Grand Viper, also known as Ground Viper only in the localization of Λ Core Plus R, is one of Sol Badguy's Special Attacks, first appearing in Guilty Gear X and has been a staple of his moveset since.
Overview[]
Sol lowers down, then slide-charges at his foe with flaming trails (akin to Gun Blaze) which can low-profile attacks and also hits low. This part can be mashed for extra hits with all buttons save for 
, and both the left and right directions can also be waggled to do so. Sol after his sliding-rush ends the attack with a finisher, which occasionally changes between titles;
Guilty Gear X[]
In several of the Guilty Gear titles starting from its debut in X (including the Xrd subseries), Sol performs the first portion of Bandit Revolver (the leaping knee) before going right into an airborne Volcanic Viper that's roughly between the height of both 
and 
versions. Unlike Volcanic Viper, the Tataki Otoshi/Knockdown followup cannot be used off of Grand Viper.
Guilty Gear Isuka[]
For Kakusei/Bousou Sol however in Isuka, he instead gains 2 versions of Grand Viper.
First is the version that finishes into a DI /Charge Lv 3 Volcanic Viper, and unlike the prior versions of Volcanic Viper, can be followed-up into the Tataki Otoshi/Knockdown (unlike the base Sol's Grand Viper).
Second is the version, which instead finishes into a DI-powered Bandit Revolver.
The former version can be used to raise the foe's stun modifier fairly high like the original DI Volcanic Viper (but requires some precision), while the latter version is great for ending combos that especially push the victim too far out of Sol's reach. Both versions can also be button-mashed and/or stick-waggled for extra hits during the initial flaming-slide-rush like with the base Grand Viper versions.
Guilty Gear XX series[]
Overall, the Grand Viper in the prior XX games has remained the same as in X. Again, unlike Volcanic Viper, Tataki Otoshi/Knockdown cannot be followed-up into off of it.
Though solely in Λ Core and its revisions however, the attack would instead be finished with Sol winding-up into a smashing uppercut blow with the Fireseal's pommel at gut-level (which is still punishable on block or whiff). Furthermore unlike the other versions, this specific one can inflict a Clean Hit when enough buttons are mashed (which can be difficult to master).
Once enough hits are generated from mashing and waggling the directions, a small launch would trigger at the end of Sol's slide-charge if done right to prop for the pommel bash to cleanly strike; a proper clean hit results in a higher launch than usual. However, there exist workarounds to trigger a clean hit without needing to mash (such as during a juggle).
Flame Dipper
For EX Sol across the XX games, Grand Viper gets replaced with Flame Dipper (フレイムディッパー, Fureimu Dippā?); while the dash remains the same, Sol instead takes a page out of Ky's book and finishes with a low attack - in Sol's case, he finishes with his crouching laced with fire.
However, the classic version of Grand Viper in the Λ Core games for EX Sol is reallocated as a Force Break (
+ ) while still having the clean-hitting pommel-bash version exist with the same original input and clean hit properties (
+ ). Despite the Force Break version using said the button in those games, the other main attack buttons other than still must be mashed in order to add more hits to the sliding rush in tandem with the stick waggling.
For Order-Sol, the move Gun Blaze is likely a prototype of this attack.
Guilty Gear Xrd series[]
Akin to the very first version, the move returns to the same as before with the midair Volcanic Viper finisher. However, Dragon Install further enhances Grand Viper unlike in other games by making Sol leave behind larger flame trails during the initial sliding rush, much akin to the aforementioned Gun Blaze.
Guilty Gear -Strive-[]
In Guilty Gear -Strive-, this would be renamed to Night Raid Vortex (ナイトレイドヴォルテックス, Naito Reido Vorutekkusu?), which harkens back to the Λ Core version of Grand Viper, which while seemingly similar, has major differences in that it lacks the exaggerated flame-rush (mainly just for a single hit rush-in), while also having Sol perform a chin-level uppercut with his weapon's pommel, and with his following hand gripping his sword instead.
Details[]
To be added...
Trivia[]
- Solely in Λ Core due to reusing the same exploding sound assets as Tyrant Rave, this attack has gained infamy for its loud sound effects among fans.
- Sol performs this attack in the Guilty Gear X animated trailer against Ky, albeit through the air while covered in a whole aura of fire unlike in the games.
- This version of Grand Viper is somewhat replicated by his EX version's Tyrant Rave ver. Alpha from the XX subseries, emulating Ky's Ride the Lightning (coincidentally, it was the very technique Ky used in the trailer to clash with Sol's Grand Viper).
- Like Volcanic Viper and Storm Viper, Grand Viper might be an allusion to the heavy metal band Viper.
