Viper
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.
Hero 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.
Compact stat and ability fields shown here were checked against patch 7.41e where this model represents the changed field. Talents and full mechanics remain in the official notes.
Viper abilities
Intensifies Viper's venom, adding an effect to his normal attack that applies a stacking movement speed slow and magic resistance deduction while dealing damage over time. Stacks up to 6 times.
Viper releases a Nethertoxin at the targeted area. Units in that area take an increasing damage over time based on how long they remain in it. Units in it have their attack speed slowed.
Viper exudes an infectious toxin that damages and slows the attack speed of any enemy that damages it in a 1200 radius. The acid exudate also increases Viper's resistance to magic.
Passive
Viper slams into the ground, releasing a Nethertoxin and splattering each enemy in a 500 AoE for 4 seconds with the effect of Corrosive Skin.
Viper slows the targeted enemy unit's movement and attack speed while also disabling their passives and dealing poison damage over time. The slowing effect reduces over the duration of the poison.
Popular items by game phase
OpenDota professional-match aggregate as of Jul 21, 2026, 9:50 PM UTC. Popularity rows are independent phase totals, not a coherent build, sequence, or win-rate advice.
Starting
6 items- 1
Iron Branch194 selections · 29.8% - 2
Circlet157 selections · 24.1% - 3
Tango89 selections · 13.7% - 4
Faerie Fire76 selections · 11.7% - 5
Observer Ward65 selections · 10% - 6
Slippers of Agility18 selections · 2.8%
Early
6 items- 1
Boots of Speed101 selections · 24.2% - 2
Power Treads66 selections · 15.8% - 3
Bracer55 selections · 13.2% - 4
Wraith Band47 selections · 11.2% - 5
Ring of Health29 selections · 6.9% - 6
Null Talisman27 selections · 6.5%
Mid
6 items- 1
Blade of Alacrity118 selections · 16.8% - 2
Staff of Wizardry75 selections · 10.7% - 3
Dragon Lance74 selections · 10.6% - 4
Force Staff60 selections · 8.6% - 5
Hurricane Pike54 selections · 7.7% - 6
Mage Slayer41 selections · 5.8%
Late
6 items- 1
Ultimate Orb46 selections · 14.6% - 2
Black King Bar37 selections · 11.7% - 3
Eye of Skadi21 selections · 6.7% - 4
Manta Style19 selections · 6% - 5Hurricane Pike18 selections · 5.7%
- 6
Hyperstone17 selections · 5.4%
More heroes to explore
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Viper — frequently asked
What are Viper's abilities in Dota 2?
Viper's abilities are Poison Attack, Nethertoxin, Corrosive Skin, Nosedive, Viper Strike. It is a Agility ranged hero played as Carry, Durable, Initiator.
What is Viper's primary attribute?
Viper is a Agility hero, starting with 21 strength (+2.4/lvl), 21 agility (+2.9/lvl) and 17 intelligence (+2/lvl), and a base move speed of 275.
What do the popular Viper item phases mean?
The saved OpenDota aggregate is dated 2026-07-22. The phase lists summarize professional-match item popularity; they are not one coherent build, a recommended sequence, or win-rate advice.