This guide will take you through the Belly of the Serpent story mission in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Additionally, it will provide a description of Lara’s first visit to the Hidden City and the most important aspects of this mission, namely the exploration of the Belly of the Serpent and the Head of the Serpent.
- Meeting Unuratu
- Exploring the Belly of the Serpent
- Exploring the Head of the Serpent
- Escape
Meeting Unuratu
As the Hidden City is vast, it is recommended to take the time to explore it as Unuratu suggests. There are many secrets to uncover, new side missions to begin, and goods to purchase from merchants. Continue the main storyline by reaching the bridge in the trading district. Pass through the group of people, which can also be approached from another direction, and watch a lengthy cutscene. After that, you will obtain Amaru’s photo.
Exploring the Belly of the Serpent
Lara needs to meet Etzli in the western part of the city. Listen to the plan and then squeeze through the rocks to explore the new area. Navigate through the rooms and reach the chasm. Jump towards the bar and then to the climbable wall. Slide down the rope and swing on it, aiming to land on a larger ledge.
The grapple axe must be used in the location shown in the image above. Release it while in the air and use it to reach another climbable wall. Climb onto the higher ledge to access the Belly of the Serpent.
Follow the main path, squeezing through narrower walls when necessary. Lara must climb in the bigger room of the Belly of the Serpent. Walk on the narrow beam and jump towards the wall. Use the axe to reach another climbable wall. Slide down the rope and then jump towards the cage shown in the image above.
Jump towards the adjacent cage, climb onto it, and then jump towards the interactive wall. Climb it to reach the narrow ledge above.
Move to the side and prepare for another jump as shown in the image. Press the grapple axe button while in the air and then climb up the rope to reach the interactive edges of the wall. Begin climbing up the wall and stop when you can jump towards the left ledge. Keep moving left until you reach a small climbable wall. Grapple it with the axe and slide down the rope to reach the balcony beneath the wall (which can be identified by blood stains).
The task at hand involves navigating through narrow tunnels filled with corpses and body parts. Upon reaching a hostile cultist in a room, one can take advantage of his turned back and execute him by sneaking up on him. Although examining the corpse on the altar is optional, one must find the weaker section of the wall and demolish it with an axe in order to progress. This leads to the Head of the Serpent where one must follow a linear path until reaching a stone ledge, jump towards the climbable wall, grapple it with an axe, slide down the rope to the bottom, swing on the rope and then jump to complete the Trial of the Serpent.
To start the trial, find the lever with ropes located left from the barricade and shoot an arrow with a rope at it using a bow. This causes Lara to pull the lever, spilling a flammable substance made of oil and blood that gathers up in the tank in front of the barricade. Interact with the mechanism in the center to start the fire, burning the barricade and allowing one to proceed forward. After jumping towards the climbable wall and sliding down the rope, stand near the shorter pillar and aim your bow at the ropes on the taller one to connect both pillars with a rope. Push the lever near the taller pillar and align the grooves around the shorter pillar. Change the alignment of the grooves around the taller pillar by cutting the rope and aligning the grooves to allow the flammable substance to flow around both pillars. Shoot the lever with ropes near the second barricade using an arrow with a rope to spill the substance and set it on fire using the mechanism, destroying the barricade. Finally, enter the last room and witness a cut-scene where Lara discovers the Silver Box of Ix Chel.
Getaway
To complete the mission, you need to escape from the cultists. Don’t engage in combat or stop, as it will result in Lara’s capture and death. The escape path is straightforward, but you still need to avoid obstacles and make precise jumps.
Shake off the cultists and head to Unuratu’s residence in the Hidden City. This marks the end of the current mission and the beginning of another one.
FAQ
1. What is the Belly and Head of the Serpent?
The Belly and Head of the Serpent is a complex of ancient ruins located in the jungles of Guatemala. The site was discovered in the early 20th century by archaeologists and is believed to be the remains of an ancient Maya city that was abandoned over a thousand years ago. The site is named after the two main areas of excavation: the Belly, which refers to the lower part of the city, and the Head, which is the upper part.
2. What makes the Belly and Head of the Serpent unique?
The Belly and Head of the Serpent is unique because of its location and the level of preservation of the ruins. The site is located deep in the jungle and is difficult to access, which has helped to preserve the ruins from looters and natural disasters. In addition, the ruins themselves are well-preserved, with many of the original structures still standing and in good condition. The site is also unique in that it contains a mix of Maya and non-Maya architecture, suggesting that the city was influenced by outside cultures.
3. What can visitors expect to see at the Belly and Head of the Serpent?
Visitors to the Belly and Head of the Serpent can expect to see a wide variety of ancient structures and artifacts. Some of the most impressive structures include the Temple of the Jaguar, which features intricate carvings and sculptures, and the Palace of the Masks, which is decorated with hundreds of stone masks. Visitors can also explore the city’s ballcourt, which was used for ritual games, and the city’s central plaza, which was a hub of activity for the ancient Maya.
4. Is the Belly and Head of the Serpent open to the public?
Yes, the Belly and Head of the Serpent is open to the public, although access is limited and visitors are required to follow strict rules to help preserve the site. Visitors must be accompanied by a licensed guide and are not allowed to climb on or touch the ruins. In addition, visitors are required to wear appropriate clothing and footwear and to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as the site can be hot and humid. Despite the restrictions, many visitors consider the Belly and Head of the Serpent to be one of the most fascinating and awe-inspiring archaeological sites in the world.
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