For me, I don't tend to go for adopts that use a template, usually.

Also, ya still have your Libigoo species

even if its a base the artist made themselves? in this case, i did

and thats true, i could try to resurrect them lol

It's a preference thing for me, though if the design is done that it stands out I'm fine with it. I've drifted towards more humanoid characters lately

well your advice is very helpful, helping me remember that everyone is different, and maybe if things arent working, it wouldnt hurt to stray and try other things

I'm not sure I'm the right person to ask for this, since generally I try to avoid adopts unless they're too gosh darned cute, and I'm also generally more into down to earth kinda designs. As an example for the first link, I would only go for the bottom left and bottom right, everything else seems a little too over the top to me. I imagine I stand pretty alone in this regard, and I'm not sure this would make much a difference as a rule to stick to.

For the second link I enjoy all four designs. They look good, to me, but again, aren't the sort of adopt I'd spend money on. I'm very picky, unfortunately.

No i understand, im usually pretty picky myself. adopt stuff is just hard. im trying to find the middle ground of pleasing/cute/unique but maybe not too crazy. but i dont want to be boring.

imo, if i see an adopt and think "i could have easily come up with that design" then i usually pass on it.

for all i know though, it could all just be luck