Overview
- Commander Name: Cao Cao
- Rarity: Legendary
- Civilization: China
- Primary Role: Cavalry Mobility / PvE Farming
- Best Troop Type: Cavalry
- Best For: Low Spender / Whale
Cao Cao is a high-mobility legendary cavalry commander best known for his unmatched speed, rage generation, and PvE efficiency. He is widely regarded as one of the best barbarian hunters and cleanup commanders in Rise of Kingdoms, especially during KvK. While his direct combat performance has declined compared to newer commanders, Cao Cao remains highly relevant in 2026 due to his utility, flexibility, and long-term value.
Commander Rating
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Open Field | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Rally | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Garrison | ⭐ |
| PvE | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Justification: Cao Cao’s value comes from speed, rage efficiency, and PvE dominance. While he is not a meta-defining rally leader, his ability to farm barbarians, chase enemies, and provide map control keeps him relevant throughout all stages of the game.
Commander Background
Cao Cao was a brilliant warlord and statesman during the late Eastern Han dynasty, known for his pragmatism, ambition, and ruthless efficiency. In Rise of Kingdoms, he embodies these traits through a kit focused on speed, momentum, and sustained battlefield presence, rewarding proactive and aggressive playstyles.
Commander Skills Breakdown
-
Skill 1 – Dragon Rider: Deals direct damage to the target.
Practical Explanation: Solid single-target damage that scales well with rage generation. -
Skill 2 – Qingzhou Soldiers: Increases cavalry attack and march speed.
Practical Explanation: Core skill that defines Cao Cao’s mobility advantage. -
Skill 3 – Iron Discipline: Increases damage dealt to barbarians.
Practical Explanation: Makes Cao Cao one of the best PvE commanders in the game. -
Skill 4 – Ambush: Grants a chance to increase rage generation.
Practical Explanation: Enables faster skill cycling and sustained pressure. -
Expertise – Supreme Warlord: Adds healing and further rage generation,
dramatically improving PvE endurance and open-field uptime.
Talent Tree Build
Recommended Talent Tree: Cavalry + Mobility
- Key Talents: Undying Fury, Charge, Lightning Charge, Rapid March
- Reasoning: Maximizes speed, rage efficiency, and sustained engagement.
- Alternative Build: Pure Mobility for PvE and map control.
Best Equipment
Early Game Equipment: Blue cavalry gear focusing on march speed.
Mid Game Equipment: Epic cavalry sets prioritizing health and attack.
Late / End Game Equipment: Legendary cavalry equipment if used in PvP; epic gear sufficient for PvE-focused builds.
Key Features
- Exceptional march speed
- Top-tier barbarian hunting
- Strong rage generation
- Flexible pairing options
- High map control potential
- Long-term utility
Best Pairings
Best Primary Pairings: Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Saladin, Belisarius
Best Secondary Pairings: Pelagius, Aethelflaed
Best Troop Composition
Recommended Troop Type: Cavalry
Cavalry maximizes Cao Cao’s speed, rage generation, and PvE bonuses.
Troops to Avoid: Infantry or mixed troops that reduce march speed efficiency.
How to Use This Commander
- Open Field: Cleanup, chasing, and skirmishing rather than frontline brawling.
- Rally / Garrison: Secondary or early-game use only.
- PvE: One of the best commanders for barbarian chaining and events.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Unmatched mobility
- Excellent PvE efficiency
- Strong rage generation
Weaknesses:
- Falls off in late-game PvP damage
- Not suitable for garrison defense
Is This Commander Worth Investing In?
F2P Verdict: Moderate investment; better as secondary or PvE commander.
Low Spender Verdict: Highly recommended due to versatility.
Whale Verdict: Utility-focused commander rather than PvP core.
Skill Priority: Max Skill 1 → Skill 2 → Skill 4; expertise highly recommended for PvE.
Final Verdict
Cao Cao remains a timeless utility commander in Rise of Kingdoms. While not a frontline PvP powerhouse in 2026, his mobility, PvE dominance, and strategic flexibility make him a valuable long-term asset.
An excellent investment for players who value efficiency and map control.
