Viper

Viper the Netherdrake is a ranged agility Hero who can function as an excellent ganker and carry due to his slowing auto-attacks and his low cooldown ultimate. Although ganking is often made easier with Viper's presence, his true carry potential is revealed with sheer item power. Farming with Viper is relatively easy; while he has no area of effect abilities to clear waves, Nethertoxin makes last-hitting a cinch. However, active participation in ganking is very important before his ganking power wears out in mid-late game, due to enemy heroes playing more cautiously and obtaining better items. Orb-walking with Poison Attack makes Viper very potent in hero harassing and pushing. In the hand of a skilled player, Viper can be very deadly.

Tips

 * It is imperative to get Poison Attack to rank 3 as soon as possible, as the incredible slow makes it difficult for an opponent to flee or even fight back.
 * However, it may be wise to not rank up Poison Attack when the game starts; depending on your lane, Nethertoxin may be more helpful to secure last-hits and denies.
 * As a carry, you will generally want to put points into Nethertoxin over Corrosive Skin, to maximise your damage. This is especially true mid-game, when your abilities' damage over time will bring enemies low enough to trigger Nethertoxin's damage increases.
 * One early point in Corrosive Skin can be highly useful for the magic resistance; 10% damage reduction makes a notable difference to the end result of an enemy nuke combo.
 * As your Poison Attack and Viper Strike slow attack speed as well, apply them to the enemy carry to cripple their damage output.
 * Late-game, Viper can help push by tanking the enemy creep wave; his Corrosive Skin will shrug off most of the damage while simultaneously killing the creeps with speed. Of course, the enemy heroes' position should be taken into account.

Trivia

 * Viper's response "Holy shit, it's me!" is a reference to the movie Top Gun. Gyrocopter makes a similar, yet more accurate response upon meeting him as an ally.


 * The wizard to have summoned Viper was, according to his rivalry lines, Pugna.