VIPER (THE NETHERDRAKE)

Contents

1. Introduction
2. Hero’s overview
3. Skills justifications
4. Item build and justifications
5. Strategies and tips
6. Ending
1. Introduction

When i first started playing this addictive game, i noticed that i have quite a number of Heroes to choose from. I always like to be unique, different from the others, that was one of the main reasons i’ve chosen him. Although many strongly discourage me to choose Viper as my first hero, i never gave up on him.

Certainly, my friends would say Viper has a rather low damage, and that Naga sirens utterly rapes me, ganks kills me, nukers take my pitiful life away. My advice is , don’t listen to those crap talking. A true player uses what he wants and what he feels like owning the game with. No one would have ever laughed at you if you have owned using a hero known as “weakling , low damage”.

My point is, this game is rather balanced, no heroes would be more advantageous over all other heroes in any way. It’s how you control your heroes that matter most. I believe, and will always believe, viper is one of the most cool and strong heroes in dota. Also, he’s fun to use!

By the way, i am quite new to the game so i might have some errors while making this guide, my aim for building this guide is to spark interest for people who never did try viper or forgot about him. And maybe even, educate people in his uses! We all learn from mistakes, so try to correct me if i make some major mistakes along the way .

2. Hero’s overview

Viper - The Netherdrake
Range: 575 | | Move Speed: 300 | Primary: AGI
Str: 17 + 1.9 | Agi: 21 + 2.5 | Int: 15 + 1.8
Damage: 49 - 51 | HP: 473 | Mana: 195
HP Regen: 0.76 | Mana Regen: 0.61
Attack Speed: 1.34 (+ 21% IAS) | Armor: 2

Viper is commonly known as the “carry” type of heroes in DotA. These heroes have hidden potentials that will hopefully, in one way or the other, massively contributes to the team and carry the team to victory. Numerous people i have met, classifies Viper into the category “mid game hero”. I personally, doesn’t believe about generalization. Because i feel that Viper can be whole game effective .

Also, Viper stats are pretty average for an AGI ranged hero.

3. Skills justifications

Frenzy (Activated skill)
Increases attack speed for 20 seconds, at the cost of taking additional damage.
Level 1 - 25% increase, 5% damage taken increase.
Level 2 - 50% increase, 10% damage taken increase.
Level 3 - 75% increase, 15% damage taken increase.
Level 4 - 100% increase, 20% damage taken increase.
Mana Cost: 80/ 90/ 110/ 130
Cooldown: 40

In my very honest opinion, i don’t like this skill at all. Sure, many argue that for a DPS hero, this skill is just 1337h41pt3ht34m2pu5h. 100% increased attack speed sure does sounds great. however, i personally don’t recommend getting frenzy early on, not until level 20+. Usually i get frenzy around level 18 if i am owning much or playing against AI. Otherwise, this skill will be just another reason why my opponent would of targeted me in team clashes.

Also, this skill is awesome during 1v1s. but be careful , if you happen to get disabled or something, this skill only means “extra 20% dmg taken”. If you are confident of surviving with your own abilities, then add this skill around level 12.

Poison Attack (Activated skill)
Coats Viper’s attack with poison. Slows movement and attack speeds and lasts 2 seconds.
Level 1 - Slows speed by 10%, deals 6 damage per second.
Level 2 - Slows speed by 20%, deals 12 damage per second.
Level 3 - Slows speed by 30%, deals 18 damage per second.
Level 4 - Slows speed by 40%, deals 24 damage per second.
Mana Cost: 20
Cooldown: 4/3/0/0

Viper definitely would be one of the best harassers (if not, BEST). Poison attack provides viper with early game lane control, which means during early game, you will be using this skill to harrass opponent heroes and hopefully, chase them back to their fountains to ensure yourself a peaceful farming time.

This skill is fundamental. I suggest maxing it first. Also, using the famous “Orb-walk”. which will be explained in Strategy section, will net you several kills, which your opponent can do almost nothing to prevent themselves from being killed by you.

Corrosive Skin (Passive skill)
Viper’s body is covered with poison. Any unit that attacks it becomes infected. Reduced movement and attack speed and minor damage for 3 seconds.

Level 1: 5% speed reduction, 5 damage per second, 5% magic reduction.
Level 2: 10% speed reduction, 10 damage per second, 10% magic reduction.
Level 3: 15% speed reduction, 15 damage per second, 15% magic reduction.
Level 4: 20% speed reduction, 20 damage per second, 20% magic reduction.
Mana Cost: N/A
Cooldown: N/A

When Viper hits you, you get slowed and poisoned, when you hit him back, you get slowed even more and poisoned further. This skill is great, the 20% Magic reduction also helps in keeping you alive.

Viper Strike (Activated skill)

Strikes with a vicious bite, slowing movement and attack speeds significantly and dealing poison damage over time.
Lasts 5 seconds.
Level 1 - Deals 60 damage per second and slows speeds by 40%.
Level 2 - Deals 100 damage per second and slows speeds by 60%.
Level 3 - Deals 145 damage per second and slows speeds by 80%.
Mana Cost: 125/ 175/ 250
Cooldown: 40

This is a good ultimate that makes other heroes afraid of viper. During level 6, when this skill is pumped on level 1, it’s already very good because of the slow and 60 DPS. 90% of the time you will be using this skill and poison attack to kill heroes.

My preferred Skill build

1. Poison Attack
2. Attribute Bonus
3. Poison Attack
4. Attribute Bonus
5. Poison Attack
6. Viper Strike
7. Poison Attack
8. Attribute Bonus
9. Attribute Bonus
10. Attribute Bonus
11. Viper Strike
12. Corrosive Skin
13. Corrosive Skin
14. Corrosive Skin
15. Corrosive Skin
16. Viper Strike
17. Attribute Bonus
18. Attribute Bonus
19. Attribute Bonus
20. Attribute Bonus
21. Attribute Bonus
22. Frenzy
23. Frenzy
24. Frenzy
25. Frenzy

Poison attack gives Viper an incredible lane control advantage over other heroes as it is one of the best harassing skills in dota. Everyone should try to max this as early as possible. At level 5, this skill has no cool down and after which, feared by other heroes.

Many guides went on corrosive skin as their 2nd key skill in their build, however, myself, disagrees that Corrosive skin would buff viper up more than extra attributes does. The extra HP , mana , and damage provided is much better for viper in early game.

It would be very unlikely that you will be chased badly by heroes during this stage of the game. Personally, i feel that the overall increase in attributes help viper in surviving early game. Firstly. extra damage for viper to farm more efficiently. Secondly, more mana for you to harass the opponent using poison attack. Thirdly, more hp for survivability.

The reason for getting viper strike whenever possible is simple, it just makes other heroes become wary of your ultimate. At level 6, this skill would probably net you a first blood if your opponent is careless or you’re pro .

Frenzy is added at later stage because Viper would already be very fragile to ganks and such. Sure, it’s a wonderful skill when 1v1. however, if you are getting this skill early for hero kills, i might as well you save them up for greater purposes.

Did you notice something? Yeah sure my build is the same as Super_chode. I first started dota and read his guide on viper. After several play testing, i find this build the best to follow. Even with more nukers and such, i still prefer stats over corrosive skin. But if you really like it, you may consider adding corrosive skill around level 8.

4. Item build and justifications

Early game items
Ring of Regeneration (Cost: 375 Gold)
Since Viper doesn’t have any healing skills, i guess we would have to make up for it with items. Viper can’t afford to go back to the fountain always. An ror would be always be good because if you encounter resistance while farming or you’re constantly being nuked by your opponent. you can just tower hug a bit and ROR helps you to get back into battle much sooner.

Ancient Tango of Essification (Cost: 90 Gold)
you might want to pack a couple of these with ROR. Personally, i am not confident in my abilities to survive plus, this thing regens hp quicker than ROR does.

Ironwood Branch (known colloquially as GG Branch [Cost: 57 Gold])
One of my favorite items. if you’re doing some normal 5v5 games and lacks early funds for your core build, i recommend buying these as they provides + 1 to every stats. more damage = farm easier = more items!

Observer Wards (Cost: 200 Gold)
Personally i find this item extremely useful for myself to farm up creeps during early games. Basically, you don’t have to immediately tower hug or back a few metres away from creeps clashes if your team member reports hero missings (usually heroes regroup for ganks). Buy yourself more time and let these wards help you farm uninterrupted.

Wards are common sense to good players. if you see someone like the Butcher on the other side of the team. then definitely buy wards. if not, you would have to play ultra defensively as Pudge could really slaughter you alive if he manages to hook you into the forest.

Core-Build
1.

When do i take this build?
This is the item build i would usually go for. I prefer this build more than any other build. The items are in order but however. You may wish to delay your boots of travels in order to get an earlier relic. in other words. this is the “cookie-cutter-rich-man-build”

Bracers
Shop Level: 1
Description:
+3 to All Attributes
+3 Strength
total cost : 510 (each)
These are for the extra HP buff for viper. The next few items, might be a little hard to farm if you are not experienced enough and keep dying. it’s okay to buy another bracer if you keep on dying. i strongly recommend you to get 1 - 2 of these as they are extremely cheap for it’s effect.

Boots of Travel
Shop Level: 1
Description:
+85 Movement Speed
Active: Teleport
60 Seconds Cooldown, 4 Second Channel Time, 75 Mana Cost
Total cost : 2700
This item is simply awesome on viper. I am not really experienced enough to go into the BoT vs Treads arguement again. However, my instinct tells me that BoT helps viper more than treads.

The movement speed provided by BoT helps viper in chasing enemies and also for escaping if you get seriously ganked in such a fasion that you’re gonna get pwned. Also, viper should help in several lanes instead of just sticking to one and farm. BoT therefore enables Viper to move around freely to either push or save an ally tower.

Radiance
Shop Level: 4
Description:
+8% Evasion
+60 Damage
Passive: Immolation
550 Radius
35 Damage/sec Immolation
Total cost : 5325
Radiance Provides Viper with tons of damage that makes other heroes really fear you. Immolations helps viper to farm and Inflicts damage to opponent within a range per second. Viper benefits from this effect , be it chasing or being chased.

There are numerous arguments going on if viper really NEED this item or not. and many others come up with Equations such as “Poison attack + Frenzy + Immolation(radiance effect) = GG”. After much play testing, i think it’s all up to personal preference and playing style. If you play rather defensive and don’t make use of immolation, always standing out of range for the effect to take place. Take Build 2.

Heart of Tarrasque
Shop Level: 4
Description:
+300 Hit Points
+11 HP/Sec Regeneration
+35 Strength
Total cost : 5500
Hearts Is also another great item. It provides viper with the extra HP he needs for mid game team clashes and quick regen.

“keep attacking is the best defence” <– only applies if you are able to tank. Whats the use of having 6 divine rapiers when you get killed just by 1 shot? i wouldn’t say Viper can really TANK after getting hearts. but he would be able to survive ambushes and ganks easier because of the HP increase >_>.

OR

When should i take this build?
Personally, this build is an alternative if you really could not farm up for your relic. If you are continuously being Ganked OR you happen to be around the secret shop with enough money for a demon edge. Compared to the first build, this build moves viper to a more aggressive damage dealer.

Wraith Bands
Shop Level: 1
Description:
+3 to All Attributes
+3 Agility
Total cost : 460
Wraith bands. OMFG why bracers in first build and WBs in second build? actually, you may choose between them both yourself according to personal preference. I recommend Bracers as they provide more room for survivability. But then again, WBs are cheaper and provides more damage for last hitting creeps. If you think you are experienced enough not to get killed early on, then use wraith bands and quickly farm up your next item.

Boots of Travel
Shop Level: 1
Description:
+85 Movement Speed
Active: Teleport
60 Seconds Cooldown, 4 Second Channel Time, 75 Mana Cost
Total cost : 2700
Boots of Travel is explained in build 1.

Monkey King Bar
Shop Level: 4
Description:
+75 Damage
+15% Attack Speed
Passive: Bonus Damage
100 Damage to Target 0.01 Second Stun 30% Chance
Ttoal cost : 5400
Monkey King Bar Is also a cool item for viper as viper can use MKB’s Stun ability to prevent opponent heroes from teleporting away to safety. the increased attack speed and more damage is certainly good.

Buriza-do Kyanon
Shop Level: 4
Description:
+75 Damage
Passive: Critical Strike
20% Chance 2.2x Damage Multiplier
Total cost : 5950
I used to get butterfly after an mkb. However, i now feel that stacking too much attack speed wouldn’t do good. Basically buriza rapes face. Get it after getting an MKB.

Items worth mentioning

The Butterfly
Shop Level: 4
Description:
Damage: 30
Attack Speed: 30%
Agility: 30
Passive: Evasion
Chance: 30%
Total cost : 6000
Butterfly is basically somehow MADE for most AGI heros

Vanguard
Shop Level: New Recipes
Description:
+5 HP regen/second
+250 Hit Points
65% to block 40 damage
Many get this on Viper. At first i do not recommend it because i thought that the extra hp regen and blocking damage are for tankers like AXE. Axe gets it definitely. This might be an option at least if you are not confident of your own abilities to survive, Since the EHP increase is really helpful.

+
Power Treads (STR)
Shop Level: 1
Description:
Gives:
+65 Movement Speed
+30% Attack Speed
+10 Agility/Intelligence/Strength
Power treads is an alternative to Boots of travels because it’s EHP increase and increased attack speed is sexy. Personally i do not get this item on Viper, because with radiance, i tele around almost every lane and clear creep waves. However, this item is in fact cheaper, and easier to farm up because of the small components. It’s also a good item for item build 2 as the increased attack speed helps buriza get more critical. learn to adapt to alternate this with boots of travels.

Hood of Defiance
Shop Level: New Recipes
Description:
30% Spell Reduction
+8 HP Regen
This is one of a really important situation item. I will explain using Lina as an example.
During mid game ( for instance you did not buy Hood.) lina does 280 damage with her slave , another 280 with her LSA and 675 damage with her Ultimate. which adds up to about 1235 damage (i am just taking the base damage as example). if you have a hood, then it becomes
Slave : 196 LSA : 196 Ultimate : 472 Total : 864
See how it helps now? but the downside is that you get your damage items delayed .

5. Strategies and tips

Early game:
Grab your early game items(i usually get slippers and tangoes) and set off for a solo lane. However, if you don’t get a solo lane or because you are not confident of handling the lane by yourself then you can certainly share lane. But however i strongly recommend you to solo because if you do, you get more experience than others and would quickly Over advantage your opponent with your level. Always use your mini map, if you see opposing heroes goes missing for a period of time, back a little and try to block your own approaching creeps so that you are nearer to the tower and is easier for you to run off if there is a gank. Also, tell your teammates if your lane’s opponent goes missing too.

You might not want to auto attack creeps as they would unlikely fetch you last hits. Do the usual creep dance (click left and right continuously to prevent auto attacks),deny and last hit whenever possible. This takes experience and is essential for victory. if your opponent is a melee hero, then once in a while move close towards him to “Scare” him. If he doesn’t move and proceeds to hit creeps. Then start harassing him with periodic poison attacks. For ranged heroes, play more of denies and last hits. Because if you go forward and try to harass with poison attack and immediately retreats, your opponent might fetch 2-3 hits on you, or even nuke you. Don’t over push, if you go over ambitious trying to destroy their tower they might gather up for a gank and bye-bye to your farming time >_>.

Once you reach level 5, your poison attack should have 0 cool down. This is the part where you should try to score a first blood with your partner. If you see a soloing hero, poison attack him, animation cancel , repeat. Make sure you leave some mana because during level 6, you might score a first blood. If you see 2 heroes, then either harass the weaker one, or the melee hero.

It’s hard to say when to do what but play very very defensively .Remember to report to your mates if you find your target missing for a long time. Also, check the mini map to ensure everything is alright. if you sense something fishy, back and tower hug a bit.

Once you are level 6, always watch your opponent’s health, try to ambush him by circling around him to his back. start attacking him, and if he starts to run, viper strike and continue to hit. If he does not have a disable or escape skill, then you can certainly kill him.Also, don’t worry too much about scoring kills early on.

Middle Game:
Now, you should get your boots of travel or power treads ready by now. If you don’t, then continue farming for one until you get it. Don’t stick to one lane, be sure to help out your teammates who is constantly dying. just push one lane until you encounter resistance, and teleport to other lanes to push. Once you see everything’s under control, you might want to choose to do 2 things.

1. Farm neutral creeps. i wouldn’t recommend this since it’s boring and do little to contribute to the team, but if you are in need of gold this might be an option at least.

2. Start jungling ( go into jungle) and call up for a gank! using viper strike and animation canceling poison attack, your opponent should fall prey to you in less than a few seconds.

Always remember, things usually don’t go in your way, so don’t be a loser and leave the game if you accidentally meet someone like yureno in the jungle.

This part of the game is important as a good start is 1/2 of a path to success.

Late game:
If you over leveled and feel that you have already dominated the other team. Then eliminate their towers FTW. try to be in team clashes as you will make a difference between victory and defeat with your venomous slow and poison. During team fights, try to target heroes which isn’t able to escape easily. Like wasting a viper strike on Anti-mage only to find him blinking away.

But however if things doesn’t go into your way then listen up to your teammates and play very defensively, there would still be hope if your team can work together as one. Remember, Do what your opponent don’t want you to do. When you are forced into falling into your opponent’s traps, you lose.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 3:07 pm and is filed under Guides and Technique, VIPER. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.