Overview
Commander Name: Ragnar Lodbrok
Rarity: Legendary
Civilization: Viking (Infantry-oriented)
Primary Role: Open Field & Rally Damage Commander
Best Troop Type: Infantry
Best For: Low Spender & Whale
Ragnar Lodbrok is one of the most aggressive infantry commanders in Rise of Kingdoms, built around relentless pressure, sustained damage, and enemy debuffs. He thrives in large-scale open field fights where constant engagement amplifies his value. While he requires proper investment to shine, Ragnar rewards players with excellent damage uptime and battlefield control in both open field and rally scenarios.
Commander Rating
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Open Field | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Rally | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Garrison | ⭐⭐ |
| PvE | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ragnar Lodbrok stands out as a top-tier infantry damage dealer, especially in prolonged engagements where his sustained output outclasses many alternatives.
Commander Background
Ragnar Lodbrok is a legendary Norse hero and king, celebrated for his raids, fearlessness, and battlefield ferocity. In Rise of Kingdoms, Ragnar embodies Viking warfare through relentless offense, intimidation, and attrition-based combat. His design reflects a commander who grows stronger the longer he fights, mirroring the brutal endurance of Viking warfare.
Commander Skills Breakdown
Skill 1 – Wrath of the North: Deals heavy direct damage to the target and applies a debuff that increases damage taken. This skill defines Ragnar’s burst potential and makes him lethal in focused engagements.
Skill 2 – Viking Legend: Increases infantry attack and defense, significantly improving Ragnar’s frontline survivability.
Skill 3 – Fear of the Axe: Boosts damage dealt when troops are actively engaged, rewarding aggressive play and continuous fighting.
Skill 4 – Son of Odin: Enhances normal attack damage and further improves sustained DPS in extended battles.
Expertise Skill – Ragnarok: Greatly increases damage output and strengthens enemy debuffs, turning Ragnar into a true open field menace when fully invested.
Talent Tree Build
Recommended Talent Tree: Infantry / Attack
Key Talents: Hold the Line, Armored Joints, Double-Edged Sword, Undying Fury
Reasoning: Maximizes sustained infantry damage while maintaining enough durability to stay in prolonged fights.
Alternative Builds: Infantry / Skill for players pairing Ragnar with skill-focused secondaries.
Best Equipment
Early Game: Vanguard Set, Windswept Helm
Mid Game: Frost Treads, Silent Trial, Gatekeeper’s Shield
Late / End Game: Eternal Night, Hope Cloak, Gladiator, Karuak’s Humility
Key Features
- Exceptional sustained infantry damage.
- Strong debuffs that amplify team damage.
- Scales extremely well in long fights.
- Top-tier open field presence.
- Effective rally contributor.
- Synergizes well with defensive infantry commanders.
Best Pairings
Best Primary Pairings: Ragnar Lodbrok + Harald Sigurdsson, Ragnar Lodbrok + Alexander the Great
Best Secondary Pairings: Ragnar Lodbrok + Guan Yu, Ragnar Lodbrok + Scipio Prime
Best Troop Composition
Recommended Troop Type: Pure Infantry
Why It Works: Maximizes skill bonuses, durability, and sustained damage output.
Troops to Avoid: Mixed troops reduce Ragnar’s infantry-specific scaling.
| Troop Type | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Infantry | Excellent |
| Cavalry | Low |
| Archers | Low |
How to Use This Commander
Open Field: Keep Ragnar constantly engaged to maximize his sustained damage and debuffs.
Rally / Garrison: Best used as a rally lead or secondary for infantry-focused objectives.
PvE: Usable but not optimal compared to dedicated PvE commanders.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
• Exceptional sustained DPS
• Strong infantry synergy
• Powerful debuff application
Weaknesses:
• Requires high investment
• Limited burst compared to nukers
• Not beginner-friendly
Is This Commander Worth Investing In?
F2P Verdict: Not recommended due to high investment needs.
Low Spender Verdict: Viable with patience and focused upgrades.
Whale Verdict: Strongly recommended for infantry-focused accounts.
Skill Priority: Skill 1 → Skill 3 → Skill 2 → Skill 4 → Expertise.
Final Verdict
Ragnar Lodbrok is a fearsome infantry commander built for prolonged, high-intensity combat. He excels in open field brawls and coordinated infantry pushes. For players willing to invest, Ragnar Lodbrok remains one of the most dominant sustained-damage infantry commanders in Rise of Kingdoms.
