Deadlock Viper build guide

Contents

• How to play Viper in Deadlock: Brief overview
• Viper's strengths and weaknesses in Deadlock
• Deadlock Viper build: Abilities explained
• Deadlock Viper build: Best items
  • 1) Best early-game items
  • 2) Best mid-game items
  • 3) Best end-game items
• Best tips to remember while playing Viper in Deadlock
• FAQs about Deadlock Viper
  • Q1) Can we currently play Viper in Deadlock?
  • Q2) Is Viper good for beginners?
  • Q3) Is Viper more focused on offense or defense?

A lot of players might be wondering how to make the best Deadlock Viper build considering that he was introduced quite recently into the game. Added as an Experimental Deadlock Hero on October 24, 2024, Viper has a short humanoid figure with the face of a snake.

According to Deadlock lore, Viper is a criminal lizard from New York, who keeps escaping from the most dangerous cells. Now she has a huge network of street contacts who owe her. So, she takes their help to evade her enemies, while also staying a step ahead of the law at all times.

Well, without much ado, let's dive into a Deadlock Viper build that'll help you dominate the lanes.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.

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How to play Viper in Deadlock: Brief overview

Viper in Deadlock (Image via Valve)

Apart from having one of the best assault rifles in the game, Viper also has more stamina and a faster fire rate than most other characters in Deadlock. So, focusing on increasing your stamina and bullet rounds even further is quite an effective way to play her in Deadlock.

You can then invest the rest of the Souls to improve Spirit Damage, which will maximize the potential of her abilities. If maxed out in this manner, Viper can easily dominate a lane on her own.

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Viper's strengths and weaknesses in Deadlock

Strengths:

• Arguably the best assault rifle in the game.
• Abilities deal a lot of Spirit Damage.
• Great mobility options.

Weaknesses:

• She has a low health pool that can force the player to fall back at crucial times.
• Her Ultimate lacks in range and landing it perfectly could be a challenge.

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Deadlock Viper build: Abilities explained

Here are all four of Viper's abilities:

• Hook Blade: Throw a blade, dealing Spirit Damage. The blade then hooks back, applying Spirit Damage again before applying a Slow. (10s cooldown duration)
• Lady Venom: Inject a target with lethal venom. After a delay the venom triggers, dealing Spirit Damage. The damage is increased by the target's missing health. (26s cooldown duration)
• Slither: You have increased Slide Distance. Can Slide up hills and turn faster while Sliding. (No cooldown)
• Petrify: Create a hexed area on the ground. After a delay, ALL units in the cylindrical area are Petrified. Enemies also suffer Spirit Damage. Petrified units block all damage, but cannot take action. They also break free after blocking enough damage. (60s cooldown duration)

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Deadlock Viper build: Best items

Deadlock Viper build (Image via Valve)

Here are the best items from The Curiosity Shop to make a strong Deadlock Viper build:

1) Best early-game items

• Basic Magazine: +24% Ammo, +15% Weapon Damage.
• Close Quarters: +85 Bullet Shield Health. +25% Weapon Damage within 15m range.
• Extra Stamina: +1 Stamina, +14% Stamina Recovery, +7% Fire Rate.
• Extra Regen: +2.8 Health Regen, +8% Ammo, +25 Bonus Health.
• Spirit Strike: +80 Spirit Shield Health, +12% Melee Damage. A melee attack will reduce enemy Spirit Resist by 12%.

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2) Best mid-game items

• Swift Striker: +22% Fire Rate, -5% Bullet Resist, +10% Ammo.
• Bullet Lifesteal: +28% Bullet Lifesteal, +75 Bonus Health.
• Bullet Armor: +25% Bullet Resist, +6% Weapon Damage.
• Spirit Armor: +20% Spirit Resist, +5 Spirit Power.
• Bullet Resist Shredder: +100 Bonus Health, +5% Bullet Resist. While dealing Spirit Damage, enemies get -12% Bullet Resist.
• Quicksilver Reload: 65 Spirit Damage, 15% Fire Rate Bonus, 12s Max Frequency.

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3) Best end-game items

• Burst Fire: +12% Fire Rate, +50% Slide Distance. If your bullet hits an enemy, +30% Fire Rate and +2 m/s Move Speed for 4s.
• Intensifying Magazine: +25% Ammo, +20% Weapon Damage.
• Point Blank: +15% Bullet Resist, +1 Stamina. Within 15m range, +45% Weapon Damage and +25% Movement Slow effect for 2s.
• Titan Magazine: +100% Ammo, +18% Weapon Damage, +15% Bullet Resist.
• Decay (Active): +7 Spirit Power. Upon activation, -50% Healing Reduction, 3.1%/sec Bleed Damage, 15m + (0.16 * SpiritPower) Cast Range (10s Duration).
• Withering Whip (Active): +6 Spirit Power, +1m/s Sprint Speed, +50 Bonus Health. Upon activation, -45% Fire Rate Slow, -14% Bullet Resist, 30m Cast Range (4.5s Duration).
• Lucky Shot: +30% Ammo. There is a 35% chance that your bullet will give 80% Bonus Damage and 30% Movement Slow to the enemy.
• Silencer (Active): +25% Bullet Slow Proc, +20% Weapon Damage. Upon activation, Silenced Status Effect (2s Duration).
• Slowing Bullets: +16% Weapon Damage, +5 Spirit Power, Opponents get a 25% Movement Slow effect for 1.3s.

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Best tips to remember while playing Viper in Deadlock

Here are some tips to follow while playing as Viper in Deadlock:

• You should actively explore the indoor areas to find crates and Gold Urns. They often have a good amount of Souls and some weapon perks.
• Make sure to sell early-phase items so that you can afford late-game items such as Lucky Shot and Silencer as they cost 6,200 Souls each.
• If you have extra Souls and some slots, experiment with items and make changes in your build as per your preference.

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FAQs about Deadlock Viper

Q1) Can we currently play Viper in Deadlock?

A) Viper is only available to try in the Hero Labs and Sandbox mode as of now. Once important adjustments are made, she will be added to the main pool of Deadlock Heroes.

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Q2) Is Viper good for beginners?

A) Understanding Viper's abilities and usage of Spirit Damage can be confusing for beginners. It is recommended to practice it for a while in Sandbox before trying it out in a match.

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Q3) Is Viper more focused on offense or defense?

A) Viper is intended to be played as an offensive character. The fast-paced gunplay combined with high stamina is a great combination for those who are not afraid of pushing the lanes.

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More Deadlock build guides:

• Deadlock Shiv Build Guide
• Deadlock Calico build guide
• Deadlock Abrams build guide