The best commanders in Rise of Kingdoms depend on your kingdom age, troop type, available equipment, and battlefield role. Sun Tzu is one of the best Epic commanders for new players, while commanders such as Sun Tzu Prime, Qin Shi Huang, Alp Arslan, Arthur Pendragon, Bai Qi, and Liu Che are stronger options in the current Season of Conquest meta.
A commander who dominates KvK 1 may become less valuable in a mature kingdom. Rally and garrison commanders should also be judged differently from open-field commanders because they require specialized equipment, armaments, troop technology, and alliance support.
This Rise of Kingdoms commander tier list separates early-game, Epic, and endgame recommendations so you can avoid spending sculptures on a commander who does not match your account.
New players should prioritize Sun Tzu, Joan of Arc, Björn Ironside, Baibars, and other accessible Epic commanders. In Season of Conquest, focus on one complete meta march before building several unfinished commanders. Current high-value options include Sun Tzu Prime, Qin Shi Huang, Alp Arslan, Bai Qi, Liu Che, Arthur Pendragon, and other commanders that match your troop specialization.
Rise of Kingdoms: Commander Tier List Explained
In Rise of Kingdoms, commanders are your most valuable assets. However, knowing who to invest in can be tough.
This tier list helps you prioritize based on your play style and goals. Remember, even “lower-tier” commanders can shine in specific situations.
Tier System Breakdown:
- Tier S+: Absolutely Overpowered. Game-changing commanders.
- Tier S: Overpowered. Top-tier choices for almost any situation.
- Tier A: Balanced. Solid commanders, effective in the right pairings.
- Tier B: Slightly Underpowered. Niche picks or early-game options.
- Tier C: Underpowered. Generally not recommended for endgame content.
- Tier F: The Worst. Avoid investing in these commanders.
Commander Roles: What to Look For
- Overall Rating: A general assessment of a commander’s value. This considers all aspects of the game. F2P players should focus here.
- Open Field: How well a commander performs in large-scale battles. Survivability and damage output are key.
- Rallying Objectives: A commander’s ability to lead attacks on flags, forts, and Ark of Osiris objectives.
- Defending Objectives: How effectively a commander can defend structures. Tested against top-tier rally commanders.
Rise of Kingdoms Commander Tier List
| Commanders | Overall Rating | Open Field | Rallying Objectives | Defending Objectives | Season | Troop Type | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Nevsky | S+ | S+ | S+ | B | 3 | Cavalry | Legendary |
| Liu Che | S+ | S+ | A | A | 3 | Infantry | Legendary |
| Hermann Prime | S+ | S+ | A | B | 3 | Archer | Legendary |
| Scipio Prime | S+ | S+ | A | A | 3 | Infantry | Legendary |
| Zhuge Liang | S+ | S+ | A | A | 3 | Archer | Legendary |
| Justinian | S | S | S | A | 3 | Cavalry | Legendary |
| Gorgo | S | S | B | S | 3 | Infantry | Legendary |
| Ashurbanipal | S | S | S | B | 3 | Archer | Legendary |
| William Wallace | S | S | A | A | 3 | Infantry | Legendary |
| Philip | S | S | A | A | 3 | Universal | Legendary |
| Ragnar Lodbrok Prime | S | S | A | A | 3 | Infantry | Legendary |
| Belisarius Prime | S | S | A | B | 3 | Cavalry | Legendary |
| Joan Of Arc Prime | S | S | A | C | 3 | Cavalry | Legendary |
| Boudica Prime | S | S | A | C | 3 | Archer | Legendary |
| Huo Qubing | S | S | A | A | 3 | Cavalry | Legendary |
| Yi Seong Gye | S | S | A | A | 0 | Archer | Legendary |
| Shajar al-Durr | S | S | B | A | 3 | Archer | Legendary |
| Xiang Yu | S | S | S | C | 3 | Cavalry | Legendary |
| Dido | B | F | F | S | 3 | Archer | Legendary |
Rise of Kingdoms: Tier List for New Kingdoms
Starting fresh? These commanders will give you a strong early advantage.
| Commanders | Overall Rating | Open Field | Rallying Objectives | Defending Objectives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yi Seong-Gye | S+ | S+ | S+ | S+ |
| Richard | S | S | S | S |
| El Cid | S | A | S | S |
| Saladin | S | S | S | A |
| Julius Caesar | A | A | S | B |
| Minamoto | S | S | S | B |
| Hannibal Barca | A | A | S | A |
| Frederick | S | A | S | A |
| Cao Cao | A | S | B | B |
Legendary Commanders: Who to Prioritize
Some commanders stand above the rest. These legends can carry you through various stages of the game.
Yi Seong-Gye (YSG): The Versatile Archer
YSG is a powerhouse. He excels in open fields, rallies, barbarian chains, and even garrison defense.
His high damage output and AOE make him a must-have for any serious player. Max him out as your first legendary commander.
Alexander the Great: The Defensive Wall
Alexander provides incredible defense. He pairs well with infantry commanders like Charles Martel or even YSG early on.
His shield ability makes him a formidable force. Consider Harold Sigurdsson as a later pairing option.
Ramesses II: The Anti-Healer
Ramesses II is a newer commander who counters healing-focused commanders like Richard I. He’s great for attacking flags and rallying buildings.
Get him to 5-5-1-1 to maximize his potential, especially when paired with YSG.
Guan Yu: The Infantry King
Guan Yu is a versatile infantry commander. He excels in both open field battles and conquering objectives.
His AOE damage and troop healing make him a tough opponent. Aim for 5-5-1-1, but consider maxing him out for the best results.
Commander Pairings: Synergize to Win
Choosing the right commander pairings is crucial. Some commanders boost each other’s strengths.
Cavalry Pairings
Saladin’s damage reduction makes him ideal for countering commanders like Mehmed II. William or Zhang Yu pair well with him.
Keeping William and Saladin at 5-5-5-1 can save you valuable sculptures.
Garrison Commanders
Zenobia is a top choice for garrison leadership. Wu Zetian, paired with Saladin or Artemisia, is another strong option.
Early on, Saladin, Artemisia, and Wu Zetian offer excellent garrison defense.
Rally Commanders
Leonidas is a great secondary commander for Guan Yu in rallies. Attila and Takeda are a powerful rally duo. However, avoid using Attila and Takeda in open field battles.
Which Commanders Should Free-to-Play Players Invest In?
Free-to-play players should focus on efficiency rather than collecting every commander.
Early Game
Prioritize:
- Expertise Sun Tzu.
- Develop Joan of Arc.
- Build one Epic march around your primary troop type.
- Obtain Aethelflaed through Expedition.
- Use Charles Martel sculptures from Gold Chests when available.
- Avoid spreading Legendary sculptures across several commanders.
Before Season of Conquest
Save universal Legendary sculptures until you know:
- Your primary troop type
- Which commanders will be available
- Which commander can be completed
- Which secondary commander you will use
- Whether you have suitable equipment
- Whether a new commander generation is approaching
Season of Conquest
Build one complete competitive march before starting a second.
For example, a completed Qin Shi Huang and Zhuge Liang march will usually provide more value than four partially developed commanders with weak equipment.
Do not invest 50 or 100 sculptures in several commanders only to leave each one unfinished.
How to Choose Which Commander to Invest In
Before spending universal Legendary sculptures, answer these questions.
Does the Commander Match Your Troop Type?
A top archer commander does not provide good value when all your technology, equipment, and armaments support cavalry.
Build around the account you have, not only the highest-ranked commander.
Do You Have the Correct Pairing?
Every march needs two commanders.
Check whether the recommended secondary commander is:
- Already developed
- Available in your kingdom
- Used in another march
- Compatible with your equipment
- Functional at its current skill level
Can You Reach a Useful Skill Level?
Some commanders perform well before expertise. Others need expertise to unlock their full value.
Do not begin an investment without understanding the recommended skill level and total sculpture cost.
Will the Commander Improve Your Best March?
Your first goal should be improving your strongest march.
A new commander may rank higher overall but provide only a small improvement compared with completing equipment, armaments, or technology for your existing lineup.
Is a New Commander Generation Near?
New commander releases can change investment priorities.
Saving sculptures is often better than rushing into an older commander immediately before a new release.
How to Level Up Commanders Faster
Commander level and skill level are separate systems.
Use the following methods to increase commander levels:
- Defeat barbarians
- Attack guardians
- Use experience tomes
- Complete events
- Participate in Expedition
- Use peacekeeping commanders for PvE
- Bring a lower-level secondary commander behind a stronger primary
Do not raise every commander equally. Focus experience on commanders you regularly use as primaries because the primary commander’s level determines march capacity and available talent points.
Secondary commanders need to reach three stars before they can be used as a secondary commander, but they do not always need to reach level 60.
How to Obtain Legendary Commanders
Legendary commanders can be obtained through different events and systems.
Common sources include:
- Wheel of Fortune
- Mightiest Governor events
- Gold Chests
- Card King
- Legendary Tavern
- Expedition rewards
- Daily Special Offers
- Seasonal events
- Commander-specific events
Not every Legendary commander is available from Gold Keys.
Before spending gems or resources, confirm:
- How the commander is obtained
- Whether the commander is available in your kingdom
- Whether the event will return
- How many sculptures you can realistically collect
- Whether universal sculptures are required
FAQs
Q: What is the best commander for F2P players?
A: YSG is an excellent choice due to his versatility.
Q: Which commander counters Richard I?
A: Ramesses II is designed to counter Richard’s healing.
Q: What are the best early-game commanders?
A: Sun Tzu and Joan of Arc are solid epic commanders to start with.
Q: How important are commander pairings?
A: Extremely important! Synergistic pairings maximize your effectiveness.
Q: What stats are the most important for commanders?
A: It depends on their role. However, key stats include attack, defense, health, and skill damage.
Q: What do the commander ratings mean?
A: The overall rating is a combination of all ratings. It signals the commanders you should invest your sculptures in to get the most value.
Conclusion
The best Rise of Kingdoms commander is not simply the newest name at the top of a tier list.
New players should begin with accessible commanders such as Sun Tzu, Joan of Arc, Björn Ironside, Baibars, and Pelagius. Early Legendary commanders such as Richard I, Charles Martel, YSG, and Minamoto can provide strong KvK 1 value.
In Season of Conquest, commanders such as Sun Tzu Prime, Qin Shi Huang, Alp Arslan, Bai Qi, Arthur Pendragon, Achilles, and Liu Che become more relevant. However, the best investment still depends on your troop technology, equipment, available pairings, and existing commanders.
Complete one strong march before spreading sculptures across multiple projects. A finished commander pairing with good equipment will usually provide better results than several incomplete S-tier commanders.
Looking for more Rise of Kingdoms tips and guides? Explore the Rise of Kingdoms for commander builds, talent trees, pairing recommendations, event guides, and account progression tips.
