what changes first and what changes last

[Grievous]

First: The "subtle" things. Small, barely visible hairs/fur/Scales/whatever or pointy ears, wider nose... depends on the type of TF but basically the things the "victim" does not notice right away or that even when noticed it can ignore or hide.

Last: Again depends of the theme of the TF but I'd go with the mind, when the human thought becomes entirely replaced by that of the new species. Or, in the case of no mind changes taking place, I'd go with the already mentioned face/head change.

[Amahain]

As a general rule, I start with subtle changes and work towards some more visible changes. That said, I prefer when TFs aren't a piecemeal process, but a continuous one that affects various parts of the body at the same time, so I reject the whole "first change/last change" framing. So for a werewolf transformation, rather than describing it as something like:

1. Claw growth
2. Fang growth
3. Change in eye colour
4: Tapering ears
5: Extra nipples
6: Fur
7: Tail
8: Muzzle
9: Mental change

I would describe it as:

1: Pain in the cuticles, gums, and lower back (signalling the beginnings of claw, fang, and tail growth, respectively), subtle fur growth (back of hands, sideburns, pubic region), subtle mental changes (aggression, or, since I often write TF erotica, horniness).

2: Claws and fangs begin to visibly grow in. Fur thickens and spreads a little more (existing fur thickens and now there's sparse fur on the arms, legs, shoulders, and back). Nub at the end of the coccyx is now visible. Strange sensation in the chest area (signalling the development of extra nipples). Mental changes become slightly more pronounced.

3. Claws and fangs have grown in. Ears begin to taper. Eyes change colour. Fur thickens and spreads even further. Tail is slightly longer (say, six inches). Extra nipples are visible. Pain in the face signals changes to facial structure (ie. muzzle growth). Mental changes are even more pronounced.

4. Ears fully tapered. Fur covers most of the body at this point. Tail is still growing (say, 12 inches). Visible facial changes (heavier brow, partial muzzle). Mental changes are now at a point where the subject has a tenuous grasp on her identity.

5. Transformation concludes: fur grows in, tail reaches full length, muzzle is fully developed, and mental changes are complete.

[aresx]

Originally Posted by Amahain

As a general rule, I start with subtle changes and work towards some more visible changes. That said, I prefer when TFs aren't a piecemeal process, but a continuous one that affects various parts of the body at the same time, so I reject the whole "first change/last change" framing. So for a werewolf transformation, rather than describing it as something like:

1. Claw growth
2. Fang growth
3. Change in eye colour
4: Tapering ears
5: Extra nipples
6: Fur
7: Tail
8: Muzzle
9: Mental change

I would describe it as:

1: Pain in the cuticles, gums, and lower back (signalling the beginnings of claw, fang, and tail growth, respectively), subtle fur growth (back of hands, sideburns, pubic region), subtle mental changes (aggression, or, since I often write TF erotica, horniness).

2: Claws and fangs begin to visibly grow in. Fur thickens and spreads a little more (existing fur thickens and now there's sparse fur on the arms, legs, shoulders, and back). Nub at the end of the coccyx is now visible. Strange sensation in the chest area (signalling the development of extra nipples). Mental changes become slightly more pronounced.

3. Claws and fangs have grown in. Ears begin to taper. Eyes change colour. Fur thickens and spreads even further. Tail is slightly longer (say, six inches). Extra nipples are visible. Pain in the face signals changes to facial structure (ie. muzzle growth). Mental changes are even more pronounced.

4. Ears fully tapered. Fur covers most of the body at this point. Tail is still growing (say, 12 inches). Visible facial changes (heavier brow, partial muzzle). Mental changes are now at a point where the subject has a tenuous grasp on her identity.

5. Transformation concludes: fur grows in, tail reaches full length, muzzle is fully developed, and mental changes are complete.

pretty much this. yes. good job, hi five

[GenYun]

Originally Posted by Amahain

As a general rule, I start with subtle changes and work towards some more visible changes. That said, I prefer when TFs aren't a piecemeal process, but a continuous one that affects various parts of the body at the same time, so I reject the whole "first change/last change" framing. So for a werewolf transformation, rather than describing it as something like:

1. Claw growth
2. Fang growth
3. Change in eye colour
4: Tapering ears
5: Extra nipples
6: Fur
7: Tail
8: Muzzle
9: Mental change

I would describe it as:

1: Pain in the cuticles, gums, and lower back (signalling the beginnings of claw, fang, and tail growth, respectively), subtle fur growth (back of hands, sideburns, pubic region), subtle mental changes (aggression, or, since I often write TF erotica, horniness).

2: Claws and fangs begin to visibly grow in. Fur thickens and spreads a little more (existing fur thickens and now there's sparse fur on the arms, legs, shoulders, and back). Nub at the end of the coccyx is now visible. Strange sensation in the chest area (signalling the development of extra nipples). Mental changes become slightly more pronounced.

3. Claws and fangs have grown in. Ears begin to taper. Eyes change colour. Fur thickens and spreads even further. Tail is slightly longer (say, six inches). Extra nipples are visible. Pain in the face signals changes to facial structure (ie. muzzle growth). Mental changes are even more pronounced.

4. Ears fully tapered. Fur covers most of the body at this point. Tail is still growing (say, 12 inches). Visible facial changes (heavier brow, partial muzzle). Mental changes are now at a point where the subject has a tenuous grasp on her identity.

5. Transformation concludes: fur grows in, tail reaches full length, muzzle is fully developed, and mental changes are complete.

Ditto.

Although in some cases a temporary slight mental change before the TF starts can be interesting. Especially if the transfomee is unaware of it, like the urge to chase off next door's cat or having a sudden fear of the bath.

[Amahain]

Originally Posted by GenYun

Ditto.

Although in some cases a temporary slight mental change before the TF starts can be interesting. Especially if the transfomee is unaware of it, like the urge to chase off next door's cat or having a sudden fear of the bath.

I definitely agree with this. Especially with traditional werewolf TFs where a month passes between the person getting infected and the first transformation. Unless the story begins on the night of the transformation, you're left with a large stretch of time where nothing interesting happens. Having some subtle pre-TF changes, mental and physical, is a good way to fill that gap.

[GRZEHOPL]

Originally Posted by GenYun

Ditto.

Although in some cases a temporary slight mental change before the TF starts can be interesting. Especially if the transfomee is unaware of it, like the urge to chase off next door's cat or having a sudden fear of the bath.

hell yeah