Lich vs Viper

How this matchup plays

Thinking Viper's innate magic resistance neuters this matchup is a common mistake. The core of Lich's value here isn't his burst damage, but his control. Viper relies on staying on top of targets to apply his corrosive damage over time, and every one of Lich's basic abilities interferes with that. The slows from Frost Blast and Frost Shield stack, making it hard for Viper to chase or disengage. Frost Shield also directly reduces the attack damage of anyone trying to hit its target, weakening Viper's physical output and making him less of a threat to Lich's cores.

During the laning stage, this means Lich can often stabilize a lane that Viper would otherwise dominate, protecting his carry with timely shields. Later on, a single Frost Shield can save a teammate from Viper Strike, buying enough time for help to arrive. While Viper himself is a poor target for Chain Frost due to his tankiness, he often forces his team to play close to him. This clumping sets up a good ultimate bounce for Lich, punishing the allies who are trying to play around their durable frontline hero. The matchup isn't one-sided, but Lich has the tools to consistently disrupt Viper's game plan.