the hunter could accomplish by himself with a bit of luck...maybe tie the spirit beast into the Archaeology profession. Put in an artifact like, say, a magic lamp that will only become available to hunter archaeologists, maybe those with maxed skill. Once you manage to put the lamp together, it's a blue or purple item. It has 3 charges, so 3 chances on that lamp to tame the phoenix. You right-click the lamp to "release the genie/summon the phoenix." At the end of a set period of time, the phoenix despawns, of course. And once you've used up your three "wishes," the lamp goes away as well. But if you're exceptionally unlucky or what have you, you can always draw the artifact again later by keeping up at your archaeology. Although I should think that once you've tamed your phoenix, it'd need to be removed from your potential artifact list so people couldn't sell phoenix spawns.

Just a rough little idea. Make the mob itself a bit of a challenging tame, and there's work put into assembling the lamp. That might provide the challenge of the hunt without having to get a raid together to get a rare or what have you. As to when we'll see another spirit beast added? Cataclysm started with two already, so I think it might be a good while before we see number three.

ooo i love the genie in a lamp idea

[Nanaki]

Belated but, I'd rather not have a Nine Tailed fox show up, atleast, not looking like it was blatantly inspired by Naruto, why? Naruto is alright but it's not alright enough for condone a fox like that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine-tailed_fox
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsune

I'd rather have something more like Loque'nahak, with substance and glow, but no lightning or fire crackling around them,

And guys, a Phoenix is just a tad to far fetched :p

I don't know why people keep jumping to Naruto when they think nine-tailed fox. The mythology has been around way longer than that silly anime. I haven't even seen that anime, so I don't even know why people are saying my idea was inspired by it. lol.

And a phoenix is too farfetched, but other strange fantasy creatures like chimeras, core hounds, dragonhawks, warp stalkers, nether rays, spore bats, and shale spiders aren't?

[Ryai]

I don't know why people keep jumping to Naruto when they think nine-tailed fox. The mythology has been around way longer than that silly anime. I haven't even seen that anime, so I don't even know why people are saying my idea was inspired by it. lol.

Because most Foxes/Kitsune with 9 tails are white/silver/gold as said in the link, but you described something more in lines with Naruto's ''Kyubii/Kyuubi' or whatever the hell the nine tailed fox is named. It's red-orange, it was yellow/orange and it has orange/yellow 'chakra/energy', which is why most people are steered to thinking you're inspired by Naruto.

[Jroaeyl]

A spirit crab was definitely a surprise. I wasn't also expecting they're release the spirit guide

For the next one, I'm hoping for a Spirit Beast Eagle.

[Rhyela]

Something that isn't transparent!

Seriously, any pet family is fine, just please give us another solid model. The transparent ones are okay and all, but we're at 2/6 that aren't transparent. And Gondria is still my favorite, even though she's transparent. So it's not that I have a problem with that style, it's just that I would like to see future ones more like Skoll or Loque'nahak.

[SpiritBinder]

So, should I link some drawings again? Tis tempting with so many re-requests

[Comett]

I don't think a phoenix is too over the top We do have a globear and a lazrpuppy! Mind, I wouldn't exactly like the old model phoenix being used (they look odd. Like the gulls. Mount yes, pet no), but it wouldn't be too hard to mutate a bird of prey model into the phoenix: there's already a red and yellow owl that could easily be used as a base.

[Jäysee]

I like the first ever spirit beast look. Not see through but awesome in his own right. Make us another one of those...yeah, a cool ass looking fox! But not so much a "spirit" ya know?

Loq will always be my favorite SB.

[SpiritBinder]

Fine....

As for Skins, Devilsaur would be quite nice.

Probably a flying spirit beast would make sense next.

Personally, I'd like to see a new owl spirit beast. Have Olm come back as an owl spirit. I mean, think about it: he used to be part of a druidic order back then. He was a named mob with a group. There must be *some* story there! A pure owl spirit in the corrupted area of the Felwood........ yea, I am an Olm fan.

I agree, the next spirit beast should be an Owl or similar bird. The first spirit beast was put in the game 11/08 and the second 4/09. Guess we'll see around May/June.

I think it will be a ghost/spirit owl/bird.

I say wind serpent or raptor!

But the obvious choice is the already-existing Spirit Owl model, possibly our first flying spirit beast?

Probably a flying spirit beast would make sense next.

I personally like the idea of the next spirit beast being a phoenix.

Of what I've seen so far from people, I DEFINITELY agree with the phoenix pet idea the most!

A spirit crab was definitely a surprise.

A new Devilsaur would be awesome.

As for Skins, Devilsaur would be quite nice.

How about a Devilsaur spirit beast?

A rare moth, in Tol Barad. It would leave a trail of pretty sparkles.

And done

[Zercon]

Late response to things previously mentioned, but-

As an artist going to school for 3D animation, and as a long time WoW player observing the models of the game and how things are moving, additional tails on a model simply for a spirit beast is a bit far fetched. It would require Blizzard to both set up a unique rig, and system for one animal to animate the tails properly in both fighting, idle, sleep, and even the play stance. Far too much work for Blizzard because they're lazy fools with that sort of stuff. (My hyena's tail was broken for ages and freaked out my friends because it sucked inward and looked like some horrific WoW creation of goatsie. This took months and months to mend.)

Applying new skins or a tweaked model is easy though. The new dragons in the game are simply locked atop the Netherdrake rigs, and there are other such 'repeats' like Sambas using Loque's rig which was in turn just using the riding tiger rig. Madexx uses a unique rig, but it's not just for a pet, it is a mount for Horde and so was just thrown in as a pet for bonus. The possibility of a fire fox could be fun and gorgeous, but the ability of additional tails borders on pushing Blizzards lazy generosity.

I would not expect to see a phoenix, but would be exceptionally gleeful if it happened to occur. What I do see, is whats been already mentioned with a flying spirit beast owl or other bird. However, I personally would like to see more non BM pets. Why? It isn't because I'm not BM and want shinnies, it's because when I'm in dungeons and raids as Survival a beauty next to me like Sambas, Madexx, or even the Queen Wasp from AQ are that much better. But even then only Sambas applies a truly viable buff for the team.

With this said I believe wolves are in need of attention. We have three different styles ((sleek, chunky, and starving)), and two 'shiny' wolves. But those wolves aren't true wolves and are Spirit Beasts. Something that looks fun, like that ghostly grey individual but a bit more spruced up. The only 'fancy' wolf is the one with armor.

A raptor would be nice as well, once more only having a few core models that are re-colored. There is some gorgeous concept art for a spiny raptor, which may be showing up later on in raids? I do not know, I do not look that far ahead. Either way one of those as a rare would be wonderful, and frankly would overthrow my other pets for top pick easy if it's modeled well. If not, troll mounts without armor would be a viable option.

If we look at other 'buff pets', we do have a fancy Dragonhawk, with the blue one, and Cats have seen quite enough attention and need to be left alone. Hyenas and Wind Serpents could use a bit of love, but the raptor and wolf are more critical in my eyes considering the buffs they apply and their uses in raid.

Back on topic though for that isn't what this thread is about- a new spirit beast that is solid like Skoll and Loque would be preferable. As others have said the blue translucence has been going too far. And while making say a green translucent or other color could remedy this for a moment, it will just be seen as a cop out for making an actual rig. Applying a translucent UV onto a rig is easy, with a pre set glow effect shooting from the center, and then applying a glow to the eyes. It is really simple novice 3D work. To see a new model like Loque where you have to UV the form to glow from the spots and such is different, and nice. Skoll, while using a preset lightning effect simply bent around his body in an invisible shell is simple, but comes out amazing when accompanied correctly by the proper colors of the rig.

When you think of spirits, what comes to mind? Ghosts? Spectral? Banshees? What about the other side of the coin that Blizzard will likely never touch? What about the spirits of nature and a reanimation from stone? We have stone looking felines with red eyes in two different colors. We have shale spiders that are effectively tamable elementals. But what about a sort of 'elemental beast' that is the corporeal form of a spirit?

While this is a fun idea it likely will not be touched, as it would require more than simply slapping some UV's down or re-skinning a pre-made model like the Druid Cat forms. But it's fun to speculate, which is really what this thread is all about. Pitching the logical and insane for others to contemplate and enjoy.

[Tulune]

A big version of the Phoenix Hatchling. No more cold colored spirit beasts please, I am sick of blue white and purple

[Ryai]

That owl is the emerald owl tho, from the emerald dream/the green flight's sanctuary. It's no more a spirit beast than Aotona is common, Spiritbender.

Anyways I have to agree, I am tired of the blue/white/purple theme. It was decent with Northrend, no, I dare say it was required with such a cold and near inhospitable place and or the fact that they were based off creatures already colored as such [Skoll was a dark blue as doubt a black would work], Arcturis was most likely based off a ghost bear or spirit bear and those are usually depicted as white. Of course Snow leopards are white, meaning Loque was too. And Gondria... was a purple riding tiger made ethral.

But maybe this Cataclysm specific batch, since Karoma and GC are out of the way, can have reds, oranges, pinks and black/grey. Along with some green and yellow usage, ofc not all on the same creature. double rainbow lol