Richard Talent Tree Builds And Pairs

Richard is one of the strongest commanders in Rise of Kingdoms. With the right talent tree build and pairing, he will be unstoppable. Richard will provide a good amount of healing, damage reduction, and infantry stats. Overall great commander to have.

• Best infantry commander for new kingdoms 
• Richard is a commander that you will always use 
• His performance is still good on old kingdoms 
• Provides a lot of healing and is extremely tanky
• Great in a massive fight on Ruins and AOO
• Great against cavalry commanders 
• Can be pair with any commander 
• Great talent tree build for infantry 
• Great commander for Chain Hunting Barbarians 
• Extremely good for defending and leading rally on new kingdoms 

Introduction

In this in-depth guide, you will learn everything about Richard and why he is one of the best commanders in Rise of Kingdoms. Here you will get information about Richard’s best talent tree, how to upgrade his skills, how to use him etc. This guide is for new and old players. 

Richard is a pure tier S rise of kingdoms commander. He becomes available when your kingdom gets older than 120 days. You must get this commander especially if you are a new player. Now you are wondering why? He is one of the commanders that is great in every part of Rise Of Kingdoms. You can use him for field battles, defending, rallying, etc. 

You can pair Richard with any commander in Rise Of Kingdoms. When you are fighting on the field do not run with Richard especially if you have tier 5 units. Richard is great but he is an insanely slow commander. If you are planning to save sculptures use Richard with first skill max or 2 first skills maxed.

His first 2 skills are one of the best in Rise Of Kingdoms and great is Sunset Canyon and for Ruins and they are not specific for infantry. So basically you can use Richard with 5111 or 5511 skills. But I would recommend you to max him if you are in the new kingdom. 

Is Richard Still a Legendary in 2023?

There have been sevuly 1189 until death. 

However, despite the commander’s capabilities, eral doubts in the minds of players of the Rise of Kingdoms regarding the effectiveness of Richard-I.

Richard’s talents revolve around the garrison, defense, and infantry. 

The character of Richard is inspired by the King of England, Richard-I. He was coined as Richard the Lionheart and served as the King from 6 Jthere have been several questions such as.

• Is Richard-I a good commander to invest in?
• Is Richard worth using if you’re in the late game?

This article revolves around the various factors that have impacted Richard-I’s effectiveness on the battlefield. 

Let’s dive right into it.

One of the essential aspects to understand is that our understanding of how the game works evolved in 2023.

Richard’s active skill, ‘Soul of The Crusaders’, is a healing skill. The skill requires 1,000 rage points and heals mildly wounded units in Richard’s army. The healing factor is 1,400. The skill also adds a debuff in an area of effect, which aims at five targets. The debuff causes damage to enemies by 30% and reduces march speed by 15% for the next 2 seconds.

If you look at it objectively, healing is a solid skill, especially when you’re defending the flag or your city. But you can create the same type of effect by putting more troops into the flag or more troops reinforcing somebody’s city. 

There are multiple ways you can create the same effect that an active skill on Richard-I creates. And, if you test and try in the game, you will realize that ‘Soul of The Crusaders’ is the least effective skill to have in most garrison situations. 

The only place where Richard-I proves to be useful is in the Ark of Osiris, where he has reigned for a long period. When the objective is to hold the structures for as long as possible, healing is a key skill to have. 

Healing Counters

Another factor that makes Richard-I a less effective commander in the Rise of Kingdoms is that healing has many counters. 

Let’s look into those counters.

Saladin: Saladin is a cavalry, conquering, and support-based commander in the game. His first active skill, ‘Praise The Creator, ‘ deals direct damage of 1,700 to the target. The skill also causes a debuff, which reduces the march speed by 50% and decreases healing effects by 50%. 

Alexander the Great: Alexander the Great is an infantry, versatile, and attack-based commander. His passive skill, ‘Lead The Charge,’ makes the troops immune to damage reduction effects. Also, all regular attacks have a 10% chance to deal additional direct damage of 1,700 while reducing the healing effects by 30% for the next five seconds. 

Ramesses II: Ramesses is an archer, versatile, and attack-based commander in the game. His expertise skill, ‘King of Kings,’ deals continuous damage to a single target causing a damage factor of 1,000 while reducing the target’s defense by 30% for 2 seconds. The target also stops receiving any healing for 2 seconds. 

The game has evolved a lot ever since its inception, and the effectiveness of Richard-I has only gone down in value propositions. Many commanders have been freshly added to the game whose value only goes up in time, so why not invest in them?

Discover Richard Talent Tree Build

If you are planning to use Richard as a garrison commander then go with garrison talent tree build but I would suggest you full tank talent tree build. You will use 90% of times Richard as primary commander on the field and garrison build is terrible for field battles.

Richard Talent Tree Build For Garrison

This talent tree build is great for defending new kingdoms. You can defend objectives and your city. You will not get a lot of stats but your rage generation will be increased and your watchtower will take less damage.

But be careful because you do not want to have this talent tree built on old kingdoms. This is only for new kingdoms and for old kingdoms use the first talent tree build for defending so you do not have to swap talent tree builds all the time.

Richard Garrison Talent Tree Build
Main Talents	Talent Points
Call of the Pack	3/3
Undying Fury	3/3
Empty Fortress Strategem	3/3
Impenetrable Fortifications	3/3
Impregnable	3/3
Adamantine Walls	3/3
City Guardian	3/3
Nowhere To Turn	3/3
Know Thy Enemy	3/3
Kings Guard	3/3
Divine Favor	5/5
Master Armorer	3/3
Burning Blood	3/3
Testudo Formation	2/3
Stats
Attack:	5%
Defense:	9.5%
Health:	2.5%
March Speed:	6%

Richard Talent Tree Build For FIELD PVP

As the name suggests, the talent revolves around maximizing the defense and garrison trees. 

‘Know The Enemy’ is a great talent that provides a buff. If your commander is serving as a garrison commander, damage reduction effects are enhanced by 9%. 

‘Undying Fury’ is another talent to capitalize on as it provides an additional three rage for every normal attack. 

Richard has great talent tree paths so it’s easy to create great talent tree build. This talent tree build is for field battles and for mass battles on Ruins and AOO.

It will provide a lot of stats, counter damage and most important rage generations so Richard will be able to heal much faster, deal damage and apply debuffs.

You can not go wrong with this talent tree build. First focus on a path that will give you rage generation.

Richard Tank Talent Tree Build
Main Talents	Talent Points
Call of the Pack	3/3
Iron Spear	3/3
Double-Headed Axe	3/3
Undying Fury	3/3
Strong of Body	3/3
Master Armorer	3/3
Burning Blood	3/3
No Weaknesses	3/3
Spiked Armor	3/3
Balance	3/3
Loose Formation	3/3
Testudo Formation	3/3
Medicinal Supplies	3/3
Desperate Elegy	5/5
Stats
Attack:	6.5%
Defense:	8.5%
Health:	12%
March Speed:	6%

Richard Pairings

Read more about our best commander pairings

Charles Martel

One of the best duos for infantry in Rise of Kingdoms right now. I would recommend that you keep Richard as primary commander because you want to use Charles Martel as primary for defending buildings and the city and Richard damage debuff is faster than Richard shield.

The best is to keep Richard’s talents on infantry build and Charles Martel On Garrison. On open field fighting if people know how to play they will not focus you.

If you get swarmed by 5 or more troops you will do more damage because of counter-attack if the enemy is not so much stronger than you. And one more tip is never run with a full infantry march because you can not escape and you will lose so many troops for nothing.

While you run you do not generate rage. 1vs1 fighting is not worth it, you want your Richard to get swarmed for counterattack damage.

Charles Martel’s primary active skill, ‘Shield of Francia,’ activates a shield that absorbs a massive damage factor of 1,200 for the next four seconds. It also increases troop damage by 30% while the shield is still active. If you use this pairing for defending objectives then use Charles Martel’s talent tree because it has better defending skills inside.

Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu and Richard are one is the best AOE duo for infantry because you can hit 5 targets at the same time now and with Richard heals you will have troop count high all the time so you will make more damage. Richard counterattack will help so this is the best combo if you want to tank and make a good amount of damage. So do not be scared of going in group fights with this combo. It’s a great combo for Ark of Osiris because you will have group fights all the time.

For PVP and Big fights Use Sun Tzu as the primary commander because Sun Tzu talent tree will give you a lot of rage generation and bonus skill damage which you need in order to do as much damage as possible.

Eulji

From testing Richard with Eulji I can tell you that Sun Tzu will perform better than in every situation. But if you don’t have Sun Tzu max, go with Eulji.

Constantine

This is a tank and support pair. You will use Constantine as the primary commander because of the skill talent tree and Richard as the secondary commander. This is a super tanky duo and you will support troops on the field all the time. Overall great pair. For many players, Constantine-I has proved a decent pair for Richard-I.

His talents are infantry, garrison, and support so use Constantine talent tree if you are defending objectives.. Constantine enables your army to have a solid tanky march. Constantine’s first skill, ‘Edict of Milan,’ decreases target attack by 40% for the next five seconds. It also increases troop damage reduction of Constantine’s army and nearby friendly armies by 10%. Constantine’s support talent Rejuvenate also grants him a 150-level rage every time an active skill is cast. 

Guan Yu

Guan Yu makes an excellent combination with Richard-I. His talents are infantry, conquering, and skill. Guan Yu’s primary active skill, ‘Saint of War,’ synergizes well with Richard-I. The skill deals direct damage to three targets in an area of effect and silences the target for three seconds.

Also, when Guan Yu is a secondary commander, there is a damage factor reduction so you want to use him as primary and Guan Yu talent tree build is a lot better for nuking and skill damage. However, for every additional enemy beyond three, the damage factor reduces by 15%. The passive ability of Guan Yu, ‘Five Tiger Generals,’ increases normal attack damage when attacking garrisons. Normal attacks also tend to reduce a single target’s attack by three seconds. 

Alexander the Great

I have no words for this duo. Strongest field duo in Rise of Kingdoms. Insane counterattack, heal and damage from Alex. If you are F2p it’s hard to get this duo but if you are p2w you must have it, it’s so strong. And the bonus is that you will help your teammates with a shield from Alex.

Alexander The Great, with his talents of infantry, versatility, and attack, forms a suitable pair with Richard-I. However, to keep Richard as primary and Alexander The Great as secondary is a wiser way.

Richard-I is innately tanky, which makes him a better primary commander. Alexander The Great’s passive ability, ‘Frontline Commando,’ increases the infantry unit’s march speed by 30% and the attack by 30% while troops are on the map. 

Cao Cao

Cao Cao is an unconventional pairing with Richard-I, which is worth a try. His cavalry, peacekeeping, and mobility talents make him an agile pair with Richard-I. Cao Cao’s passive ability, ‘Lofty Ambition,’ has a 10% chance of healing a portion of mildly wounded units with a healing factor of 1,000. This healing skill synergizes very well with Richard’s active ability. Loft Ambition also increases troops’ march speed by 20% for the next three seconds providing great mobility to the army. You will use this pairing only for farming barbarians so use Cao Cao talent tree to reduce action points cost.

Richard counters

When you start playing Rise of Kingdoms you will dominate with Richard but later 3 great counters for Richard will be released. But that does not mean that he is not good. He will still perform well.

Saladin is a great counter for Richard. Saladin when is expertise will rescue healing by 50% for five seconds and that is a lot because healing makes Richard an extremely good commander.  

Alex will also reduce the healing effect by 30% for five seconds. Now when you add Saladin and Alex healing reduction your Richard will have a lot of problems.
Ramses is one of the best counters for Richard. When Ramses uses skill it will completely stop Richard healing for 2 seconds.

Order of skill investment

When you unlock Richard you have to invest all in his first skill. When you are done you will max his secondary skill. These 2 skills are the best for him. Now you stop here if you want to save your legendary commander sculptures or you can go and invest in other skills.

Third skill is also great so go for it after you maxed 2 first skills. When it comes to the fourth skill it is not that great but you will have to max it if you are planning to unlock expertise from Richard.

Richard Skills

Richard-I has been a part of the Rise of Kingdoms ever since its beginning. Even though there are multiple reasons why you shouldn’t invest in him, his skills are still reliant and valuable. Let’s look into his skills. 

Soul of the Crusaders

Rage Requirement: 1000

Active Skill
Soul of the Crusaders: The skill heals mildly wounded units by a healing factor of 1,400 in Richard’s team. This skill acts in an area of effect which debuffs a maximum of five targets. The debuff reduces damage dealt by 30% while reducing the march speed by 15% for the next two seconds.

Upgrade Preview:
Direct Damage Factor: 600 / 800 / 1000 / 1200 / 1400
Damage Reduction: 10% / 15% / 20% / 25% / 30%
March Speed Reduction: 5% / 7% / 9% / 12% / 15%

This skill is one of the best in Rise Of Kingdoms. First, it will deal nice damage to a single target. Also Can apply a debuff to 5 targets and that is a lot of targets that are getting debuffs. That is why Richard is great against swarms. It is damage reduction which is great. So all damage like nukes and normal attacks will be reduced by 30%. We know that Richard is using infantry troops so a 15% march speed reduction will help him against an enemy that is trying to escape

Line Breaker

Passive Skill
Chivalry: The first passive skill of the commander increases troop damage reduction by 15% and counterattack damage by 10%. This skill makes Richard and his army effective on the battlefield. 

Upgrade Preview:
Infantry Attack Bonus: 5% / 7% / 9% / 12% / 15%
Infantry Defense Bonus: 5% / 7% / 9% / 12% / 15%

One more skill that will reduce damage taken by 15% which is great for a field battle. Also, this passive skill will add a 10% counter attack bonus which is great when you are getting attacked by more enemies. Basically anti swarm skill.

The Lionheart

Passive Skill
 The second passive skill increases the attack of infantry units by 15% and defense of infantry units by 15%.

Upgrade Preview:
Infantry Attack Bonus: 5% / 7% / 9% / 12% / 15%
Infantry Defense Bonus: 5% / 7% / 9% / 12% / 15%

The third skill is for infantry units and it is great. it will provide you a lot of stats. In total, you will get 30% bonus stats which is huge on new kingdoms where your technology is low.

Battle-Hardened

Passive Skill
The third passive skill increases healing effects by 30% and diminishes watchtower damage taken by troops by 30%. 

Upgrade Preview:
Healing Effect Enhancement: 10% / 15% / 20% / 25% / 30%
Damage Taken From Watchtowers Reduced By: 10% / 15% / 20% / 25% / 30%

This skill is ok but not that great so there is not much to talk about it.

Expertise Tyrannical Lion

New Passive Skill

Reduces all damage taken by 5% and increases damage dealt to cavalry units by infantry units by 2%. In addition, every 10 seconds, decreases target march speed by 50% for 5 seconds.

This skill is ok for new kingdoms but later it will not give you much. Richard is special only It is because of these skills that Richard-Is still powerful in the game. Most of his skills confer a great deal of staying power. The commander has good potential for pairing with other commanders. Although, pairing him as a secondary commander will give the intended result. 

Lore

Richard I reigned as King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death in 1199. Because of his reputation as a great military leader and warrior, he was known as Richard the Lionheart. Richard was a key Christian commander during the Third Crusade, leading the campaign after Philip II of France’s departure and scoring significant victories against his Muslim counterpart, Saladin.

Rather than viewing his kingdom as a responsibility that necessitates his presence as ruler, Richard has been perceived as preferring to use it solely as a source of revenue to support his armies. Nonetheless, his subjects regarded him as a pious hero. He is one of the few English kings who is remembered by his epithet rather than his regnal number, and he is an enduring iconic figure in both England and France.