Riven

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Riven (锐雯)
Alias(es)	Swordmaster; Valkyrie; “Big Sis”
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Formerly the Noxian Army; travels with Ato
Occupation/Role	Former Recruitment Office instructor and Noxian squad commander; Sett's combat instructor
Status	Alive 454
First Appearance	Chapter 50

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Rune Blade wielder	55	Activates the Rune Greatsword's green runes by converting physical stamina into power; its energy-wave attack leaves her exhausted. 55
Modified Rune Blade	60	Ato corrects the blade's deliberately inefficient rune structure, allowing it to operate longer without completely draining Riven's stamina. 60
Darkin weapon host	114	Becomes Taarosh's host after taking up the Darkin Halberd; Taarosh fully complies with her commands and grants access to death-linked powers. 114
Celestial-level warrior	239	Swain presents her as a Celestial-level combatant; unarmed, she overwhelms Garen while deliberately sparing his life. 239
Blood Qi-enhanced Darkin host	360	Taarosh receives absorbed Blood Qi, further strengthening Riven's combat power. 360

Background / History

Riven grew up working on a farm in the border village of Trevale. Hunger shaped her early ambitions: she wanted a life where she would never go without food again. Her farm work gave her a powerful physique, and she enlisted in the Noxian Army at fifteen to change her circumstances. 103 453

Her talent flourished in the military. She became a Swordmaster and a celebrated Noxian “Valkyrie,” eventually receiving a Rune Blade personally from Emperor Boram Darkwill in a public ceremony. The award prevented further discussion of granting her noble status despite her abilities. 83

At the Imperial Capital's Recruitment Office, Riven served as an instructor and met Ato, then using the identity “Harris.” Recognizing that he was concealing his actual strength, she altered his trial report and respected his wish not to stand out. She later made him her adjutant and sparring partner. 51 52

Riven remained deeply loyal to Noxus until General Amistan sent her squad on a supposedly secret mission through Navori Province. The mission was a trap: a second Noxian squad detonated Singed's alchemical weapons, killing soldiers on both sides and severely injuring Riven. 86 103

Elder Suma rescued her in Ionia. Although she declined his offer to become his disciple because she wanted to resolve Noxus's problems, his guidance helped her recover her resolve. Her survival also prevented the Rune Blade's destruction from causing Suma's death. 105 106

After learning the truth of Noxus's betrayal, Riven joined Ato's broader journey. She accepted Taarosh, a Darkin Halberd, as her weapon and gradually moved beyond defining herself solely as a Noxian soldier. 107 114 315

Appearance

Riven has wheat-colored skin, white hair tied neatly back, and features described as combining feminine softness with masculine resilience. Her compact but heavily trained physique contrasts with the massive weapons she carries. 50 148

• White hair, usually tied back. 50
• Wheat-colored skin. 50
• Muscular build developed through farm labor and military training. 103 148
• Originally wore light armor while serving as a Recruitment Office instructor. 50
• Commonly carried the Rune Blade and later the Darkin Halberd simultaneously. 145

Personality

Riven is disciplined, direct, and highly serious about military responsibility. As an instructor and commander, she expects soldiers to adapt to battlefield realities rather than make excuses for their weaknesses. 52

Her early loyalty to Noxus was rooted in gratitude: the army gave her food, purpose, comrades, and a place where her strength was valued. This made Amistan's betrayal especially devastating. 103

Despite her intimidating reputation, Riven cares deeply for subordinates and comrades. She urged her former squad to protect themselves during deployment, worried they might not survive the coming campaign. 60

Years of war left her emotionally isolated, and she deliberately distanced herself from others. Her friendship with Ato helped her become more open, while Styraatu's frankness encouraged her to explore an identity beyond soldiering. 54 59 133

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship and Physical Strength

Riven is an elite close-range fighter whose physical power alone can overwhelm veteran soldiers and renowned combatants.

• Defeated every soldier at the Recruitment Office while offering them controlled guidance rather than severe injuries. 52
• Could fight Ato's disguised Demonic Sword of the Dark with wide, rapid greatsword combinations. 51
• Used only physical strength to defeat Garen in a demonstration ordered by Swain. 239
• Defeated a top Noxian arena fighter with one punch, embedding him in the arena wall. 191
• Her casual strikes were stated to be capable of destroying a hextech power ship. 197

Rune Blade Techniques

Riven's former Rune Blade converted her stamina into rune power. It provided immense burst strength but originally had a sabotaged structure that exhausted her after only a few attacks. 55 60

• Generates green rune energy and powerful energy waves. 103
• Creates a protective rune shield capable of blocking attacks, though it was shattered by Viego's sword aura. 103 283
• Greatly enhances her speed, allowing steps of roughly ten meters during combat. 54
• Its modified structure improved endurance and reduced the risk of total stamina depletion. 60
• The blade was shattered while she protected Isolde's golden mask from Viego; Riven later placed its fragments in its original case. 283 315

Taarosh, the Darkin Halberd

Riven is the host of Taarosh, a Darkin weapon that willingly serves her under Aatrox's authority. 114

• Summons armored undead linked to the Underworld; the summons collapse when her support ends. 114 139
• Emits an invisible force that can disorient enemies before she attacks. 103 139
• Can extend into an immense heavy halberd, allowing Riven to strike with enough force to send Xolaani flying over a thousand meters. 378
• Helps heal her injuries, though its healing is less effective than Ato's Blood Qi healing. 284 133
• Allows her to manifest wings and fly as long as she remains within its connection range. 128 133

Wind Technique

Riven learned a wind technique from Souma during five days of training. 146

• Uses an unusual sword posture to create a tornado. 146
• Combined the tornado's sandstorm with her movement to obscure Brand's vision and create an opening. 146
• The technique was ineffective at decisively harming Brand through his flames. 146

Giant Flesh Form

Riven can assume a giant humanoid form with extraordinary mobility and endurance. 427 453

• Carried Galio's head from Noxus to Demacia. 427
• Covers one to two hundred meters per step in giant form. 453
• Climbs the Shimmering Silver Mountains with ease despite her size. 453
• Reverts to human form to avoid frightening civilians. 453

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Darkin Halberd, Taarosh — Riven's current primary weapon and Darkin companion. 114
• Rune Blade / Rune Greatsword — Former imperial weapon bestowed by Darkwill; shattered against Viego and stored in its original wooden case. 83 283 315
• Light armor — Her attire while serving as the Recruitment Office instructor. 50

Relationships

• Ato — Closest companion and friend. He healed her, modified her Rune Blade, helped expose Noxus's betrayal, and supported her transition away from her former life. 59 60 107 315
• Taarosh — Her Darkin weapon and willing subordinate; he enhances her strength, follows her commands, and attempts to heal her injuries. 114 284 360
• Elder Suma — Ionian master who saved Riven after the alchemical explosion and trained her swordsmanship; she declined formal discipleship. 105 106
• Yasuo — Suma's disciple. He initially mistook Riven for an invader, but she subdued him despite her recent injuries. 105
• Swain — Noxian leader and ally who recognizes her value as an elite warrior; he later assigns her to demonstrate Noxus's strength in negotiations with Demacia. 115 239
• Sett — Her student. Riven trains him in combat, and he publicly identifies her as his master and the street's “big sister.” 197 317
• Sivir — A companion Riven supports through the emotional strain of Ascension and Shurima's expectations. 150 329
• Koen — Her uncle and Trevale's village chief. Riven returns to him after ten years to help evacuate the village from an Underworld attack. 454
• General Amistan — Former superior who unknowingly carried out the plan to sacrifice Riven and her squad using alchemical weapons. 86 103

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment Office and Ato's Arrival

Riven tests Ato at the Recruitment Office, recognizes his hidden ability, and becomes his commanding officer. Their sparring develops into mutual respect, and she trusts him enough to make him her adjutant. 50 51 52

Noxian Betrayal in Ionia

As commander of an escort mission, Riven fights to protect her squad and wagon from Ionian forces before realizing the decisive attack came from Noxus itself. She survives the alchemical detonation but loses faith in the empire that had defined her life. 86 103 104

Recovery and Darkin Halberd

Riven recovers under Suma's guidance, reunites with Ato, and learns the truth about his Demonic Sword. She later accepts Taarosh as her own Darkin weapon, gaining powers connected to the Underworld. 105 107 114

Journey Beyond Noxus

Traveling with Ato, Riven confronts bandits, Brand, Viego, and other threats across Runeterra. The Rune Blade is ultimately destroyed while she protects Isolde's mask from Viego, leaving Taarosh as her sole weapon. 139 146 283 286

Leaving the Soldier's Life Behind

Riven stores the broken Rune Blade in its original case at the barracks, treating it as an old companion rather than an object of hatred. She chooses to leave behind her identity as a Noxian soldier and travel the world for its future. 315

Mentor to Sett

Riven trains Sett aboard a hextech ship and later spars with him at his fighting club. Sett publicly acknowledges her as his master, cementing her place in his life and among his followers. 197 317

Underworld War and Return to Trevale

During the Underworld crisis, Riven fights alongside Ato and is deeply affected by the slaughter of civilians. She eventually returns to Trevale to persuade her uncle and fellow villagers to evacuate before an imminent undead attack. 432 433 454

Notable Quotes

“I have a friend again.” 59

“Old friend, you've worked hard. Rest well.” 315

“After today, Riven would bid farewell to the weak, powerless person she had once been.” 315

Trivia

• Riven's appetite is notably large; one breakfast consisted of steak, bread, and ten eggs. 54
• She had no innate talent for conventional magic and relied on physical strength to power the Rune Blade. 55
• Her former Rune Blade was apparently tampered with so that its rune structure maximized burst output at the cost of rapidly draining her stamina. 60
• She was absentminded enough to miss Ato's teleportation circle when rushing to pursue Rhaast's scythe. 128