Keypoints
- Our tier list ranks the commanders of S+ (extremely powerful) to F (avoid), to help you quickly identify the best options and build a solid strategy in Rise of Kingdoms.
- At the top of the rankings are commanders such as Zhuge Liang, Liu Che Where Hermann (Prime), versatile and formidable in both offense and KvK.
- The best commanders are mainly unlocked through the gold chests in the tavern, which offer a higher chance of obtaining legendary commanders than the silver chests.
Rise of Kingdoms (often abbreviated as RoK) is one of the most popular mobile strategy games. Instead of simple characters, it offers a wide variety of commanders, each with its own specific characteristics in terms of experience, skills, and role (cavalry, infantry, archers, or formation).
Not all are created equal, and choosing the right ones makes all the difference for Make Rapid Progress in Rise of Kingdoms. That's why we've put together this guide: a comprehensive tier list of commanders in Rise of Kingdoms, from the most powerful to the least useful.
A tier list is always a matter of opinion and can never be perfect. Our editor drew on reputable sources and player feedback, but the list may contain errors. If you find any, please feel free to let us know in the comments or on our Discord server.
Would you like to join our community of players to share tips and advice on Rise of Kingdoms, and even contribute content (with compensation)? Contact us via the contact page or at Discord (feel free to follow up if you don't receive a response within 48 hours).
Ranking the best commanders in Rise of Kingdoms
In Rise of Kingdoms, commanders are divided into 6 tiers, from S+ to F, based on their power and actual usefulness in the game. The three commanders you should prioritize are Zhuge Liang, Liu Che and Hermann (Prime), which dominate the current meta. Here's how to interpret the tiers:
- Tier S+: Extremely powerful—the best choices across all modes
- Tier S: Powerful and Reliable
- Tier A: Balanced and Versatile
- Tier B: Not quite as strong, but works well in a pinch
- Tier C: Lower-level, situational
- Tier F: The least useful; best avoided
Class S+
- Hermann (Prime)
- Belisarius (Prime)
- Zhuge Liang
- Liu Che
S-Class
- Ashurbanipal
- Huo Qubing
- Joan of Arc (Prime)
- Scipio Africanus (Prime)
- Alexander Nevsky
- Gorgo
- Imhotep
- Joan of Arc
- Sun Tzu
Class A
- Sargon
- Guan Yu
- Boudica (Prime)
- Yi-Seong Gye (YSG)
- Minamoto
- Xiang Yu
- Nebuchadnezzar
- Henry
- Artemisia
- Honda Tadakatsu
- Mehmed II
- Baibars
- Hermann
- Belisarius
- Keira
Class B
- Justinian
- Pakal II
- Tariq Ibn Ziyad
- Tomyris
- William I
- Harald Sigurdsson
- Attila
- Gilgamesh
- Amanitore
- Alexander the Great
- Saladin
- Leonidas
- Ramesses
- Richard
- Constantine
- Eleanor of Aquitaine
- Lapulapu
- Takeda Shingen
- Bertrand
- Cyrus the Great
- Phyrrus
- Chandragupta
- Trajan
- Cheok Jun-Gyeong (CJ)
- Kusunoki
- Pericles
- Pelagius
- Eulji Mundeok
- Osman
Class C
- Gonzalo de Cordoba
- Gajah Mada
- Dido
- Margaret
- Babur
- Charles Martel
- Julius Caesar
- Hannibal Barca
- Edward of Woodstock
- Jan Zizka
- Heraclius
- El Cid
- Mulan
- Suleiman I
- Frederick
- Jadwiga
- Lu Bu
- Aethelflaed
- Genghis Khan
- Cao Cao
- Ragnar Lodbrok
- Thutmose
- Moctezuma
- Theodora
- Flavius
- Charlemagne
- Yi Sun-Sin (YSS)
- Wu Zetian
- Zenobia
- Scipio Africanus
- Boudica
- Diaochan
Class F
- Cleopatra
- Ishida
- Seondeok
- Lohar
- Matilda
- Tamar
These commanders are the least useful in combat; they have become obsolete following updates or are too limited to be effective outside of very specific situations.
This tier list is subjective: each commander has unique abilities, and you can improve their skills over time. Feel free to try out each option to see what works best for your troops and civilization.
Which commanders are best in Rise of Kingdoms?
If you're just starting out and looking for versatile commanders, here are five sure bets that work in almost any situation in ROK :
- Yi Seong-Gye (YSG): An excellent archer commander, formidable at dealing damage from a distance on the battlefield.
- Genghis Khan : A staple of cavalry, perfect for harassing opponents in open terrain.
- Richard : infantry pillar, ideal for holding a garrison and withstanding attacks.
- Charles Martel : Another solid infantry option, very effective against enemy cavalry.
- Cao Cao : a good choice for rallying and providing support in battle.
To take it a step further, consider some effective duos: legendary commanders such as Leonidas, Takeda Shingen Where Guan Yu become more powerful once they're properly equipped. Feel free to try out different combinations based on your troops and your playstyle.
Who are the best Cavalry Commanders?
The cavalry is the most mobile type of unit in Rise of Kingdoms, ideal for open-field play and fast breaks in KvK. Here are the best options based on your playstyle:
- Cao Cao : Excellent in open terrain thanks to its mobility; perfect for harassing enemy armies.
- Genghis Khan : formidable for open-field attacks and clearing out barbarians.
- Takeda Shingen : A support role that boosts the cavalry, ideal when paired with a nuker.
When it comes to defense and survival, Saladin remains a solid choice against opponents such as Mehmed II, when you're looking to secure a victory without losing too many troops. Feel free to try out several combinations to find the one that works best for your army.
How do I unlock the best commanders in the game?
In Rise of Kingdoms, you recruit commanders from the tavern using the money chests (Silver Chest) and chests of gold (Golden Chest). Both of these options are available without spending any real money.
Gold chests significantly increase your chances of getting a legendary commander. This is how you unlock the most powerful ones, such as Guan Yu, Leonidas Where Attila. To get keys without paying, there are several sources within the game:
- the kingdom's daily goals and progression tasks,
- temporary events and expedition rewards,
- exploring the map and collecting resources.
Once you've unlocked a commander, you can level them up using their sculptures, which unlocks their most powerful abilities and makes all the difference in KvK. Also, be sure to use the codes to enter in Rise of Kingdoms to earn additional rewards.
Buying packs speeds up the process of earning best commanders, but it's not required: with consistent play, a free-to-play player can build a strong army.
Which civilization to choose in Rise of Kingdoms?
In Rise of Kingdoms, each civilization offers unique bonuses (movement speed, economy, combat damage) and unlocks a free starting commander. The best choice depends mainly on of the game phase in which you find yourself. Before making a choice, ask yourself what kind of gameplay you're aiming for, because changing nations later on costs scarce resources.
There are three main types of civilizations:
French civilization
If your goal is to develop your region and build a strong economy, the French civilization is the best choice early in the game. Its starting commander, Joan of Arc, is a great way to help other commanders level up faster.
Germany, Great Britain, Korea, Arabia, the Ottoman Empire, and Byzantium
If your priority is to fight and win battles, these military civilizations are the best fit. Their damage and healing speed bonuses make them solid choices for players focused on conquest.
Rome, Spain, China, Japan
These civilizations strike a balance between development and combat. It's a versatile strategy, perfect for making progress without limiting yourself to a single role.
Things you need to know to optimize your gaming experience
In Rise of Kingdoms, having the right leaders isn't enough: it's how you bring them together that makes the difference. Here are some practical tips to help you make faster progress.
Be sure to level up your commanders to star rank before advancing them to the next level, as each tier unlocks a key skill. Focus your resources on two or three profiles rather than spreading them out. To obtain legendary commanders such as Guan Yu Where Saladin, open the gold chests regularly and take part in events.
Commander pairs are extremely important. Here are a few effective combinations depending on the type of troops:
- Cavalry : Cao Cao with Genghis Khan for open-field harassment.
- Infantry: Richard with Charles Martel to defend and hold a position.
- Archers: Yi Seong-Gye with Sun Tzu to maximize ranged damage.
- Support and solidarity: Aethelflaed Where Takeda Shingen for large-scale alliance attacks and the KvK.
Before each season of KvK, tailor your teams to your role (open field, city defense, or gathering) rather than sticking with a single team. And don't hesitate to chat with your alliance—the community is a treasure trove of great tips.
But in the meantime, would you like to try some other games? Discover new adventures by playing best gacha games of the moment.
You'll also find third-party lists for other games to enhance your experience:
English
The proud list needs updating, however, otherwise it's nice and useful for beginners.
Thank you for your comment. What would you like to see updated on the tier list?
This is exactly what I needed to improve my strategy in Rise of Kingdoms. This Rok commander tier list is really useful for optimizing my teams.