This shows how quickly you can create a complex animation using just a few deformations and one effector using the Cloner Object in Object mode.

If you are following the Step by Step tutorial, here are the steps in order:
Polygon Modeling
Joints
Cloner Object – Introduction
Cloner Object – Using Object Mode to animate
Target Effector
Optimizing Mograph Cloner for Display speed
Random Effector
Timeline
FCurve Offset to Delay Loop start
Specular and Diffuse Maps
Transparency Absorption
Refining Lights and Visible Volumetric settings