Talk:Riven/@comment-220.138.161.214-20120426111040/@comment-155.69.2.10-20120429155519

Maxing W first still works. Don't think about just Damage; that's pathetic gameplay. Otherwise everyone would just build 6 Bloodthirsters. The main reason W should be maxed first is because 1) Cooldown decreases per level, 2) It's her only reliable hard CC, and 3) It's non-targetted AoE.

Here's how we break it down. Riven is an offensive AD Caster champion, unlike Malphite who's more tanky based. That means maxing Valor (E) first doesn't allow her to fit her role. Her Q is her main source of damage, sure. However, the cooldown remains a constant 13 seconds (still above 10 even with CDR Blue runes instead of MR/L). In that way, it may become unreliable when you need it to chase, kite, or deal damage.

W's 0.75 stun time isn't to open up a window for you to attack; the range is too short. The real purpose is to stall for time. The AoE hits everyone who's on you, and having a short cast time can technically shave off 1.5 seconds from Broken Wings (with CDR Blues, more risky than MP/L). The reason this is maxed first is for the whole utility it brings to Riven's gameplay.