Riven vs Nasus TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Riven vs Nasus

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Riven must leverage her early lane pressure to deny Nasus safe stacking and scaling opportunities.
This is a snowball vs scale matchup where Riven should force fights before Nasus reaches key stack and item thresholds.

Trading pattern

Initiate trades with (E) shield and (Q) mobility to chain combos, then disengage before cooldowns expire.
Punish Nasus when his (W) slow or (R) is down, as he cannot retaliate effectively.
Avoid committing if (W) is available, as its slow can turn trades against you.

Danger windows

Nasus with active (R) and sufficient (Q) stacks is dangerous in extended trades; avoid prolonged fights.
Be cautious when your mobility cooldowns ((Q) and (E)) are spent, as you become vulnerable to Nasus's slow (W).
Watch for jungler presence when overextending to punish Nasus's weak early lane pressure.

Early game

Use early levels to aggressively trade with cooldown combos, preventing Nasus from freely farming (Q) stacks.
Avoid extended fights before level 6, focusing on short trades that exploit Nasus's low early agency.
Maintain wave control to keep Nasus near his tower, limiting his safe farming space.

Power spikes

Level 6 (R) unlocks lethal all-in potential; bait Nasus's key cooldowns before committing.
First haste/damage item improves cooldown frequency and trade pressure; use this to contest wave and deny stacks.
Respect Nasus's level 6 (R) and high (Q) stacks as windows where extended fights favor him; disengage accordingly.

Win conditions

Snowball early by punishing Nasus's cooldowns and denying safe (Q) stacks.
Use side-lane pressure and roams to force Nasus into unfavorable fights before he scales.
Convert cooldown advantages into burst kills with (R) active, then snowball map control and skirmishes.