Mel vs Riven MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Mel

VS

Mid

Riven

Mel vs Riven

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Control the mid lane by using poke and projectile denial to prevent Riven from gaining cooldown advantages for all-ins.
Manage spacing carefully to avoid Riven's mobility combos and punish her when key cooldowns are down.
This is a control vs snowball matchup where Mel must deny Riven's early burst and scale through ranged poke.

Trading pattern

Trade by landing (E) root to set up (Q) poke and hold (W) to reflect Riven's short-range projectiles during her combo.
Avoid using (W) prematurely to prevent giving Riven free cooldown windows to engage.
Punish Riven's mobility cooldowns spent on failed engages by stepping forward for poke and mark pressure.

Danger windows

Be cautious when Riven has all her mobility and crowd control cooldowns available for a full combo.
Avoid extended trades if (W) or third (Q) from Riven is ready, as her crowd control can lock you down.
Respect Riven's level 6 (R) window where she can execute low-health targets with high burst.

Early game

Use (Q) to poke safely and build marks while holding (W) to reflect Riven's key short-range burst abilities.
Avoid committing if (E) root misses, as Riven can punish with her high mobility and crowd control.
Track Riven's cooldowns to trade when her (Q) and (E) are down and she cannot engage effectively.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) for lethal mark detonation and only commit when Riven's defensive cooldowns are down.
After completing the first mage item, increase wave pressure and poke to force Riven into risky trades.
Respect Riven's level 6 (R) execute and her combo cooldowns to avoid lethal burst trades.

Win conditions

Win by consistently poking and marking Riven from range, then finishing with (R) when she is low.
Deny Riven cooldown advantages by reflecting her key projectiles with (W) and punishing missed engages.
Use lane control to prevent Riven from snowballing and leverage your scaling to impact teamfights and roams.