Riven Build Guide by Nikyre

Notes:

1/17/2012:Started this Guide
-Look in item's notes to find the extra item effects (ex: Atma's impaler Attack bonus due to HP)
-attack is actually around 240
-HP regen is about 200~210 hp/5s
-HP is around 3600

Introduction

With the recent changes to Riven there have been some slight changes to how I play my Riven. The changes that have come with the patch have decreased the damage output of Ki Burst and increased the damage from Broken Wings. Along with changes to her movement speed, hp regen, and hp regen/lvl it has made me change my strategy for how I play.

Abilities

Here I will explain how to use Riven's abilities to the most effect.



Runic Blade

This buff is activated after every use of an ability. It stacks three times. One stack is removed with each normal attack that you use. You want to use a normal attack usually once between each ability use to get the most of it. If you use all your abilities at once you will have some stacks go to waste.


Broken Wings

---

>q

This move has been upgraded in the recent patch and deals increased damage now. It has a variety of uses. It can be used to keep up with fleeing enemies or can be used to remove yourself from an aoe or distance yourself from chasing opponents. To use properly space your use of this ability so it follows this pattern

-Normal attack--normal attack--normal attack

This pattern will apply the Runic Blade buff to each attack increasing your damage output.


Ki Burst

---

>w

This technique I upgrade first for the reduced CD at each lvl. It has been nerfed in the recent patch but it is still a great method to interrupt casts, deal slight aoe damage, pause a fleeing opponent and such. If you want to use effectively tie it into the earlier combo like this:

-normal attack--Normal attack--normal attack-


Valor

---

>e

This move can be used in a variety of ways. Can catch up to fleeing guys, dodge skill shots like if done correctly. On use it will also bring up a shield for a short time. This move is pretty good for Tower dives as it can take a hit from one of those for you. Great starting combo would be:

--


Blade of the Exile

---

>r

This is Riven's Ultimate. At high levels it is very spamable and it's CD is reduced to about 30s. It also increases her attack range and damage. Use it again to shoot a cone aoe which deals damage based on their health. It is very good. Use it as an end to the previous combos.

Runes

Greater Mark of Desolation
This is for true damage, as the game progresses armor ratings of all players will start to go up, and you will need to get through that to have a chance.

Greater Seal of Armor Greater Glyph of Magic Resist
This is for greater armor and resist, should give you an advantage against any players you are playing against in your lane by reducing the damage they deal to you.

Greater Quintessence of Cooldown Reduction
Lastly this is to help your overall skills. Riven is not bound by Mana or Skill power or rage or anything like that. All there is are Cool Downs. Logic stats that the shorter the CDs are the more mitigation and damage you can deal.

OPTIONAL
Greater Quintessence of Attack Damage
This is another option if you would like to use. Greater Attack is better at the start of the game, however it tends to become worse over time. With the CD reduction it will be constant throughout the game.

Masteries

I have chosen these to maximize a few different areas. This Riven style is so that is similar to a tank while keeping the offensive capabilities viable. It can take high damage and can resist a lot while dealing out a lot of damage as well. The points I have invested in the second tree is to maximize the HP that my character will have. This works well with the Item set this build uses as HP converts into attack.

Items

Doran's Shield

I take this as my first purchase because of the armor/regen/hp that it gives. It makes up for the reduced hp regen that Riven has since it was nerfed in the recent patch. It goes really well Riven's play style since she's close range and will be taking damage from multiple sources.

Vampiric Scepter

This purchase is very helpful early game for many reasons. This item is up-gradable and helps keep you up while you do damage. This puts your LS up to 15% at this time. I take it before Boots of Speed for the fact that Riven is VERY maneuverable. It can be very hard to trap her in any slows or aoes because each of her moves slightly bringer her in the direction of the attack.

Boots of Speed

Is my next purchase because even though Riven doe's have great mobility in combat, she will need it out of combat as well. If all her CDs are popped then this is where we need it.

Wriggle's Lantern

This is an upgrade that I take early game for many reasons. First is the armor/attack/LS makes it a very good starting upgrade. The best thing about this would be the sight ward that renews after 3 minutes. Great for any play style.

The Brutalizer

This is an important upgrade, it starts your Youmuu's Ghostblade. Some attack, cd reduction and armor pen to get through the armor that other players are starting to build up.

Phage

This is a temp item. It holds a place in my build only for the fact that it gives HP,attack, and a slow chance. I would have included Frozen Mallet in my build, but I trade it off for Randuin's Omen late game.

Ionian Boots of Lucidity

I take the upgraded boots for the CD reduction. This will now allow you to keep up with most enemies. **Been experimenting with the Ninja Tabi, it does seem to work well withing Riven's build. With full items this 10% prevention may push your defense so that you absorb 77% of melee and magic to about 70%. So it is a viable choice.

Warmog's Armor

I take this for the Giant HP boost and HP regen. Plus it grants extra hp and regen which becomes permanent. It also works great with Atma's Impaler

Atma's Impaler

This item really helps in end game combat. With about 3500 hp at end game it will also add about 70 attack as well as extra armor and crit.

Youmuu's Ghostblade

This upgrade grants better cd, attack and armor pen. You also now have a speed increase and attack speed increase when you need it.

Force of Nature

With your great Hp, you now also get a bit of Magic resistance and more HP regen. With the health from this build you also get about 62 hp/5s with the .35*max hp hp/s bonus. You may want to switch this out for Banshee's Veil. Again up to person preferance

Randuin's Omen

My last item I take. This item adds a bit more regen armor and hp. But it reduces incoming attack speeds and movement speeds. Plus you can activate it to slow others around you. Even though Frozen Mallet has a chance every hit, I would take this slow over a slow which requires you to hit them. However Guardian Angel may be a good replacement, it gives you a 2nd chance and adds a bit more armor and magic resist.

Skill Sequence

I take this sequence because of the changes which have occurred since the patch. Riven's Broken Wings now deals a lot more damage. I still upgrade Ki Burst for the stun and the fast CD. I upgrade Valor a bit slower than before patch because of this.

Summoner Spells

Depending on your play style you will have your preferences. I find these combinations to be the best for Riven's play style.

Flash

Best ability for Riven, once in a while you will notice that your character will get stunned and then ganged up on. This ability is an escape and a chase ability that you can use to avoid or take down an opponent.

Exhaust

Slow and armor reduction lets you take down an opponent faster and keep them from running very self explanatory.

OPTIONAL

Heal

This can be used to help you keep yourself up, can be used in dire situations or just reassurance you wont die. With the HP regen and LS in build you most likly wont need this skill.

Teleport

Skill is good for getting around field fast and also allows you to retreat and get back in a matter of seconds.

Summary

This guide page does not show the extra's which some items give you.

- Atma's Impaler attack increase is not shown but with at 3500 hp it becomes about 70 attack.
- Force of Nature regen is not added to the total regen of the build, which adds about 62 hp/5s
- Warmog's Armor hp and hp/5s do not get shown until you kill minions and champs. thats another 350 hp and 10hp/5s

Hope you enjoy the guide and give it a try. Riven is still kick ***!