[QUESTION:1.12.1] Possible to selectively model-swap mobs

[leeviathan]

I'm working on a Druid Form patch for Classic servers. I would like to figure out a way to avoid replacing all 'Tiger' type mobs in the game with bird models, which happens due to the Travel Form model swap (Tiger.M2 -> StormCrowDruid.M2).

Before I go on a manic sleepless frenzy, I was wondering if anyone knew if it would even be possible--in theory--to model-swap mobs individually using the CreatureCache.wdb file in tandem with CreatureDisplayInfo.dbc/CreatureModelData.dbc.

Basically I'm trying to use the same technique that people use to swap gear, but with mobs.

[leeviathan]

One thing I didn't reckon on is how hard it is to decipher the CreatureCache.wdb file. Is there a 010 template for it out there somewhere? Or a tool for looking at/editing WDB files in general?

[leeviathan]

There's hope!

screenshot of two different tiger type mobs using different models:
[attachment=0:4ddw8705]WoWScrnShot_110415_203856.jpg[/attachment:4ddw8705]

[fakepanda]

Why would you attempt to model-swap through wdb when it's a hundred times easier to do it with a custom patch.

If you are attempting to do  this because of Nostalrius, just place your custom content within your original .MPQs. They don't check hash or anything on them so it's chill.

[Amaroth]

For WotLK, it would be just very easy.:
SpellShapeshiftForm.dbc. I don't know if this exists in Vanilla client, but there simply has to be some file containing displayIDs for morphing players in shapeshifts, well, it may be Spell.dbc itself there, I don't know, I don't have experience with 1.12.1 modding. I also have no idea why on earth would you mess with wdb, when you can just edit one DBC in MPQs.

[leeviathan]

Editing the WDB didn't even work, but editing the DBC CreatureDisplayInfo did a treat. I wonder why I always see people yelling at people who ask if it's possible to selectively model-swap; it totally is, it's not even hard or complicated, but people say it's impossible over and over.

Plus to my knowledge model swapping has always been an issue with Druid Form patches; they always swap out all the Tiger-type mobs in the game, so I figured if there was a solution it wouldn't be such an obvious or intuitive one given that it had never been solved.

[Amaroth]

I have heard "Would X be possible..." like 1000 times and 90% was utterly stupid and easy to do - when you know what and where to do and look for. That just needs certain experience and precision, sometimes even perfectionism and there are not that many devs who really have those things. "Lets do this, it will somehow work nearly as I wanted while I have no idea why it works so and leave it alone so!" all the day.