My favorite two, and moving here to get a bigger list of answers.

Offense: Tiger/Grizzly(Rhino maybe Tied)

Defense: Croc/Komodo

Utility: Cheetah/Fox

Air: Falcon/Golden Eagle

Water: Dolphin/Squid

And to answer some questions

I like Tiger, Cheetah and Dolphin for pounce, that's easy

I like Grizzly and Rhino for thier inherent Redux, I would rather
have Redux than dodge on a form because You cannot dodge songs or
AE spells ETC. but you can reduce anything but the rager scout skill
that I forget the name of. Redux > Dodge on Shifter forms forever.
Squid is great for being basically a whip spec that you can ABS. Falcon/Eagle because they are fastest and fight best in the air, however, landing kills in the air against other major forms is a really rare thing because most air shifters start trying to flee at 50% health. They are just safer if you fly up hurt, and move very fast across the map when looking for targets.

Offense: Tiger/Lion
Defense: Croc/Porc

Utility: Cheetah/Orangutang

Air: Owl/Golden Eagle

Water: Dolphin/Squid (maybe shark, haven't seen one in action for a long time)

Merely based on observations, never played a shifter. Depends on combos though, with insect swarm or manacles, tiger goes up a lot in value.

OFF: Grizzly (never had rhino/tiger/ram)

DEFENSE: I put crocodile here because it can roll and in sticky situations(ie dispelled and cursed on water?) flee.

Pachyderm because you can toss, trample, and gore with good redux. I had to call it close with armadillo.


Utility: Cheetah is great. Its a topic pick.

I go with Cobra. I just think it has some great utility in one bag.

Air: Hummingbird/Vulture (never had wasp/falcon/eagle/bat)

Water: I got raped by a squid once when I didnt know it could lash/entwine. I never lost again. Water forms still suck in my opinion. Top pick is likely dolphin for me. And dolphin just isnt what it was.

And yes, I was shocked that Dolphin wasn't better against mobs. It was beastly against most players though.