I'm building a system that uses null controllers and stretched grid like bones arranged around deformer loops. My plan is to get exclusive bone deformations that are flexible enough to not need morph targets nor shapes - just poses. The reason I'm doing this is because I need the rig to be mostly morph free so I can then add realtime fur (that doesn't evaluate on morphs). Also - the rig will run faster with fewer drivers. Also.. I can technically build lattice like deformations that can export to a game engine (when lattices can't transfer between software).
These are just the beginning.
After I do this. I will then build the control rig, then tag the controller to the shadow rig (or deform rig).
I have a script for that already. Progress!
Steepshot