I've always liked the theory that Cobra Troopers (blueshirts) and Vipers are equivalent to one another. Vipers are just the infantry versions of troopers, outfitted for more hostile missions. Officers would be above all of them, and Siegies would be at the top.

I figure Tele-Vipers are just troopers who know how to use communications equipment. I know the Snow Serpent filecard says he's an Eel, but I prefer the TV show version, where Snow Serpents are just Cobra troopers in cold weather gear (as seen on occasion when Serpents have their helmets off and have trooper masks and helmets on instead). Honestly, I think it would be best if Eels were just troopers in diving gear, too. I just don't see how a "ruthless terrorist organization" would have various branches to their armed forces like a country does.

As for all the other various speciality Vipers-- I use them occasionally, but for the most part I'm not a huge fan. And while I think regular Vipers look cool, I much prefer standard troopers and officers over everything else. They really give off that "underground militia" vibe that Cobra tended to display in the early days.

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