Only one hero in Dota brings a unique brand of venomous destruction to the fray. Viper has an insatiable appetite for destruction. With his potent venomous attacks, he is capable of delivering devastating damage to his enemies, leaving them poisoned and helpless in his wake. His incredible capacity to deal damage and fight and his ability to slow and disable his opponents make him a feared hero. But to truly unleash his full potential, a skilled player must master his various skill and item builds, utilizing them to their fullest to dominate the game and emerge victorious. Viper is a hero that demands respect on the battlefield.

Viper has various skill and item builds, but not all of them allow you to ensue chaos on the battlefield.To help you climb MMR with this vicious venom monger, we bring you the Best 5 Viper Builds that will help you win games. These builds contain the best skill allocation and the best items that help you in dominating your games with him.

5. Topson Build

It is no doubt that Topson is one of the best mid-players in the game. His determination and grit was the major reason behind OG winning back-to-back Tis. Topson regards Viper as one of his favorites due to the damage he can dish out on him quite early on in the game. He is known for his unorthodox builds and playstyles. His sheer skill and game sense ensures he triumphs even with the strangest builds. Even when this hero was nerfed into oblivion, Topson made him look viable and very much relevant. His exceptional farming style and aggressive demeanor ensure there is no stone left unturned when it comes to winning the lane.

Topson rotates as early as he can with this Viper build. He ensures that all his lanes are secured and no one is lagging in terms of levels or farm. He goes for items that help him disrupt the fight and save his allies if need be. Topson makes the game look like a cakewalk with his poisonous damage. He prioritizes farming and damage items, which allow him to beat multiple enemies down at once and carry the team quite effortlessly. This is a highly suitable build for an aggressive mid-player. Topson nails this build well Viper as a hero suits his general gameplay.

Use This Build If:

• You want an extremely reliable mid-build prioritized for the late game
• You want to deal extreme magical damage as a mid-Viper
• You want to be involved in more skirmishes from the early game

Skill Points

Level 1: Poison Attack: Causes Viper’s attacks to deal damage over time while slowing movement speed and lowering magic resistance. The effects are amplified with each stack. It is an ideal level 1 spell which makes Viper deal high damage from the get-go.

Level 2: Corrosive Skin: Viper deals damage and slows enemies who attack him. The attack stacks and causes Viper to have increased magic resistance. 

Level 3: Poison Attack

Level 4: Corrosive Skin

Level 5: Poison Attack

Level 6: Nethertoxin: Releases a Nethertoxin in the targeted area, causing the units in it to get slowed and take damage based on how long they are inside it. It also applies break, causing the passive abilities of enemies to get disabled under its duration. It is a highly ideal early-game spell if you are facing heroes with strong passives.

Level 7: Nethertoxin

Level 8: Nethertoxin

Level 9: Viper Strike: Causes the targeted enemy to have slow attack and movement speed while taking immense damage over time. It may sound like an underwhelming ultimate ability, but it is a powerful tool that eviscerates enemies if combined with Viper’s other abilities.

Level 10: Poison Attack

Level 11: Corrosive Skin

Level 12: Corrosive Skin

Level 13: +18 Corrosive Skin damage per second

Level 14: Nethertoxin

Level 15: +15% Corrosive Skin magic resistance 

Level 16: Viper Strike

Level 17: Stats

Level 18: Viper Strike

Level 19: Stats

Level 20: +25% Poison Attack damage slow

Level 25:-11s Nethertoxin cooldown

Items to buy for this build (Early to Late Game)

• Tango (90 Gold) - Provides health regen if used on a tree. It's the cheapest yet the most convenient way of healing up in the early stages of the game when you are playing in the side lanes. Regardless of the hero you play, Tangoes are a core item. 
• Faerie Fire (70 Gold) - Instantly restores 85 health upon usage. It also passively grants 2 damage per instance. It is an effective item if you’re playing in the mid lane, or just want extra damage and sustain in the side lanes.
• 3x Iron Branch (50 Gold) - Grants +1 of all attributes per branch. It provides decent sustain in the early game. The branch can be also planted to block paths for enemies or to deceive them under the fog. 
• Observer Ward - Grants vision of an area in an AoE upon the plant. The ward is stationary and can be destroyed by enemies if they purchase a sentry ward. It is a beneficial item in the mid-lane for Viper as it provides him with the vision to see any incoming ganks or to secure the runes in the early game.
• Bottle (675 Gold) - Purchased at 1 minute. The bottle is an essential item on a mid-hero. Regardless of the hero you play, Bottle keeps you sustained through the laning phase by replenishing your mana and HP. It also ensures you store power runes for later instead of immediately using them. As Viper is played in the mid-lane in this matchup by Topson, a Bottle always comes in handy. 
• Wraith Band (505 Gold) - Bought at 2 minutes. Provides increased attributes, armor, and attack speed. The bonuses are doubled after 25 minutes. It is a staple item on Viper, as it is built for the increased durability and farming potential that it offers in this matchup.
• Boots of Speed (500 Gold) - Purchased at 4 minutes. Provides +45 movement speed to Viper. It is ideal for all heroes as you can purchase upgraded boots with it. 
• Magic Wand (450 Gold) -  Bought at 5 minutes. It gains a charge every time an enemy uses a spell in an AoE. It can store up to 20 charges, with each charge healing you up to 15 HP and mana. It is an ideal starting item as it allows Viper to sustain himself in the lane if he faces spellcasting heroes.
• Wind Lace (250 Gold) - Purchased at 5 minutes. Provides +20 movement speed. It is a decent early-game item providing Viper with the much-needed movement speed that he lacks early on
• Boots of Travel (2500 Gold) - Purchased at 9 minutes. Allows Viper to teleport on allied creeps and his allies, making him a great global presence in a teamfight. Purchasing this item grants the dino with extreme mobility, making him highly active and providing him with increased global potential. He can push lanes and join his allies in a teamfight anytime he wants.
• Aghanim’s Scepter (4200 Gold) - Purchased at 17 minutes. Grants the Nosedive ability. Upon usage, Viper slams into the ground, disarming each enemy in a 500 AoE for 2 seconds and splattering everyone in a 1200 AoE with the effect of Corrosive Skin. The upgrade also causes Corrosive Skin to apply 2x the damage and attack speed slow to enemies that are within 500 distance of Viper.
• Yasha (2050 Gold) - Bought at 21 minutes. Provides increased agility, attack, and movement speed. Viper benefits highly from this increased agility and attack speed. This item can further be upgraded into Manta Style.
• Manta Style (4600 Gold) - Bought at 24 minutes. Creates two illusions of Viper on usage, also allowing him to dispel certain spells or dodge if he times it right. It can also be used to split push lanes and farm efficiently. It also provides him with increased stats, agility, and attack damage.
• Bloodstone (4400 Gold) - Purchased at 29 minutes. Upon activation, it increases spell lifesteal by 2.5x while converting the damage dealt under its duration into mana. This ensures Viper does not run out of mana in a teamfight. He highly relies on spellcasting, hence it is ideal that he has enough mana to shell out in a fight.
• Kaya and Sange (4100 Gold) - Purchased at 32 minutes. Provides huge bonuses such as increased stats, status resistance, spell damage amplification, health, and mana amplification. It is an effective item for spellcasting heroes like Viper. Besides, it offers extreme survivability with increased stats, making him durable in a teamfight. This item ensures he never runs out of mana.
• Radiance (5050 Gold) - Purchased at 38 minutes. Deals 60 damage per second in an AoE, while also causing them to miss 15% of their attacks. It also makes enemies miss 15% of their attacks. Radiance is an exceptional item on Viper as it allows him to deal high damage in fights and also farm fast with the help of his items.
• Aghanim’s Shard (1400 Gold) - Purchased at 40 minutes. Increases max stacks, and causes Poison Attack to lower armor per stack and to affect buildings for reduced damage. It is a splendid purchase if you are facing heroes with high armor and high magic resistance, you can break them down effectively with this shard.

Neutral Items

• Pig Pole - Provides +6 of all attributes. Its active turns Viper into a pig, making him unable to use spells or items but increasing his movement speed, which can allow him to escape certain sticky situations.
• Grove Bow - Upon physical attacks by Viper, it makes the targeted enemy take 15% amplified magical damage.
• Paladin Sword - Increases lifesteal, spell lifesteal, regen, and healing by 14%. This allows Viper to sustain his teamfights.
• Stormcrafter - Provides +4 mana regen to Viper, its active allows Viper to cyclone himself for a short duration, causing himself to dispel any negative buffs he may have. Its passive allows Viper to passively zap enemies that hit him, releasing a lightning bolt in their direction, dealing 200 damage and slowing heroes affected by it. 

 

4. ATF Build

Ever since he switched to the carry role, Viper has become one of the favorites of Ammar, as the hero fits his playstyle like a glove. He is an aggressive laner, extremely powerful right off the bat, and stays relevant even in the late game. There are various builds that ATF loves on Viper, but this build here takes the cake for being the most relevant. Though the skill build may appear to be like a normal Viper build, what takes the cake is the item build, which is rather unconventional. ATF is known to prioritize fighting over farming on Viper, his skill build is evidence of that.

Ammar’s build includes team-fighting items such as Black King Bar, Eye of Skadi, Hurricane Pike, and Dragon Lance. These items are extremely hard-hitting and make him deal high physical damage as well as sustain him in the fights with lifesteal as well as magic immunity. As mentioned earlier, most of these items are extremely rare on Viper, ATF does a great job of showing how he can obliterate enemies with the most unorthodox of builds. Viper is essentially used to his full potential by ATF in this highlight video.

Use This Build If:

• You want a self-sustainable build that deals terrific damage in teamfights
• You want to be involved in more skirmishes from the early game
• You want an extremely reliable mid-laner build for the late game

Skill Points

Level 1: Poison Attack: Causes Viper’s attacks to deal damage over time while slowing movement speed and lowering magic resistance. The effects are amplified with each stack. It is an ideal level 1 spell which makes Viper deal high damage from the get-go.

Level 2: Corrosive Skin: Viper deals damage and slows enemies who attack him. The attack stacks and causes Viper to have increased magic resistance. 

Level 3: Poison Attack

Level 4: Poison Attack 

Level 5: Corrosive Skin

Level 6: Viper Strike: Causes the targeted enemy to have slow attack and movement speed while taking immense damage over time. It may sound like an underwhelming ultimate ability, but it is a powerful tool that eviscerates enemies if combined with Viper’s other abilities.

Level 7: Poison Attack 

Level 8: Nethertoxin: Releases a Nethertoxin in the targeted area, causing the units in it to get slowed and take damage based on how long they are inside it. It also applies break, causing the passive abilities of enemies to get disabled under its duration. It is a highly ideal early-game spell if you are facing heroes with strong passives.

Level 9: Nethertoxin

Level 10: Nethertoxin 

Level 11: Corrosive Skin

Level 12: Viper Strike

Level 13: Corrosive Skin    

Level 14: +5 Poison Attack Magic Resistance Reduction

Level 15: +15% Corrosive Skin magic resistance 

Level 16: Nethertoxin 

Level 17: Stats

Level 18: Viper Strike

Level 19: Stats

Level 20: +25% Poison Attack damage slow

Items to buy for this build (Early to Late Game)

• Tango (90 Gold) - Provides health regen if used on a tree. It's the cheapest yet the most convenient way of healing up in the early stages of the game when you are playing in the side lanes. Regardless of the hero you play, Tangoes are a core item. 
• 3x Iron Branch (50 Gold) - Grants +1 of all attributes per branch. It provides decent sustain in the early game. The branch can be also planted to block paths for enemies or to deceive them under the fog. 
• 2x Enchanted Mango (65 Gold) - Grants passive +0.6 health regeneration if not consumed. Upon consumption, it refills 100 mana instantly. Viper lacks in the mana department and having a mango or two in handy can perhaps help him net kills in the early game.
• Circlet (155 Gold) - Grants +2 of all attributes. It helps Viper stay durable through the early game. 
• Wraith Band (505 Gold) - Bought at 0:14. Provides increased attributes, armor, and attack speed. The bonuses are doubled after 25 minutes. It is a staple item on Viper, as it is built for the increased durability and farming potential that it offers in this matchup.
• Magic Wand (450 Gold) - Purchased at 2 minutes. It gains a charge every time an enemy uses a spell in an AoE. It can store up to 20 charges, with each charge healing you up to 15 HP and mana. It is an ideal starting item as it allows Viper to sustain himself in the lane if he faces spellcasting heroes.
• Null Talisman (505 Gold) - Bought at 2 minutes. Provides increased mana and mana regeneration along with increased stats. The bonuses are doubled after 25 minutes. It is a staple item on Viper, as it is built for the increased durability and farming potential that it offers in this matchup.
• Clarity (50 Gold) - Purchased at 2 minutes. Grants 6 mana regeneration for 25 seconds. As Viper loves using mana to secure creeps and kills, this item ensures he sustains his mana throughout the laning phase or even in the late game. 
• Boots of Speed (500 Gold) - Purchased at 4 minutes. Provides +45 movement speed to Viper. It is ideal for all heroes as you can purchase upgraded boots with it. 
• Power Treads (1400 Gold) - Bought at 5 minutes. It provides 45 movement speed and 25 attack speed along with toggleable attributes, which offer everything from increased mana pool to armor and even strength, helping Viper stay durable and sufficient in all game stages.
• Dragon Lance (1900 Gold) - Bought at 9 minutes. It increases the attack range for Viper while increasing his stats, allowing him to deal more damage and increasing his survivability. 
• Eye of Skadi (5300 Gold) -  Bought at 19 minutes. This causes Viper’s attacks to lower enemy attack and movement speed while reducing their health regeneration and lifesteal by 40%. It is an exceptional item if you are facing tanky heroes that regen or lifesteal fast. It also provides huge bonuses such as increased stats, HP, and Mana. 
• Black King Bar (4050 Gold) - Purchased at 27 minutes. Provides magic immunity upon usage, making Viper invulnerable during team fights. It is essential in most matchups as he has low magical resistance.
• Hurricane Pike (4450 Gold) - Purchased at 32 minutes. Dragon Lance can further be upgraded into Hurricane Pike, which allows Viper to force himself and the targeted unit 450 units away from each other while allowing Viper to freely attack them for 5 attacks from that distance if he has the vision. Hurricane Pike is essential for Viper as it helps him escape a messy fight or start one.

Neutral Items

• Possessed Mask - It provides +7 of the primary attribute to Viper while also providing him with lifesteal. It is an exceptional item in the early game for a carry hero.
• Vambrace - It acts as a secondary Power Treads which provides Viper the stats depending upon the attribute he has set it to. It is essential to survive through the early game.

 

3. Qojva Build

Qojva is one of the most-watched Dota streamers and pro players. His highly skilled playstyle laced with a pinch of humor is entertaining for his fans all around the world. He loves playing a variety of heroes, but Viper remains one of his go-to heroes when in doubt. The hero is highly underrated but is a punishing force if in the right hands. Qojva builds a mixture of items that allow him to act both defensively and offensively, meaning there is a balance in his playstyle. Pay attention to his impressive map awareness and early game laning skills on this venomous serpent.

He is a team player who often changes items and skill builds, depending on the matchup he is facing. The mix of the right offensive and defensive items make sure that there is no stone left unturned when it comes to winning a teamfight as an offlane Viper. This build has all the goodies, including items that help you sustain the early game and late-game items like Aghanim’s Scepter and Bloodstone. This is a highly suitable build for an offlane utility Viper. This build can be changed slightly to accommodate a few more utility items.

Use This Build If:

• If you want a self-sustainable build that helps you deal damage while also making you tanky at the same time
• You want an extremely reliable carry build for the late game
• If you want a utility build that can help save you and your allies in a teamfight
• You want a front-lining build that allows you to stand your ground against multiple enemies

Skill Points

Level 1: Poison Attack: Causes Viper’s attacks to deal damage over time while slowing movement speed and lowering magic resistance. The effects are amplified with each stack. It is an ideal level 1 spell which makes Viper deal high damage from the get-go.

Level 2: Corrosive Skin: Viper deals damage and slows enemies who attack him. The attack stacks and causes Viper to have increased magic resistance. 

Level 3: Poison Attack

Level 4: Poison Attack 

Level 5: Corrosive Skin

Level 6: Viper Strike: Causes the targeted enemy to have slow attack and movement speed while taking immense damage over time. It may sound like an underwhelming ultimate ability, but it is a powerful tool that eviscerates enemies if combined with Viper’s other abilities.

Level 7: Poison Attack 

Level 8: Nethertoxin: Releases a Nethertoxin in the targeted area, causing the units in it to get slowed and take damage based on how long they are inside it. It also applies break, causing the passive abilities of enemies to get disabled under its duration. It is a highly ideal early-game spell if you are facing heroes with strong passives.

Level 9: Nethertoxin

Level 10: Nethertoxin 

Level 11: Corrosive Skin

Level 12: Viper Strike

Level 13: Corrosive Skin    

Level 14: +5 Poison Attack Magic Resistance Reduction

Level 15: +15% Corrosive Skin magic resistance 

Level 16: Nethertoxin 

Level 17: Stats

Level 18: Viper Strike

Level 19: Stats

Level 20: +25% Poison Attack damage slow

Level 25:-11s Nethertoxin cooldown

Items to buy for this build (Early to Late Game)

• Tango (90 Gold) - Provides health regen if used on a tree. It's the cheapest yet the most convenient way of healing up in the early stages of the game when you are playing in the side lanes. Regardless of the hero you play, Tangoes are a core item. 
• 3x Enchanted Mango (65 Gold) - Grants passive +0.6 health regeneration if not consumed. Upon consumption, it refills 100 mana instantly. Viper lacks in the mana department and having a mango or two in handy can perhaps help him net kills in the early game.
• Slippers of Agility (140 Gold) - Grants +3 Agility. It is a usual early item on Viper, as he lacks the early game attack speed and stats which is hence fulfilled by this item.
• Circlet (155 Gold) - Grants +2 of all attributes. It helps Viper stay durable through the early game. 
• Wraith Band (505 Gold) - Bought at 1 minute. Provides increased attributes, armor, and attack speed. The bonuses are doubled after 25 minutes. It is a staple item on Viper, as it is built for the increased durability and farming potential that it offers in this matchup.
• Magic Wand (450 Gold) - Purchased at 2 minutes. It gains a charge every time an enemy uses a spell in an AoE. It can store up to 20 charges, with each charge healing you up to 15 HP and mana. It is an ideal starting item as it allows Viper to sustain himself in the lane if he faces spellcasting heroes.
• Boots of Speed (500 Gold) - Purchased at 4 minutes. Provides +45 movement speed to Viper. It is ideal for all heroes as you can purchase upgraded boots with it. 
• Arcane Boots (1300 Gold) - Purchased in 7 minutes. Arcane Boots are an essential item for Viper as It provides him with mana regen and sustains him through teamfight along with the increase in movement speed. It can be disassembled as well, allowing you to build different items with it later on in the game. 
• Infused Raindrops (225 Gold) - Purchased at 7 minutes. Passively provides +0.8 Mana Regeneration while consuming a charge to block 120 incoming magic damage from instances over 75 damage. It comes with 6 charges, helping Viper fare well against heroes with high magic damage output.
• Cloak (500 Gold) - Bought at 10 minutes. Provides +15% magic resistance. It is an effective way of reducing magic damage dealt to Viper, helping him stay durable in the early game. It can further be upgraded into Hood of Defiance. 
• Aghanim’s Scepter (4200 Gold) - Purchased at 20 minutes. Grants the Nosedive ability. Upon usage, Viper slams into the ground, disarming each enemy in a 500 AoE for 2 seconds and splattering everyone in a 1200 AoE with the effect of Corrosive Skin. The upgrade also causes Corrosive Skin to apply 2x the damage and attack speed slow to enemies that are within 500 distance of Viper.
• Hood of Defiance (1500 Gold) - Purchased at 21 minutes. The Hood is the first defensive item that people often purchase on Viper, as it provides increased magic resistance. Upon activation, it can absorb up to 350 magic damage, making it an ideal purchase against heroes with high magic damage. 
• Bloodstone (4400 Gold) - Purchased at 26 minutes. Upon activation, it increases spell lifesteal by 2.5x while converting the damage dealt under its duration into mana. This ensures Viper does not run out of mana in a teamfight. He highly relies on spellcasting, hence it is ideal that he has enough mana to shell out in a fight.
• Aghanim’s Shard (1400 Gold) - Purchased at 29 minutes. Increases max stacks, and causes Poison Attack to lower armor per stack and to affect buildings for reduced damage. It is a splendid purchase if you are facing heroes with high armor and high magic resistance, you can break them down effectively with this shard.
• Boots of Travel (2500 Gold) - Purchased at 31 minutes. Allows Viper to teleport on allied creeps and his allies, making him a great global presence in a teamfight. Purchasing this item grants the dino with extreme mobility, making him highly active and providing him with increased global potential. He can push lanes and join his allies in a teamfight anytime he wants. 
• Yasha (2050 Gold) - Bought at 34 minutes. Provides increased agility, attack, and movement speed. Viper benefits highly from this increased agility and attack speed. This item can further be upgraded into Manta Style.
• Manta Style (4600 Gold) - Bought at 36 minutes. Creates two illusions of Viper on usage, also allowing him to dispel certain spells or dodge if he times it right. It can also be used to split push lanes and farm efficiently. It also provides him with increased stats, agility, and attack damage.

Neutral Items

• Lance of Pursuit - Attacking from behind slows the enemies by 12% (6% for Viper as he is ranged) and 15 more damage to them. It is an ideal item if you are facing heroes that are very fast right from the early game.
• Specialist’s Array - Increases Viper attributes while also providing him with increased attack damage. Viper is helpful to make core Windranger an essential team fighter.
• Grove Bow - Upon physical attacks by Viper, it makes the targeted enemy take 15% amplified magical damage.

 

2. Collapse Build

Before Ti10, Collapse was an unknown player, just a pub star with high potential. His true potential was unleashed on the main stage of the International 10 where he shook the whole world with his exceptional plays. Viper is one of his most played heroes, as he is known to excel on the high ticket crowd control heroes.  When he gets his hands on Viper, there is no way the enemies will have a good time. Collapse is a team player, hence you will often see him buy utility items on Viper, but the current meta demands an extremely high-tempo build that does not falter in the late game, hence you see a mixture of items. 

Collapse has adapted to the new meta and he prefers to build team fight items that assist his team in defeating the foes. The build includes some obvious items like Aghanim’s Scepter and Shvia’s Guard which most people build, but most people can not compete or get on the same level as Collapse when it boils down to the raw mechanical skill he can display on Viper. His impressive plays of high magnitude make him worthy of a high spot on the list.

Use This Build If:

• You want a teamfight-oriented build that is relevant in the late game
• You are facing squishy, mobile, or spellcaster heroes
• You want to participate in teamfights right from the get-go
• If you want an item build that is highly powerful right from the laning phase

Skill Points

Level 1: Poison Attack: Causes Viper’s attacks to deal damage over time while slowing movement speed and lowering magic resistance. The effects are amplified with each stack. It is an ideal level 1 spell which makes Viper deal high damage from the get-go.

Level 2: Corrosive Skin: Viper deals damage and slows enemies who attack him. The attack stacks and causes Viper to have increased magic resistance. 

Level 3: Poison Attack

Level 4: Nethertoxin: Releases a Nethertoxin in the targeted area, causing the units in it to get slowed and take damage based on how long they are inside it. It also applies break, causing the passive abilities of enemies to get disabled under its duration. It is a highly ideal early-game spell if you are facing heroes with strong passives.

Level 5: Poison Attack

Level 6: Viper Strike: Causes the targeted enemy to have slow attack and movement speed while taking immense damage over time. It may sound like an underwhelming ultimate ability, but it is a powerful tool that eviscerates enemies if combined with Viper’s other abilities.

Level 7: Corrosive Skin

Level 8: Corrosive Skin

Level 9: Corrosive Skin

Level 10: +18% Corrosive Skin damage per second

Level 11: Nethertoxin

Level 12: Viper Strike

Level 13: Nethertoxin   

Level 14: Nethertoxin  

Level 15: +15% Corrosive Skin magic resistance 

Level 16: Poison Attack

Level 17: Stats

Level 18: Viper Strike

Level 19: Stats

Level 20: +80 Viper Strike DPS

Level 25:-11s Nethertoxin cooldown

Items to buy for this build (Early to Late Game)

• Enchanted Mango (65 Gold) - Grants passive +0.6 health regeneration if not consumed. Upon consumption, it refills 100 mana instantly. Viper lacks in the mana department and having a mango or two in handy can perhaps help him net kills in the early game.
• Slippers of Agility (140 Gold) - Grants +3 Agility. It is a usual early item on Viper, as he lacks the early game attack speed and stats which is hence fulfilled by this item.
• 2x Circlet (155 Gold) - Grants +2 of all attributes. It helps Viper stay durable through the early game. 
• Tango (90 Gold) - Bought at 0:06. Provides health regen if used on a tree. It's the cheapest yet the most convenient way of healing up in the early stages of the game when you are playing in the side lanes. Regardless of the hero you play, Tangoes are a core item. 
• 2x Wraith Band (505 Gold) - Bought at 1 minute and 3 minutes. Provides increased attributes, armor, and attack speed. The bonuses are doubled after 25 minutes. It is a staple item on Viper, as it is built for the increased durability and farming potential that it offers in this matchup.
• Magic Stick (200 Gold) - Purchased at 2 minutes. Gains a charge each time an enemy uses a spell around you. Each direction grants 15 HP and mana and can have up to 10 charges. It is a perfect item in the laning stage if you face heroes who cast spells frequently.
• Boots of Speed (500 Gold) - Purchased at 5 minutes. Provides +45 movement speed to Viper. It is ideal for all heroes as you can purchase upgraded boots with it. 
• Power Treads (1400 Gold) - Bought at 5 minutes. It provides 45 movement speed and 25 attack speed along with toggleable attributes, which offer everything from increased mana pool to armor and even strength, helping Viper stay durable and sufficient in all game stages.
• Infused Raindrops (225 Gold) - Purchased at 6 minutes. Passively provides +0.8 Mana Regeneration while consuming a charge to block 120 incoming magic damage from instances over 75 damage. It comes with 6 charges, helping Viper fare well against heroes with high magic damage output.
• Aghanim’s Scepter (4200 Gold) - Purchased at 12 minutes. Grants the Nosedive ability. Upon usage, Viper slams into the ground, disarming each enemy in a 500 AoE for 2 seconds and splattering everyone in a 1200 AoE with the effect of Corrosive Skin. The upgrade also causes Corrosive Skin to apply 2x the damage and attack speed slow to enemies that are within 500 distance of Viper.
• Voodoo Mask (700 Gold) - Purchased at 15 minutes. Provides 10% spell lifesteal, it can further be upgraded into Eternal Shroud or Bloodstone, depending upon the heroes Viper is facing.
• Yasha (2050 Gold) - Bought at 17 minutes. Provides increased agility, attack, and movement speed. Viper benefits highly from this increased agility and attack speed. This item can further be upgraded into Manta Style.
• Manta Style (4600 Gold) - Bought at 24 minutes. Creates two illusions of Viper on usage, also allowing him to dispel certain spells or dodge if he times it right. It can also be used to split push lanes and farm efficiently. It also provides him with increased stats, agility, and attack damage.
• Eternal Shroud (3300 Gold) - Bought at 27 minutes. Upon usage, it creates a spell shield that lasts for 12 seconds and can absorb up to 400 mana. It also converts the damage dealt into mana, providing immense sustain to Viper, allowing him to frontline and spam his spells without worrying about running out of mana.
• Shiva’s Guard (4850 Gold) - Purchased at 34 minutes. Upon usage, it emits a freezing wave that deals 200 damage and slows the enemy for 40% of their movement speed. This slow is impressive and lasts for 4 seconds. The increased armor and survivability ensure Viper stays durable in fights while reducing enemy healing in an AoE.
• Blink Dagger (2250 Gold) - Purchased at 36 minutes. Blink Dagger is a core item on Viper, as it allows him to initiate a teamfight, or chase enemies with it. It can also be upgraded into Overwhelming or Swift Blink. This allows him to the frontline and initiates a fight. 

Neutral Items

• Pig Pole - Provides +6 of all attributes. Its active turns Viper into a pig, making him unable to use spells or items but increasing his movement speed, which can allow him to escape certain sticky situations.
• Pupil’s Gift - Increases Viper’s non-primary attributes by +15. It provides increased agility and mana pool to Viper, increasing his potential to cast more spells and deal damage in a fight.

 

1. Draskyl Build

We have a lot to say about Draskyl, he is one of the most interesting streamers who consistently play on a high level. He can play a plethora of heroes in the mid-lane. His ruthless performance on spellcasting heroes like Viper has landed him a spot on this list. Viper may not be your typical meta-hero, but Draskyl makes him look like one. His dominant playstyle on this hero has won him games and earned him recognition.

Draskyl plays an aggressive build, which ensures he has no problems fighting throughout the game. He focuses on split-pushing and initiating the teamfight first. Hence, he prioritizes items like Aghanim’s Scepter, Bloodstone, and Blink Dagger which help him be an excellent team fighter. Draskyl goes for the usual item build while prioritizing an unusual item build which is excellent against the heroes he is playing against. 

Use This Build If:

• You want a highly relevant utility Viper build for the late game
• You are facing spellcasting heroes
• You want to fight more often without worrying about mana or spell cooldowns

Skill Points

Level 1: Poison Attack: Causes Viper’s attacks to deal damage over time while slowing movement speed and lowering magic resistance. The effects are amplified with each stack. It is an ideal level 1 spell which makes Viper deal high damage from the get-go.

Level 2: Corrosive Skin: Viper deals damage and slows enemies who attack him. The attack stacks and causes Viper to have increased magic resistance. 

Level 3: Poison Attack

Level 4: Corrosive Skin

Level 5: Poison Attack

Level 6: Viper Strike: Causes the targeted enemy to have slow attack and movement speed while taking immense damage over time. It may sound like an underwhelming ultimate ability, but it is a powerful tool that eviscerates enemies if combined with Viper’s other abilities.

Level 7: Poison Attack

Level 8: Nethertoxin: Releases a Nethertoxin in the targeted area, causing the units in it to get slowed and take damage based on how long they are inside it. It also applies break, causing the passive abilities of enemies to get disabled under its duration. It is a highly ideal early-game spell if you are facing heroes with strong passives.

Level 9: Nethertoxin 

Level 10: Nethertoxin     

Level 11: Corrosive Skin

Level 12: Viper Strike

Level 13: Nethertoxin   

Level 14: Corrosive Skin

Level 15: +15% Corrosive Skin magic resistance 

Level 16: +18% Corrosive Skin damage per second

Level 17: Stats

Level 18: Viper Strike

Level 19: Stats

Level 20: +25% Poison Attack slow/ damage

Level 25:-11s Nethertoxin cooldown

Items to buy for this build (Early to Late Game)

• 3x Iron Branch (50 Gold) - Grants +1 of all attributes per branch. It provides decent sustain in the early game. The branch can be also planted to block paths for enemies or to deceive them under the fog. 
• Tango (90 Gold) - Provides health regen if used on a tree. It's the cheapest yet the most convenient way of healing up in the early stages of the game when you are playing in the side lanes. Regardless of the hero you play, Tangoes are a core item. 
• Enchanted Mango (65 Gold) - Grants passive +0.6 health regeneration if not consumed. Upon consumption, it refills 100 mana instantly. Viper lacks in the mana department and having a mango or two in handy can perhaps help him net kills in the early game.
• Slippers of Agility (140 Gold) - Grants +3 Agility. It is a usual early item on Viper, as he lacks the early game attack speed and stats which is hence fulfilled by this item.
• Circlet (155 Gold) - Bought at 0:57. Grants +2 of all attributes. It helps Viper stay durable through the early game. 
• 2x Wraith Band (505 Gold) - Bought at 1 and 3 minutes. Provides increased attributes, armor, and attack speed. The bonuses are doubled after 25 minutes. It is a staple item on Viper, as it is built for the increased durability and farming potential that it offers in this matchup.
• 2x Enchanted Mango (65 Gold) - Purchased at 3 minutes. Grants passive +0.6 health regeneration if not consumed. Upon consumption, it refills 100 mana instantly. Viper lacks in the mana department and having a mango or two in handy can perhaps help him net kills in the early game.
• Boots of Speed (500 Gold) - Purchased at 5 minutes. Provides +45 movement speed to Viper. It is ideal for all heroes as you can purchase upgraded boots with it. 
• Magic Wand (450 Gold) - Purchased at 5 minutes. It gains a charge every time an enemy uses a spell in an AoE. It can store up to 20 charges, with each charge healing you up to 15 HP and mana. It is an ideal starting item as it allows Viper to sustain himself in the lane if he faces spellcasting heroes.
• Boots of Travel (2500 Gold) - Purchased at 9 minutes. Allows Viper to teleport on allied creeps and his allies, making him a great global presence in a teamfight. Purchasing this item grants the dino with extreme mobility, making him highly active and providing him with increased global potential. He can push lanes and join his allies in a teamfight anytime he wants.
• Radiance (5050 Gold) - Purchased at 20 minutes. Deals 60 damage per second in an AoE, while also causing them to miss 15% of their attacks. It also makes enemies miss 15% of their attacks. Radiance is an exceptional item on Viper as it allows him to deal high damage in fights and also farm fast with the help of his items.
• Aghanim’s Scepter (4200 Gold) - Purchased at 25 minutes. Grants the Nosedive ability. Upon usage, Viper slams into the ground, disarming each enemy in a 500 AoE for 2 seconds and splattering everyone in a 1200 AoE with the effect of Corrosive Skin. The upgrade also causes Corrosive Skin to apply 2x the damage and attack speed slow to enemies that are within 500 distance of Viper. It is further consumed by 56 minutes into the game when Draskyl purchases Aghanim’s Blessing.
• Voodoo Mask (700 Gold) - Purchased at 33 minutes. Provides 10% spell lifesteal, it can further be upgraded into Eternal Shroud or Bloodstone, depending upon the heroes Viper is facing.
• Bloodstone (4400 Gold) - Purchased at 33 minutes. Upon activation, it increases spell lifesteal by 2.5x while converting the damage dealt under its duration into mana. This ensures Viper does not run out of mana in a teamfight. He highly relies on spellcasting, hence it is ideal that he has enough mana to shell out in a fight.
• Shiva’s Guard (4850 Gold) - Purchased at 41 minutes. Upon usage, it emits a freezing wave that deals 200 damage and slows the enemy for 40% of their movement speed. This slow is impressive and lasts for 4 seconds. The increased armor and survivability ensure Viper stays durable in fights while reducing enemy healing in an AoE.
• Blink Dagger (2250 Gold) - Purchased at 46 minutes. Blink Dagger is a core item on Viper, as it allows him to initiate a teamfight, or chase enemies with it. It can also be upgraded into Overwhelming or Swift Blink. This allows him to the frontline and initiates a fight. 
• Overwhelming Blink (6800 Gold) - Purchased at 48 minutes. Increases Viper’s strength and deals damage in an AoE that deals attack and movement speed slow to enemies, while also making them take 150% of his strength as damage. 
• Boots of Travel 2 (4500 Gold) - Purchased at 55 minutes. Allows Viper to teleport on allied creeps and his allies, making him a great global presence in a teamfight. Purchasing this item grants the venomous snake extreme mobility, making him highly active and providing him with increased global potential. He can push lanes and join his allies in a teamfight anytime he wants. 
• Aghanim’s Shard (1400 Gold) - Purchased at 56 minutes. Increases max stacks, and causes Poison Attack to lower armor per stack and to affect buildings for reduced damage. It is a splendid purchase if you are facing heroes with high armor and high magic resistance, you can break them down effectively with this shard.
• Wind Waker (6825 Gold) - Purchased at 61 minutes. Allows Viper to whirl himself or his allies in the air (just like Eul’s Scepter), while also allowing him to control the direction while they’re under its effect. It can be used to save allies or disrupt enemy spells in a team fight. It is an ideal item for the ultra-late game.

Neutral Items

• Broom Handle - Provides increased armor, attack speed, and attack damage. Viper with increased armor which helps him fare well in a teamfight. 
• Vambrace - It acts as a secondary Power Treads which provides Viper the stats depending upon the attribute he has set it to. It is essential to survive through the early game.
• Timeless Relic - It provides Viper with +20% Debuff duration while increasing his spell amplification by 15%. As Draskyl is playing Viper in a magical build, this item is highly beneficial to him as it amplifies his ultimate and his magic damage potential.

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