William Wallace ROK Guide: Best Talent Tree, Skills and Pairings

William Wallace is a Legendary Infantry commander in Rise of Kingdoms with Infantry, Versatility, and Smite talent trees. His kit is built around heavy Smite damage, strong Infantry statistics, normal-damage bonuses, and focused pressure against individual enemy marches.

Wallace remains a capable open-field commander, especially when paired with another commander that benefits from Smite mechanics. However, the Infantry roster has continued to expand, so he should no longer be treated as an automatic investment for every account.

For players who already use Liu Che, run multiple Infantry marches, or have strong Infantry equipment, William Wallace can still fill a valuable role. On the other hand, accounts with limited Universal Legendary Sculptures should compare him with newer Infantry commanders before committing.

Is William Wallace Good in Rise of Kingdoms?

Yes. William Wallace remains a strong Infantry commander, particularly for direct open-field combat. His active skill can deal 2,400 Smite damage factor to one target and additional Smite damage to enemy troops attacking his march.

He also brings excellent Infantry statistics. Scots Wha Hae gives up to 10% Health, 30% Attack, and 20% March Speed while his troop remains on the map.

However, Wallace has an important limitation. Most of his damage is concentrated on one target rather than a wide AOE. In large KvK balls, commanders capable of hitting several marches simultaneously can create more total battlefield pressure.

Therefore, Wallace performs best when you use him as a focused damage march rather than expecting him to function like a conventional AOE nuker.

Who Should Build William Wallace?

• Infantry-focused players with a strong equipment set
• Players who already have Liu Che or another compatible Smite commander
• Governors running two or more Infantry marches
• Open-field players who value strong focused damage
• Rally leaders building a specialized Infantry Smite setup
• Developed accounts with enough Universal Legendary Sculptures to support multiple commanders

Who Should Delay William Wallace?

• New accounts still building their first competitive march
• Players who do not specialize in Infantry
• Governors with weak Infantry equipment
• F2P players with a very limited sculpture supply
• Players who primarily need multi-target AOE damage
• Accounts already running stronger completed Infantry combinations

William Wallace Quick Overview

How Smite Damage Works

Understanding Smite is essential before building William Wallace.

Smite damage does not scale like traditional active-skill damage. Instead, Smite is affected by bonuses to normal damage rather than bonuses to skill damage.

This changes several parts of the build. A normal Skill-tree commander may prioritize skill-damage bonuses, but Wallace benefits more from:

• Smite damage bonuses
• Normal damage bonuses
• Infantry Health
• Infantry Defense
• Infantry Attack
• March Speed
• Damage reduction

Therefore, do not automatically copy equipment, armaments, or talent priorities from a traditional Infantry skill nuker.

William Wallace Skills Explained

Bas Agus Buaidh

Skill type: Active
Rage requirement: 1,000

Bas Agus Buaidh deals Smite damage to the current target. It then deals additional Smite damage to as many as three enemy troops that are currently attacking William Wallace’s troop.

The main 2,400 factor gives Wallace excellent focused pressure. Meanwhile, the secondary effect discourages enemies from casually swarming his march.

However, the additional hits affect only enemies attacking Wallace. He does not automatically damage three nearby marches simply because they are standing close to him.

Scots Wha Hae

While Wallace’s troop is on the map, Infantry units gain additional Health, Attack, and March Speed.

This skill is one of the main reasons to use a full Infantry march. The 20% March Speed bonus is particularly useful because Infantry marches often struggle to pursue targets or disengage safely.

Lion of the North

Lion of the North reduces normal damage received. In addition, whenever Wallace’s troop deals Smite damage with a damage factor greater than 1,000, there is an 80% chance for that damage to be increased.

The amplification effect has a ten-second cooldown.

At maximum level, this skill combines 10% normal-damage reduction with a potential 40% Smite amplification. Therefore, it is a meaningful part of Wallace’s direct-trading strength.

Battle of Stirling Bridge

When Wallace attacks another troop on the map, his march deals additional Smite damage and normal damage.

Battle of Stirling Bridge is especially valuable in open field because both bonuses directly support Wallace’s preferred damage model.

Pro Libertate

Pro Libertate is William Wallace’s expertise.

Whenever his troop uses an active skill or becomes Slowed, it removes all Slow effects from up to three nearby allied and friendly troops, including Wallace’s own march. Those troops then receive a Mighty Shield with a damage factor of 1,000 for two seconds.

The effect has a ten-second cooldown.

Why Pro Libertate Matters

• Removes Slow from Wallace
• Can remove Slow from nearby allies
• Protects up to three nearby friendly troops
• Provides a 1,000-factor shield
• Adds group utility to an otherwise focused-damage commander

Expertise therefore improves Wallace beyond raw personal damage. Nevertheless, 5-5-1-5 can remain a practical stopping point for players who only need his open-field damage and want to conserve sculptures.

Best William Wallace Skill Order

Bas Agus Buaidh should always reach level five first because it is the foundation of his Smite damage.

Afterward, Scots Wha Hae is highly valuable because it improves all three important Infantry statistics: Health, Attack, and March Speed.

Recommended Skill Progression

1. Keep Wallace at one star until Bas Agus Buaidh reaches level five.
2. Unlock Scots Wha Hae and raise it to level five.
3. Use skill locking carefully when aiming for 5-5-1-5.
4. Stop at 5-5-1-5 when saving sculptures and using him mainly in open field.
5. Continue toward expertise when Wallace has a permanent role in your main Infantry lineup.

Because the third skill is still valuable, 5-5-1-5 is a compromise rather than a perfect build. Expertise delivers the complete commander.

Best William Wallace Talent Tree

The best general William Wallace talent tree is built around Smite first and Infantry second.

This setup takes advantage of the main reason to use Wallace as a primary commander: access to the Smite talent tree.

Smite Talent Priorities

Begin by taking efficient Smite talents that improve Smite generation, damage, and interaction with normal attacks. Wallace does not need to be built like a traditional Skill-tree nuker.

Prioritize bonuses related to:

• Smite damage
• Normal damage
• Smite-trigger efficiency
• Rage and combat-cycle consistency
• Damage against the current target

Infantry Talent Priorities

After the important Smite talents are complete, use the Infantry tree to improve survivability.

Health should generally receive high priority because Wallace already has substantial Attack from Scots Wha Hae. Defense and useful March Speed talents can then improve his ability to remain engaged without becoming an easy target.

Should You Use the Versatility Tree?

The Versatility tree can provide situational utility, but most open-field Wallace builds gain more consistent value from Smite and Infantry.

Only move heavily into Versatility when a specific talent supports your intended activity.

Should William Wallace Be Primary or Secondary?

William Wallace is often best as the primary commander when the march is specifically built around his Smite talent tree.

However, that is not an absolute rule. Newer primary commanders may provide stronger talents or mechanics depending on the pairing.

Remember that only the primary commander’s talent tree applies. The secondary commander contributes skills but not talents.

Best William Wallace Pairings

William Wallace performs best with Infantry commanders that complement Smite damage, provide additional AOE pressure, or improve the march’s overall combat cycle.

William Wallace and Liu Che

Best for: Smite-focused open field

Liu Che remains one of Wallace’s most natural partners. Both commanders interact well with the Smite and normal-damage system, creating a march that can deal heavy direct pressure.

Wallace can serve as primary when the march needs his Smite talent tree. Liu Che then contributes his damage and Infantry effects as secondary.

This pairing is especially attractive to players who already own an expertised Liu Che and want to extend the value of that investment.

Sun Tzu Prime and William Wallace

Best for: Modern Infantry roster flexibility

Sun Tzu Prime gives developed Infantry accounts another way to use an existing Wallace. This setup can combine Wallace’s Smite-based pressure with the broader utility and damage provided by the newer commander.

However, do not build Wallace from zero solely to create this pairing. It is more attractive when Wallace is already finished.

Bai Qi and William Wallace

Best for: Multi-Infantry march accounts

Bai Qi can work with Wallace because both commanders fit Smite-oriented Infantry setups. This pairing is most relevant when Liu Che is needed elsewhere and the account runs several strong Infantry marches.

As always, pairing quality depends on the complete roster. Breaking apart a stronger first march simply to use Wallace can lower overall field performance.

William Wallace and Scipio Aemilianus

Best for: Specialized rallying

Scipio Aemilianus and William Wallace remain a specialized Smite rally combination. This pairing is much more relevant to rally leaders than to ordinary field fighters.

A competitive rally also requires:

• Strong Infantry equipment
• High-quality armaments
• Appropriate formation and inscriptions
• Strong technology
• Correct troop reinforcements
• Alliance coordination
• A favorable garrison matchup

Therefore, non-rally leaders should not invest in Wallace primarily for this use.

William Wallace and Scipio Africanus Prime

Best for: Existing older Infantry rosters

Scipio Prime can still provide shielding, stats, and useful battlefield effects. As a result, players who already have him expertised may combine him with Wallace rather than immediately replacing a completed commander.

Nevertheless, newer Infantry combinations should be evaluated before spending new sculptures specifically for this pairing.

Best Troops for William Wallace

Use a full Infantry march.

Scots Wha Hae specifically improves Infantry Health, Attack, and March Speed. Mixing troop types reduces the percentage of the march receiving those bonuses and weakens Infantry-specific equipment and talents.

A full Infantry march also makes it easier to optimize:

• Equipment
• Armament attributes
• Inscriptions
• Smite talents
• Infantry talents
• Commander pairings

Best Formation for William Wallace

Pincer Formation

Pincer Formation is a natural starting point for a dedicated Smite setup. Its value increases when the available armaments and inscriptions complement Wallace’s Smite-oriented damage cycle.

However, formation name alone does not determine performance. A strong alternative formation with excellent armaments may outperform a weak Pincer setup.

Alternative Formations

When your Pincer armaments are weak, compare your best normal-damage and Infantry-oriented formation. Look at the complete stat package rather than forcing one formation because a guide labels it “best.”

Useful armament attributes can include:

• Infantry Health
• Infantry Defense
• Normal damage
• Smite-related effects
• All-damage bonuses
• Damage reduction
• March Speed

Best Equipment for William Wallace

William Wallace should use Infantry equipment. Since Scots Wha Hae already gives as much as 30% Infantry Attack, Health and Defense generally provide stronger balancing value than stacking Attack everywhere.

Equipment Stat Priority

1. Infantry Health
2. Infantry Defense
3. All-damage reduction
4. Normal damage or Smite-compatible effects
5. Infantry Attack
6. March Speed

Beginner Equipment

During early development, use inexpensive Infantry pieces rather than spending Legendary materials too soon.

• Gatekeeper’s Shield
• Windswept War Helm
• Windswept Breastplate
• Sentry Breeches
• Windswept Bracers
• The Scarlet Hounds

The goal at this stage is efficiency. Save Legendary materials for equipment that will remain useful across several Infantry commanders.

Mid-Game Equipment

As materials become available, transition into stronger Infantry pieces such as:

• Witch’s Lineage
• Quinn’s Soul
• Sakura Fubuki
• Karuak’s Humility
• Seth’s Brutality
• Frost Treads

Do not replace a strong talented Epic piece with a weak Legendary piece simply because the rarity is higher. Compare the complete statistics first.

Late-Game Equipment

Developed Wallace marches should move toward permanent Legendary Infantry equipment that can later transfer to other commanders.

Common long-term pieces can include parts of the Eternal Empire set and other high-value Infantry equipment that improves Health, Defense, and combat efficiency.

For accessories, prioritize effects that support the pairing and damage model rather than blindly selecting the highest rarity. A Wallace Smite march may value different effects from a conventional Skill-damage Infantry march.

How to Use William Wallace in Open Field

Focus Important Targets

Wallace’s strongest hit goes into one enemy. Therefore, attack priority matters.

Focus marches that your alliance is already targeting rather than hitting random enemies. Concentrated damage allows Wallace to remove a march from combat faster.

Do Not Treat Him Like an AOE Nuker

Bas Agus Buaidh can punish up to three additional troops, but those marches must be attacking Wallace.

Consequently, his battlefield impact differs from a commander that automatically hits several nearby enemies with every active skill.

Avoid Unnecessary Swarms

The additional Smite hits give Wallace some anti-swarm value, but they do not make him immune to focused damage.

Stay close to allied marches and avoid moving deep into an enemy ball without support.

Use His March Speed

Scots Wha Hae provides up to 20% Infantry March Speed. Use that mobility to switch targets, retreat from bad engagements, and remain with the allied murder ball.

Take Advantage of Pro Libertate

An expertised Wallace can remove Slow from nearby allies and provide a short Mighty Shield after his active skill activates or his march becomes Slowed.

Positioning close to important friendly marches therefore creates more expertise value than fighting completely alone.

Is William Wallace Good for Rallying?

William Wallace can participate in strong Smite rally setups, particularly alongside a commander specifically designed for the same combat style.

However, rallying is a specialist role. The commander pairing is only one part of the calculation.

Before launching an Infantry rally, evaluate:

• The enemy garrison pairing
• Troop type matchup
• Commander expertise
• Equipment and Iconic levels
• Formation and armaments
• Kingdom technology
• Reinforcement quality
• Available buffs
• Current rally meta

For most governors, Wallace’s open-field role is more relevant than his rally potential.

William Wallace Strengths and Weaknesses

Common William Wallace Mistakes

• Building him like a traditional Skill-damage commander: Smite scales with normal-damage bonuses rather than standard skill-damage bonuses.
• Using mixed troops: Scots Wha Hae specifically strengthens Infantry.
• Assuming 5-5-1-5 equals expertise: Lion of the North and Pro Libertate still provide important value.
• Using Wallace as secondary while expecting his Smite talents: Only the primary commander’s talent tree applies.
• Expecting normal AOE: Bas Agus Buaidh only hits additional enemy troops when they are attacking Wallace.
• Building too much Attack: Wallace already receives a large Attack bonus from his second skill.
• Ignoring Health and Defense: Stronger survivability improves his ability to stay in combat and continue dealing Smite damage.
• Forcing Pincer with poor armaments: Armament quality can matter more than the theoretical best formation.
• Building him without a clear pairing: Wallace performs much better when his partner complements Smite.
• Investing solely for rallies: Non-rally leaders should prioritize his open-field value.
• Assuming older pairing recommendations are permanently meta: Compare Wallace with the latest Infantry releases before spending sculptures.
• Crafting equipment only for Wallace: Build a permanent Infantry set that can transfer to future commanders.

FAQ

Is William Wallace good in Rise of Kingdoms?

Yes. William Wallace remains strong in open field and can also work in specialized Infantry rallies. However, newer Infantry commanders mean he is no longer an automatic investment for every account.

What is the best William Wallace talent tree?

Use a Smite-focused build with additional points in the Infantry tree. Prioritize Smite mechanics first, then add Health, Defense, and other Infantry combat bonuses.

Who is the best pair for William Wallace?

Liu Che remains one of his strongest natural Smite partners. Sun Tzu Prime, Bai Qi, and Scipio Aemilianus can also create useful or specialized combinations depending on the rest of your Infantry roster.

Should William Wallace be primary or secondary?

Wallace is commonly used as primary when the march needs access to his Smite talent tree. However, a stronger modern primary commander can sometimes justify using Wallace as secondary.

Is 5-5-1-5 William Wallace good?

Yes. A 5-5-1-5 Wallace keeps his maximum active skill, Infantry statistics, and open-field Smite and normal-damage bonuses. Nevertheless, expertise adds maximum Lion of the North value and the Pro Libertate team shield.

Does William Wallace need expertise?

Not for basic open-field use. However, expertise is recommended when Wallace is a permanent main march or part of a competitive rally setup.

Does skill damage increase William Wallace’s Smite damage?

Smite damage is affected by normal-damage bonuses rather than standard skill-damage bonuses. Therefore, prioritize Smite, normal-damage, Infantry, and survivability effects.

Is William Wallace good for F2P players?

He can be useful for an Infantry-focused F2P account, especially at 5-5-1-5. However, players with limited Universal Legendary Sculptures should compare him with current Infantry commanders before investing.

Conclusion

William Wallace remains a strong Smite-focused Infantry commander with excellent single-target pressure. Bas Agus Buaidh reaches 2,400 Smite damage factor, while Scots Wha Hae provides substantial Infantry Attack, Health, and March Speed.

Lion of the North adds normal-damage reduction and Smite amplification. Meanwhile, Battle of Stirling Bridge increases both Smite and normal damage during map combat.

A 5-5-1-5 build can provide strong open-field performance while saving Legendary Sculptures. However, expertise adds Pro Libertate, giving Wallace Slow removal and a short Mighty Shield for nearby allied and friendly troops.

Liu Che remains a natural Smite partner, while newer commanders such as Sun Tzu Prime and Bai Qi provide additional ways to use an already-developed Wallace. Scipio Aemilianus remains more relevant to specialized rally setups.

Most importantly, optimize Wallace around Smite and normal damage rather than treating him as a traditional skill nuker. Use full Infantry troops, prioritize durable equipment, and choose a formation based on both Smite synergy and the quality of your armaments.

Explore more commander builds, Infantry strategies, equipment advice, and KvK guides in the Rise of Kingdoms guide collection.