The Viper is the exciting new melee DPS job arriving in Final Fantasy XIV with the Dawntrail expansion. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the Viper, covering its playstyle, strengths, weaknesses, gauges, actions, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to FFXIV, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to understand and potentially master the Viper job.
Viper Playstyle: Agile and Aggressive Melee Combat
Viper is designed as a fast-paced and fluid melee DPS job. It distinguishes itself with a high actions-per-minute (APM) output, meaning you’ll be executing a lot of skills in quick succession. However, despite the rapid pace, the Viper’s rotation is built around a relatively small number of unique inputs. This design makes the job feel less frantic compared to some other melee options, allowing for a more engaging and less overwhelming combat experience.
As a purely selfish melee DPS, Viper focuses entirely on maximizing personal damage. Unlike some jobs that provide raid-wide buffs or utility, Viper brings raw, unadulterated damage. Interestingly, Viper also lacks significant self-sustain or mitigation beyond the standard melee role actions like Feint, Second Wind, and Bloodbath. This reinforces its identity as a glass cannon, excelling at damage output but requiring careful positioning and awareness of incoming damage.
The core of the Viper’s gameplay revolves around maintaining personal buffs. These include a damage buff and a haste buff, both crucial for optimizing your damage potential. Effective buff management is key, as letting these buffs drop can significantly impact your performance, especially during burst phases. The two-minute burst window, powered by the Reawaken ability, is particularly sensitive to buff uptime. Reawaken prevents buff refreshing during its duration, making it essential to ensure your damage, haste, and combo buffs have ample time remaining before initiating your burst. Typically, leading into a two-minute burst with a Vicewinder combo ensures proper buff alignment.
Viper Strengths and Weaknesses: Excelling in Damage, Lacking in Utility
Like every job in FFXIV, Viper has its own set of strengths and weaknesses that define its role in party compositions and combat scenarios.
Strengths
- Exceptional Damage Potential: Viper is built to be a top-tier damage dealer. Its kit is focused on maximizing personal DPS, making it a powerhouse in terms of raw output.
- Simplified Burst Execution: Despite its high APM, Viper’s burst rotation is relatively easy to execute due to the limited number of unique buttons required. This allows players to focus on encounter mechanics while still maximizing burst damage.
- Strong Ranged Disengage Option: Viper possesses powerful and readily available ranged attacks, providing excellent disengage options when needed. This enhances mobility and adaptability in dynamic fights.
Weaknesses
- Buff Dependency on Targets: To achieve maximum damage, Viper relies on applying buffs to its target. This can be a weakness in scenarios with frequent target switching or add phases where maintaining buffs on multiple targets becomes challenging.
- Limited Personal Mitigation: Viper’s survivability is reliant on standard melee role actions. It lacks dedicated personal mitigation tools, making it potentially vulnerable to heavy damage if not played carefully.
- No Raid Utility: As a purely selfish DPS, Viper brings no party buffs or raid utility. Its contribution is solely focused on personal damage, which may make it less desirable in compositions prioritizing support and utility.
Unlocking the Viper Job: Embarking on Your Serpent’s Path
To unlock the Viper job and begin your journey as a dual-blade master, you’ll need to meet a few prerequisites and undertake a short quest.
First, ensure you have the Dawntrail Expansion registered to your Final Fantasy XIV service account. This expansion is required to access the Viper job.
Second, you must have a Disciple of War or Magic job leveled to at least level 80. This is the minimum level requirement to undertake the Viper unlock quest.
Once you meet these requirements, head to Ul’dah – Steps of Nald (X: 9.3, Y: 9.2) and speak to the Worried Weaver. This NPC is conveniently located near the main Aetheryte Crystal in Ul’dah, making it easily accessible. Accepting the quest “Enter the Viper” from the Worried Weaver will initiate the job unlock process. Follow the quest prompts, and you’ll soon be wielding dual blades as a Viper!
Viper Gauges: Serpent’s Offerings and Vipersight
Viper utilizes two unique gauges to manage its resources and track combo progression: Serpent’s Offerings and Vipersight.
The Vipersight gauge is a straightforward visual aid that displays your current combo step. It helps guide you through the Viper’s alternating combo sequence. The gauge starts empty, prompting you to initiate the combo with either Steel Fangs or Reaving Fangs. These two actions buff each other, creating an alternating sequence indicated by a glowing border on your hotbar and the Vipersight gauge itself.
After using Steel Fangs or Reaving Fangs, the first segment of the Vipersight gauge fills. This signals you to use either Hunter’s Sting or Swiftskin’s Sting, depending on which side of the gauge is highlighted – left for Hunter’s Sting, right for Swiftskin’s Sting. These actions apply your crucial personal buffs. Subsequently, blue segments appear on both sides of the gauge, and the glow indicates which button (left or right) to press for your buffed third combo action. Detailed rotation flowcharts in dedicated Viper guides will further clarify these sequences.
The Serpent’s Offerings gauge accumulates resource points used to activate Reawaken, a key ability used roughly every minute. You gain 10 Serpent’s Offerings for completing a standard combo and an additional 5 for each follow-up GCD after using Vicewinder. Each Reawaken activation costs 50 Serpent’s Offerings, represented by orbs filling beneath the gauge. These orbs are spent on Generation GCDs during the Reawaken phase, such as First Generation and the phase-ending Ouroboros. Ouroboros should be reserved for the fifth and final Anguine Tribute during Reawaken.
The Vipersight gauge also visually tracks Rattling Coils. These coils are a resource used to execute Uncoiled Fury, a potent attack with associated off-GCD actions. While Uncoiled Fury is generally not incorporated into burst windows, it’s valuable for mitigating downtime due to its 20-yalm range and for preventing resource overcapping.
Viper Video Resources: Visual Guides Coming Soon
(This section will be updated with relevant video guides as they become available.)
Viper Actions: A Comprehensive List
The following table details all of Viper’s actions, including their names, cast and recast times, range and radius, and effects. Understanding these actions is crucial for mastering the Viper job.
| Action Name | – Cast – Recast | – Range – Radius | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel Fangs Lv. 1 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 3y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Honed Steel Potency: 300 Additional Effect: Grants Honed Reavers Honed Reavers Effect: Increases potency of Reaving Fangs by 100 and Reaving Maw by 20 Duration: 60s Effect cannot be stacked with Honed Steel. |
| Hunter’s Sting Lv. 5 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 3y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 300. Additional Effect: Grants Hunter’s Instinct Hunter’s Instinct Effect: Increases damage dealt by 10% Duration: 40s Can only be executed after successfully landing Steel Fangs or Reaving Fangs. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Steel Fangs changes to Hunter’s Sting when requirements for execution are met. |
| Reaving Fangs Lv. 10 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 3y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Honed Reavers Potency: 300 Additional Effect: Grants Honed Steel Honed Steel Effect: Increases potency of Steel Fangs by 100 and Steel Maw by 20 Duration: 60s Effect cannot be stacked with Honed Reavers. |
| Writhing Snap Lv. 15 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 20y – 0y | Delivers a ranged attack with a potency of 200. |
| Swiftskin’s Sting Lv. 20 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 3y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 300. Additional Effect: Grants Swiftscaled Swiftscaled Effect: Reduces weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay by 15% Duration: 40s Can only be executed after successfully landing Steel Fangs or Reaving Fangs. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Reaving Fangs changes to Swiftskin’s Sting when requirements for execution are met. |
| Steel Maw Lv. 25 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Honed Steel Potency: 120 Additional Effect: Grants Honed Reavers Honed Reavers Effect: Increases potency of Reaving Fangs by 100 and Reaving Maw by 20 Duration: 60s Effect cannot be stacked with Honed Steel. |
| Flanksbane Fang Lv. 30 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 3y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 340. 400 when executed from a target’s flank. Potencies are increased by 100 while under the effect of Flanksbane Venom. Additional Effect: Grants Hindsbane Venom Hindsbane Venom Effect: Increases potency of Hindsbane Fang by 100 Duration: 60s Effect cannot be stacked with other viper venom effects. Additional Effect: Increases Serpent Offerings Gauge by 10 Can only be executed after successfully landing Hunter’s Sting. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Swiftskin’s Sting changes to Flanksbane Fang when requirements for execution are met. |
| Flanksting Strike Lv. 30 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 3y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 340. 400 when executed from a target’s flank. Potencies are increased by 100 while under the effect of Flankstung Venom. Additional Effect: Grants Hindstung Venom Hindstung Venom Effect: Increases potency of Hindsting Strike by 100 Duration: 60s Effect cannot be stacked with other viper venom effects. Additional Effect: Increases Serpent Offerings Gauge by 10 Can only be executed after successfully landing Hunter’s Sting. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Hunter’s Sting changes to Flanksting Strike when requirements for execution are met. |
| Hindsbane Fang Lv. 30 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 3y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 340. 400 when executed from a target’s rear. Potencies are increased by 100 while under the effect of Hindsbane Venom. Additional Effect: Grants Flankstung Venom Flankstung Venom Effect: Increases potency of Flanksting Strike by 100 Duration: 60s Effect cannot be stacked with other viper venom effects. Additional Effect: Increases Serpent Offerings Gauge by 10 Can only be executed after successfully landing Swiftskin’s Sting. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Swiftskin’s Sting changes to Hindsbane Fang when requirements for execution are met. |
| Hindsting Strike Lv. 30 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 3y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 340. 400 when executed from a target’s rear. Potencies are increased by 100 while under the effect of Hindstung Venom. Additional Effect: Grants Flanksbane Venom Flanksbane Venom Effect: Increases potency of Flanksbane Fang by 100 Duration: 60s Effect cannot be stacked with other viper venom effects. Additional Effect: Increases Serpent Offerings Gauge by 10 Can only be executed after successfully landing Swiftskin’s Sting. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Hunter’s Sting changes to Hindsting Strike when requirements for execution are met. |
| Reaving Maw Lv. 35 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Honed Reavers Potency: 120 Additional Effect: Grants Honed Steel Honed Steel Effect: Increases potency of Steel Fangs by 100 and Steel Maw by 20 Duration: 60s Effect cannot be stacked with Honed Reavers. |
| Hunter’s Bite Lv. 40 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 130 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Grants Hunter’s Instinct Hunter’s Instinct Effect: Increases damage dealt by 10% Duration: 40s Can only be executed after successfully landing Steel Maw or Reaving Maw. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Steel Maw changes to Hunter’s Bite when requirements for execution are met. |
| Slither Lv. 40 | – Instant – 30.0s | – ↔ 20y – 0y | Rush to a targeted enemy’s or party member’s location. Maximum Charges: 3 Cannot be executed while bound. |
| Swiftskin’s Bite Lv. 45 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 130 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Grants Swiftscaled Swiftscaled Effect: Reduces weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay by 15% Duration: 40s Can only be executed after successfully landing Steel Maw or Reaving Maw. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Reaving Maw changes to Swiftskin’s Bite when requirements for execution are met. |
| Bloodied Maw Lv. 50 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 140 to all nearby enemies. Potencies are increased by 20 while under the effect of Grimskin’s Venom. Additional Effect: Grants Grimhunter’s Venom Grimhunter’s Venom Effect: Increases potency of Jagged Maw by 20 Duration: 60s Effect cannot be stacked with other viper venom effects. Additional Effect: Increases Serpent Offerings Gauge by 10 Can only be executed after successfully landing Hunter’s Bite or Swiftskin’s Bite. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Swiftskin’s Bite changes to Bloodied Maw when requirements for execution are met. |
| Jagged Maw Lv. 50 | – Instant – 2.5s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 140 to all nearby enemies. Potencies are increased by 20 while under the effect of Grimhunter’s Venom. Additional Effect: Grants Grimskin’s Venom Grimskin’s Venom Effect: Increases potency of Bloodied Maw by 20 Duration: 60s Effect cannot be stacked with other viper venom effects. Additional Effect: Increases Serpent Offerings Gauge by 10 Can only be executed after successfully landing Hunter’s Bite or Swiftskin’s Bite. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Hunter’s Bite changes to Jagged Maw when requirements for execution are met. |
| Death Rattle Lv. 55 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 5y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 280. Can only be executed after successfully landing Flanksting Strike, Flanksbane Fang, Hindsting Strike, or Hindsbane Fang. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Serpent’s Tail changes to Death Rattle when requirements for execution are met. |
| Serpent’s Tail Lv. 55 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 0y – 0y | Changes to Death Rattle, Last Lash, First Legacy, Second Legacy, Third Legacy, or Fourth Legacy when requirements for execution are met. |
| Last Lash Lv. 60 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Can only be executed after successfully landing Jagged Maw or Bloodied Maw. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Serpent’s Tail changes to Last Lash when requirements for execution are met. |
| Hunter’s Coil Lv. 65 | – Instant – 3.0s | – ↔ 3y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 570. 620 when executed from a target’s flank. Additional Effect: Grants Hunter’s Instinct Hunter’s Instinct Effect: Increases damage dealt by 10% Duration: 40s Additional Effect: Grants Hunter’s Venom Hunter’s Venom Effect: Increases potency of Twinfang Bite by 50 Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Increases Serpent Offerings Gauge by 5 Upon successfully landing this action, Twinfang changes to Twinfang Bite, and Twinblood changes to Twinblood Bite. These actions can be executed a total of two times following Hunter’s Coil. Can only be executed after successfully landing Vicewinder or Swiftskin’s Coil. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. |
| Swiftskin’s Coil Lv. 65 | – Instant – 3.0s | – ↔ 3y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 570. 620 when executed from a target’s rear. Additional Effect: Grants Swiftscaled Swiftscaled Effect: Reduces weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay by 15% Duration: 40s Additional Effect: Grants Swiftskin’s Venom Swiftskin’s Venom Effect: Increases potency of Twinblood Bite by 50 Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Increases Serpent Offerings Gauge by 5 Upon successfully landing this action, Twinfang changes to Twinfang Bite, and Twinblood changes to Twinblood Bite. These actions can be executed a total of two times following Swiftskin’s Coil. Can only be executed after successfully landing Vicewinder or Hunter’s Coil. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. |
| Vicewinder Lv. 65 | – Instant – 40.0s | – ↔ 3y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 500. Additional Effect: Grants a Rattling Coil, up to a maximum of 3 Maximum Charges: 2 Shares a recast timer with Vicepit. |
| Hunter’s Den Lv. 70 | – Instant – 3.0s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 280 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Grants Hunter’s Instinct Hunter’s Instinct Effect: Increases damage dealt by 10% Duration: 40s Additional Effect: Grants Fellhunter’s Venom Fellhunter’s Venom Effect: Increases potency of Twinfang Thresh by 30 Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Increases Serpent Offerings Gauge by 5 Upon successfully landing this action, Twinfang changes to Twinfang Thresh, and Twinblood changes to Twinblood Thresh. These actions can be executed a total of two times following Hunter’s Den. Can only be executed after Vicepit or Swiftskin’s Den. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. |
| Swiftskin’s Den Lv. 70 | – Instant – 3.0s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 280 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Grants Swiftscaled Swiftscaled Effect: Reduces weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay by 15% Duration: 40s Additional Effect: Grants Fellskin’s Venom Fellskin’s Venom Effect: Increases potency of Twinblood Thresh by 30 Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Increases Serpent Offerings Gauge by 5 Upon successfully landing this action, Twinfang changes to Twinfang Thresh, and Twinblood changes to Twinblood Thresh. These actions can be executed a total of two times following Swiftskin’s Den. Can only be executed after Vicepit or Hunter’s Den. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. |
| Vicepit Lv. 70 | – Instant – 40.0s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 220 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Grants a Rattling Coil, up to a maximum of 3 Maximum Charges: 2 Shares a recast timer with Vicewinder. |
| Twinblood Lv. 75 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 0y – 0y | Changes to Twinblood Bite, Twinblood Thresh, or Uncoiled Twinblood when requirements for execution are met. |
| Twinblood Bite Lv. 75 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 5y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 120. Swiftskin’s Venom Potency: 170 Additional Effect: Grants Hunter’s Venom when executed after Swiftskin’s Coil Duration: 30s Can only be executed after successfully landing Hunter’s Coil or Swiftskin’s Coil. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Twinblood changes to Twinblood Bite when requirements for execution are met. |
| Twinfang Lv. 75 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 0y – 0y | Changes to Twinfang Bite, Twinfang Thresh, or Uncoiled Twinfang when requirements for execution are met. |
| Twinfang Bite Lv. 75 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 5y – 0y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 120. Hunter’s Venom Potency: 170 Additional Effect: Grants Swiftskin’s Venom when executed after Hunter’s Coil Duration: 30s Can only be executed after successfully landing Hunter’s Coil or Swiftskin’s Coil. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Twinfang changes to Twinfang Bite when requirements for execution are met. |
| Twinblood Thresh Lv. 80 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 50 to all nearby enemies. Fellskin’s Venom Potency: 80 Additional Effect: Grants Fellhunter’s Venom when executed after Swiftskin’s Den Duration: 30s Can only be executed after successfully landing Hunter’s Den or Swiftskin’s Den. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Twinblood changes to Twinblood Thresh when requirements for execution are met. |
| Twinfang Thresh Lv. 80 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 50 to all nearby enemies. Fellhunter’s Venom Potency: 80 Additional Effect: Grants Fellskin’s Venom when executed after Hunter’s Den Duration: 30s Can only be executed after successfully landing Hunter’s Den or Swiftskin’s Den. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Twinfang changes to Twinfang Thresh when requirements for execution are met. |
| Uncoiled Fury Lv. 82 | – Instant – 3.5s | – ↔ 20y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 680 to the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Additional Effect: Grants Poised for Twinfang Poised for Twinfang Effect: Increases the potency of Uncoiled Twinfang by 50 Duration: 60s Upon successfully landing this action, Twinfang changes to Uncoiled Twinfang, and Twinblood changes to Uncoiled Twinblood. These actions can be executed a total of two times. Rattling Coil Cost: 1 This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. |
| Serpent’s Ire Lv. 86 | – Instant – 120.0s | – ↔ 0y – 0y | Grants one stack of Rattling Coil. Grants Ready to Reawaken. Duration: 30s Can only be executed while in combat. |
| First Generation Lv. 90 | – Instant – 2.0s | – ↔ 3y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 480 to the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Potency is increased to 680 when executed after Reawaken. Anguine Tribute Cost: 1 This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Steel Fangs and Steel Maw change to First Generation when requirements for execution are met. |
| Fourth Generation Lv. 90 | – Instant – 2.0s | – ↔ 3y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 480 to the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Potency is increased to 680 when executed after Third Generation. Anguine Tribute Cost: 1 This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Swiftskin’s Coil and Swiftskin’s Den change to Fourth Generation when requirements for execution are met. |
| Reawaken Lv. 90 | – Instant – 2.2s | – ↔ 0y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 750 for the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Additional Effect: Grants 5 stacks of Anguine Tribute Duration: 30s Serpent Offerings Gauge Cost: 50 |
| Second Generation Lv. 90 | – Instant – 2.0s | – ↔ 3y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 480 to the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Potency is increased to 680 when executed after First Generation. Anguine Tribute Cost: 1 This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Reaving Fangs and Reaving Maw change to Second Generation when requirements for execution are met. |
| Third Generation Lv. 90 | – Instant – 2.0s | – ↔ 3y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 480 to the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Potency is increased to 680 when executed after Second Generation. Anguine Tribute Cost: 1 This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Hunter’s Coil and Hunter’s Den change to Third Generation when requirements for execution are met. |
| Uncoiled Twinblood Lv. 92 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 20y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 120 to the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Poised for Twinblood Potency: 170 Can only be executed after successfully landing Uncoiled Fury. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Twinblood changes to Uncoiled Twinblood when requirements for execution are met. |
| Uncoiled Twinfang Lv. 92 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 20y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 120 to the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Poised for Twinfang Potency: 170 Additional Effect: Grants Poised for Twinblood Poised for Twinblood Effect: Increases the potency of Uncoiled Twinblood by 50 Duration: 60s Can only be executed after successfully landing Uncoiled Fury. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Twinfang changes to Uncoiled Twinfang when requirements for execution are met. |
| Ouroboros Lv. 96 | – Instant – 3.0s | – ↔ 3y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 1,150 to the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Reawakened effect expires upon execution. Requires at least one stack of Anguine Tribute. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Reawaken changes to Ouroboros when requirements for execution are met. |
| First Legacy Lv. 100 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 5y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 280 to the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Can only be executed after successfully landing First Generation. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Serpent’s Tail changes to First Legacy when requirements for execution are met. |
| Fourth Legacy Lv. 100 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 5y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 280 to the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Can only be executed after successfully landing Fourth Generation. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Serpent’s Tail changes to Fourth Legacy when requirements for execution are met. |
| Second Legacy Lv. 100 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 5y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 280 to the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Can only be executed after successfully landing Second Generation. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Serpent’s Tail changes to Second Legacy when requirements for execution are met. |
| Third Legacy Lv. 100 | – Instant – 1.0s | – ↔ 5y – 5y | Delivers an attack with a potency of 280 to the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Can only be executed after successfully landing Third Generation. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Serpent’s Tail changes to Third Legacy when requirements for execution are met. |
Role Actions: Shared Melee Utility
Viper, like all melee DPS jobs, has access to a set of role actions that provide general utility and survivability in combat. These actions are essential for any melee player to utilize effectively.
| Action Name | – Cast – Recast | – Range – Radius | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Wind Lv. 8 | – Instant – 120.0s | – ↔ 0y – 0y | Instantly restores own HP. Cure Potency: 800 |
| Leg Sweep Lv. 10 | – Instant – 40.0s | – ↔ 3y – 0y | Stuns target. Duration: 3s |
| Bloodbath Lv. 12 | – Instant – 90.0s | – ↔ 0y – 0y | Converts a portion of physical damage dealt into HP. Duration: 20s |
| Feint Lv. 22 | – Instant – 90.0s | – ↔ 10y – 0y | Lowers target’s physical damage dealt by 10% and magic damage dealt by 5%. Duration: 15s |
| Arm’s Length Lv. 32 | – Instant – 120.0s | – ↔ 0y – 0y | Nullifies most knockback and draw-in effects. Duration: 6s Additional Effect: When you are struck by a physical attack, the striker will be afflicted with Slow +20% Duration: 15s |
| True North Lv. 50 | – Instant – 45.0s | – ↔ 0y – 0y | Nullifies all action direction requirements. Duration: 10s Maximum Charges: 2 |
Viper Traits: Enhancing Serpent’s Prowess
Traits are passive enhancements that unlock as you level up your Viper job. They improve existing actions and unlock new capabilities, shaping the job’s evolution as you progress.
| Action Name | Acquired | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Viper’s Fangs | Lv. 55 | Allows the execution of Death Rattle. Can only be executed upon successfully landing Flanksting Strike, Flanksbane Fang, Hindsting Strike, or Hindsbane Fang. |
| Viper’s Maw | Lv. 60 | Allows the execution of Last Lash. Can only be executed after successfully landing Jagged Maw or Bloodied Maw. |
| Melee Mastery | Lv. 74 | Increases the potency of Steel Fangs to 200, Reaving Fangs to 200, Hunter’s Sting to 300, and Swiftskin’s Sting to 300. |
| Viper’s Bite | Lv. 75 | Allows the execution of Twinfang Bite and Twinblood Bite. Can only be executed after successfully landing Hunter’s Coil or Swiftskin’s Coil. |
| Viper’s Thresh | Lv. 80 | Allows the execution of Twinfang Thresh and Twinblood Thresh. Can only be executed after successfully landing Hunter’s Den or Swiftskin’s Den. |
| Viper’s Rattle | Lv. 82 | Grants 1 stack of Rattling Coil upon successfully landing Vicewinder or Vicepit. |
| Enhanced Slither | Lv. 84 | Allows a third charge of Slither. |
| Melee Mastery II | Lv. 84 | Increases the potency of Flanksting Strike, Flanksbane Fang, Hindsting Strike, and Hindsbane Fang to 340. |
| Enhanced Viper’s Rattle | Lv. 88 | Allows the stacking of a third Rattling Coil. |
| Serpent’s Lineage | Lv. 90 | Allows for Serpent Offerings Gauge accumulation upon the landing of certain actions. Furthermore, adds an additional effect to Serpent’s Ire that grants Ready to Reawaken. Duration: 30s |
| Uncoiled Fangs | Lv. 92 | Allows the execution of Uncoiled Twinfang or Uncoiled Twinblood after successfully landing Uncoiled Fury. |
| Enhanced Second Wind | Lv. 94 | Increases the healing potency of Second Wind to 800. |
| Enhanced Serpent’s Lineage | Lv. 96 | Allows the stacking of a fifth Anguine Tribute in the Serpent Offerings Gauge. Furthermore, allows the execution of Ouroboros while under the effect of Reawakened. |
| Enhanced Feint | Lv. 98 | Extends the duration of Feint to 15 seconds. |
| Serpent’s Legacy | Lv. 100 | Allows the execution of First Legacy after successfully landing First Generation, Second Legacy after successfully landing Second Generation, Third Legacy after successfully landing Third Generation, and Fourth Legacy after successfully landing Fourth Generation. |
Viper Lore: Guardians of Tural Inspired by the Serpent
The Viper job draws its inspiration from the deadly tural vidraal, powerful beasts of Tural. To combat these formidable creatures, hunters looked to nature’s most lethal predators, specifically the viper. Vipers are known for their speed, agility, and ability to overcome prey much larger than themselves.
Viper combatants wield dual blades, reminiscent of serpent fangs, which can be combined into a single, versatile weapon. These weapons allow them to weave intricate attacks across the battlefield with both precision and fluidity. Named in honor of the serpent, the Vipers of Tural are dedicated protectors of their people, standing ready to face any threat.
Conclusion: Embrace the Serpent Within
The Viper job in Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail promises to be an exciting addition to the melee DPS roster. With its fast-paced playstyle, high damage potential, and unique mechanics, Viper offers a fresh and engaging combat experience. While it may lack raid utility and personal mitigation, its strengths in raw damage and burst execution make it a formidable force in the right hands. This guide provides a solid foundation for understanding the Viper job. As Dawntrail approaches and more information becomes available, stay tuned for deeper dives into Viper rotations, advanced techniques, and gear optimization to fully unleash the serpent within!
