Overview
Commander Name: William I
Rarity: Legendary
Civilization: Britain
Primary Role: Open Field Debuffer & Support DPS
Best Troop Type: Cavalry (Mixed-friendly)
Best For: Low Spender / Whale
William I is one of the strongest debuff-oriented legendary commanders in Rise of Kingdoms, designed to weaken enemies rather than relying on raw burst damage. His kit excels in open field combat, where multiple debuffs dramatically amplify allied damage. William is not a traditional nuker, but when paired correctly, he becomes a meta-defining support commander in large-scale PvP fights.
Commander Rating
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Open Field | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Rally | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Garrison | ⭐⭐ |
| PvE | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
William shines in coordinated PvP environments, where his debuffs provide unmatched team value in open field combat.
Commander Background
William I, also known as William the Conqueror, reshaped medieval Europe through decisive leadership and tactical warfare. In Rise of Kingdoms, his commander design reflects strategic dominance rather than brute force, focusing on crippling enemies and enabling allies to secure victory through coordination and sustained pressure.
Commander Skills Breakdown
Skill 1 – Battle of Hastings: Deals direct damage and applies multiple debuffs that reduce enemy attack, defense, and health. This skill is the cornerstone of William’s open field dominance.
Skill 2 – Norman Discipline: Increases cavalry attack and march speed, improving mobility and sustained damage.
Skill 3 – Iron Will: Reduces damage taken and strengthens debuff duration, allowing William to stay effective in prolonged fights.
Skill 4 – Crown of England: Enhances damage dealt to debuffed targets, synergizing perfectly with his skill kit.
Expertise Skill – Conqueror’s Legacy: Greatly enhances debuff effectiveness and team synergy, making William one of the most impactful support commanders at expertise.
Talent Tree Build
Recommended Talent Tree: Cavalry / Support
Key Talents: Burning Blood, Rejuvenate, Heraldic Shield, Hold the Line
Reasoning: Focuses on survivability, rage generation, and sustained debuff uptime in open field fights.
Alternative Builds: Cavalry / Skill for players pairing William with heavy nukers.
Best Equipment
Early Game: Windswept Set, Vanguard Halberd
Mid Game: Silent Trial, Frost Treads, Navar’s Control
Late / End Game: Legendary Cavalry Set, Ash of the Dawn, Hope Cloak
Key Features
- Exceptional debuff application.
- Elite open field support commander.
- Strong synergy with damage dealers.
- Excellent march speed and mobility.
- Scales extremely well in large fights.
- Meta-relevant for late-game PvP.
Best Pairings
Best Primary Pairings: William I + Nevsky, William I + Joan of Arc (Prime)
Best Secondary Pairings: William I + Xiang Yu, William I + Saladin
Best Troop Composition
Recommended Troop Type: Cavalry or Mixed Troops
Why It Works: William’s debuffs are not troop-restricted, making him flexible and effective in mixed compositions.
Troops to Avoid: Pure infantry marches limit his mobility advantage.
| Troop Type | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Cavalry | Excellent |
| Mixed | Very Good |
| Infantry | Average |
How to Use This Commander
Open Field: Stay close to allied damage dealers to maximize debuff value.
Rally / Garrison: Best used as a secondary, not a primary lead.
PvE: Situational use only.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
• Powerful debuffs
• High team utility
• Excellent synergy with meta commanders
Weaknesses:
• Low solo damage
• Requires coordination
• Less effective without proper pairings
Is This Commander Worth Investing In?
F2P Verdict: Not recommended due to expertise dependency.
Low Spender Verdict: Strong investment if focused on open field PvP.
Whale Verdict: Mandatory commander for competitive PvP.
Skill Priority: Skill 1 → Skill 3 → Skill 4 → Skill 2 → Expertise.
Final Verdict
William I is one of the most impactful support commanders in Rise of Kingdoms. He does not dominate through raw damage, but through control, debuffs, and synergy. If you aim to excel in coordinated PvP and open field dominance, William I is a top-tier investment for 2026.
