Earthshaker vs Viper

How this matchup plays

Trying to lock down a team with Viper on it can be frustrating. An Earthshaker who jumps in can find himself standing in a Nethertoxin puddle, unable to follow up with more stuns from Aftershock because it gets disabled. Viper's poison slows also make it very difficult to reposition for a Fissure or even walk away if the initiation goes poorly. Viper Strike is often a death sentence if it lands on Earthshaker after he's used his Blink Dagger, as he becomes too slow to escape and easy for the enemy team to collapse on.

The outcome of this matchup usually depends on who gets the jump. While Viper can shut down Earthshaker's spell combos, he can't do much if he gets caught in an instant Echo Slam. Viper is not a mobile hero, making him a good target for a surprise initiation. The game becomes a contest of vision and positioning. If Earthshaker finds his opening, Viper dies like anyone else. If Viper and his team see the play coming, they can turn it around and punish the failed attempt easily.