Hero Discussion of this Day: Viper (26 December 2012)
Viper, the Netherdrake
Viper specializes in pinning down single targets from a distance, while dealing moderate damage. His Poison Attack allows him to consistently slow someone down, and he can fire a heavily concentrated Viper Strike toxin to nearly stop someone in their tracks, and deal good damage over time. This allows him to be more aggressive as he can go in and keep targets from escaping. To aid with leading a charge, he's developed Corrosive Skin that offers resistances, returns minor poison and slows the attacker. While most of Viper's damage is dealt over time with poisons, he has a passive Nethertoxin which allows him to deal additional damage to weaker units.
Lore
The malevolent familiar of a sadistic wizard who captured and hoped to tame him, Viper was curiously glad to have been sprung from the sealed and unchanging subterranean Nether Reaches where his race had lived for millions of years, after tectonic slippage had sealed off the Netherdrakes in luminous caverns. Viper spent some time appearing to submit to the wizard's enchainments, hoping to learn what he could of the dark magics the mage practiced. But he soon realized that few spells were as deadly as the toxins that were his birthright. Exuding an acid that swiftly ate away the bars of his cage, the Netherdrake slipped free of his confines, spit poison in the old spellcaster's eyes, and soared out to let the world know that it had a new master.
==
Roles: Carry, Durable
==
Strength: 20 + 1.9
Agility: 21 + 2.5
Intelligence: 15 + 1.8
==
Damage: 44-46
Armour: 1.94
Movement Speed: 285
Attack Range: 575
Missile Speed: 1200
Base Attack Time: 1.7
Sight Range: 1800 (Day) / 800 (Night)
Turn Rate: 0.4
==
Spells
==
Poison Attack
Intensifies Viper's venom, adding an effect to his normal attack that slows attack and movement speed while dealing damage over time.
| Level | Manacost | Cooldown | Casting Range | Area | Duration | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | 4 | 600 | N/A | 2 | Puts a Unique Attack Modifer (Orb effect) onto Viper's normal attack which slows the target's attack and move speed by 10% and deals 10 damage per second |
| 2 | 20 | 3 | 600 | N/A | 2 | Puts a Unique Attack Modifer (Orb effect) onto Viper's normal attack which slows the target's attack and move speed by 20% and deals 16 damage per second |
| 3 | 20 | 0 | 600 | N/A | 2 | Puts a Unique Attack Modifer (Orb effect) onto Viper's normal attack which slows the target's attack and move speed by 30% and deals 22 damage per second |
| 4 | 20 | 0 | 600 | N/A | 2 | Puts a Unique Attack Modifer (Orb effect) onto Viper's normal attack which slows the target's attack and move speed by 40% and deals 28 damage per second |
-
Magical damage
-
The slow and damage will not be increased by successive casts; the duration of the spell will be refreshed instead
-
Becoming magic immune does not remove the slow debuff
-
Cannot be purged
The Netherdrake's inborn toxic breath quickly drains the vitality of its afflicted.
==
Nethertoxin
Passive
Nethertoxin causes Viper's normal attack to deal bonus damage to units based on how much health they are missing. The bonus damage doubles for each 20% of health missing from the target. Nethertoxin deals half damage to creeps and buildings.
| Level | Manacost | Cooldown | Casting Range | Area | Duration | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | - | - | - | - | Causes Viper's attacks to deal bonus damage based on how much health is missing from the target, 2.5 base bonus damage, 40 max |
| 2 | - | - | - | - | - | Causes Viper's attacks to deal bonus damage based on how much health is missing from the target, 5 base bonus damage, 80 max |
| 3 | - | - | - | - | - | Causes Viper's attacks to deal bonus damage based on how much health is missing from the target, 7.5 base bonus damage, 120 max |
| 4 | - | - | - | - | - | Causes Viper's attacks to deal bonus damage based on how much health is missing from the target, 10 base bonus damage, 160 max |
-
The bonus damage doubles for each 20% of health missing from the target
-
Nethertoxin deals half damage to creeps and buildings
Poison from the Nether Reaches turns wounds into fatalities, and fatigue into death.
==
Corrosive Skin
Passive
Viper exudes an infectious toxin that damages and slows any enemy that attacks it. The acid exudate also increases Viper's resistance to spells.
| Level | Manacost | Cooldown | Casting Range | Area | Duration | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | - | - | - | 4 | Any enemy who attacks Viper is slowed (attack and movespeed) by 10% and is dealt 10 damage per second. Also gives Viper an extra 10% magic resistance |
| 2 | - | - | - | - | 4 | Any enemy who attacks Viper is slowed (attack and movespeed) by 15% and is dealt 15 damage per second. Also gives Viper an extra 15% magic resistance |
| 3 | - | - | - | - | 4 | Any enemy who attacks Viper is slowed (attack and movespeed) by 20% and is dealt 20 damage per second. Also gives Viper an extra 20% magic resistance |
| 4 | - | - | - | - | 4 | Any enemy who attacks Viper is slowed (attack and movespeed) by 25% and is dealt 25 damage per second. Also gives Viper an extra 25% magic resistance |
-
Magical Damage
-
Magic resistance stacks with magic resistance from items
-
Affects the attacking unit before the attack is actually released
It is not unusual for sword and shield alike to corrode in the very hands of those who attack the Netherdrake.
==
Viper Strike
Ultimate
Viper slows the targeted enemy unit's movement and attack speed while also dealing poison damage over time. The slowing effect reduces over the duration of the poison.
| Level | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting Range | Area | Duration | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 125 | 80 (12*) | 500 (900*) | N/A | 5.1 | Slows the enemy target by 40% and deals 60 damage per second |
| 2 | 175 (125*) | 50 (12*) | 500 (900*) | N/A | 5.1 | Slows the enemy target by 60% and deals 100 damage per second |
| 3 | 250 (125*) | 30 (12*) | 500 (900*) | N/A | 5.1 | Slows the enemy target by 80% and deals 145 damage per second |
-
Magical Damage
-
Can be cast on magic immune units: damage is blocked, however the slow debuff remains
-
Units affected by Viper Strike can be denied by their allies when their HP drops below 25% of their maximum health
-
The slow is applied before the projectile connects
-
Cannot be purged
Once used to slay his sadistic summoner, the most powerful of Netherdrake infections spreads through the veins of those foolish enough to cross Viper.
==
Recent Changes from 6.77
- Base strength increased by 3
Recent Changes from 6.76/6.76b/6.76c
- None
Recent Changes from 6.75/6.75b
-
Corrosive Skin duration increased from 3 to 4
-
Viper Strike Aghanim's cast range increased from 800 to 900
-
Nethertoxin max damage increased from 32/64/96/128 to 40/80/120/160
==
Findings (not-factual information as above):
I find Viper to be a good carry given the right situations and excels exceptionally early and mid-game, even towards late game. Make sure to manually cast your Poison Attack when you want to use it and don't leave it on autocast unless you can sustain it. Usually you Viper Strike anyone you can kill, although in teamfights towards late game, it'd be a wise decision to cast it on the main carry - slowing them by 80% allows for easy kite-ability.
==
fiat_lux_ discusses Orb Walking on Viper
A thread here discusses Viper's viability in competitive matches (thread by NDN_Shadow)
Koikon talks about Vanguard vs Mek and why Mek is better, fisherrr also does the same
There are two good PlayDota guides on Viper: Dodge Viper 2.0/Reptile Aircraft and Viperidae
==
If you guys want a specific hero to be discussed next, please feel free to post (or message as people have for Meepo, Lina, Krobelus, Sylla, Puck, Brood, Omni, Disruptor and Viper).
No Valve Artwork | Voice Responses | In-game Icon | Dota Cinema Video Overview | Dota2Wiki Hero Page
Posts are every 2 days, next post will be on the 28th.
Important Disruptor tip of last thread by L337_n00b: "Static Storm is instant. And it's a silence. Don't be afraid to "waste" it on a freshly arrived Storm Spirit, the cooldown is laughable and you might as well save your teammate. That sometimes ends up with the aforementioned Storm Spirit dying."
Important Disruptor tip of last thread #2 by Crestfallen_Username: "tell your team over mic you're glimpsing and/or ping the spot he's going to appear at before it happens. Communication is everything my friend."
Posted Dec 26, 2012, 8:31 PM UTC