Yo man, really digging your threads with this guy.
I think what you have for the plume is effective enough.
But here are my thoughts anyway.
Follow through elements can def benefit from using more frames.
It generally makes them feel lighter/softer and you can do more with them being able to show more subtle deformation and you'll have more space to time out your motions how you want.
A = original, 4 frames repeating twice
B = edit, 8 frames --> flop moves with sword left/right movement --> looks ok but might be more interesting if the motion was opposing
B = edit, 8 frames --> flop moves opposite sword left/right movement --> no new frames just shifted the plume flop by 4
A
B
C
I might even consider doubling the frames to 16, play the full walk twice, and give the plume 16 unique frames so that each 8 is a slightly different flop.
But there's no real reason to do that.
I would only do it to see what happens, and then maybe throw it out if it was unnecessary.
My edit isn't quite right but might give you some ideas.
Anyways do what you want.
I kinda like what you already have.
Spin those wheels!
It's all part of the process.
Logged
And knowing that it is, we seek what it is... ~ Aristotle, Posterior Analytics, Chapter 1