Top Matchup

Shen vs Riven

Patch: 15.17 (25.17)
League: Platinum+
Shen

Shen

the Eye of Twilight
Top
Shen Top Overall Win Rate
51.66%

Matchup Win Rate

48.1%
Shen vs Riven Wins
52.0%
Riven vs Shen Wins
Riven

Riven

the Exile
Top
Riven Top Overall Win Rate
50.52%

Shen vs Riven - Top Matchup Guide Patch 15.17 (25.17)

Shen Top vs Riven Top - Who is stronger?

Shen Top has trouble against Riven (48.1% win rate) based on 540 games. This is a tough matchup for Shen players.

View detailed statistics below: items, runes, and counter builds for Shen Top vs Riven Top in patch 15.17 (25.17), including win rates and pick rates. With proper study, this can improve your chances of victory up to 65.0% in this matchup.

Statistical Matchup Analysis

Current meta showdown: Shen (4.2% pick rate, 13th most popular out of 64 Top champions) versus Riven (3.6%, 19th place). These two top lane titans clash constantly, making matchup mastery a decisive factor in your climb. Surprising upset: Despite Shen's higher tier rating, Riven wins 52.0% of encounters. This suggests Riven's kit specifically counters Shen's playstyle, overriding general meta strength - approach this matchup with extra caution. Every edge matters: In this tough matchup, the proven Grasp of the Undying + Shield Bash combination (57.5% win rate) plus optimal itemization Heartsteel, Hollow Radiance, Thornmail, and Plated Steelcaps boosts your chances from 48.1% to 65.0% - potentially game-changing.

Survive and scale: Shen faces both matchup (48.05%) and farming disadvantages (5.30 vs 6.60/min). With a 1.30 CS/min deficit, prioritize safe farming and jungle assistance. Outclassed across the board: Riven leads in both matchup win rate (52.0%) and damage (766 vs 672/min). Shen must seek alternative win conditions through macro play and team coordination. Strong individual performance: Shen maintains better KDA (2.80, 1st place vs 30th for Riven), but loses the matchup overall. High KDA without wins suggests difficulty translating individual advantages into victory conditions.

Shen vs Riven - Top Stats Comparison

Shen Top
Shen Top
Versus
Riven Top
Riven Top
STierA
48.1%Matchup Winrate52.0%
51.66%Role Winrate50.52%
#8Winrate Rank#25
4.2%Pickrate3.6%
2.8Average KDA1.9
385Gold per Minute433
5.30CS/Min6.60
0.31Wards per Minute0.28
672Damage per Minute766

How to Beat Riven as Shen (Top)

Despite the slight difference in effectiveness, in the Shen versus Riven matchup in the top lane, neither champion has an overwhelming advantage. The winner is determined by player skill and understanding the intricacies of the confrontation. Studying this guide will improve your chances of success.

Shen deals mixed damage - the opponent has fewer options for defense. Riven deals mainly physical damage (93.15%), additional items against this damage type may be required against snowballing or aggressive play.

Consider the farming superiority demonstrated by Riven, ranking 35th (versus 61st for Shen) in farming efficiency among champions in this role. This means the opponent can build gold advantages more quickly. Meanwhile, their lower KDA (1.9 versus 2.8) suggests they are less effective in team fights.

Key aspects of the Shen Top versus Riven Top matchup

In this difficult confrontation, it is critically important for the Shen player to avoid attempts to force trades and all-ins with the Riven player, as the matchup requires a patient and calculated approach. Extended trades without clear tactical advantage often lead to unfavorable consequences, and ignoring opportunities to receive team support can be a fatal mistake for game progression.

Shen vs Riven: Top Lane Summoner Spells

Most Popular

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Teleport
Teleport After a brief channel, become untargetable and travel to an allied unit. Upgrades into Unleashed Teleport, which significantly increases travel speed.
46.9% Win Rate83.5% Pick Rate

Highest Win Rate

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Ignite
Ignite Deals true damage over time to target enemy champion and reduces healing effects on them for the duration.
59.6% Win Rate14.0% Pick Rate

Shen vs Riven: Top Lane Runes

Most Frequent Runes

Primary Path
Resolve
Grasp of the Undying
Grasp of the Undying Every 4s in combat, your next basic attack on a champion will:
  • Deal bonus magic damage equal to 3.5% of your max health
  • Heal you for 1.3% of your max health
  • Permanently increase your health by 5
    Ranged Champions: Damage, healing, and permanent health gained are 60% effective.
  • Grasp of the Undying

    Every 4s in combat, your next basic attack on a champion will:Deal bonus magic damage equ…

    Shield Bash
    Shield Bash Whenever you gain a new shield, your next basic attack against a champion deals 5 - 30(+2.5% Bonus Health)(+15.0% New Shield Amount) bonus adaptive damage.

    You have up to 2s after the shield expires to use this effect.

    Shield Bash

    Whenever you gain a new shield, your next basic attack against a champion deal…

    Second Wind
    Second Wind After taking damage from an enemy champion, heal for 4% of your missing health +3 over 10s.

    Second Wind

    After taking damage from an enemy champion, heal for 4% of your missing health …

    Overgrowth
    Overgrowth Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanently gaining 3 maximum health for every 8.

    When you've absorbed 120 monsters or enemy minions, gain an additional 3.5% maximum health.

    Overgrowth

    Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanent…

    Secondary Path
    Inspiration
    Biscuit Delivery
    Biscuit Delivery Biscuit Delivery: Gain a Total Biscuit of Everlasting Will every 2 mins, until 6 min.

    Biscuits restore 12% of your missing health. Consuming or selling a Biscuit permanently increases your max health by 30.

    Biscuit Delivery

    Biscuit Delivery: Gain a Total Biscuit of Everlasting Will every 2 mins, until …

    Approach Velocity
    Approach Velocity Gain 7.5% Move Speed towards nearby enemy champions that are movement impaired. This bonus is increased to 15% Move Speed for any enemy champion that you impair.

    Activation Range for CC from allies: 1000

    Approach Velocity

    Gain 7.5% Move Speed towards nearby enemy champions that are movement impaired.…

    Adaptive
    Attack Speed
    Attack Speed Increases attack speed by 10%

    Attack Speed

    Increases attack speed by 10%

    Scaling Health
    Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

    Scaling Health

    Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

    Scaling Health
    Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

    Scaling Health

    Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

    51.4% Win Rate48.4% Pick Rate

    Best Win Rate Runes

    Primary Path
    Resolve
    Grasp of the Undying
    Grasp of the Undying Every 4s in combat, your next basic attack on a champion will:
  • Deal bonus magic damage equal to 3.5% of your max health
  • Heal you for 1.3% of your max health
  • Permanently increase your health by 5
    Ranged Champions: Damage, healing, and permanent health gained are 60% effective.
  • Grasp of the Undying

    Every 4s in combat, your next basic attack on a champion will:Deal bonus magic damage equ…

    Shield Bash
    Shield Bash Whenever you gain a new shield, your next basic attack against a champion deals 5 - 30(+2.5% Bonus Health)(+15.0% New Shield Amount) bonus adaptive damage.

    You have up to 2s after the shield expires to use this effect.

    Shield Bash

    Whenever you gain a new shield, your next basic attack against a champion deal…

    Second Wind
    Second Wind After taking damage from an enemy champion, heal for 4% of your missing health +3 over 10s.

    Second Wind

    After taking damage from an enemy champion, heal for 4% of your missing health …

    Overgrowth
    Overgrowth Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanently gaining 3 maximum health for every 8.

    When you've absorbed 120 monsters or enemy minions, gain an additional 3.5% maximum health.

    Overgrowth

    Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanent…

    Secondary Path
    Sorcery
    Axiom Arcanist
    Axiom Arcanist Your Ultimate has 12% increased damage, healing, and shielding.
    (AoE damage is reduced to a 8% increase)

    Scoring a takedown on an enemy champion reduces your Ultimate's current cooldown by 7%.

    Axiom Arcanist

    Your Ultimate has 12% increased damage, healing, and shielding. (AoE damage is …

    Gathering Storm
    Gathering Storm Every 10 min gain AP or AD, adaptive.

    10 min: + 8 AP or 5 AD
    20 min: + 24 AP or 14 AD
    30 min: + 48 AP or 29 AD
    40 min: + 80 AP or 48 AD
    50 min: + 120 AP or 72 AD
    60 min: + 168 AP or 101 AD
    etc...

    Gathering Storm

    Every 10 min gain AP or AD, adaptive.10 min: + 8 AP or 5 AD 20 min: + 24 AP or …

    Adaptive
    Attack Speed
    Attack Speed Increases attack speed by 10%

    Attack Speed

    Increases attack speed by 10%

    Scaling Health
    Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

    Scaling Health

    Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

    Scaling Health
    Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

    Scaling Health

    Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

    57.5% Win Rate1.8% Pick Rate

    Shen vs Riven: Top Lane Item Builds

    Most Popular Build

    Starting Items
    Stealth Ward
    Stealth Ward (0 gold) Active (210 - 120s, max 2 charges)
    Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 90-120 seconds.
    Doran's Shield
    Doran's Shield (450 gold) 110 Health
    Enduring Focus
    Restore 4 Health every 5 seconds.
    After taking damage from a champion, restore Health over 8 seconds.
    Helping Hand
    Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.
    Health Potion
    Health Potion (50 gold) Consume
    Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.
    50.0% Win Rate72.5% Pick Rate
    Popular Boots
    Plated Steelcaps
    Plated Steelcaps (1200 gold) 25 Armor
    45 Move Speed

    Plating
    Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.
    49.7% Win Rate55.0% Pick Rate
    Mercury's Treads
    Mercury's Treads (1250 gold) 20 Magic Resist
    45 Move Speed
    30% Tenacity

    52.0% Win Rate28.2% Pick Rate
    Ionian Boots of Lucidity
    Ionian Boots of Lucidity (900 gold) 10 Ability Haste
    45 Move Speed

    Ionian Insight
    Gain 10 Summoner Spell Haste.
    54.4% Win Rate5.0% Pick Rate
    Core Build
    Tiamat
    Tiamat (1200 gold) 20 Attack Damage
    Cleave
    Attacks deal physical damage to nearby enemies.
    Crescent
    Deal physical damage to enemies around you.
    ->
    Titanic Hydra
    Titanic Hydra (3300 gold) 40 Attack Damage
    600 Health

    Cleave
    Attacks deal physical damage on-hit and to enemies behind the target.
    Titanic Crescent
    Empower your next Cleave to deal bonus physical damageOn-Hit and deal bonus physical damage to enemies behind the target.
    Heartsteel
    Heartsteel (3000 gold) 900 Health
    100% Base Health Regen

    Colossal Consumption (0s) per target
    If an enemy champion is nearby for a few seconds, your next Attack against them deals 70 plus 6% of your max Health as bonus physical damage and grants 8% of the damage as max Health.
    Goliath
    For each 1000 max Health, gain 3% increased size, up to 30%.
    Thornmail
    Thornmail (2450 gold) 150 Health
    75 Armor

    Thorns
    When struck by an Attack, deal magic damage to the attacker and apply 40% Wounds for 3 seconds if they are a champion.
    53.5% Win Rate3.9% Pick Rate
    Final Build
    Unending Despair
    Unending Despair (2800 gold) 400 Health
    25 Armor
    25 Magic Resist
    10 Ability Haste

    Anguish
    Every 4 seconds while in combat with champions, deal magic damage to nearby enemy champions and heal for 250% of the damage dealt.
    55.7% Win Rate13.7% Pick Rate

    Best Win Rate Build

    Starting Items
    Stealth Ward
    Stealth Ward (0 gold) Active (210 - 120s, max 2 charges)
    Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 90-120 seconds.
    Gustwalker Hatchling
    Gustwalker Hatchling (450 gold) Jungle Companions
    Summon a Gustwalker that assists you against monsters.
    Gustwalker's Gait
    The companion grows as you hunt monsters, empowering your Smite. When fully grown, it grants Move Speed upon entering brush, increased when killing large monsters.
    62.0% Win Rate0.5% Pick Rate
    Highest Winrate Boots
    Boots of Swiftness
    Boots of Swiftness (1000 gold) 60 Move Speed
    Fleetfooted
    Reduce the effectiveness of Slows by 25%.
    57.3% Win Rate4.7% Pick Rate
    Ionian Boots of Lucidity
    Ionian Boots of Lucidity (900 gold) 10 Ability Haste
    45 Move Speed

    Ionian Insight
    Gain 10 Summoner Spell Haste.
    54.4% Win Rate5.0% Pick Rate
    Mercury's Treads
    Mercury's Treads (1250 gold) 20 Magic Resist
    45 Move Speed
    30% Tenacity

    52.0% Win Rate28.2% Pick Rate
    Core Build
    Giant's Belt
    Giant's Belt (900 gold) 350 Health
    ->
    Heartsteel
    Heartsteel (3000 gold) 900 Health
    100% Base Health Regen

    Colossal Consumption (0s) per target
    If an enemy champion is nearby for a few seconds, your next Attack against them deals 70 plus 6% of your max Health as bonus physical damage and grants 8% of the damage as max Health.
    Goliath
    For each 1000 max Health, gain 3% increased size, up to 30%.
    Hollow Radiance
    Hollow Radiance (2800 gold) 400 Health
    40 Magic Resist
    10 Ability Haste
    100% Base Health Regen

    Immolate
    After taking or dealing damage, deal magic damage per second to nearby enemies for 3 seconds.
    Desolate
    Killing an enemy deals magic damage around them.
    Thornmail
    Thornmail (2450 gold) 150 Health
    75 Armor

    Thorns
    When struck by an Attack, deal magic damage to the attacker and apply 40% Wounds for 3 seconds if they are a champion.
    65.0% Win Rate1.0% Pick Rate
    Final Build
    Dead Man's Plate
    Dead Man's Plate (2900 gold) 350 Health
    55 Armor
    4% Move Speed

    Shipwrecker
    While moving, build up to 20 bonus Move Speed. Your next Attack discharges built up Move Speed to deal bonus physical damage.
    Unsinkable
    Reduce the effectiveness of Slows by 25%.
    70.2% Win Rate5.4% Pick Rate
    Other Items
    Kaenic Rookern
    Kaenic Rookern (2900 gold) 400 Health
    80 Magic Resist
    100% Base Health Regen

    Magebane
    After not taking magic damage for 15 seconds, gain a magic shield.
    57.5% Win Rate8.8% Pick Rate
    Randuin's Omen
    Randuin's Omen (2700 gold) 350 Health
    75 Armor

    Resilience
    Receive 30% less damage from Critical Strikes.
    Humility
    Slow nearby enemies by 70% for 2 seconds.
    53.0% Win Rate7.9% Pick Rate
    Jak'Sho, The Protean
    Jak'Sho, The Protean (3200 gold) 350 Health
    45 Armor
    45 Magic Resist

    Voidborn Resilience
    After 5 seconds of champion combat, increase your bonus Armor and Magic Resist by 30% until end of combat.
    54.3% Win Rate6.1% Pick Rate
    Navori Flickerblade
    Navori Flickerblade (2650 gold) 40% Attack Speed
    25% Critical Strike Chance
    4% Move Speed

    Transcendence
    Attacks reduce Basic Ability cooldowns by 15% of their remaining cooldown.
    50.4% Win Rate5.7% Pick Rate
    Dead Man's Plate
    Dead Man's Plate (2900 gold) 350 Health
    55 Armor
    4% Move Speed

    Shipwrecker
    While moving, build up to 20 bonus Move Speed. Your next Attack discharges built up Move Speed to deal bonus physical damage.
    Unsinkable
    Reduce the effectiveness of Slows by 25%.
    70.2% Win Rate5.4% Pick Rate
    Sunfire Aegis
    Sunfire Aegis (2700 gold) 350 Health
    50 Armor
    10 Ability Haste

    Immolate
    After taking or dealing damage, deal magic damage per second to nearby enemies for 3 seconds.
    46.5% Win Rate4.7% Pick Rate
    Hollow Radiance
    Hollow Radiance (2800 gold) 400 Health
    40 Magic Resist
    10 Ability Haste
    100% Base Health Regen

    Immolate
    After taking or dealing damage, deal magic damage per second to nearby enemies for 3 seconds.
    Desolate
    Killing an enemy deals magic damage around them.
    39.4% Win Rate4.5% Pick Rate

    Shen vs Riven: Top Lane Skill (abilities) Orders

    Most Frequent Skill Order

    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12
    13
    14
    15
    16
    17
    18
    Q
    Q
    Twilight Assault Shen recalls his spirit blade to attack with it, dealing damage based on the target's max health. The attacks are greatly empowered if it collides with an enemy champion, and all collided enemies are slowed while running away from Shen.
    Q
    Q
    Q
    Q
    Q
    W
    W
    Spirit's Refuge Attacks that would hit Shen or his allies near his spirit blade are blocked.
    W
    W
    W
    W
    W
    E
    E
    Shadow Dash Shen dashes in a direction, taunting enemies in his path.
    E
    E
    E
    E
    E
    R
    R
    Stand United Shen shields target allied champion from incoming damage, and soon after teleports to their location.
    R
    R
    R
    Max Order: Q > E > W
    47.6% Win Rate74.9% Pick Rate

    Highest Win % Skill Order

    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12
    13
    14
    15
    16
    17
    18
    R
    Q
    Twilight Assault Shen recalls his spirit blade to attack with it, dealing damage based on the target's max health. The attacks are greatly empowered if it collides with an enemy champion, and all collided enemies are slowed while running away from Shen.
    Q
    Q
    Q
    Q
    Q
    R
    W
    Spirit's Refuge Attacks that would hit Shen or his allies near his spirit blade are blocked.
    W
    W
    W
    W
    W
    R
    E
    Shadow Dash Shen dashes in a direction, taunting enemies in his path.
    E
    E
    E
    E
    E
    R
    R
    Stand United Shen shields target allied champion from incoming damage, and soon after teleports to their location.
    R
    R
    R
    Max Order: Q > E > W
    100.0% Win Rate0.6% Pick Rate

    Shen tips:

    • Keep an eye on allies and be ready to save them with your teleport.
    • Leverage your Energy to get a long-term advantage over Mana users.

    Playing Against Riven

    • Riven has a great deal of mobility but she cannot move very far with any one skill. Rooting or silencing her during her combo will greatly reduce her effectiveness.
    • All of Riven's damage is physical, prioritize high Armor if an opposing Riven gets out of control.
    • Riven excels at dueling multiple melee attackers at once, as she will be on an almost equal footing damage-wise. If pairing up against Riven, don't go in as double melee until she has expended her full combo.