Rise of Kingdoms Commander Review: Is Bai the Ultimate Infantry Powerhouse or Just Another Glass Cannon?
Rise of Kingdoms continues to evolve with exciting new commanders that reshape the battlefield dynamics. One of the most talked-about recent releases is Bai, a legendary infantry commander who has caught the attention of the RoK community for his powerful open-field PvP skills. But is Bai truly the game-changer everyone expects, or does he come with some hidden flaws? As a longtime RoK player, I’m here to give you a detailed and balanced look at Bai’s kit, his potential, and how to best use him.
Who is Bai? A Quick Overview
Bai is heralded as the “deity of death,” designed to excel at finishing off weakened enemy armies. His skills focus on AoE (Area of Effect) smite damage and stacking “malice” buffs that increase his damage output as his troops take losses. Sounds powerful, right? Let’s dive deeper.
Bai’s Skills Breakdown: Strengths and Weaknesses
1. Active Skill – Devastating AoE Smite
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Hits 5 targets with a high damage factor of 2400.
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Each target has a 30% chance to take an additional 15% damage.
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This makes his active skill one of the strongest AoE attacks in the game.
2. Second Skill – Infantry Stats and March Speed Boost
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Gains 50% of infantry stats plus 20% march speed.
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Primarily benefits from attack stats due to his high damage factor.
3. Malice Stacks Mechanic
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Bai gains stacks of “malice” through various means:
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10 stacks when entering combat.
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10 stacks each time an active skill is used.
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Additional stacks gained for every 10% of troops lost.
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Malice stacks can be spent to deal a strong smite attack (damage factor 300) to targets with fewer troops than Bai’s malice stacks.
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The mechanic encourages Bai to focus on weakened enemies for maximum damage.
4. Conditional Bonuses When Troops Are Low
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At 50% troop capacity, Bai deals 60% more damage and takes 30% less damage for 6 seconds.
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At 15% troop capacity, he deals 100% more damage and takes 50% less damage for 6 seconds.
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These buffs apply late in battle but may have limited practical value since fewer troops reduce damage output overall.
The Glass Cannon Problem
One major drawback is Bai’s lack of tankiness:
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Only 10% health bonus, less than some other infantry commanders like William Wallace.
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No inherent damage reduction or defensive buffs.
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This makes Bai extremely fragile — a true glass cannon.
Even when paired with defensive support commanders like Liuche or Philip, the overall march remains relatively squishy.
How Does Bai Compare to Other Top Infantry Commanders?
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William Wallace: Higher single-target damage and slightly better tankiness.
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Ragnar Prime: Superior AoE damage and tank stats.
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Liuche: More balanced with defense and rage synergy.
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King Arthur (cavalry): Stronger skill damage overall, but not an infantry commander.
Bai’s damage output is comparable to some top-tier commanders, but his survivability is notably weaker.
Best Uses and Pairings for Bai
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Focus on finishing weakened enemy marches. Bai’s malice stack mechanic is designed to shine against targets already weakened.
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Pair with defensive commanders like Philip or Alexander the Great to mitigate fragility.
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Consider infantry formations and buffs like Pinser Formation (+10% smite damage) to maximize his damage.
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Avoid prolonged direct confrontations without backup, as Bai can be eliminated quickly due to low defense.
Final Thoughts: Is Bai Worth It?
Bai is an exciting addition to the infantry commander lineup with a strong burst damage potential and a unique mechanic rewarding aggressive, tactical play. However, his fragility and dependence on stacking malice make him a high-risk, high-reward commander.
For players seeking raw damage and strategic clean-up capability, Bai could become a valuable asset — especially when paired wisely and used in the right scenarios.