Riven vs Cassiopeia MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Riven

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Mid

Cassiopeia

Riven vs Cassiopeia

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Riven should leverage her high early agency to pressure Cassiopeia and deny her safe scaling in mid lane.
Focus on snowballing through cooldown outplays and burst trades to prevent Cassiopeia from reaching her sustained DPS power.

Trading pattern

Chain (Q), (W), and (E) to burst Cassiopeia quickly before she can apply poison and retaliate.
Avoid trading immediately after using mobility cooldowns to prevent being grounded by (W).
Bait Cassiopeia's crowd control before committing to all-ins, especially before activating (R).

Danger windows

Cassiopeia is dangerous when (W) is up to ground your dashes; avoid committing during this cooldown.
Beware of (R) stun when facing her; do not engage unless you have cooldown advantage or she has used it.
Riven is vulnerable after spending (Q) and (E); avoid extended fights without mobility and shield.

Early game

Use level 1-3 to establish cooldown advantage and force Cassiopeia to miss poison applications.
Avoid extended trades before level 6 when Cassiopeia's sustained damage can outlast you.
Punish Cassiopeia after she wastes (W) or misses (Q) to secure early lane control.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) to convert chip damage into lethal combos and force all-ins.
First haste/damage item improves combo frequency; use it to contest waves and punish cooldown windows.
Respect Cassiopeia's level 6 (R) stun window; avoid facing her directly during this time to prevent being locked down.

Win conditions

Snowball early by punishing Cassiopeia's missed (Q) and (W) cooldowns with quick combos.
Use side-lane pressure and roams after winning mid lane trades to extend lead.
Force all-ins post-level 6 with (R) active, exploiting cooldown windows and Cassiopeia's limited mobility.