Bane vs Viper

How this matchup plays

Trying to lock down Viper in a teamfight is often a trade. Bane has Fiend's Grip, which is one of the best single-target lockdown spells, but Viper is built to withstand that kind of focus. His natural magic resistance from Corrosive Skin reduces the damage from the channel, making it easier for him to survive until help arrives. On the other hand, Bane's Brain Sap deals pure damage, ignoring that resistance entirely and letting him trade health effectively during the laning stage. Enfeeble also cuts a significant portion of Viper's damage output, making it hard for him to threaten heroes.

This dynamic leads to a standoff in most games. If Bane uses his ultimate on Viper, he's often tanky enough to live through it and then turn the fight with his sustained damage and slows. If Bane chooses to grip a different enemy hero, Viper is left completely free to sit in the back and melt the rest of the team with Poison Attack and Nethertoxin. Success for either hero comes down to positioning and team follow-up, rather than an inherent advantage in the matchup itself. Neither hero reliably shuts the other down.