Starting Bloodthirster on Riven?

Cruice·12/22/2015, 4:06:20 AM·1 votes·1,486 views

Curious if anyone has any comment on if this would be good. Got looking into items to improve my Riven play, and sometimes I feel like starting yomuu's ghostblade or hydra first item, just isn't enough damage/sustain balance. Noticed that bloodthirster has 20% lifesteal and the same damage as hydra (75 attack damage). I know the active on hydra creates a little more damage, but the extra 8% lifesteal early game seems like it could be really strong. Especially against high damage, or high sustain champs.

Riven is my main and it isn't like I'm struggling in lane, I'm just always looking to improve my play as everyone should. Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated, even if they aren't specifically about bloodthirster. Tips always welcome.

Thank you

12 Comments

Woodakoodashooda12/22/2015, 4:43:25 AM1 votes

Bloodthirster is an item that generally compliments an AD champions attack speed with its overhealing effect. It's not something I advise building on a fighter.

When playing a melee champion and I'm in need of life steal, I choose one of three items depending on my needs.

item 3153 For taking down especially tanky opponents and mowing down especially mobile enemies.

item 3812 For some additional sustain.

item 3074 For improved farming and resetting my autos with its active.

z14GaKI7TO12/22/2015, 9:36:36 AM1 votes

I mean I typically go brutalizer (whatever the renamed it to) into hydra - lucidity boots - put brutalizer Into cleaver or ghost blade then build from there. You can get like lord Dominiks or BT or GA. Really whatever you want. Hydra is too important for the animation cancel and makes you super strong in lane for the extra damage.

HYdra - Boots - Cleaver - BT is probably gonna be the most common 4 item rush. After that the team comps come into play. You can go like frozen heart - GA or Mallet+GA or really any tank item and GA. If you're good on riven, the GA is pretty important.

Shonjl12/22/2015, 10:23:53 AM1 votes

It isn't really worth picking over a Hydra as a first item. Hydra does have less LS and not noticable less AD, but compensations with having an active that deals more damage.

Its more of a last pick item before building some defense on her kinda deal. (And any good Rivens know that building pure damage is an easy way to get killed and suck no matter how fed you are. You would be amazed how something like a 5/5 Riven is when she built defensive item+GA and hands down is better than vs the Riven that is pure glass that is 18/18 and is just removed when anyone smart players)

That damage doesnt mean much when she has like 1400hp and the support can kill you in less than a few spells once you get cced. At least the other one gets to revive and gets another chance to cause more chaos.

Mister Mackey12/22/2015, 1:04:27 PM1 votes

Hydra active = more cs faster. Only reason why I'd always choose hydra over bloodthirster if a choice had to be made

Vesarixx12/22/2015, 11:13:37 PM1 votes

I usually don't finish Hydra right away and having a tiamat in your inventory I find does more for you than just a BF sword, even though it doesn't give as much AD

DREADN0UGHT12/22/2015, 11:17:42 PM1 votes

I like to start item 3072 on Zed sometimes. I feel like the raw dmg output combined with the 8% lifesteal from components makes laning easier.