Choosing the right civilization in Rise of Kingdoms is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, as it sets the foundation for your gameplay style. Each civilization offers unique perks, special units, and starting commanders, making them suitable for different strategies, whether you’re focused on combat, resource gathering, or city building. Here’s a comprehensive guide to all civilizations and how to select the best one for your goals.

If you’d like to know more about the combat in Rise of Kingdoms, check out our Combat Guide.

Key Factors When Choosing a Civilization

In Rise of Kingdoms, there are currently 13 civilizations, each with its unique set of bonuses, a special unit, and a starting commander. Civilizations can be changed later in the game, but the choice will cost you 10,000 gems or a Civilization Change item.

1. Starting Commander: Each civilization begins with a unique commander who shapes your early-game strategies. For example, China starts with Sun Tzu, an excellent choice for AoE damage in early PvE battles.

2. Special Unit: Each civilization has a unique troop unit with enhanced stats. These units unlock at Tier 4, so consider how they fit your long-term strategy.

3. Civilization Bonuses: Bonuses vary across civilizations, offering boosts to troop stats, building speed, research speed, or resource gathering.

4. Gameplay Style: Your priorities—whether PvP battles, resource gathering, or city-building—should heavily influence your choice.

Civilizations Breakdown

 1. Rome

– Starting Commander: Scipio Africanus

– Special Unit: Legionary (Infantry)

– Bonuses:

  – +5% Infantry Defense

  – +10% March Speed

  – +10% Food Gathering Speed

– Best For: Infantry-focused players and early mobility.

– Recommendation: Ideal for those who want a versatile army with strong infantry in both offense and defense.

 2. China

– Starting Commander: Sun Tzu

– Special Unit: Chu-Ko-Nu (Archer)

– Bonuses:

  – +5% Troop Defense

  – +5% Action Point Recovery

  – +5% Building Speed

– Best For: Balanced players and early-game city development.

– Recommendation: Perfect for new players due to its fast-building bonus and defensive versatility.

 3. Britain

– Starting Commander: Boudica

– Special Unit: Longbowman (Archer)

– Bonuses:

  – +5% Archer Attack

  – +5% Training Speed

  – +20% Ally Garrison Capacity

– Best For: Archer players and early game PvE farming.

– Recommendation: Great for players focusing on archers and those who want a faster troop training speed.

 4. Germany

– Starting Commander: Hermann

– Special Unit: Teutonic Knight (Cavalry)

– Bonuses:

  – +5% Cavalry Attack

  – +10% Troop Training Speed

  – +10% Action Point Recovery

– Best For: Aggressive PvE players and rapid troop training.

– Recommendation: Perfect for players who want to maximize troop production and PvE grinding.

 5. France

– Starting Commander: Joan of Arc

– Special Unit: Throwing Axeman (Infantry)

– Bonuses:

  – +3% Health for All Troops

  – +10% Wood Gathering Speed

  – +20% Hospital Healing Speed

– Best For: Healing-intensive strategies and resource-focused players.

– Recommendation: Ideal for players who often engage in prolonged wars or need quick recovery.

 6. Spain

– Starting Commander: Pelagius

– Special Unit: Conquistador (Cavalry)

– Bonuses:

  – +5% Cavalry Defense

  – +10% Experience Gained from Barbarians

  – +20% Resource Production

– Best For: Resource farming and PvE grinding.

– Recommendation: A great choice for early-game development and barbarian hunting.

 7. Korea

– Starting Commander: Eulji Mundeok

– Special Unit: Hwarang (Archer)

– Bonuses:

  – +5% Archer Defense

  – +3% Research Speed

  – +15% Hospital Capacity

– Best For: Research-focused players and late-game growth.

– Recommendation: Excellent for tech-savvy players aiming for long-term research and development.

 8. Ottoman Empire

– Starting Commander: Osman I

– Special Unit: Janissary (Archer)

– Bonuses:

  – +5% Archer Health

  – +5% Skill Damage

  – +5% March Speed

– Best For: Archer-heavy PvP players.

– Recommendation: Great for players looking to boost skill damage and mobility in battles.

 9. Japan

– Starting Commander: Kusunoki Masashige

– Special Unit: Samurai (Infantry)

– Bonuses:

  – +3% Resource Gathering Speed

  – +5% Troop Attack

  – +30% Scout Speed

– Best For: Balanced gameplay and exploration.

– Recommendation: Perfect for players who want a versatile start with strong troop attack bonuses.

 10. Byzantium

– Starting Commander: Belisarius

– Special Unit: Cataphract (Cavalry)

– Bonuses:

  – +5% Cavalry Health

  – +15% Stone Gathering Speed

  – +10% Hospital Capacity

– Best For: Resource gathering and cavalry players.

– Recommendation: Best for players who prioritize gathering stone and using durable cavalry.

 11. Arabia

– Starting Commander: Baibars

– Special Unit: Mamluk (Cavalry)

– Bonuses:

  – +5% Cavalry Attack

  – +10% Damage to Barbarians and Neutral Units

  – +5% Rally Damage

– Best For: Rally leaders and barbarian hunters.

– Recommendation: Ideal for players who lead rallies or engage in frequent PvE grinding.

 12. Viking

– Starting Commander: Bjorn Ironside

– Special Unit: Berserker (Infantry)

– Bonuses:

  – +3% Infantry Attack

  – +3% Infantry Counterattack Damage

  – +15% Troop Load

– Best For: Aggressive infantry-focused players.

– Recommendation: Excellent for offense-focused players who favor infantry-heavy armies.

 13. Egypt

– Starting Commander: Imhotep

– Special Unit: Maryannu (Archer)

– Bonuses:

  – +5% Archer Attack

  – +1.5% Building Speed

  – +5% Rally Damage

– Best For: Archer players and rally specialists.

– Recommendation: A strong pick for players who frequently lead rallies and focus on city development.

Best Civilizations by Playstyle

1. PvE Barbarian Hunting: Spain, Germany, Arabia
2. PvP and Rally Leaders: Arabia, Ottoman, Egypt
3. Resource Gathering: Japan, Byzantium, France
4. Balanced Gameplay: China, Rome, Japan
5. City Development and Healing: Korea, France, China
6. Archery Focus: Britain, Ottoman, Egypt
7. Cavalry Focus: Germany, Arabia, Byzantium
8. Infantry Focus: Rome, Viking, France

Tips for Civilization Changes

– Use your starting civilization to align with your early-game goals, such as fast city development or barbarian hunting.

– As you progress, consider changing civilizations to match your focus, such as switching to an archer-focused civilization if you unlock stronger archery commanders.

– Save gems for civilization changes or plan to acquire a Civilization Change item during special events.

Choosing the right civilization in Rise of Kingdoms depends on your playstyle and long-term goals. Whether you’re a new player looking for rapid development or a seasoned warrior seeking dominance in PvP, this guide provides a clear roadmap to help you make the best decision. Adapt as you grow, and don’t hesitate to switch civilizations when your strategy evolves. For the best gaming experience, play Rise of Kingdoms on PC with BlueStacks. May your kingdom rise above the rest!