Why Troop Training Strategy Matters
In Rise of Kingdoms, your troops are your most valuable asset. Building the wrong troop types — or training them at the wrong time — wastes enormous amounts of resources and time that you can never recover. This guide walks you through the most efficient approaches to troop training so every soldier counts.
Understanding Troop Tiers
| Tier | Unlock Requirement | Combat Power | Resource Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Barracks Level 1 | Low | Very Low |
| T2 | Barracks Level 6 | Low-Medium | Low |
| T3 | Barracks Level 16 | Medium | Medium |
| T4 | Barracks Level 21 + Research | High | High |
| T5 | City Hall Level 25 + Advanced Research | Very High | Very High |
Should You Train T4 or T5?
This is the most common question among mid-to-late game players. Here's the honest answer:
Train T4 First
The majority of players should focus on building a strong T4 army before even thinking about T5. Here's why:
- T4 troops are significantly cheaper and faster to train than T5.
- A large T4 army outperforms a small T5 army in most scenarios.
- The research required for T5 takes months — you need T4 filling your marches in the meantime.
- Healing T4 is far more affordable than healing T5 after heavy battles.
When to Add T5
Once you have a solid T4 foundation (at least 200,000–300,000 T4 troops), you can start incorporating T5. Don't abandon T4 training — continue building both. T5 is best used as a powerful complement to your T4 army, not a replacement.
Which Troop Type Should You Train?
Rise of Kingdoms has three main troop types with a rock-paper-scissors relationship:
- Infantry beats Cavalry
- Cavalry beats Archers
- Archers beat Infantry
For most players, the best strategy is to specialize in one troop type and build your commander lineup around it. Trying to maintain large numbers of all three types spreads your resources too thin and means your commanders' bonuses rarely fully apply.
Cavalry (Recommended for Beginners)
Cavalry is the most beginner-friendly specialization. They are fast, flexible, and have strong commanders available at all stages of the game. Saladin, Genghis Khan, and Belisarius are all excellent cavalry options.
Infantry
Infantry is the dominant PvP specialization in the late game. Commanders like Guan Yu and Alexander the Great make infantry devastating in open-field combat and rallies. However, infantry commanders are harder to obtain and star up.
Archers
Archers excel in rally attacks and AoE damage. Yi Seong-Gye (YSG) and Ramesses II make archer rallies feared across the game. Archers are less effective in small skirmishes but devastating in organized alliance attacks.
Efficient Training Tips
- Always keep your queues full. Idle barracks are wasted potential. Use training speed-ups when you have them.
- Use VIP points wisely. VIP 10+ unlocks a second builder — the equivalent perk exists for training as well.
- Join an active alliance. Alliance technology boosts training speed significantly.
- Run the Lyceum of Wisdom. It provides resources and boosts that indirectly accelerate training.
- Don't train during peace — train before KvK. Have your armies ready before big events, not scrambling to fill queues as battles begin.
Sample Army Composition Goal (Mid-Game)
- 150,000+ T4 of your chosen troop type
- 50,000 T3 as filler/hospital management buffer
- Avoid training T1/T2 beyond initial unlocks — they're cannon fodder that inflate your losses
Conclusion
Smart troop training is about patience and consistency. Pick a troop type, build the right commanders around it, and keep your queues running every single day. The players with the biggest, strongest armies didn't get there through luck — they got there through disciplined, daily training habits.