Rise of Kingdoms Epic Commander Priority and Awakening Guide

To maximize your account's early combat strength and progression in Rise of Kingdoms, invest your universal Epic commander sculptures into Sun Tzu first, followed immediately by Joan of Arc. Once these two universal cornerstones are fully awakened, direct remaining sculptures toward specialized cavalry commanders like Baibars or Belisarius based on your primary troop focus.

Never spend universal Epic sculptures on gathering commanders or on Lohar, whose sculptures are freely obtainable through regular in-game events.

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Recommended Epic Awakening Order

Spreading universal sculptures across multiple unfinished commanders weakens your marches in early Kingdom versus Kingdom (KvK) preparation. Complete your investments in this order:

1. Civilization Starter Commander: Finish the skill progression of your starting commander to build an early operational march.
2. Sun Tzu: Dedicate all universal sculptures to Sun Tzu until he is fully awakened.
3. Joan of Arc: Awaken Joan of Arc next to secure universal support buffs for field fighting, Canyon battles, and resource gathering.
4. Primary Troop Specialists: Focus on cavalry options (Baibars for field brawling or Belisarius for mobility and node hunting) or infantry pairings (such as Eulji Mundeok).
5. Niche and Secondary Options: Develop budget archers or single-target nukers only after your core marches are complete.

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Top Priority: Sun Tzu and Joan of Arc

Sun Tzu and Joan of Arc provide combat utility that remains relevant into KvK 1, KvK 2, and Sunset Canyon even after Legendary commanders become available.

Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu is the most valuable Epic commander in the game. His primary active skill, Art of War, hits up to five targets in an area of effect (AoE) and restores 50 rage per target struck. Striking multiple enemies in open-field brawls creates a rapid rage-cycling engine that continuously fires his active skill. Combined with passive infantry health and defense increases and an unconditional 10 percent boost to active skill damage, he functions effectively as both a primary infantry commander and a universal secondary nuker.

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc is the game's premier support commander. Her active skill casts an aura over nearby friendly marches for four seconds, granting:

• Infantry health buff
• Cavalry defense buff
• Archer attack buff
• 50 rage generation per second

This aura dramatically improves trades in group battles and Sunset Canyon. Additionally, her gathering passives allow her to collect resources efficiently between combat events without requiring specialized star investments.

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Core Cavalry Specialists

Cavalry commanders provide high map mobility, hit-and-run utility, and direct damage. Prioritize between them based on whether you need open-field damage or map control.

• Belisarius: Triggers significant bursts of march speed immediately upon leaving combat, allowing him to hunt enemy gatherers on resource nodes and disengage from unfavorable fights. His active skill also applies attack and defense debuffs to soften targets.
• Baibars: Provides rare Epic-tier cavalry AoE damage that hits up to five targets while applying a movement slow, making him the premier Epic choice for chasing down retreating enemies.
• Pelagius: Acts as a sustained brawler, combining two-second rage restoration on his active skill with passive troop healing to survive extended trades.

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PvE and Peacekeeping Rules

Lohar

Lohar accelerates commander leveling through a passive skill providing up to 70 percent bonus experience against neutral units for both himself and his secondary partner. He also heals slightly wounded units after each combat, enabling continuous barbarian chaining.

• Rule: Do not spend universal Epic sculptures on Lohar. His sculptures drop in high volumes during the recurring Lohar's Trial event.

Boudica

Boudica functions as an early PvE and peacekeeping bridge. Her active skill reduces enemy rage and attack while dealing direct damage, and her passives restore 50 rage and heal light wounds on skill activation. While useful before commanders like Aethelflaed are leveled, her priority falls off once dedicated PvP and leveling options are available.

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Situational Combat and Niche Options

Invest in these commanders only after your core marches are awakened and you need specific troop configurations:

• Eulji Mundeok: An infantry brawler who applies a 30 percent defense debuff. He pairs naturally with Sun Tzu for an early infantry march until legendary alternatives like Richard I or Charles Martel are unlocked.
• Hermann: An archer specialist who provides crowd control by silencing targets for two seconds and removing 100 rage, interrupting high-burst enemy skills.
• Kusunoki Masashige: Cleanses active debuffs from your march while dealing fan-shaped AoE damage, countering enemy debuff engines.
• Osman I: Delivers single-target skill burst and expands overall troop capacity, functioning well as a flexible secondary damage dealer.
• Scipio Africanus: Offers damage reduction and troop capacity boosts, but lacks an active damage nuke and is vulnerable to being kited in open-field engagements.