New werewolf player model/skins

IncultaWolf

Would it be possible to update the player model for the werewolf? It looks very dated, and several of my guildmates and I would gladly pay for a reskin if that's what it comes down to.
I was farming leads for shapeshifters chain a while back and noticed how cool the werewolf model for Packleader Sigmund in the Hircines Haunt delve looked. Why can't we get something like that? If you look back at screenshots/videos from early 2014, the original werewolf player model was actually better too.

Erickson9610

I am in full support of giving werewolves more appearance options like skins and body markings in the same way that the Warden has the Slate-Gray Summoned Bear special collectable. However, other players will need some other visual indicator than the fur color to differentiate between each version of the ability.

Currently, the Werewolf Transformation ability gives the player brown fur, the Werewolf Berserker morph gives the player black fur with white accents, and the Pack Leader morph gives the player white fur. For comparison, the Feral Guardian skill summons a regular bear with no glowing bits, the Eternal Guardian morph summons a bear with glowing eyes, and the Wild Guardian morph summons a bear with glowing sigils on its sides and face, but no glowing eyes.

The key difference between Werewolf Transformation and Feral Guardian for how each skill and their morphs telegraph which ability is being used is that Werewolf Transformation relies on the fur color, while Feral Guardian does not.

If werewolves want to be able to customize their fur color or add body markings, there needs to be something else on the werewolf to differentiate each morph - like, for instance, a different character silhouette (like using a modified player model), glowing eyes, markings on the fur, or different animations.

Jaraal

Considering how they have been consistently taking away from the werewolf experience and capabilities since the Wolfhunter expansion, I don't see them trying to make players more interested in the transformation by giving them customization options. Werewolf is kind of like Cyrodiil, in that it seems to be in a state of stagnation and indifference, and simply doesn't appear to be a high priority for them.

Certainly, that could change at some point, but based on the way things have been going lately developmentally and functionally, I wouldn't anticipate it being any time soon. They appear to be more focused on getting new content ready for sale than fine tuning and improving existing content. Granted, they may consider things differently.... but all we as players have to go on is what is presented to us with each new patch.

Soarora

Erickson9610 wrote: »

I am in full support of giving werewolves more appearance options like skins and body markings in the same way that the Warden has the Slate-Gray Summoned Bear special collectable. However, other players will need some other visual indicator than the fur color to differentiate between each version of the ability.

Currently, the Werewolf Transformation ability gives the player brown fur, the Werewolf Berserker morph gives the player black fur with white accents, and the Pack Leader morph gives the player white fur. For comparison, the Feral Guardian skill summons a regular bear with no glowing bits, the Eternal Guardian morph summons a bear with glowing eyes, and the Wild Guardian morph summons a bear with glowing sigils on its sides and face, but no glowing eyes.

The key difference between Werewolf Transformation and Feral Guardian for how each skill and their morphs telegraph which ability is being used is that Werewolf Transformation relies on the fur color, while Feral Guardian does not.

If werewolves want to be able to customize their fur color or add body markings, there needs to be something else on the werewolf to differentiate each morph - like, for instance, a different character silhouette (like using a modified player model), glowing eyes, markings on the fur, or different animations.

If someone has wolves it’s pack leader and if they don’t it’s probably berserker. Could be neat to make the berserkers beefier than the pack leaders though, or give them red glowing eyes like the image. Giant claws?

Erickson9610

Soarora wrote: »

If someone has wolves it’s pack leader and if they don’t it’s probably berserker. Could be neat to make the berserkers beefier than the pack leaders though, or give them red glowing eyes like the image. Giant claws?

In my opinion, I think it would make more sense for the Pack Leaders to be bulkier (as the name implies, they're the "leaders" and they are typically the tanks in a werewolf group). The Werewolf Berserkers ought to have the glowing eyes to show how powerful and berserk they are. I suppose that just leaves the unmorphed Werewolf Transformation to be the regular werewolves without glowing eyes nor the bulky model.

IncultaWolf

Look how cool they use to look, the smoke effect during the transformation, the blood staying on the muzzle, so many cool things that have gotten taken away. Please give us some of these features back https://youtu.be/RQjtba05pDo

Jaraal

IncultaWolf wrote: »

Look how cool they use to look, the smoke effect during the transformation, the blood staying on the muzzle, so many cool things that have gotten taken away. Please give us some of these features back

Yeah, the old Pounce animation was fast and aggressive, until they replaced it with a goofy Crash Bandicoot jump.

I can't really think of anything that's been made better over time with werewolf. Seems to be mostly nerfs. Letting us use weapon passives and having access to a cleanse would be nice steps in the right direction.

M0ntie

Definitely needed. Make the transformation types differentiated by bulk and red eyes. And let us apply body markings and also other cosmetic changes like those available for kajhit and arginians. Also the function to allow us to dye the fur in the outfit station.

NotaDaedraWorshipper

Since ESO takes place all over Tamriel we should have skin options to look like other werebeasts and not just werewolf. Such an update could also be good for npcs so they are also other ones besides wolf. Like there is werebears in Marsh of Sacrifice if I recall correctly, but they don't transform.

Werebat and werevulture would probably be a bit to different to have as skins but werebear, wereboar, werelion, and werecrocodile definitely could be some alternative looks.

Panderbander

I would 100% drop real cash on werewolf skins.

fizzylu

Panderbander wrote: »

I would 100% drop real cash on werewolf skins.

I'd say both werewolf and vampire (even sorcerer pets) really could use some updating visually.... but I'd hate to see them improve upon the game via more monetization. Like if they updated the base appearances and then later on added some alternatives, maybe.... but fix what's there before trying to further capitalize off the player base. WoW improved it's character models and expanded their character creation over the last few years or so alongside normal content updates, even making it possible to change everything outside of gender through the in game barbershop for free. Why? To improve the game, keep it looking fresh and feeling up to date because they want the game to last. This brought back a lot of old players and even some new ones so the effort definitely brought in money. If ZOS was to ever go about doing something like this, I'd hope they could see the logic in that and would want the same for their game.... not just more ways to sell crowns.

smallstream

They've had two opportunities to fix the player werewolf model, in both Wolfhunter and Greymoor, and they didn't, so I honestly don't have high hopes for them fixing it anytime soon. We've been asking for a TLC for years.

Everything about the current player werewolf is so damn goofy looking. The animations, the oversized hands and paws, the rat-like face. I'm all for ugly or monsterous werewolves (ex. American Werewolf in London) but this one just looks like some kind of failed experiment rather than the terrifying beast it's supposed to be.

Hell, even the Morrowind model looks more like a wolf than the one we have in ESO, and that game came out two decades ago. I know that ZOS can make decent werewolf models. The Behemoths, even if they're kind of chonky and have some weird features (the lynx mane and ears), they still look great! I just wish they'd put more effort into these kinds of things for their players, rather than acting like it doesn't exist.

Panderbander

fizzylu wrote: »

Panderbander wrote: »

I would 100% drop real cash on werewolf skins.

I'd say both werewolf and vampire (even sorcerer pets) really could use some updating visually.... but I'd hate to see them improve upon the game via more monetization. Like if they updated the base appearances and then later on added some alternatives, maybe.... but fix what's there before trying to further capitalize off the player base. WoW improved it's character models and expanded their character creation over the last few years or so alongside normal content updates, even making it possible to change everything outside of gender through the in game barbershop for free. Why? To improve the game, keep it looking fresh and feeling up to date because they want the game to last. This brought back a lot of old players and even some new ones so the effort definitely brought in money. If ZOS was to ever go about doing something like this, I'd hope they could see the logic in that and would want the same for their game.... not just more ways to sell crowns.

TBH, yeah. ZOS absolutely needs to update the base look of werewolves. I mean, they've put resources into "fixing" animations for things that weren't needed nor asked for in jabs and flurry, so why not actually fix something that IS being asked for?

Kingsindarkness

IncultaWolf wrote: »

Look how cool they use to look, the smoke effect during the transformation, the blood staying on the muzzle, so many cool things that have gotten taken away. Please give us some of these features back

When I asked about the Cloth flag waving in High Isle and why could we not have Cloaks I got a snarky response about asset management from another Twitter user...I think the engine is very limited what is easy for most engines is impossible for this one, they more than likely had to change it.

I'm just guessing though.

Vevvev

Kingsindarkness wrote: »

IncultaWolf wrote: »

Look how cool they use to look, the smoke effect during the transformation, the blood staying on the muzzle, so many cool things that have gotten taken away. Please give us some of these features back

When I asked about the Cloth flag waving in High Isle and why could we not have Cloaks I got a snarky response about asset management from another Twitter user...I think the engine is very limited what is easy for most engines is impossible for this one, they more than likely had to change it.

I'm just guessing though.

They actually were going to have capes at ESO's release, but the Art Director didn't like the way they looked and pulled the plug. They apparently had very bad clipping issues, didn't flow right, and didn't work well with shields, staves, bows, etc when they were holstered.

Natakiro

SERIOUSLY, I love werewolves and Elder Scrolls is one of the few places that you can play as one. I was excited that they were in ESO but the model is a bit janky looking (to be fair, they were ugly in Skyrim, too; looked like overgrown Skeevers, had to use Diverse Werewolves Collection/Moonlight Tales to make them look cool. Morrowind's Bloodmoon did them right, though) I just wish their faces were redone, they look so goofy. But, I love the tail, please don't make it ugly if redone. The behemoth werewolves have awwwwful tails, just a lump glued to their butt.

I would really love to see the werewolf model get a redo, or some tweaks. The skins would be cool, too, but I know wh ythey might limit it, for morph reasons. However, why don't sorcerers have skins for their pets?? I would pay for that lol

Kingsindarkness

Vevvev wrote: »

Kingsindarkness wrote: »

IncultaWolf wrote: »

Look how cool they use to look, the smoke effect during the transformation, the blood staying on the muzzle, so many cool things that have gotten taken away. Please give us some of these features back

When I asked about the Cloth flag waving in High Isle and why could we not have Cloaks I got a snarky response about asset management from another Twitter user...I think the engine is very limited what is easy for most engines is impossible for this one, they more than likely had to change it.

I'm just guessing though.

They actually were going to have capes but the Art Director didn't like the way they looked and pulled the plug. They apparently had very bad clipping issues, didn't flow right, and didn't work well with shields, staves, bows, etc when they were holstered.

Yeah, I also remember Rich or Matt saying they personally busted their butts in trying to make them work (Honestly they could sell different cosmetic capes in the Crown Store for a huge profit) and it was just impossible.

And that is back to my original point...most other engines cloth plugins and the like is the epitome of easy

Like the original Werewolves...they were badass.

Kory

I want the Berserker morph to have tattoos like Balorgh in the wolfhunter dlc. A bit bigger scale too, almost the size of the vampire morph.

Erickson9610

I think if werewolf body markings were to be implemented, ZOS should start with giving players access to body markings which have already been made. For instance, the scarred body markings that Faolchu, Kayd at-Sal, and Packleader Sigmund have:


As for player werewolf skins, players ought to be able to choose from the existing fur colors, such as black, brown, grey, and white:

Panderbander

Even something as simple as allowing the skins we currently have available on our human forms to be visible would be a welcome change. Right now cosmetics we have mean nothing when you're spending all of your time in werewolf form.

IncultaWolf

Erickson9610 wrote: »

I think if werewolf body markings were to be implemented, ZOS should start with giving players access to body markings which have already been made. For instance, the scarred body markings that Faolchu, Kayd at-Sal, and Packleader Sigmund have:


As for player werewolf skins, players ought to be able to choose from the existing fur colors, such as black, brown, grey, and white:

Man, those werewolf models look SICK! I wish we got those instead of the rat looking one we have to use

Erickson9610

Erickson9610 wrote: »

As for player werewolf skins, players ought to be able to choose from the existing fur colors, such as black, brown, grey, and white:

Adding on to this, it would be nice if players could also choose the pure black fur that some werewolves from Moon Hunter Keep have:

IncultaWolf

Kory wrote: »

I want the Berserker morph to have tattoos like Balorgh in the wolfhunter dlc. A bit bigger scale too, almost the size of the vampire morph.

Imagine having the werewolf behemoth from stone garden in cyrodiil

Rogue_WolfESO

100% an update to WW skins is needed. Would definitely be a buyer from crown store if only there were new looks for WW. Make it so, ZoS!

Erickson9610

If we ever get polymorphs for werewolf form by any chance, then I think it would be cool to have the skeletal werewolf appearance that some werewolf enemies in Unhallowed Grave have:


I'm sure such a polymorph would be highly sought after by werewolf necromancers who use the regular skeleton polymorph on their characters.

Erickson9610

Erickson9610 wrote: »

In my opinion, I think it would make more sense for the Pack Leaders to be bulkier (as the name implies, they're the "leaders" and they are typically the tanks in a werewolf group). The Werewolf Berserkers ought to have the glowing eyes to show how powerful and berserk they are. I suppose that just leaves the unmorphed Werewolf Transformation to be the regular werewolves without glowing eyes nor the bulky model.

As it turns out, the icons for Werewolf Transformation, Werewolf Berserker, and Pack Leader actually have something similar going on. Werewolf Berserker has those glowing eyes, and Pack Leader is just slightly furrier than the rest, sporting what looks to be a goatee and having extra fur on the torso. Werewolf Transformation has neither of these features.

atl8691

Yes, Werewolf skins would be nice. Werewolf doesn't look scary in game.

Snamyap

Vevvev wrote: »

Kingsindarkness wrote: »

IncultaWolf wrote: »

Look how cool they use to look, the smoke effect during the transformation, the blood staying on the muzzle, so many cool things that have gotten taken away. Please give us some of these features back

When I asked about the Cloth flag waving in High Isle and why could we not have Cloaks I got a snarky response about asset management from another Twitter user...I think the engine is very limited what is easy for most engines is impossible for this one, they more than likely had to change it.

I'm just guessing though.

They actually were going to have capes at ESO's release, but the Art Director didn't like the way they looked and pulled the plug. They apparently had very bad clipping issues, didn't flow right, and didn't work well with shields, staves, bows, etc when they were holstered.

Like clipping issues ever stopped them from releasing stuff. 🙄

Vevvev

Snamyap wrote: »

Vevvev wrote: »

Kingsindarkness wrote: »

IncultaWolf wrote: »

Look how cool they use to look, the smoke effect during the transformation, the blood staying on the muzzle, so many cool things that have gotten taken away. Please give us some of these features back

When I asked about the Cloth flag waving in High Isle and why could we not have Cloaks I got a snarky response about asset management from another Twitter user...I think the engine is very limited what is easy for most engines is impossible for this one, they more than likely had to change it.

I'm just guessing though.

They actually were going to have capes at ESO's release, but the Art Director didn't like the way they looked and pulled the plug. They apparently had very bad clipping issues, didn't flow right, and didn't work well with shields, staves, bows, etc when they were holstered.

Like clipping issues ever stopped them from releasing stuff. 🙄

Or pulling on the model.... Stares at the Dark Passions Regalia and how it warps and distorts a person's legs as they move and jump.

ofcourse81

how is it the vampire has been reworked but not the werewolf model?

Erickson9610

There are a lot of really cool things that could be done for the appearance of werewolves to make them more appealing to play as in group content. I understand that the transformation is an Ultimate skill, so it has to somehow telegraph to enemy players (and allies alike) which morph is being used.

I remember reading some old forum posts from back when the Wolfhunter DLC released in 2018, back when werewolves could achieve DPS values that rivaled standard classes via light attack spam. Folks were concerned that werewolves would become the meta for trials, and one person in particular commented that "4-6 players with identical visuals, animations, rotation, sounds . . . does not appeal to me at all". Werewolf groups will prefer the best morph for the content they're doing, so they will usually all have the same appearance.

I believe that werewolves need more variety in their appearance. Given that there's no reason to use the unmorphed Werewolf Transformation outside of roleplay reasons, werewolves in their groups will only have 1 of 2 skins — their fur is either white or black. Giving werewolves more visual variety will hopefully make them more appealing to see in group content.