Hello, summoner.
Riven is a high damage, mobile, melee AD carry.
Though she is mostly played top, she is exceptionally good mid. Her main goal is to focus squishy targets and annihilate them because of her crazy burst damage.

Here are the explanations for the items I get and other viable items on Riven.


Rejuvination bead : I prefer to start on this item with a ward and 6 potions because it makes you impossible to kill early levels if you play careful. With that early ward you can prevent all the ganks if you place it in one of the bushes of the river and stay on that side of the mid-lane.


Black Cleaver : First of all since the new update this item is just amazing, every time you do physical damage targets armor reduces, meaning your damage increases as you continue attacking or using abilities. Besides that it provides the early/mid-game health you need.


Bloodthirster : Provides the strongest AD boost in the game, allowing you to maximize your damage output and the amount you shield. An amazing item on Riven, must buy.


Maw of Malmortius : Amazing defensive item against AP, provides AD boost also. I take this mid pretty much all the time since you are going to be playing against AP champions most of the time.


Ravenous Hydra : Great item on Riven, provides AD boost, life steal, and works well with your passive. The activation on Ravenous Hydra is like another AOE ability, use when in range or wait until in the middle of everyone.


Randuins Omen : If you are facing an AD mid that is doing allot of damage to you, or some other AD champion is being annoying to you I recommend to grab this item. Don't forget to use the activation to slow everyone!


Warmogs Armor : Not Riven mid. Good on top if going for heavy bruiser build.


Guardian Angel : Great defensive item, provides armor, magic resist and ability to come back to life after death. In combination with your shield + your mobility, you are going to be very hard to kill.


Mercurial Scimitar : Great way of cleansing a stun or taking away that nasty ignite when you are about to die or pretty much any other de-buff. Gives magic resist against AP champions, and provides AD boost.

Passive : Try to use her passive after using every ability, as it will increase the damage of your auto attack.


Ability : Try to harass with this ability timing your passive in between. Try to keep the final activation for when the enemy starts to run or knock them back and dash away with E to not receive and harass back.


Ability : Great for interrupting, stopping a chase, preventing turret dive, or simply chasing down.


Ability : Use this to make an engage, to absorb harass or to make a quick get away.


Ultimate : Use this when you are going for a kill and to secure the kill use the second activation only when champion gets low because only then will it do Tons of damage.

Pros :

No mana, give blue to your top/jungle

Shield to absorb incoming damage

Very mobile

Very strong burst on squishy enemies

Cons :

Not strong until level 3 or level 6 in some cases

CC is her enemy

Knowing when to use and how to combine your abilities

Armor is her enemy

Play her and try out different combination of abilities to find on how to counter each and single champion you play against. Don't be afraid but keep in mind to have an escape option. Keep good map awareness, buy health potions, buy wards.