Posted 10-14-2011 at 11:00 PM byparawarrior Updated 10-15-2011 at 06:52 AM byparawarrior
Show Huge and detailed guide on Viper.
Viperidae
A Detailed Guide on Viper
~parawarrior
Contents
1. Hero Info
2. Strengths and Weaknesses
3. Possible Roles
4. Skills
5. Skill Build
6. Items and Builds
- Early game items
- Core items
- Boot choices
- Mid game items
- Luxuries
- Situational items
- Rejected items
7. Hero Tactics
- Early Game Phase
- Mid Game Phase
- Late Game Phase
8. Game Tactics
- How to harass
- How to stay alive
9. Good Allies and Worst enemies
10. Extras
Hero Info
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.
A malicious Drake tamed by the Lich King himself, Viper is a fierce, acid-spitting beast whose speed and agility surprises the most hardened of warriors. Cursing himself into a maddened rage, Viper charges into battle without regard of his own safety. His salivary glands produce stinging poison that causes enemies to writhe in pain, severely damaging their nerves. Be careful when facing this powerful monster...its dark silhouette may be the last thing you will ever see.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Viper is a very versatile hero that can play many roles in a game depending on the team picks. Viper's role can vary from late game carry to a roaming chaser. His spells are one of the most fearsome ones in dota. This section will talk a little about his strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths
^ Strong early and mid game. Can be a fearsome carry late game also.
^ Skills scale well into the late game.
^ Natural farming capacity due to dps from Nethertoxin.
^ Can chase and kill easily due to slow from orb.
^ Amazing harassing capacity and lane-control - One of the best.
/\ Item independent for most of the game to some extent.
Weaknesses
v Horrible base Movement speed.
v Low HP makes him get killed easily in ganks.
v No Escape Mechanism.
Possible Roles
1. Early-Mid Dps carry
With excellent dps due to nethertoxin and an amazing slowing orb, Viper shines in the early-mid game as a carry and heavy dps dealer.
2. Farming Late game carry
Cannot out-carry hard carries like void but is still a good choice in some competitive games as a late game carry as he need to farm only a few items to deal heavy amounts of dps.
3. Ganker and Chaser
His slowing and damaging orb coupled with the damage and slow from his ulti can take out almost anyone early-mid game. He can be a good Ganker and Chaser in some games where there is no lack of carries/semi-carries.
4. Pusher
Viper has a solid lane control because of his harassing capability with his orb. He can play in a pushing game perfectly as well.
5. Babysitter
Carries in lane can be protected by his slow thus helping them to kill/run from the enemy.
Skills
Poison Attack
Poison attack is Viper's orb and his main way of slowing and killing enemy heroes. This skill slows units by a whooping 40% at level 4.
Nethertoxin
This skill is what makes viper an awesome early-mid dps carry and also a good late game carry. This skill adds damage to his attack passively for every 20% HP missing dealing a massive 128 Damage at level 4. This skill also works on buildings making them easier to take down the less HP they have.
Corrosive Skin
This skill passively adds Magic Resistance and slows and damages enemies down when they try to hit viper giving him a chance to escape. An average skill but the 25% Magic resistance and the 25% slow becomes noticeable only at level 4.
Viper Strike
Viper's signature move or ultimate. Deals damage and slows down enemies to a great extent. Excellent skill to chase and kill down escaping heroes. Very spamable and dangerous with an Aghanims upgrade.
General:
Poison attack is skilled for early Dps and harassing enemy heroes in lane. Nethertoxin is skilled next to add to your damage output and to last hit creeps easily. Viper Strike is skilled whenever available. Corrosive Skin is skilled after that and stats are taken at the end.
Variations:
Stats can be taken in place to Corrosive skin if playing as a late-game carry. Corrosive skin and Nethertoxin can be alternated early if the enemy team has chasers and nukers.
Items and Builds
Early Game Items
(Cost: 596)
Provides good stats for early last hits and ample healing consumables. Immediately upgrade the two slippers to a Poor Mans Shield and the Branches to a Magic Wand.
If you are playing as a Babysitter to a carry in lane you might as well go for this build.
(Cost: 569)
A quick courier helps you carry farm in lane for long periods of time while you protect him from harm with some boost to your HP and with healing items. A clarity is bought in case you decide to harass too much for keeping enemy heroes at bay and need mana to continue doing so.
Core Items
Wraith Bands help you get more last hits and increase your damage while giving a slight boost to other stats as well. If the opponent team has lots of spammers/nukers swap your wraith bands for bracers.
Rush this for obvious reasons. You need to move quicker.
If you will be playing Viper as a Ganker and Chaser then this item is a must. It will allow you to turn enemy spells in ganks into much-required burst HP and mana heal. Sell this once you hit level 10~11 for better items.
This item helps you upgrade your slippers into something useful. PMS gives you damage block which is quite noticeable early game. Sell this also at level 10~11 for better items.
Playing as a ganker? As you gank and kill, this item will give you free heals. Along with the heals it allows you to use it on enemies to damage them, some HP through strength and quite a bit of mana regeneration. The mana regeneration is useful since while ganking you will keep running out of mana.
Ring of Basilius is a good item for Viper if you are facing mana-problems early game. The bonus armor and armor aura will help you and your carry if you are babysitting.
If you want to Rune-whore and use them to kill, go for it after you farm either a wand or a PMS.
Goes without saying. Carry a TP on you always. A TP can save you from ganks, help you change lanes and farm better and defend lanes that are being pushed.
Boot Choices
An awesome choice for viper most of the time or played as a carry. Viper has below average movement speed but you have slows to cover it up. The attack speed and the stats help very much in increasing your Dps as nethertoxin will be activated more number of times.
A Viable choice on Viper when playing as a Ganker and Chaser. The Phase ability helps you cut through creeps like a ghost and increases movement speed allowing you to escape some situations and also to chase since your movement speed is below average.
Don't get this early on as it is very costly. The money will be well spent on other things, mainly to cover up his weaknesses. Sell your Power Treads/Phase Boots Late-game when pushing and winning is more important than farming and chasing.
NO. Viper does not need so much mana. If you have mana problems just get a Sobi mask and upgrade it to a Urn or get a bottle and rune-whore. The energy booster is a waste of money anyways.
Mid Game Items
Yasha gives a nice boost to your Movement speed, Attack speed and gives your agility. Can be upgraded to a Manta or a Sange and Yasha later on.
Gives you a much-needed escape mechanism and chasing power. Also increases your Dps a little bit and gives you damage as well. Easily countered by wards/dust/gem though. Well-suited for Pubs.
Go for this if your team is pushing well and you have more than enough farm. Gives you a nice Crit and damage but no stats. Can be upgraded to a buriza later on.
This covers up Viper's weakness to spells. Gives little HP and damage along with spell immunity that can change the tide of battle. Get this if you are dying too often due to nukes and spells.
Luxuries
Since this is no longer an orb, get this if you are not farming too well. You can build this item from scraps. This gives a little of everything you need. Strength for tanking, Movement speed for chasing and running, Attack speed and damage, and Miam. Not suited for most games though as there are many better items for Viper.
Get this if you are farming too well and got a Crystalys mid game. Increases your Dps by a massive amount and gives you neat little red flying numbers.
A Better upgrade to yasha than a S&Y. Even if it was nerfed for ranged heroes, Manta style is still a tempting choice. Gives much needed stats and illusions to create confusion and also to increase your damage output.
The best item for agility heroes. Gives your neat evasion increasing your EHP, Attack speed and Damage. A must on viper in all games.
Gives you massive amounts of damage. Get this if the opponent carry is a Mortred or a carry with a butterfly.
Great Armor and Attack speed bonus. Coupled with a Damage item turns viper into a fearsome foe.
If you are getting nuked to death or need to tank a little, get this item. Gives good passive regen even if it is nerfed and huge amounts of HP.
A Definite choice on a ganking and chasing Viper. Drops the cooldown of your ulti to 12 seconds making it very spammable. It also increases the cast range and decreases the mana cost of your ulti. This item also provides good stats, HP and mana.
Synergy with a chasing Viper. The Silence is useful. This item is also great to use on enemy tanks because if amplifies your huge Dps by 20% as well. The attack speed is also a good addition.
An interesting item on Viper that you should consider. If gives you one of the best disables in the game along with massive mana regeneration allowing you to auto-cast your orb and keep it that way. Get this if you have a good farm and there is a better carry in your team.
Situational Items
Lots of casters and heroes with targeted disables in the opponent team? Get this without thinking further. You need to survive past that one hex to unload your Dps.
A quick Vanguard can help you tank a little in ganks and to tower dive if you like to chase. Get this item before 15~17 Minutes or it will lose its effectiveness.
Reduces magic damage to a considerable extent. Get this if you need to stay alive and take those intelligence nukers down.
Having troubles with enemy carries? This item will turn their Dps against them. Works great against spells also.
Rejected Items
It may be a tempting choice to go for lifesteal but Viper's Orb is too good to throw away even in the late game. Avoid them and get other items for survivability.
No to all orb effects. Viper can be very effective without all of them and as said earlier, your orb is too precious to throw away.
There are better items to tank and you do not need so much mana. The charges might seem a good deal but there are better items worth the same price.
Not a jungler. Will delay your core.
Gives you only pure damage and immolation. Even though it looks like a good item, take a look at its cost. Gives you nothing to overcome your negatives. No HP, No stats and very costly.
Hero Tactics
Early Game Phase
1. Start by choosing a lane. If your team depends on you for carrying go for the mid lane. If your team has a better soloer go to the side lanes. If there is a carry that needs babysitting, go with him. You will do well where ever you go.
2. Take as many last hits as possible while giving away many to your carry. Keep the enemies farm from their creeps by throwing in an orb whenever possible. Look out for early ganks. Make sure your lane is well warded.
3. Remember to keep harassing the enemy and keep their HP at about half. If you get a chance to kill go ahead and dive for it.
4. Harassing with your orb will not attract creeps and so you can stay safe. Do not be greedy for kills as early deaths can mess up your farm.
Mid Game Phase
1. If you are playing as a late game carry, look for an empty lane to farm.
2. Keep a Scroll of Teleportation with you and move to a lane where you can sense free farm. Keep changing lanes and you should be safe.
3. If you are playing as a ganker this is the time where you shine. Get a few items for survivability, pair of boots and you are good to gank.
4. Look for lanes where there are fragile intelligence heroes. Its best to have an ally who can disable with you. Roam throughout the map, gank and farm whenever you can.
Late Game Phase
1. Get your luxuries and situational items depending upon the situation of the game and look out for heroes in the opponents jungle. You will be able to take out weaker heroes and enemy supports if you find them alone.
2. In ganks, send your tank in and throw orbs and ulti from behind. Chase if necessary. Keep some cash for a buy-back if you die and need to defend your base.
3. If the game is going well sell you treads for a BoT and push a lane while the others in your team push another lane.
4. With the help of your tank take out roshan to ensure your victory.
Game Tactics
How to harass
1. Harassing is a vital technique to any Viper player whatever his role maybe.
2. To Harass effectively you need to know how to orb walk. This video is a short tutorial on how to orb walk.
3. The major thing to remember is the harassing pattern for viper. Initially in lane you orb will have a cool down until you hit level 5. So what you do is Orb the enemy first then take out the creep wave, Orb again and hit the enemy this time. Keep doing this repeatedly in lane to keep their HP at about half. If you harass them too much they will call for a backup or a gank. Be aware and make sure your support wards important paths to your lane.
Posted 10-12-2011 at 02:18 PM byparawarrior Updated 10-13-2011 at 07:36 PM byparawarrior
Show Huge and Interesting Guide:
603 Shopping Guide
-by parawarrior
This guide is aimed at giving you the best deal for your starting cash considering you did not -random.
In DotA you get 603 gold in the starting. In that gold you can buy one or many of these listed items. Builds will be discussed after that.
How to use this guide
1. Find the right section by choosing one category of builds
2. Read the Recipe
3. Look at the Cost effectiveness, Upgrade-ability and requirements
4. Check the spoiler for more info on what the build gives you
Support Items/Other items: Animal Courier Flying Courier Observer wards Ring of Basilius Headdress of Rejuvanation Quelling Blade (Must always be bought at the side shop or by the courier)
Stat Boosting Items: Ironwood Branch Circlet of Nobility Slippers of Agility Gauntlets of Strength Mantle of Intelligence
Slow Regeneration Items: Ring of Regen Sobi Mask
Other Items you can buy but should never get at the beginning: Bottle Wraith Band Bracer Null Talisman Boots of Elvenskin Belt of Giant Strength Robe of Magi Blades of Attack Boots of speed Gloves of Haste Chainmail Orb of Venom
Builds
Remember, these builds are suggestions only and there may be more possibilities but you will find your requirements met in these builds.
Builds are classified into 4 types:
1. Stat Boosting Builds
2. Protective Builds
3. Regen Builds
4. Support Builds
Stat Boosting Builds 1.With one tango:
1A. Stat Rounded Build
2 x
2 x
1 x
Cost: 566
You should go for this build if you have a babysitter in the lane and need some of everything i.e. HP, damage and mana. Upgrade able.
Gives +6 to all stats
1B. Stat Specific Build
2 x //
3 x
1 x
Cost: 584
You should go for this build if you have a babysitter in the lane and need more of damage or more of a single stat for better survival/last hits. Great Upgrade able build.
Gives +3 to all stats and +6 to an additional stat
1C. Mixed Build
1 x //
1 x
3 x
1 x
Cost: 584
This build gives you some stats but still focusing on one stat. Get this when you have a babysitter in lane and want rounded stats. Great Upgrade able build.
Gives +5 to all stats and +3 to an additional stat
2. With 2 tangos/2 salves
2A. Stat Rounded Build
1 x
2 x / 2 x
4 x
Cost: 577/597
Stat rounded build for farming carries that do not use spells early on. This build will give you healing and rounded stats for farming. Cannot be upgraded usefully though.
Gives +6 to all stats.
2B. Stat Specific Build
2 x //
2 x / 2 x
1 x
Cost: 533/553
Stat Specific Build for getting HP/Damage early game with ample healing items. Should be gotten for carries in a tri-lane.
Gives +1 to all stats and +6 to an additional stat
3. With one tango and one salve
3A. Stat Rounded Build
1 x
1 x
1 x
3 x
Cost: 534
Only useful against high harassment lanes. Not cost effective, but upgrade able.
Gives +5 to all stats
3B. Stat Specific Build
1 x
1 x
2 x //
2 x
Cost: 596
The Best Deal in town. Highly recommended build for all kinds of heroes and all kinds of lanes. More stats and healing lets you last long in a lane. Not efficiently upgrade able though.
Gives +2 to all stats and +6 to an additional stat
4. Complete Mana/Health Healing Builds
4A. Stat Rounded Build
1 x
1 x
2 x
1 x
2 x
Cost: 581
Best rounded healing/mana build for you. Provides some for of regen for mana and hp and some rounded stats.
Gives +4 to all stats
4B. Stat Specific Build
1 x
1 x
1 x
2 x //
Cost: 590
Highly cost effective. Gives only one stat and plenty regen.
Gives +6 to an additional stat
Protective Builds 1. Stat Specific Builds
1A. Build 1
1 x
1 x //
1 x
2 x
Cost: 596
Cost Effective, Gives stats and some healing.
Gives +2 to all stats, +3 to an additional stat and damage block
1B. Build 2
1 x
1 x
1 x //
3 x
Cost: 574
Neat build involving an upgrade able Ring of Protection and nice stats.
Gives +3 to all stats, +3 to an additional stat and +2 Armor
2. Misc Builds
2A. Build 1
2 x
1 x
1 x
3 x
Cost: 599
Cost effective build, gives some mana regen along with stats and healing.
Gives +3 to all stats and damage block
Regen Builds
1. Build 1
1 x
1 x
3 x
Cost: 599
Cost effective, should be bought when going for mech/hood + wand/vlads + wand etc. Gives passive and slow hp regen along with some stats and a tango. Perfect for medium harassment lanes and tanky hero.
Gives +3 to all stats and +2 HP/Sec Regeneration
2. Build 2
1 x
1 x
3 x
Cost: 574
Good build for mana regen. Gives some stats but mainly focused on dealing early mana regen problems. Should be immediately upgraded to RoB and a Wand. Decent situational build for a tri-lane kunkka, sven and the likes.
Gives +3 to all stats and 50% Mana Regeneration
Support Builds
High Risk builds aimed at protecting and babysitting the carry in lane. These involve a or a
Other support builds involve any combination of the following:
www.dota2.tk is a dota 2 website containing lots of stuff:
- News and Updates
- Latest patch changelogs
- Hero Videos from media partners
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- Hero Spells and Details
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Poison Attack
Nethertoxin
Corrosive Skin
Viper Strike
Healing Salve 
Tango
Clarity Potion
Magic Stick
Magic Wand
Animal Courier
Flying Courier
Observer wards
Ring of Basilius
Headdress of Rejuvanation
Quelling Blade (Must always be bought at the side shop or by the courier)
Ironwood Branch
Circlet of Nobility
Slippers of Agility
Gauntlets of Strength
Mantle of Intelligence
Ring of Regen
Sobi Mask
Bottle
Wraith Band
Bracer
Null Talisman
Boots of Elvenskin
Belt of Giant Strength
Robe of Magi
Blades of Attack
Boots of speed
Gloves of Haste
Chainmail
Orb of Venom
