Constructive criticism on Teela's behaviour coming from a snake keeper and snake enthusiast

[Tai]

So this is something that has been bothering me a bit ever since I got the game on patch 2 or 3, but with the new cinematic changes I felt that I had to put this out to Larian as constructive feedback. I hope they see it and consider this feedback from someone who already loves their game!

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SPOILERS AHEAD

The main thing is: Teela's behaviour is not consistent with the way snakes actually function. I say this as someone who keeps 2 (harmless) snakes! I am in no way a snake expert but I interact with them daily, feed them and studied a lot about their behaviour in order to not get accidentally bitten.

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First let's look at Teela's current posture when she is tense about Arabella then when she strikes:

Teela is laying flat on a rock with her neck streched upwards, staring at Arabella. Then when the girl struggles, Teela runs after her and bites her.

The narrator states that Teela is ready to bite should the child struggle, and when she does, Teela chases her.

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Expected snake behaviour would be:

When Teela is tense and all ready to strike Arabella her pose should be very stiff and recoiled. Snakes build up tension in their muscles and recoil, sometimes rubbing against its own body, their necks usually have that signature S shape and it stays slightly raised from their body, staring down the thing they are about to strike. The more tense they are the more recoiled they may get. Their movement is very swift and can come without warning, but it is usually triggered by movement or touch!

When Arabella struggles Teela should immediately and swiftly strike (because in theory she had been preparing herself for it). Arabella can still try to run but collapse from the venom.

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This is consistent with vipers' hunting behaviour: they usually strike and wait for their prey to collapse so they can follow the scent left by their venom and eat prey. Of course Teela is not predating Arabella, just defending herself (or the druids) so there is no reason for her to actually follow the child after being bitten. but it still works.

The way Teela stands right now is looks more like a curious snake rather than a snake ready to bite you, though that might go unnoticed to someone unfamiliar with them.

And the way she slithers and bites Arabella is also rather not-believable as it actually puts the snake at risk of being stepped on (something they try to avoid) because for some reason she strikes her right leg instead of her left leg (which was closer to Teela).

And when a snake is running it is harder for them to jump forward, you can usually see their muscles building up some strength to throw them forwards.

And when venomous snakes bite they usually let go almost immediately, they don't need much time to inject their venom.


I am treating Teela as a viper because that's how Khaga references her, though she kinda looks more like an imagined snake species (which is fine, it's a fictional universe). Her body type doesn't really have much semblance to most vipers' who have: keeled scales, thinner neck, heavier middle body and short tail. Teela's body is more coherent with that of colubrids (like corn snakes). it's like the artists gave her a viper face but a colubrid body.

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That's all the feedback I have on Teela, it's fine if Larian doesn't want to change it but given that they have several times shown they pay attention to details it always felt unnatural to have a scene with a snake that had quite a few inconsistencies. Yes Teela can understand druids but she is still a snake!

when I got my first snake I was like "he could jump over that counter" or "open that handle" using his strength and unique body but I can assure you snakes don't think and act the same way we would. They still have organs, their head is very vulnerable, so the way they move and act usually reflect that.

I hope larian sees this and I hope it is helpful in case they have not considered it :) Have a good night everyone

[General Nuclear]

Sounds Legit.