Reef Viper

Description

Though diminutive, and kept as pets by some adventuring sorts, the Sea Adder is a deadlier serpent compared even to the giant snake, preferring to get up close to its opponents. They also carry a sticky internal fluid that aids in catching and digesting the snake’s prey. The larger Reef Viper is even more deadly, and a Boss variant is more deadly still.

Abilities

• Melee Attack (Bite): The snake quickly strikes at a close-range target, digging its fangs into the victim. Avoid.
• Ranged Attack (Spring): The enemy coils up and launches into the air, quickly gliding to a target and closing the gap between them. This is simply to reach you so melee attacks can begin; you can back away or engage as you wish.
• Close-Range Attack (Constricting Strike): The enemy rises into an aggressive stance, then launches an attack. If you don’t block it, expect to be stunned as the snake quickly attempts to coil around and bite at you. After it releases you, you’re knocked to the ground. If you block, the snake bounces away, landing off-balance. There is a possibility of a stun or knockdown here.
• Regurgitation (Bile Sac): The snake brings up a portion of its last meal and projects it at you. This is sticky and creates a small hazard in the combat space. Expect to be entangled if you step on it (heavy snare). Move to the outer radius of the attack to break free, or wait until the bile expires. This is an indirect attack.

Group Boss Abilities

• Airborne Uncoiling (Swipe): The foe coils up tightly, then ascends before uncoiling and striking. Expect point-blank AoE damage (knockback and knockdown) if you don’t block or dodge in time.
• Ground Pound (Slam): The snake coils and leaps into the air before landing with significant force, instantly sending an AoE wave out from the point of impact. Waterspouts may spring up randomly, and if you’re caught in one, expect to be flung skyward (knockup). Avoid.
• Movement (Reposition): Usually around halfway through the battle, the foe attempts a Spring ability to move and land in a new part of the combat space. This is the farthest the otherwise reasonably stationary foe will move, and the ability isn’t aggressive.
• Spawning (Splatter): Expect tiny spawning snakes to appear under and around the foe. These are hazardous to step on, as the baby adders explode, tethering you with a snare. Expect ranged players to have the most trouble dodging or avoiding this spawn.
• Spawn Call (Screech): If you hear an inhuman screeching toward the end of the fight, expect any spawned baby adders to seek out the closest player and explode. More baby adders spawn around the main foe to threaten melee attackers. Expect the baby adders’ explosions to be faster and their tethering a little more effective. Multiple explosions affecting a single player may bring them down (knockdown).