Is Saladin Still a Top Cavalry Commander in Rise of Kingdoms 2025? In-Depth Skill, Build & Meta Analysis

As a seasoned Rise of Kingdoms player, many have long hailed Saladin as a powerhouse cavalry commander, especially in open field PvP. However, the game’s meta has evolved considerably with Season 2 and the introduction of newer commanders like Bertrren, making it critical to reassess Saladin’s viability in 2025.

In this comprehensive guide, we analyze everything you need to know about Saladin’s kit, talent builds, museum relics, ideal formations, and best commander pairings — along with an honest look at his strengths and weaknesses in the current meta.

Who is Saladin & How to Obtain Him?

Saladin is a cavalry commander specializing in conquering and support talent trees. Originally only available as a Mightiest Governor commander, he is now accessible through the Wheel of Fortune in Season 2, plus legendary chests and daily special offers (now bundled at $3). This accessibility makes Saladin a popular and budget-friendly pick for many players.

Saladin’s Skillset Deep Dive

Active Skill

• Deals 1400 direct damage to a single target troop.

• Reduces target’s march speed by 30% and healing received by 40% for 5 seconds.

While the single-target damage factor is modest, the debuffs to speed and healing make this skill useful in slowing and weakening key targets. However, in Season 2 and beyond, where AoE and combo damage dominate, this active skill lacks the power needed for late-game high-level battles.

Second Skill

• Grants cavalry units 20% attack, 20% defense, and 5% march speed.

Saladin’s stat spread balances offense and defense, granting much-needed tankiness to cavalry units that are often glass cannons. The march speed bonus is low but still useful, making Saladin one of the more durable cavalry commanders.

Third Skill – Bond of Fate

• Reduces incoming skill damage by 30%.

• Reduces counterattack damage by 20%.

This skill was a game-changer in earlier meta dominated by skill damage, but now faces diminishing returns with the rise of combo and smite damage types. Still, it provides decent mitigation against many common skill damage threats.

Fourth Skill

• Deals 15% more damage to player city garrisons but cannot plunder resources.

Mostly irrelevant for open field PvP, this skill shines in specific city siege or PvE scenarios.

Expertise

• Increases active skill damage to 1700.

• Boosts march speed reduction to 50% and healing reduction to 50%.

The expertise improves debuffs and damage modestly but does not elevate Saladin’s skill damage to match top-tier commanders.

Talent Builds & Suggested Setup

The optimal talent tree for Saladin focuses on rage generation and skill damage reduction:

• Rejuvenate (2 points) to increase rage generation efficiency.

• Burning Blood and Emergency Protection for skill damage mitigation and survivability.

• Loose Formation and Impregnable Shield for continuous skill damage reduction (~21% combined).

• Disarm (3 points) offers a chance to reduce enemy attack temporarily.

• Optional Undying Fury for rage generation boost.

Alternative builds include counterattack damage reduction and minor march speed boosts, useful in specific swarm or map scenarios.

Museum Relics & Formations

Saladin currently has only one museum relic tier, adding:

• +10% cavalry march speed (total 15% with base).

• +10% cavalry attack.

This makes him faster and stronger but still behind other Season 2 cavalry commanders who often have multiple powerful relic tiers.

The Wedge Formation synergizes best with Saladin’s skill damage and cavalry role, optimizing both offense and defense in PvP situations.

Strengths and Weaknesses in 2025 Meta

Strengths

• Tankier than most cavalry commanders, increasing survivability in open field.

• Balanced offensive and defensive stats make him versatile.

• Skill damage mitigation helps against many Season 1 skill-damage heavy commanders.

• Accessible and budget-friendly, ideal for new and mid-tier players.

• March speed debuff and healing reduction provide tactical control.

Weaknesses

• Single-target active skill with relatively low damage compared to AoE-centric meta commanders.

• Limited expertise and relic upgrades restrict late-game effectiveness.

• Outclassed by new commanders like Bertrren offering AoE combo damage and debuffs.

• Low march speed bonus compared to other cavalry commanders affects mobility.

• Not suitable for Season of Conquest without swapping.

Best Commander Pairings with Saladin

• Saladin + Minamoto: Classic cavalry pair combining speed, burst damage, and tankiness.

• Saladin + Eson: Adds powerful 5-target AoE damage behind Saladin’s tankiness and debuffs.

• Saladin + Ethofled: Free-to-play option with AoE slow and counterattack reduction, synergizing well for budget players.

• Saladin + Bertrren: High-investment KVK2 pair with tankiness, AoE combo damage, and debuffs.

Should You Invest in Saladin in 2025?

For new or budget-conscious players focusing on Season 2 or KVK2, Saladin remains a solid cavalry commander choice due to his survivability, debuffs, and accessibility.

For endgame players aiming for Season of Conquest, Saladin’s kit and damage output are outpaced by newer meta commanders. It’s advisable to plan for a swap to a more meta-relevant commander such as King Arthur when possible.

Conclusion

Saladin is a durable and balanced cavalry commander with a long-standing legacy. Although no longer top-tier in 2025’s evolving meta, his tankiness and debuffs make him a reliable option for many players. Budget players and those in early-mid game will still find great value in investing in Saladin, while endgame players should cautiously consider alternatives.