Overview
Commander Name: Philip II
Rarity: Legendary
Civilization: French
Primary Role: Cavalry Support / Leadership
Best Troop Type: Cavalry
Best For: F2P / Low Spender / Whale
Philip II is a legendary cavalry commander known for his strong leadership bonuses and skill synergy in open-field and rally scenarios. He excels at boosting cavalry damage, rage generation, and providing strategic advantages during extended battles. His versatility makes him an excellent addition to both offensive and defensive marches.
Commander Rating
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Open Field | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Rally | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Garrison | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| PvE | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Philip II is a top-tier cavalry commander offering strong open-field and rally performance, with versatility across offensive and supportive roles.
Commander Background
Philip II, also known as Philip Augustus, was King of France from 1180 to 1223. Historically, he strengthened the French monarchy and military, expanding his realm through strategic campaigns. In Rise of Kingdoms, Philip II embodies leadership and cavalry synergy, excelling in boosting allies and controlling the battlefield.
Commander Skills Breakdown
Skill 1 – Cavalry Charge: Deals bonus damage and increases attack for cavalry units, making him strong in open-field battles.
Skill 2 – King’s Leadership: Increases rage generation and skill damage of all allied units in the march.
Skill 3 – Strategic Maneuver: Reduces damage taken and boosts counterattack for cavalry during prolonged fights.
Skill 4 – Royal Decree: Enhances cavalry attack and march speed, providing an advantage in both rallies and open-field engagements.
Expertise Skill – Emperor’s Command: Unlocks additional cavalry attack, rage generation, and defensive bonuses, making him a formidable leader in high-level PvP.
Talent Tree Build
Recommended Talent Tree: Cavalry / Leadership
Key Talents: Shock Cavalry, Fleetness, Tactical Mastery, Kingly Presence
Reasoning: Maximizes cavalry damage, skill efficiency, and march leadership.
Alternative Builds: Cavalry / Garrison for defensive roles if used in fort or city defense.
Best Equipment
Early Game: Cavalry Starter Set, Light Armor
Mid Game: Horseman’s Blade, Cavalry Armor
Late / End Game: Legendary Cavalry Set, Helm of Valor, Plate of the King
Key Features
- Excellent cavalry damage and leadership synergy.
- Boosts rage generation for the march and allies.
- Versatile in open-field and rally situations.
- Expertise enhances both offensive and defensive capabilities.
- Can support both F2P and spenders effectively.
- Strong against mixed and infantry-heavy marches.
Best Pairings
Best Primary Pairings: Philip II + Richard I, Philip II + Alexander
Best Secondary Pairings: Philip II + Charles Martel, Philip II + Attila
Best Troop Composition
Recommended Troop Type: Cavalry
Why It Works: Skills scale with cavalry numbers and enhance both damage and survivability.
Troops to Avoid: Pure infantry-heavy marches reduce offensive potential.
| Troop Type | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Cavalry | Excellent |
| Mixed | Good |
| Infantry | Average |
How to Use This Commander
Open Field: Lead cavalry charges and apply leadership bonuses.
Rally / Garrison: Amplifies allied unit damage and rage generation during rallies.
PvE: Effective against barbarian camps and mixed troop configurations.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
• High cavalry damage and march leadership
• Strong in rallies and open-field battles
• Expertise enhances both offense and defense
• Versatile for F2P, Low Spender, and Whale
Weaknesses:
• Less effective in pure infantry-heavy situations
• Requires skill management to maximize potential
• Garrison defense not as strong as infantry specialists
Is This Commander Worth Investing In?
F2P Verdict: Great for early to mid-game cavalry-focused strategies.
Low Spender Verdict: Excellent for rallies and open-field control.
Whale Verdict: Highly recommended in competitive PvP and alliance warfare.
Skill Priority: Skill 1 → Skill 2 → Skill 4 → Skill 3 → Expertise.
Final Verdict
Philip II is a versatile cavalry commander with strong leadership and offensive capabilities. He is a must-have for players looking to dominate open-field battles and rallies in Rise of Kingdoms 2026.
