Cho'Gath vs Riven TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Cho'Gath vs Riven

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Cho'Gath aims to survive early pressure and scale into a tanky front line with health stacks from (R).
Manage lane pressure by farming safely and using (Q) and (W) to control space, avoiding extended trades against Riven's high mobility and burst.
This is a scaling versus snowball matchup where Cho'Gath must deny Riven early cooldown advantages to reach late game durability.

Trading pattern

Fish for (Q) on enemy last-hit timings and follow with (W) silence only when Riven commits to trade.
Avoid trading when (Q) or (W) are on cooldown to prevent being burst down or kited.
Exploit windows after Riven spends (Q) and (E) cooldowns by stepping forward for short trades and wave pressure.

Danger windows

Riven is most dangerous when all her cooldowns (Q), (W), and (E) are available for a full combo.
Avoid trading or extended fights when (W) stun and third (Q) knockup are ready.
Be cautious before level 6 and before your first tank item, as you are more vulnerable to Riven's burst and mobility.

Early game

Focus on farming near minions to set up (Q) knockups and avoid long trades before (R) and tank items.
Use passive sustain to outlast poke and avoid engaging when Riven's mobility and crowd control are available.
Punish Riven after she uses (Q) and (E) cooldowns to reduce her burst and mobility threat.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) to execute low-health targets and secure stacks, increasing your durability and objective threat.
After stacking (R) multiple times, become a durable front line forcing Riven to kite and avoid grouped fights.
Respect Riven's level 6 (R) execute and burst combo; avoid extended trades when her ultimate is active.

Win conditions

Survive early lane pressure by using passive sustain and short trades to reach level 6 and build tank items.
Control space with (Q) and (W) to deny Riven safe trades and punish her cooldown windows.
Scale through (R) stacks to become a durable front line, execute objectives, and force Riven to kite in teamfights.