Top 5 Must-Have Commanders for New and Returning Players in Rise of Kingdoms (2025)

Are you a new player gearing up for KVK Season 3? Or perhaps a returning player wondering if your old commanders are still meta? Choosing the right commanders can be overwhelming, especially with Rise of Kingdoms continuously updating and introducing powerful new heroes.

As a long-time Rise of Kingdoms player, I’m here to guide you through the top 5 legendary commanders you absolutely need to prioritize in 2025 — especially during the Legendary Commander Swap Event. This event is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swap your older commanders for newer, stronger ones that define the current meta.

Why the Legendary Commander Swap Event is a Game-Changer

The Legendary Commander Swap Event appears at the end of KVK Season 2 and lasts for only five days. It allows you to swap one legendary commander on your account for a Season 3 or newer commander that you don’t have yet. The catch? You must already own the new commander to perform the swap, which is possible through the Gathering of Heroes event.

The Gathering of Heroes event offers special quest coins earned from daily activities, resource gathering, barb kills, and spending gems. These coins can be exchanged for recruiting commanders, but each subsequent commander costs more coins than the last — making early planning essential.

This event is your best shot to jump ahead in power, especially if you’ve been away from the game or just started recently.

The Definitive List: Top 5 Commanders You Must Get in 2025

1. King Arthur (Arthur Pendragon) — The Ultimate Combo Damage Commander

King Arthur is arguably the strongest commander in the game today and one of the most versatile. Here's why he deserves the top spot:

Damage Type: Combo Damage — a new type combining skill and combo mechanics, resulting in massive burst damage.
Active Skill: Hits 3 targets with a 2800 damage factor AoE at 1000 rage, one of the highest damage outputs in the game.
Stats: Provides 30% attack, 20% march speed, and 20% health bonuses — excellent for any troop type.
Utility: Includes rage reduction on enemies and a 30% damage boost tailored to the type of damage he deals.
Availability: Phase zero in the Gathering of Heroes event — no prerequisites, so you can grab him immediately when the event starts.

King Arthur is future-proof, suitable for infantry, cavalry, or archer marches, and will remain meta for at least the next 1-2 years. If you only get one commander from the swap event, make it him.

2. Philip — The Versatile Leadership Commander

Philip is prized for his versatility and leadership capabilities, making him a must-have secondary or even primary commander:

Damage Type: Leadership skill damage with instant proc AoE (800 damage factor) and rage reduction.
Buffs: Offers 30% all damage to a single troop type and a decent active skill buff duration.
Flexibility: Can pair with almost any commander and troop type, making him the safest pick for new or returning players.
Meta Role: His instant proc skill fits perfectly in the current burst-heavy meta.
Availability: Phase zero commander with no prerequisites, so he’s easy to unlock early.

Philip’s adaptability means he will stay useful regardless of meta shifts, a perfect “insurance” commander.

3. Bai Qi — Infantry’s Smite Damage Specialist

Infantry currently dominates the open field meta, and Bai Qi stands out as a smite damage specialist:

Damage Type: Smite Damage — infantry’s unique damage type effective against various troop compositions.
Active Skill: Hits 5 targets in a half-circle AoE with a 2400 damage factor plus chances for extra damage procs.
Stats: Offers very high infantry attack, decent march speed, and a small health bonus.
Pairing: Best paired with Liu Che for the strongest infantry march in the game.
Availability: Phase zero commander, no prerequisites.

If infantry is your main troop type, Bai Qi is mandatory for high-level open-field PvP and rallying.

4. Liu Che — The Balanced Infantry Tank and DPS Hybrid

Liu Che offers a unique blend of offense and defense, making him a versatile infantry commander:

Damage: Slightly lower active skill damage than Bai Qi but compensates with durability.
Skills: Has instant proc smite damage, a debuff to enemies, and an expertise skill that grants a 25% chance for double basic attacks, doubling rage generation and accelerating skill usage.
Stats: Balanced between attack and defense, plus skill damage reduction for better tankiness.
Meta: Great for sustained fights where rage management is key.
Availability: Phase one commander; you must recruit two other commanders first.

Liu Che’s rage engine is one of the best in the game, making his army more consistent and deadly over time.

5. Zhuge Liang — The Master Tactician and Archer Commander

Replacing Ju Leong on the list, Zhuge Liang is arguably the best archer commander currently:

Damage: High skill damage output with circular AoE that hits up to 5 targets, one of the most efficient AoE patterns.
Debuffs: Reduces enemy damage output by 15% for 3 seconds, disrupts rage, and heals — providing excellent control.
Stats: Provides solid archer attack and health bonuses, crucial for survival and damage.
Additional Skills: Instant proc when negating control effects and a second AoE skill hitting 3 targets with a 1500 damage factor.
Drawback: Slow march speed, making positioning and timing critical.
Availability: Phase one commander, requiring two prerequisite recruits.

Zhuge Liang’s damage and control make him indispensable for archer-focused players, and he pairs well with Philip or Herman Prime.

Honorable Mentions

Huo and Joan: Both are solid but less impactful than the five above.
Herman Prime: Reliable and tanky but less meta-dominant.
CPO Prime: Still strong but expensive to unlock (requires 10 recruits) and best paired with Ragnar Prime, who is hard to acquire early.

How to Choose and Pair Commanders

Start with King Arthur and Philip: Both are phase zero commanders with no prerequisites and offer unmatched versatility.
Add Bai Qi and Liu Che: For infantry dominance and synergy.
Work towards Zhuge Liang: To build a strong archer march.
Mix and Match: Depending on your troop composition and playstyle. For example, Arthur + Philip is a powerful combo, but Liu Che + Philip can be even stronger for infantry-focused players.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Legendary Commander Swap Event is your best chance to jump-start or accelerate your progress in Rise of Kingdoms. Prioritizing these commanders will help you build powerful, meta-relevant marches capable of competing at the highest levels.

Whether you’re a free-to-play player or a whale, investing your resources in these commanders — especially King Arthur and Philip — will pay off in both open field battles and rallies.

Top 5 Must-Have Commanders for New & Returning Rise of Kingdoms Players in 2025