It does not matter if you are new on Riven, feel that you need help with her itemsets, runes, masteries, combos, skill upgrading, behaviour in lane or teamfights or just want to know what can work against her.

Riven is a Melee Fighter, mostly seen on the Top or Mid Lane.
Her extreme high mobility from Broken Wings and Valor, her high AD scaling and her insane burst potential make her very complex and flexible.

These attributes are supported by her gameplay which offers alot of decision making, timing and needs practice.

Runic Blade (Passive)


Riven's abilities charge her blade for 5 seconds, causing her to do 20/25/30/35/40/45/50% of her attack damage as bonus physical damage on her next basic attack. Riven can store up to 3 charges, and can only expend one at a time.

Broken Wings

Riven lashes out in a series of strikes. This ability can be reactivated three times in a short time frame with the third hit knocking back nearby enemies.
Riven strikes out in front of her in a short line. This ability may be reactivated 2 additional times.

1st and 2nd Use: Slashes forward, dealing 10/30/50/70/90 (+40/45/50/55/60% Attack Damage) physical damage to all units she comes in contact with.
3rd Use: Leaps forward and slams the ground dealing 10/30/50/70/90 (+40/45/50/55/60% Attack Damage) physical damage and knocking nearby enemies up.

This leap can cross unpathable terrain.Riven will target the unit your cursor is hovering over, or if no targets are present, Riven will simply strike the direction she is currently facing.Riven's 3rd leap is also known as a wall jumping mechanic.


Ki Burst


Riven emits a Ki burst, damaging and stunning nearby enemies.
Riven's sword emits a burst of runic energy that shocks nearby enemies, dealing 50/80/110/140/170 (+100% bonus Attack Damage) physical damage and stunning them for 0.75 seconds.


Valor


Riven steps forward a short distance and blocks incoming damage.
Riven does a quick dash in the direction of your cursor and becomes shielded, blocking up to 70/100/130/160/190 (+100% bonus Attack Damage) incoming damage for 1.5 seconds.

Blade of the Exile


Riven empowers her keepsake weapon with energy and gains attack damage and range. Additionally, during this time, she gains the ability to use Wind Slash, a powerful ranged attack, once.
Riven's weapon surges with spiritual energy for 15 seconds, granting her 20% extra Attack Damage (+20% bonus Attack Damage), 20% increased range on her damaging spells, additional 75 auto attack range, and the ability to use Wind Slash once.

: Riven fires a shockwave that deals from 80/120/160 (+60% bonus Attack Damage) to 240/360/480 (+180% bonus Attack Damage)physical damage to all enemies hit, increasing based on how much health they are missing.

Ideal combos : e r q a
q q e r q
e r w a

Pros


+ High burst dmg
+ Extremely mobile
+ Low cooldown shield
+ Scales only and very good with AD
+ Great kill potential
+ Really fun to play!
Cons


- Squishy in the lategame
- No sustain in her kit.
- Easy to shutdown with CC
- Not a single ranged ability
- Her sword broke and she has no insurance

Youmuu's

-30 Attack Damage
-10% Cooldown Reduction
-15% Crit Chance
-20 Armor Penetration
-Active: 20% Movement Speed + 40% Attack Speed

Black Cleaver
-40 Attack Damage
-=20% Cooldown Reduction
-400 HP
-5% of their armour for 6 secs stacking up to 6 times(30%). Armour Penetration (belongs on how often you hit with Physical Damage)



You should ask yourself which one is better when and thinking a bit makes clear that The Black Cleaver is a lot stronger in the lategame. It gives you percentage Armor Penetration, which has more effect in the lategame, because your enemies will have more armor, that means the % gets more use.
The other points where The Black Cleaver is better than the Youmuu's Ghostblade. That is some tankyness, but seriously you will not need it on lane.

If we now look at the benefits from Youmuu's Ghostblade we will see the following: 10 Flat Armor Penetration, 15% Crit Chance, 20% Movement Speed and 40% Attack speed for 6 seconds.

Well yes, the flat armor pen gets worse from time to time.
But the other benefits are awesome!
The movement speed gives you the opportunity to delay your boots, you can easily chase people down or escape with the active. The Attack speed allows you to trade more efficient and a bit longer.
The Crit chance is really annoying, because IF you crit once with your passive it will really really really hurt much.
There is one more minor thing: Youmuu's Ghostblade is cheaper than The Black Cleaver!!!!!

I will show you the difference from no CDR to 40% CDR on level 18.
No CDR


- Broken Wings 13 seconds cooldown.
- Ki Burst 7 seconds cooldown.
- Valor 6 seconds cooldown.
- Blade of the Exile 50 seconds cooldown.
40% CDR


- Broken Wings 7,8 seconds cooldown.
- Ki Burst 4,2 seconds cooldown.
- Valor 3,6 seconds cooldown.
- Blade of the Exile 30 seconds cooldown.