UMVC3/C. Viper

Overview Combos Strategy/Counterstrategy Resources Data

Introduction

A special agent working for the CIA. Crimson Viper was a newcomer to Capcom's fighting lineup introduced in Street Fighter 4, where she is deployed to investigate the organization S.I.N. and its leader, Seth. She wears a special combat suit that enhances her fighting abilities with special gadgets, which can burn or electrify enemies.

In UMvC3, Viper is a fast-paced, aggressive character with many unique mechanics that she can utilize to enhance her mixup capabilities, extend her combos, or even zone out an opponent.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Top Tier Setplay: One of only a few characters with practical unblockable options on incoming, and even lacking that her mixups are potent. Combo Potential: High damage potential, played on the right teams with the correct execution she can put out very high damage off a variety of hits. Strong Conversions: Very good at converting stray hits into full combos via tools like EX Burn Kick, and can use jump-cancel Seismo to pick up almost any hard knockdown as well. Versatile Gameplan: Can seamlessly transition a keep away, zoning playstyle into threatening rushdown via strong movement, Optical Laser, and Seismos.

Meter Hoarder: Requires careful meter management as Viper needs bar for both hypers and EX moves, and is overall less meter-efficient than many other point characters. High Execution: Demands very high execution in order to be played well and build team synergy. Lackluster Support: Assists are mediocre and she lacks a safe DHC option.

Unique Mechanics

C.Viper's motion specials (Thunder Knuckle, Burning Kick, and Seismic Hammer) have EX variations, based on the "EX" moves found in SF4. These EX moves cost 1 bar of Hyper meter to perform, similar to a Hyper. However, they are still considered special attacks, not hypers. EX Special moves have additional damage and have extra properties to justify their meter cost. EX Specials are done by performing the regular special move motion, but with the S button instead of the regular attack buttons. For example, EX Thunder Knuckle is 236S.

These same three special moves detailed above are able to be Feint Canceled, a special mechanic only Viper can perform. Feint Cancels are performed by pressing the S button during these specials. The specific window for feint canceling a special depends on the attack. Thunder Knuckle can be Feint Canceled both before and after the hit, while Burn Kick and Seismo can only be canceled before the hit. Feint cancel immediately ends the special move and returns Viper to a neutral state with either 4 or 10 frames of recovery, allowing her to recover faster and opening new options. Feint Cancel does not cost any resources to perform.

Health	900,000
Invulnerable Reversal(s)	236S, 623S, 236XX, 623XX
Grounded Magic Series	Stronger+
X-Factor Damage Boost (1/2/3)	25% / 47.5% / 70%
X-Factor Speed Boost (1/2/3)	15% / 22.5% / 30%
Air Movement Options
Air Actions	Air Jumps?	Air Dash?	Flight?	WallJump?
2	Yes	8-Way	No	No
Minimum Attack Scaling
Normals	Specials		Hypers
20%	30%		60%

Move List

Assists

Thunder Knuckle
Assist A

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
80,000	29	7	130, 100
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-	Mid
THC Hyper: Emergency Combination. Viper punches at an upwards angle, knocking opponents up as well. Can be feint canceled if used as a crossover counter, allowing for follow-up combos.

Seismic Hammer
Assist B

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
80,000	40	8	109, 79
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-	Mid	, Priority: Low, Durability: 5
THC Hyper: Burst Time. Punches downward and creates an explosion immediately in front of Viper, which hits OTG. Can be feint canceled when used as a Crossover Counter, but only before the move becomes active.

Burning Kick
Assist Y

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
90,000	49	5	111, 81
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-	OH	, Priority: Low, Durability: 5
THC Hyper: Burst Time. Recommended assist. As an overhead assist, it can be used to set up dangerous high-low mixups or even unblockables when paired with any low attack from the point character. Can be feint-canceled if used as a crossover counter, but only before the move becomes active.

Ground Normals

Stand Light
5L

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
40,000	5	3	10
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
0	-1	Low	-
Standing low attack (note that Viper's 2L is not low).

Stand Medium
5M

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
63,000	7	3	19
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-4	-5	Mid	-
-

Stand Heavy
5H

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
75,000	9	3	22
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-2	-3	Mid	-
-

Crouching Light
2L

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
38,000	4	2	11
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
0	-1	Mid	-
Faster than 5L, but does not hit low. Useful for linking after feint-canceled 236L.

Crouching Medium
2M

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
60,000	7	3	20
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-5	-6	Low	-
Viper's only crouching low.

Crouching Heavy
2H

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
72,000	9	4	19
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
0	-1	Mid	-
-

Launcher/Special
S

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
30,000 + 50,000	8	5(3)6	24
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
Launch	-8	Mid	, (only second hit)
Unique two-hitting launcher. The first hit acts as a regular normal, and thus can be canceled into specials or hypers normally. Viper can use this as free extra damage in certain confirms. The second hit acts as a standard launcher, with all of the regular properties of most characters 5S attack. The first hit of S is not subject to hitstun deterioration.

Aerial Normals

Jumping Light
j.5L

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
43,000	6	3	15
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
+11	+10	OH	-
Works as an instant overhead naturally against most characters, although with limited follow-up potential.

Jumping Medium
j.5M

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
60,000	8	3	19
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
+16	+15	OH	-
-

Jumping Heavy
j.5H

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
73,000	7	3	24
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
+18	+17	OH	-
Works as an instant overhead naturally against most characters, although with limited follow-up potential. Sometimes fails to work as a jump-in, since Viper's lower leg will cause her to land-cancel the attack when falling quickly.

Jumping Special
j.5S

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
75,000	9	4	23
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
+15	+14	OH
-

Command Normals

Viper Elbow
6M

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
65,000	22	4	13
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
+1	0	OH	-
Command overhead. Cannot be chained into. Can be canceled into special moves on contact or during the landing recovery, and can be chained into 5S. Notable follow-ups are 623S and 5S (which both just barely combo), or 214L for a second consecutive overhead.

Focus Attack
X+S (can be charged)

Viper's initial focus stance

Viper enters level 2 focus.

Viper automatically attacks upon fully charging

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
70,000 / 80,000 / 90,000	25 - 77 (12 after release)	3	23
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-3*	-4*	Mid / Unblockable	Hyper Armor starting from frame 6, at level 2+, at level 3.
Viper enters a focus stance. She has Hyper Armor in this stance starting from frame 6, and can cancel charging with a forward dash, backdash, or any special/hyper. Continuing to charge the focus attack will unlock additional benefits. -Level 1 (default) Focus Attack is an unremarkable elbow strike with limited range and utility. -Level 2 Focus Attack is gained by charging for at least 30 frames, an inky aura will appear around Viper. Releasing the focus attack now will make the attack Crumple on hit against grounded opponents. -Level 3 Focus Attack is gained by allowing Viper to fully charge, and she will automatically attack upon reaching it. Not only does Level 3 Focus cause a Crumple hit, it is now Unblockable. Normally, it is impractical for Viper to keep an opponent in range of this attack long enough to fully charge it. This weakness can be circumvented by using assists with large amount of lockdown, such as Dante's Jam Session, or Ammy's Cold Star assists.

Special Moves

Thunder Knuckle
236X

L Version

M Version

H Version

L +	Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
	90,000	15	7	14
	On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
	+2/+11	+1/+10	Mid	-
M +	Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
	90,000	13	7	16
	On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
	0/+11	-1/+10	Mid	-
H +	Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
	100,000	5	7	44
	On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
	-15/+24	-29/+10	Mid
Viper rushes forward with an electrically charged punch. L version advances forward while ducking, although it is not low enough profile to evade many attacks. M version is similar to L version, but Viper stands during the punch, and it has superior frame data in most cases. H version is unique in that it causes Viper to punch upwards into the air, knocking the opponent up with them. Unlike Viper's other specials, this move can be feint canceled after the hit, drastically improving its frame data on hit/block, and making it a staple combo and pressure tool. Feint cancel windows for each version: L - 6-14 (before contact), 15-16 (after contact) M - 3-12 (before contact), 13-14 (after contact) H - 1-4 (before contact), 5-6 (after contact). Note: the feint cancel window for 236H is set up so that Viper can only cancel while she is still on the ground, although cancelling after the hit will put the opponent airborne, and she can jump up after them.

EX Thunder Knuckle
236S (1 bar)

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
150,000	10	38	28
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-44	Mid	Invuln frames 1-10, vs grounded, Priority: Medium, Durability: 10
Enhanced version of Thunder Knuckle, where Viper slides across the entire screen delivering a heavy punch. Has a small invincibility window during startup, but also is considered to be a medium-priority projectile while active. As a result, it will blow through almost any non-hyper projectile, although it is still vulnerable to many physical attacks. On hitting a grounded opponent, it causes a Crumple state, essentially giving Viper a free full combo. If the opponent is airborne and hit by EX Thunder Knuckle the opponent will be put into a spinning soft knockdown until the opponent reaches the ground and can tech at that stage. EX Thunder Knuckle is also cancellable into EX Seismic Hammer. Unlike non-EX Knuckle, it can only be feint canceled early, before the active frames (window 5-9f). It is catastrophically unsafe and can not be canceled except into X-Factor, hypers, and other EX specials. EX Thunder Knuckle is not subject to hitstun deterioration.

Burning Kick
214X

This flash indicates the window to feint-cancel by inputting S.

L +	Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
	90,000	23	10	26
	On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
	-	-14	OH	, Priority: Low, Durability: 5
M +	Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
	90,000	25	10	18
	On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
	-	-6	OH	, Priority: Low, Durability: 5
H +	Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
	90,000	27	10	13
	On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
	-	-1	OH	, Priority: Low, Durability: 5
Viper becomes airborne and attacks with a burning kick. This attack hits overhead, and the flames act as a projectile. Can be canceled into its EX version, which is the only way to convert it without assists or X-Factor. Mainly useful for its feint cancel. Burn kick can be feint canceled before becoming active but after becoming airborne, acting as a form of command jump that can be canceled into from normals. Burning Kick can have its landing recovery cancelled by use of an EX move or Hyper Move. Feint Cancel windows for each version: L - 7-14 (before hit) M - 9-16 (before hit) H - 10-17 (before hit) All versions of Burning Kick are not subject to hitstun deterioration.

EX Burning Kick
214S (1 bar)

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
20,000 x3 + 90,000	9	10(5)5	20
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-3	OH	Forced , Priority: Low, Durability: 5
Enhanced version of grounded Burning Kick. Has an initial hitbox when jumping upwards, and then a follow-up attack in the actual burn kick. As a result, this move is only a very fast overhead when used at very close range, and otherwise takes awhile to connect. The soft knockdown caused by this attack ignores hitstun deterioration. Viper can basically always follow this attack up with normals and continue the combo, making it an excellent confirm tool alongside its Air version. Feint cancel window is frames 10-14 EX Burning Kick is not subject to hitstun deterioration.

Air Burning Kick
j.214X

This flash indicates the window to feint cancel by inputting S.

L (air) +	Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
	80,000	21	10	Until grounded +18
	On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
	-	-6	OH	, Priority: Low, Durability: 5
M (air) +	Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
	80,000	19	10	Until grounded +20
	On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
	-	-9	OH	, Priority: Low, Durability: 5
H (air) +	Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
	80,000	17	10	Until grounded +22
	On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
	-	-11	OH	, Priority: Low, Durability: 5
Air version of burn kick. Like the ground version, its mainly useful when feint canceled - to act as a sort of jump cancel. Viper can feint cancel burn kick up to three times per jump, which can be combined with her regular double-jump or airdash to stall in the air for a long time. Feint cancel Air Burn Kick preserves some of Viper's aerial momentum - if she is performing a back jump, the feint will push her up and back. A neutral jump feint kick will move her up and very slightly forward, and a forward jump feint kick will send her a good distance forward. Can also be used in combos - again for its feint cancel - mainly in TACs, as j.5H -> feint cancel -> j.5L is just fast enough to link. Feint Cancel window is the same for each version: frames 6-11. All versions of Air Burning Kick are not subject to hitstun deterioration.

Air EX Burn Kick
j.214S (1 bar)

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
20,000 x3 + 80,000	6	10(5)5	Until grounded + 16
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-4	OH	Forced , Priority: Low, Durability: 5
Enhanced version of Air Burn Kick. Works almost the same way as grounded EX Burn Kick. Very strong conversion tool for stray air hits and assists like Jam Session, as the forced soft knockdown gives Viper a guaranteed follow-up combo. Feint cancel window: frames 6-11 Air EX Burning Kick is not subject to hitstun deterioration.

Seismic Hammer
Seismo
623X

L Version

M Version

H Version

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
80,000	16	8	35
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-7	-18	Mid	, , , Priority: Low, Durability: 5
Viper punches the ground and creates a shockwave projectile a fixed distance in front of her. L Seismo creates a shockwave directly in front of her, M creates one at about 1/3 fullscreen distance, and H creates one at roughly 2/3 fullscreen distance. The shockwave hits OTG and can be useful in projectile battles since it appears underneath the opponent, avoiding their own fireballs. Seismo is a very important part of Viper's kit due to its jump-cancel property. It can be canceled into jumps or superjumps after frame 19. Jump-cancel seismos are very advantageous on hit or block, and can even be used if the projectile whiffs entirely. Additionally, Viper can cancel the prejump frames of her jump-cancel seismo into any grounded special/hyper, including another seismo. Rapid jump-cancel seismos allow Viper to quickly fill the screen with projectiles, in order to lock down opponents or their assists, while being very low commitment. Seismo's projectile reaches fairly high up. If an airborne opponent blocks it, their aerial momentum will be halted and they will plummet towards the ground. Viper can use this to jail characters who try to chicken block her pressure. Feint cancel window: frames 6-11.

EX Seismic Hammer
623S (1 bar)

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
50,000 x3	14	8	19
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-5	Mid	Invuln until frame 16, , , , Priority: Low, Durability: 5
Enhanced version of Seismo. Viper creates a larger explosion that covers roughly the combined area of L and M seismos. It is faster than regular Seismo, and has solid invincibility. It can be jump-canceled from frame 19 on, in the same way as regular seismo. Feint cancel window: frames 5-11. EX Seismic Hammer is not subject to hitstun deterioration.

Optic Laser
[X]

After being held for 60 frames, Viper's glasses will begin to glow.

Release the button to perform Optic Laser.

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
35,000 x3	21	20	10
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-7	High	, Priority: Low, Beam Durability: 4 per frame for 3 frames
Buster-style charged projectile. If Viper holds a button for 60 frames, her sunglasses will gain a red glow. After that point, releasing all attack buttons while in a valid state (on the ground, and can cancel into a special) will cause Viper to perform Optic Laser. Releasing all attack buttons in a state where she cannot perform the special will waste the charge. Optic Laser is a fairly fast beam projectile with good durability, but most characters can duck underneath it. It can not be feint canceled. Button strength does not alter this move in any way, so it can be used by holding any button. Viper can also hold down a second button and then release the first button in order to maintain her charge, although she cannot store multiple charges by holding multiple buttons. Optic Laser is not subject to hitstun deterioration.

Hyper Combos

Emergency Combination
236XX (1 bar)

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
60,000 + 60,000 + 70,000 + 110,000	10+4	5(17)6(13)6(17)7	72
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-74	Mid	Invuln until frame 36, ,
Viper punches forward twice and then does two upwards kicks. Both punches can nullify one projectile, including high-priority projectiles like hypers. When combined with its natural invincibility, it is very difficult to contest as a reversal. However, Viper's EX specials are also serviceable reversals that are more difficult to react against.

Burst Time
214XX (1 bar)

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
70,000 + 30,000 x3 + 150,000	9+1	4(26)64	57
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-99	Low	Invuln frames 6-13, , , Priority: High, Durability: 100 (!!)
Standard combo ender. Can be done on its own as an OTG, or as a followup to OTG L Seismo. Does great damage, especially considering Viper's high minimum damage scaling on hypers. This move juggles the opponent very high into the air and ends with a lengthy fall into a soft knockdown. The DHC window is very long even after the final hit, and so this hyper is excellent for setting up DHCs.

Viper Full Throttle
623XX (3 bars)

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
430,000	10+0	10	49
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-38	Mid	Invuln until frame 14,
Standard cinematic level 3 hyper, with Viper lunging forward about 3/4 of screen length. Ignores damage scaling. This move is one of a few hypers that has 0 frames of startup after the flash. As a result, if this move is done point black, and the opponent is not already blocking when the hyperflash begins, it cannot be blocked. Effectively, it is already active during the super flash.

Universal Mechanics

Ground Throw
6H, 4H

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
80,000	1	1	-
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-	Throw
Standard ground throw that results in the opponent knocked down next to Viper. Easy to pick up afterwards using jump cancel seismo.

Air Throw
j.6H, j.4H

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
80,000	1	1	-
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-	Airthrow
Standard ground throw that results in the opponent knocked down next to Viper. Easy to pick up afterwards using jump cancel seismo.

Snap Back
+/

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
50,000	2	3	22
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-3	Mid	Snapback
Animation and hitbox based on 5H.

Hard Tag
Hold 14f /

Damage	Startup	Active	Recovery
30,000	-	20	33
On Hit	On Block	Guard	Properties
-	-15	OH
-

Team Position

Viper is almost always played as a Point character. Although her assists and DHC options are not terrible, Viper tends to be the best character on teams featuring her, when it comes to the neutral game. Viper teams tend to be particularly momentum-focused, as she wants to secure an early hit and snowball with Unblockable setups using her fully charged Focus Attack special.

Some people have also had success running Viper as an Anchor character, on the grounds that her very invincible EX Thunder Knuckle can be used to escape oncoming pressure as long as she reaches the ground, and that she benefits from entering the fight with several bars of hyper meter to spend on EX moves and hypers.

Notable Shells

Replay Theater Footage

Surprise, surprise but Doom is one of Viper's best partners. He has nearly everything she wants in a support. He can function as a damage engine via Ex Thunder Knuckle Hard Tags or via TAC infinites. He has access to safe DHCs to make her reversal super safe and get her out with little risk. Lastly, all of his assists are strong for her with Plasma Beam being particularly useful for her neutral and combos.

Notable Players

Name	Team	Region	Status	Notes	Matches
Full Schedule		East Coast	Inactive	Easily the best example of the Shell. His use of Plasma beam to supplement Vipers neutral as well as ensure any hit kills is second to none. Particularly notable for his consistency with Doom TAC infinites.	Replay Theater Full Schedule vs Jan @ CEO 2015 Full Schedule vs RayRay @ CEO 2016
StaticAlpha		Midwest	Inactive	Plays a very clean space control playstyle, utilizing Viper Eye Laser, Seismos, and Doom beam (and Vajra) to zone and control the screen until choosing an opening to go in. Once in, his use of Thunder Knuckle and Plasma Beam makes for oppressive offense that is hard to escape even with pushblock.	Replay Theater StaticAlpha vs JoeyD @ Chaos Dimension Static Alpha vs CrazyJoe @ Combo Breaker 2019

Alternate Colors

Color 1	Color 2	Color 3	Color 4	Color 5	Color 6	Alt Color

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