I have been playing Ryze for quite a while now and I haven't hit 30 (level 28 so im going up agaisnt 30's) yet but this build seems to work very well so I thought I would share it. Now this build is set to my play style and it isn't for just anybody, for this build to work at it's full potential you need to know how to analyze certain situations and this champion.

I chose Magic Pen and AP runes for early game harass and FB, also it helps with getting you fed. I don't use MP/5 runes because I control my mana, if you know how to use Ryze you won't need to spam abilities which in my opinion you shouldn't ever.

I grab Sorc's shoes first for situations I need to escape or when I need to chase someone down.
Grabbing the Deathcap second is essential to this build, this build already is heavy AP early game due to the rune page so grabbing the Deathcap takes Ryze to a whole new level.
After Deathcap the rest of the build sequence depends on your situation, if your doing amazing and are getting fed grab Mejai and start stacking. If your having mana issues grab Archangels, they keep getting away grab Rylai's and if your dying too much well... either you or your team isn't doing a good job. Once you start getting those kills the other team will notice you more and more meaning your going to be focused, in this case grab either a Guardian Angel or Banshee's Veil ( I prefer the def/mr over Zhonya's AP and armor even though stasis is great)

Max Rune Prison first, keeping them rooted is priority because even if you may not be able to finish them off maybe a team mate can or it could give him that extra second he needed to get into place.

These are what I replace with def masteries and items. Because of Ghost and Flash I can ignore def items early on, but you shouldn't waste them on chasing an enemy down. The only occasion I will use these offensively is when I am in a bush or just slightly out of range to prison. The trick is to slowly reduce the distance between you and the enemy (most of the times they back up a bit but return to the same position once they see they still have some distance) and when I see them standing still ( if ranged) or getting closer ( melee) I flash towards them and prison them immediately. Remember though if no minions are around you will have to get close enough to bounce spell flux off of you or you won't do as much damage so after prison get closer. If you think they may be setting up a trap make sure you have flash to get a kill and ghost to escape.

Pros:
- You can tower dive, 1v2 and solo lane if you get this champion down.
- Best nuke in a 1v1 situation
- Flash, Ghost, Rune Prison help with Ryze and his squishy complex

Cons:
- CC will own you
- Can't solo lane as well against 2 ranged
- This build isn't for just anyone

- Don't initiate unless you have an escape plan
- When all your abilities are on CD break away from the team fight don't stand there taking damage you will just die.
- After you first combo in a team fight save Prison for stragglers or helping a team mate escape