#xcom viper

A couple more XCOM OC refs: Leon and Detlef! I am starting to vibe with this layout for character refs lol we'll see how long it lasts

Vipers are tricky to draw. It's mostly the head shape and the hood I think. Anyway Detlef's colour scheme comes from the blue racer snake, because blue racers are pretty

Also I didn't intentionally give Leon the same name as the pilot from the Bureau (not that I'm sure I've even seen anyone mention that character because the Bureau is only ever talked about because people like/theorize around Asaru lmao), but it does feel appropriate/ironic/funny to me to have a guy with a related ethnicity from the other side of the iron curtain have the same name (I say this because Bureau!Leon is one of two characters to mention the Cold War during the course of the game/use the word "Commies" in relation to Russians lmfao)

Patron Reward for Swiftwing, his @Xcom viper OC named Stardust. 

BEHOLD!

....I may or may not of made fanart of my own characters....

Although I do find it p funni bc this is like. Their entire dynamic. And I find it funny.

Viper

 By far one of my favorite alien species that show up in XCOM, the so-called “vipers” were an homage to the “snakemen” aliens from the original XCOM series. Admittedly, the snakemen from the original were even more superficial in their comparison to earth reptiles than the vipers of the modern series, but that’s neither here nor there.

According to the Uber Ethereal at the end of Enemy Unknown, the aliens known as Thin Men (which would be revealed in the next game to be highly modified vipers meant for infiltration among humans) were a species that they found to be intelligent and exceptionally loyal and adaptable (presumably both in terms of genome and in terms of mental flexibility), but were ultimately rejected as they seemed incapable of properly implementing the genetics that unlocked psionic power. (Thankfully, in Starfinder, psychic spellcasting has been melded with the other two disciplines, and even where it’s trappings exist, it is more a matter of discipline than genetic predisposition, with perhaps the exception of the psychic bloodline for sorcerers in Pathfinder).

Still, they remained useful to the Elders as infiltrators and fast attacking troops, particularly once they were allowed to be seen on the planet in their true forms, rather than the human-like facades they once bore, taking advantage not only of their training but also the many physical benefits of their serpentine forms and alien biology.

However, with the fall of ADVENT and the occupying forces on Earth, the vipers, much like every other species of alien, were forced to adapt and integrate with human society, and proved just as capable of living alongside humanity as others even with their various deadly adaptations. In fact, amusingly, the fandom jokes and memes about viper… “assets” and attractiveness have transcended back into the game by there being a viper-themed strip club in Chimera Squad. There’s a market for everything, after all.

In any case, vipers appear to be serpentine humanoids with a “lamia” or “naga” body plan, humanoid upper body over a serpentine, legless tail. Their heads are fully serpentine, and sport folding fangs like the vipers they are name for, as well as most, but not all, sporting a cobra hood. Inside their mouths and throats are both a long, prehensile tongue that can be projected at great lengths to drag foes closer, as well as poison glands that allow them to spit wads of poisonous saliva that typically vaporizes into a toxic mist on impact, though some possess a thicker saliva that can adhere to targets, while others focus their venom through their fangs. (some can even do all three). From there, their arms are of typical strength for a humanoid of their size, but their real power lies in their tails, which can propel them quite quickly, and boast the muscular power to crush foes like a constrictor. Most vipers have golden patterned scales, but a rare few from arctic facilities are white, while dark blue-green and gray are also possible.

Interestingly, only one male viper has ever been canonically seen, the genetically-altered “viper king” from XCOM 2’s “Alien Hunters” DLC. The reason for this was because the Elders wished to control the viper population, forcing the intelligent and independent vipers to be wholly reliant on them for the continuation of the species, though I imagine that by the time of Chimera Squad, at least someone must have been working on gene-engineering to help new males be born, or transitioned into by interested vipers.

While not much is seen of Viper mentality and behavior outside of Agent Torque and the brief appearance of the arms and intel dealer Xug, it can be inferred that vipers are an intelligent and practical people that see the value and wisdom of operating with other sapient species and organizations for the betterment of all, though the fact they are also obligate carnivores can make them seem unnerving, aloof, or even standoffish to other species, though of course there is plenty of room for variance there, as Torque, with her antisocial snark and hostility is merely a mask to hide her awkwardness.

 +2 Dex, +2 Int, -2 Cha

Hp: 4

Size and Type: Vipers are medium monstrous humanoids of the viper subtype

Racial Traits

Crushing Coils: A viper can use their serpentine lower body to grapple foes, allowing them to grapple without needing a free hand. Additionally, they gain a constrict special attack, dealing 1d8 bludgeoning damage to the grappled foe every time they succeed their roll to maintain a grapple.

Poison Resistance: Vipers gain a +2 resistance to poison, and are completely immune to Viper Venom.

Poison Spittle: Vipers can be born with one of three adaptations for their venom, though they can develop more with training. Regardless of which version or versions they have access to, they can utilize their poison a number of times per day equal to 1 + Con modifier (minimum 1)

Poison Mist: The viper spits a ball of concentrated venom bile up to 30 ft away, which explodes in a 10 ft. radius cloud, exposing all within to viper venom as an inhaled poison (therefore, creatures that don’t breath or have environmental protections are immune).

Rooting Venom: The viper spits a less toxic and thicker wad of bile that sticks to a single target, possibly rooting them to the ground. This is a ranged attack targeting EAC, and on a successful hit, the target is entangled for 1d4 rounds, rooting them to a surface if they are in contact with one.

Poison Bite: The viper lashes out with their fangs, which count as a natural weapon as the racial trait of the same name, but a successful hit that deals damage also exposes the target to viper venom. A viper that is out of daily uses of Poison Spittle may still make natural weapon attacks, though they lack the venom effect.

Viper Venom tracks along the Dexterity poison track at a rate of 1/round for 4 rounds, and the poison save is equal to the 10 + the viper’s level + their Constitution bonus.

Tongue Pull: A viper’s tongue counts as a grappler with 30 ft of cable for the purposes of firing at other creatures to grapple them. As a move action while grappling a target in this way, the viper may pull medium or smaller targets adjacent to themselves, transferring them to their Crushing Coils as a free action. Sundering the tongue causes the viper to take 1d6 damage and lose the ability to use their tongue until they receive magical healing.

Viper Movement: Vipers have a move speed of 30 ft. and a climb speed of 20 ft.