>While I agree that water shifters need some adjustments, one of the biggest reasons they aren't viable is there aren't lots of water areas.

The biggest problem now is that there really is no reason for anybody to stay a significant amount of time on water. Nexus and Warlock both had their cabals leading up to and/or on water which gave an incentive for shifters to pick a water form. As of now there really isn't a lot of point in doing so unless you want to explore the five or so areas.