Rise of Kingdoms Commander Leveling Guide 2026: Fastest Way to Level 60

The fastest way to level up a commander instantly in Rise of Kingdoms is to use Tomes of Knowledge. For repeatable commander XP, place the commander you want to develop behind Lohar and defeat Barbarians or other eligible neutral units.

Kill Holy Site Guardians whenever they are available because standard Guardian runs provide commander experience without consuming Action Points. Barbarian Forts are also useful when you want XP alongside Books of Covenant and alliance rewards.

Fastest Commander Leveling Methods Compared

Commander Levels, Stars, Skills, and Talents Explained

Commander progression uses several separate systems. Understanding the difference prevents wasted Tomes, Starlight Sculptures, and commander sculptures.

Commander Levels

Commander XP increases the commander’s level. Each level awards a talent point and strengthens the commander when used as the primary commander.

The maximum commander level is 60. A level 60 primary commander has access to the maximum number of normal talent points.

Commander Star Levels

Star levels determine how far a commander can level.

Commander Skills

Commander skills are not upgraded through commander XP. Use commander-specific or universal sculptures to raise skill levels.

A level 60 commander can still perform poorly if its important skills remain underdeveloped. Expertise is unlocked by maximizing all four standard skills, not simply by reaching level 60.

Review the commander skills and sculpture costs before investing heavily in a new Legendary commander.

Commander Talents

Only the primary commander’s talent tree applies to a march. The secondary commander contributes its skills, but its talents and troop-capacity bonuses do not apply.

This is why a long-term primary benefits greatly from level 60, while a regular secondary commander often provides most of its value at approximately level 30 and four stars.

Which Commanders Should You Level First?

1. Your Main Primary Commander

Your main primary commander should receive the largest level investment because its talents and march capacity directly affect the complete march.

Prioritize a commander that:

• Fits your main troop type
• Has strong skill investment
• Works with your best secondary commander
• Matches your equipment and armaments
• Will remain useful in your current kingdom season
• Has a defined open-field, rally, garrison, or PvE role

2. Your Main Secondary Commander

A normal secondary commander generally needs four stars so all four standard skills are available. Level 30 is a common practical target unless the commander will also be used as a primary in another march.

Do not take every secondary commander to level 60. Its talent tree remains inactive while it serves as the deputy.

3. Lohar and Other Peacekeeping Commanders

Lohar deserves early development because he can carry weaker commanders through Barbarian and Guardian farming.

Other useful Peacekeeping commanders include:

• Aethelflaed
• Boudica
• Belisarius
• Markswoman during very early progression
• Other commanders with useful neutral-unit bonuses

4. Gathering Commanders

Gatherers do not normally need level 60. Raise them only to the level required for important gathering talents.

Common stopping points depend on whether you need:

• Improved gathering speed
• Additional troop load
• Faster return speed
• Reduced Siege-unit load requirements
• A complete Gathering talent build

Commanders to Avoid Leveling

Avoid investing large Tome stacks in:

• Commanders with no planned march
• Legendary commanders with weak skills
• Temporary early-game commanders that will soon leave your lineup
• Multiple commanders competing for the same role
• Secondary commanders that already provide their needed skills

Use the best commanders to level in ROK guide before committing XP to a long-term primary.

Best Commander for Leveling Other Commanders

Lohar is the best dedicated commander for leveling another commander through neutral-unit combat.

His Lohar’s Trial skill can increase experience gained by all commanders in the army by up to 70%. A Peacekeeping talent build can add Quick Study and AP-reduction talents.

Lohar Carry Method

1. Use Lohar as the primary commander.
2. Place the commander you want to level as secondary.
3. Use a Peacekeeping talent build with Quick Study and AP-reduction talents.
4. Attack a Barbarian or eligible neutral unit.
5. Move directly to another target while the march remains healthy.
6. Use Lohar’s healing to reduce returns to the city.
7. Continue until AP is low or the target reaches its level goal.

The secondary commander receives commander XP while Lohar supplies the XP bonus, neutral-unit damage, healing, and Peacekeeping talents.

How to Level Commanders With Barbarians

Barbarian farming is the best repeatable method when you want to target one particular commander.

Barbarian Leveling Routine

1. Collect an experience rune before a long session.
2. Use Lohar or another Peacekeeping commander as primary.
3. Place the commander being leveled as secondary.
4. Attack the highest Barbarian level you can defeat efficiently.
5. Avoid targets that create excessive wounded troops.
6. Move directly to the next Barbarian without returning when practical.
7. Maintain any available AP-reduction stacks.
8. Combine the session with events rewarding Barbarians or AP spending.

Higher-level Lost Kingdom Barbarians can provide more value when your march can defeat them efficiently. Do not attack a stronger target if the additional wounded troops and time reduce your overall XP rate.

Best Peacekeeping Primaries

For complete AP-reduction talents, chain farming, and target selection, read the ROK Barbarian and Fort farming guide.

How to Use Guardians for Free Commander XP

Holy Site Guardians should usually be completed before spending AP on normal Barbarians because standard Guardian kills provide commander XP without an Action Point cost.

Guardian Run Workflow

1. Check your kingdom or alliance Guardian schedule.
2. Collect an XP rune before the run.
3. Use Lohar or another suitable Peacekeeping commander as primary.
4. Place the commander being leveled as secondary.
5. Join the alliance group before the first Guardian is attacked.
6. Move with the group between available holy sites.
7. Avoid attacking before all participating members arrive.
8. Continue through the available Sanctums, Altars, Shrines, or Lost Kingdom sites.

Do not permanently publish a fixed Guardian schedule because spawn times and alliance routines may vary by kingdom, map, or event stage.

Guardian Etiquette

• Wait for the group before attacking.
• Follow alliance instructions about march limits.
• Do not send so many marches that other players miss the kill.
• Use the commander you actually want to develop.
• Collect the XP rune before the first Guardian rather than midway through the route.

How to Level Commanders With Barbarian Forts

Barbarian Forts are useful when you want commander XP together with Books of Covenant, alliance gifts, and rally rewards.

When Forts Are a Strong Choice

• Your alliance launches rallies frequently.
• You still need Books of Covenant for Castle upgrades.
• The rally succeeds reliably.
• You want alliance activity rewards in addition to XP.
• A Fort-related event provides extra value.

When Barbarians May Be Better

• You want to target one commander continuously.
• No active Fort rallies are available.
• Waiting for rally timers reduces your XP rate.
• Your alliance cannot defeat the selected Fort reliably.
• You need to maintain a Peacekeeping AP-reduction route.

Fort XP, Book rewards, AP refunds, and other rally rewards should be checked in the current game client rather than treated as permanent fixed values.

For Castle progression and Fort reward planning, read the Books of Covenant farming guide.

Forts Versus Barbarians Versus Guardians

A practical priority is:

1. Complete Guardians whenever available.
2. Use Tomes for urgent level targets.
3. Use Lohar and Barbarians for controlled leveling.
4. Join Forts when Books and alliance rewards also matter.
5. Complete events to rebuild the Tome supply.

Fastest Way to Level Commanders Past Level 30

Step 1: Increase the Star Level

A three-star commander cannot level beyond 30. Upgrade it to four stars before applying additional commander XP.

The later caps are:

• Four stars: maximum level 40
• Five stars: maximum level 50
• Six stars: maximum level 60

Step 2: Decide Whether It Needs More Levels

Do not automatically push every commander past 30.

Step 3: Use Guardians First

Complete free Guardian runs before consuming large quantities of AP or Tomes. The XP becomes increasingly valuable as level requirements rise.

Step 4: Use Lohar for Targeted XP

Place the target behind Lohar and farm Barbarians. This lets the weaker commander gain XP while Lohar handles damage, healing, and Peacekeeping talents.

Step 5: Close Gaps With Tomes

Use Tomes after free and repeatable methods have reduced the remaining requirement. They are especially useful when the commander must be ready for KvK, Ark of Osiris, Canyon, or an important alliance role.

How to Level a Commander From 30 to 40

1. Upgrade the commander to four stars.
2. Confirm that it needs to function as a primary or has another long-term role.
3. Complete all available Guardian runs.
4. Place it behind Lohar for Barbarian farming.
5. Use Fort rallies when Books and alliance rewards are valuable.
6. Apply moderate Tome investment to finish the target.

This is still a reasonable range for a temporary primary or useful Peacekeeping commander. Avoid taking every unlocked Legendary commander to level 40.

How to Level a Commander From 40 to 50

Levels 40 to 50 require a more selective investment.

Continue only when the commander:

• Leads one of your active marches
• Has developed skills
• Matches your equipment and troop technology
• Will remain useful during the current season
• Needs additional primary talents

Use Guardian XP and Barbarian farming to reduce the Tome cost. Save large Tome stacks rather than dividing them across several unfinished commanders.

How to Level a Commander From 50 to 60

Reserve the level 50-to-60 investment for a confirmed long-term primary commander.

A suitable level 60 target should have:

• A permanent or long-term march role
• Strong skill development
• A useful primary talent tree
• A compatible secondary commander
• Matching equipment and armaments
• Enough troop technology to justify the investment

Continue completing Guardians and efficient PvE sessions, but expect Tomes of Knowledge to cover a substantial part of the final grind.

How to Get More Tomes of Knowledge

Tomes of Knowledge provide instant commander XP and are useful when a commander needs to reach a target level quickly.

Possible sources include:

• Daily objectives
• Limited-time events
• Expedition and progression rewards
• Barbarian and PvE rewards
• Alliance gifts
• VIP-related rewards and shops
• Chests
• Event shops and reward tracks
• Redeem codes when Tomes are included

Best Tome-Spending Rules

1. Do not use every Tome immediately after unlocking a commander.
2. Decide whether the commander will be primary or secondary.
3. Check its skill investment before pushing levels.
4. Bring useful deputies to their practical level target first.
5. Save the largest Tome stockpile for a long-term primary.
6. Use Tomes to close a planned level gap rather than spreading them randomly.

How to Reduce Action Point Costs

Use Peacekeeping Talents

Peacekeeping primaries can reduce the AP required to attack Barbarians and other neutral units.

Use talents such as:

• Insight
• Quick Study
• Trophy Hunter
• Curing Chant
• Other talents supporting neutral-unit efficiency

Maintain AP-Reduction Stacks

Some Peacekeeping routes reduce the AP cost of repeated Barbarian attacks while the march remains outside the city. Avoid returning unnecessarily when the march remains healthy.

Use XP and AP Recovery Runes

Collect an experience rune before a major leveling session. An AP-recovery rune may provide more value when you are preparing for a longer farming period.

Time AP Items With Events

Save AP bottles for sessions that also contribute toward valuable event rewards, KvK honor, Marauders, or another progression target.

Do Not Default to Buying AP With Gems

When AP runs out, use natural recovery or saved AP items. Spend Gems directly only when the event rewards and progression value clearly justify the cost.

Join an Active Alliance

An active alliance can organize:

• Frequent Fort rallies
• Guardian routes
• Alliance events
• AP-efficient PvE sessions
• Rune announcements
• Scheduled group farming

Alliance coordination is more useful than simply joining an alliance because it contains high-spending members.

Commander XP Buffs and Preparation

Common Commander Leveling Mistakes

• Confusing levels with skills: Commander sculptures improve skills, while XP increases levels.
• Forgetting to increase stars: A three-star commander cannot level past 30.
• Taking every commander to level 40: Focus on defined march roles.
• Leveling every secondary to 60: Secondary talents do not apply.
• Spending Tomes before checking commander value: Confirm the investment first.
• Ignoring Guardian runs: They provide valuable XP without AP.
• Using the weak commander as primary: Let Lohar carry it as secondary.
• Using Aethelflaed’s XP bonus incorrectly: Her advantage comes from Quick Study rather than Lohar’s dedicated 70% XP skill.
• Farming without Peacekeeping talents: This increases AP costs.
• Using Gems for AP without event value: Natural recovery is usually more efficient.

FAQ

What is the fastest way to level commanders in Rise of Kingdoms?

Tomes of Knowledge provide the fastest instant XP. For repeatable leveling, use Lohar as primary and place the commander being leveled as secondary while defeating Barbarians or other neutral units.

How do I level a commander past level 30?

Upgrade the commander from three stars to four stars. Three stars cap the commander at level 30, while four stars increase the cap to level 40.

What is the maximum commander level in ROK?

The maximum commander level is 60, which requires six stars.

Should a secondary commander be level 60?

Usually not. A normal secondary commander commonly needs approximately level 30 and four stars so its four skills are available. Its talent tree does not apply while it serves as secondary.

Which commander gives the most bonus XP?

Lohar is the best dedicated XP commander. His Lohar’s Trial skill can increase experience received by commanders in the army by up to 70%.

Do Guardians cost Action Points?

Standard Holy Site Guardian kills do not require Action Points, making them one of the best free commander-leveling opportunities.

Are Barbarians or Forts better for commander XP?

Barbarians are better for continuously targeting one commander with Lohar. Forts are useful when you also need Books of Covenant and alliance rewards.

When should I use Tomes of Knowledge?

Use Tomes for a confirmed primary commander, to bring a useful deputy to its target level, or to finish an urgent level goal before an important event or battle.

Conclusion

The fastest instant method for leveling a commander is using Tomes of Knowledge. The best repeatable targeted method is placing the commander behind Lohar while defeating Barbarians and eligible neutral units.

Complete Holy Site Guardian runs whenever possible because they provide commander XP without consuming Action Points. Join Barbarian Fort rallies when you also need Books of Covenant and alliance rewards.

Before leveling past 30, increase the commander’s star level. Reserve level 60 for long-term primary commanders because only the primary commander’s talent tree and march-capacity benefits apply.

Looking for more Rise of Kingdoms tips and guides? Explore the Rise of Kingdoms category for commander rankings, pairings, skill costs, PvE farming, events, and progression advice.