Hero Discussion of the Day: Viper (February 8, 2012)
Viper was last discussed on November 7.
Viper is a ranged carry hero who can also functions as an excellent ganker due to his deadly slow attack and his ultimate. Although ganking is often made easier with Viper's presence, it's often times that sheer item power could reveal Viper true carry potential. Farming with Viper is relatively easy, however, active participation in ganking is very important before the ganking power wears out (when enemy heroes become more aware / careful as well as their items become better). Thus, Viper is recommended for at least intermediate to decent players as ganking does require good game sense, awareness and reflexes. Orb-walking with Poison Attack also makes Viper very potent in hero harassing and pushing. In the hand of a pro player, Viper can be very deadly.
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.
"My fangs drip."
| Strength | Agility | Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| 17 + 1.9 | 21 + 2.5 | 15 + 1.8 |
| Damage | Armor | Movespeed |
| 44-46 | 1.94 | 285 |
| Attack Range | Base Attack Time | Missile Speed |
| 575 | 1.7 | 1200 |
| Soundset | Icon | Fan Art |
Poison Attack
Intensifies Viper's venom, adding an effect to his normal attack that slows attack and movement speed while dealing damage over time.
Poison Attack is a Unique Attack Modifier, and does not stack with other Unique Attack Modifiers.
| Level | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting range | Area of Effect | Duration | Allowed Targets | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | 4 | 600 | N/A | 2 seconds | Enemy units | Slows speed by 10%, deals 6 damage per second |
| 2 | 20 | 3 | 600 | N/A | 2 seconds | Enemy units | Slows speed by 20%, deals 12 damage per second |
| 3 | 20 | 0 | 600 | N/A | 2 seconds | Enemy units | Slows speed by 30%, deals 18 damage per second |
| 4 | 20 | 0 | 600 | N/A | 2 seconds | Enemy units | Slows speed by 40%, deals 24 damage per second |
- Damage type: magical
- The slow and damage will not be increased by successive casts; the duration of the spell will be refreshed instead.
Nethertoxin
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 | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting range | Area of Effect | Duration | Allowed Targets | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Maximum of 32 Bonus Damage |
| 2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Maximum of 64 Bonus Damage |
| 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Maximum of 96 Bonus Damage |
| 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Maximum of 128 Bonus Damage |
- Starts off with 2/4/6/8 bonus damage, and doubles for each 20% missing hp of target unit.
- Clones gained from Manta Style and Illusion have this ability.
- Due to it affecting buildings, Nethertoxin is great for pushing towers.
Corrosive Skin
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 | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting range | Area of Effect | Duration | Allowed Targets | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 seconds | Self / Enemy Unit | 10% slow, 10 damage per second and 10% magic reduction |
| 2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 seconds | Self / Enemy Unit | 15% slow, 15 damage per second and 15% magic reduction |
| 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 seconds | Self / Enemy Unit | 20% slow, 20 damage per second and 20% magic reduction |
| 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 seconds | Self / Enemy Unit | 25% slow, 25 damage per second and 25% magic reduction |
- Magic resistance stacks with magic resistance from items.
- Affects the attacking unit before the attack is actually released.
Viper Strike
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.
SCEPTER UPGRADABLE: Decreases mana cost and cooldown, and increases cast range.
| Level | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting range | Area of Effect | Duration | Allowed Targets | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 125 | 80 (12*) | 500 (800*) | N/A | 5.1 seconds | Enemy units | Deals 60 damage per second and slows speeds by 40% |
| 2 | 175 (125*) | 50 (12*) | 500 (800*) | N/A | 5.1 seconds | Enemy units | Deals 100 damage per second and slows speeds by 60% |
| 3 | 250 (125*) | 30 (12*) | 500 (800*) | N/A | 5.1 seconds | Enemy units | Deals 145 damage per second and slows speeds by 80% |
- Damage type: magical.
- Slow works on magic immune units.
- Can be improved by Aghanim's Scepter (* shows the improved values).
- Units afflicted 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.
Be sure to take a look at Dota Cinema's video overview of Viper.
Take a look at DragonsRockz's guide to Viper.
As always, check out yesterday's discussion of Tinker or the (almost) complete HDotD archives.
Posted Feb 8, 2012, 6:24 PM UTC