VALORANT has already proven to be the next big thing in first–person shooters despite still being in closed beta. With thousands flocking to their favorite streamers to watch and hopefully get a beta key drop. Riot Games’s new IP is in route to having a monumental release this summer.

The VALORANT closed beta has introduced a plethora of agents. From a Moroccan spy to a fiery Brit, each agent has a distinct and unique flair to their character design, making mastery of each one a fun worthwhile endeavor.

And nothing is more rewarding or deadlier than Viper. A perfect choice for players looking to outsmart and dominate their opponents through proper positioning and map control. Forcing the enemy into unfavorable situations to tip the scale to your advantage.

Viper is an American Controller Agent with a toxic touch. A master of chemical warfare, her kit design excels greatly in controlling the map to cripple an enemy’s movement and vision. She will wither away the enemy's health points with her deadly poison. But careful as this power is a double – edged sword; one wrong move could be a detriment to your team.

Abilities

Viper is a great addition to any team composition; her area of effect crowd control makes her a force to be reckoned with in both defending or attacking an objective. Unlike most of the other agents in the roster, some of her abilities have the option to be repositioned or turned on and off to best suit the ever – changing situations within a round. Her clear advantage is the duration of her abilities, which revolves around her unique resource called fuel and an ultimate that can last the entire round.

Snake Bite

With a sizable area of effect radius, this ability is an excellent area denial tool that can be used for both defending and attacking. You can have up to two canisters of poison per round. The canisters can be bounced off the walls before exploding to an area of effect and when placed well can block another agent’s approach or escape. The poison's slow and constant damage gives you and your team a perfect window to kill anyone foolish enough to get caught inside.

This is one of two abilities in your kit that doesn’t cost any fuel. This one however, deals lethal damage to everyone, you included. So be careful where you throw this, as any mishaps could prove to be round-losing.

Poison Cloud

This ability creates a cloud of toxic gas that blocks vision both into and out of the cloud’s radius. This versatile ability gives a skilled player a way for potential lurking, weird flank angles, entry–fragging, mind games, and more. It has a special effect called Decay that deals non–lethal damage that renders everyone inside - yes, even your teammates - to gradually drop to one health point. You will regenerate back your health points and armor lost from decay, once you leave the poison cloud. Viper is immune to the effect of decay.

Much like Snake Bite, the emitter can be bounced off walls. This however cost fuel to keep the duration of the cloud up. It can be picked up multiple times and repositioned. There is also a cooldown for the activation, deactivation and pick–up of the emitter. The cooldown varies, having activation the shortest, deactivation second longest and pick–up as the longest.

Toxic Screen

A versatile ability that can cut an area in two. It blocks vision from both sides and deals decay. If used in conjunction with Snake Bite and Poison Cloud, Viper can deny a big portion of an area. A skilled player can use this to sneak towards an objective, a flanking position or defend an area.

Its range varies on the map and where you aim. A line indicator can be seen on the minimap to tell its range, whenever the ability is equipped. Be warned as Toxic Screen will cut through walls, get caught on roofs and other things, leaving small gaps for people to peak or pass safely into.

Take note this is your second ability that cost fuel and having Poison Cloud up as well will drain your fuel resource quickly. Once placed the wall cannot be repositioned but will remain re – activatable over the course of the round. It does have a cooldown for the activation and deactivation. With deactivation being a longer cooldown than activation.

Viper’s Pit

Viper immediately gains the upper hand when the fighting happens inside her Viper’s Pit. This is your biggest area denial tool. The cloud’s radius is big enough to cover a large portion of an area. It has potential use in various scenarios but is commonly utilized in defending or attacking the bombsite.

The ability is a bit similar to Poison Cloud. It deals decay and blocks vision. Enemies found wandering inside are highlighted red for Viper making easy prey. The cloud stays indefinitely throughout the round. It doesn’t cost fuel rather the duration is dependant on Viper.

A Smoke Integrity Bar will show above the fuel meter once Viper exits the cloud. Going back inside refills this bar. This mechanic gives Viper a small window of opportunity to peek outside the cloud then going back in without breaking it.

Weapon of Choice

It's always your best bet to try out all the guns. Find your preferred choice as every gun is different. Here’ some worthwhile guns you might want to master first that complement Viper’s style.

Guardian

The Guardian is a semi–automatic rifle that hits hard with less. Having only 12 bullets per mag, every shot matters. Players can use Viper’s kit as cover to flank an enemy for that sweet 195 damage headshot. Your decay damage can still make a 65 damage body hit a fatal shot.

Vandal

The Vandal is a fully automatic rifle that packs a nasty 156 damage headshot and 39 damage per body shot. Best used on medium to long range skirmishes with the enemy. Inaccuracy is punished greatly on this due to the high recoil. Take advantage of Viper’s crowd control to slow down the pace of the game.

Phantom

The Phantom is a fully automatic rifle equipped with a silencer, and it deals a variety of damage depending on the range. Mostly considered for short range combat, this rifle is best used in conjunction to Viper’s Pit. It’s high spread and fast rate of fire plus the effects of Viper’s Pit can make for a lethal combo.

Judge

The Judge is a fully automatic shotgun. It fires quickly and deals a lot of damage at point blank range. Recommended when defending within your Viper’s Pit. Lay down your ultimate and wait for them to come in.

Spectre

The Spectre is a fully automatic SMG. This works well as a discount Phantom; it deals less overall but makes it up for a faster rate of fire and affordability. Something to keep in mind when you're a bit short for the rifles.

Tips & Tricks

Vision control is Viper’s forte. Wander the map and find good places to put your Toxic Screen. A perfect spot can cut a bombsite in two, giving your team ample time to reposition or place the spike.

Remember that your Snake Bite and Poison Cloud can bounce off walls. Use them to pressure the enemy off a position or check corners. Limit their movement and force them into unfavorable situations.

Deploying your Poison Cloud in a key/strategic location then quickly activating it can deter an enemy quick. It also nifty in giving you cover while getting orbs.

Viper’s best asset would be her mindgames. Enemies are given limited time to decide whether someone is behind the poison waiting for them or not. Make this into an advantage and lay a trap from them.

Resource management is a must for Viper. Getting caught with zero fuel usually leads to your death. Familiarize yourself with your cooldowns and the rate of consumption your abilities have.

Utilize Viper’s Pit as distraction and ambush the enemy during your brief window going outside. Keep an eye on the Smoke Integrity Bar. Emptying this bar ends your ultimate.

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