Riven vs Malphite TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Riven vs Malphite

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Riven is the lane aggressor aiming to pressure and deny Malphite's scaling by forcing cooldowns and short trades.
Manage wave and cooldown windows to avoid letting Malphite safely farm and reach his armor spikes.
This is a snowball vs scale matchup where Riven must leverage early agency to punish Malphite's low early pressure.

Trading pattern

Trade only when (E) attack speed slow or (R) knockup is down to minimize his retaliation.
Use (E) shield to absorb poke and (W) stun to lock Malphite during your burst combo.
Disengage immediately after your short combo to avoid extended fights where Malphite's armor and slows win out.

Danger windows

Be cautious when (R) is available and he can engage from long range; avoid overextending without vision.
After using all your mobility (Q) and shield (E), you are vulnerable to Malphite's counter trades; retreat until cooldowns refresh.
Watch for Malphite's attack speed slow (E) combined with his passive shield to reduce your trade effectiveness.

Early game

Use level 1-3 to establish cooldown advantage by quick (Q), (W), and (E) combos before Malphite stacks armor.
Avoid extended trades after using (Q) and (E) until cooldowns recover to prevent punishment.
Pressure Malphite early to deny free farming and force him to play defensively before level 6.

Power spikes

Level 6: Activate (R) to convert prior chip damage into lethal burst; bait (R) before committing.
First haste/damage item: Use improved cooldowns to threaten repeated trades and force Malphite into defensive posture.
Respect Malphite's level 6 (R) engage as a lethal all-in threat that can punish overextension.

Win conditions

Snowball early by punishing Malphite's cooldowns with quick (Q)-(W)-(E) combos and back off before he recovers.
Deny Malphite safe scaling by forcing him to farm under pressure and avoid letting him hit armor spikes.
Use level 6 (R) all-ins after baiting or dodging (R) to secure kills and transition to side-lane pressure and skirmishes.