So, you're diving into Rise of Kingdoms and trying to figure out the best pairings for Sun Tzu, huh? No worries, mate! You've come to the right place. Sun Tzu is like that reliable friend who's always got your back, especially in the early to mid-game. He's a master of infantry and packs a serious punch with his skills. Let's break down how to make the most of him!

Understanding Sun Tzu's Strengths

Before we jump into pairings, let’s quickly recap what makes Sun Tzu so awesome. Sun Tzu is an epic commander specializing in infantry, garrison defense, and skill damage. His first skill, 'Art of War', deals direct damage to up to three targets and buffs the damage of the next three skills used by the paired commander. This makes him an excellent choice for players focusing on infantry-based armies, providing both offensive and defensive capabilities. He excels at leading large armies and can hold his own in various combat situations. Understanding these strengths is crucial when selecting the best commander to pair him with.

Sun Tzu’s versatility comes from his talents and skills. You can build him as a primary commander for open-field fighting or as a garrison commander for city defense. His skills include increasing infantry attack and defense, reducing skill damage taken, and dealing significant AOE damage. This makes him an invaluable asset, especially in the early to mid-game where resources are limited. Properly leveraging these skills will allow you to maximize his effectiveness on the battlefield. Additionally, remember to invest in his skill tree to enhance his specific strengths based on your play style and strategic needs.

Moreover, Sun Tzu's expertise in infantry makes him a cornerstone in many players’ armies. Infantry units are known for their high defense and health, making them ideal for holding the line and absorbing damage. When Sun Tzu leads these units, his skills further amplify their resilience and damage output. This synergy transforms your infantry into a formidable force capable of withstanding heavy attacks and delivering punishing blows. Given his strategic importance, you'll want to consider how best to complement his abilities when choosing a secondary commander.

Best Commander Pairings for Sun Tzu

Alright, let’s get to the meat of it – who should you pair with Sun Tzu to create a killer combo? Here are some top-notch choices, explained in plain English.

1. Aethelflaed

Aethelflaed and Sun Tzu make a fantastic pair, especially for players focusing on conquering barbarian forts and participating in alliance rallies. Aethelflaed is a versatile commander known for her debuffing abilities, which reduce enemy attack, defense, and health. When paired with Sun Tzu, Aethelflaed’s debuffs amplify Sun Tzu’s damage output, making them a formidable force against both PvE and PvP targets. Their combined skill set allows for sustained damage and increased survivability, making them ideal for prolonged engagements. This pairing is particularly effective in the early to mid-game, where debuffs can significantly impact the outcome of battles.

Strategically, pairing Aethelflaed with Sun Tzu also allows you to take advantage of Aethelflaed’s peacekeeping talents. This makes the duo exceptionally efficient at clearing barbarian camps and forts, providing valuable resources and experience. Aethelflaed's skill, which reduces enemy stats, complements Sun Tzu's AOE damage, making them a powerful force against groups of enemies. Furthermore, Aethelflaed’s secondary skill, which increases troop march speed, can help the pair quickly navigate the map and engage enemies, giving you a tactical advantage. By utilizing Aethelflaed’s support abilities and Sun Tzu’s damage, this pairing offers a balanced and effective approach to gameplay.

2. Lohar

For those focusing on PvE content and leveling up commanders quickly, Lohar is an excellent choice to pair with Sun Tzu. Lohar is renowned for his experience-boosting skill, which significantly increases the experience gained from defeating barbarians. When paired with Sun Tzu, this combination allows you to level up your commanders at an accelerated rate. This is particularly useful in the early game when building a solid foundation of high-level commanders is crucial for long-term success. Lohar's ability to heal troops after battles also ensures that you can continuously engage in PvE activities without needing to return to your city frequently.

Additionally, Lohar’s peacekeeping talents perfectly complement Sun Tzu’s skill set, making them a formidable duo for clearing barbarian camps and forts. Lohar's skill, which provides a substantial experience boost, combined with Sun Tzu's AOE damage, makes leveling up your commanders efficient and rewarding. This pairing is ideal for players looking to quickly develop their roster of commanders and gain a competitive edge. By maximizing Lohar’s experience buffs and Sun Tzu’s damage output, you can efficiently clear PvE content and accelerate your progress in the game.

3. Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc is a fantastic support commander to pair with Sun Tzu, providing buffs that enhance your army's overall performance. Joan of Arc’s skills include increasing troop attack, defense, and health, as well as generating rage for your commanders. This combination allows Sun Tzu to use his active skill more frequently, dealing substantial damage to the enemy. Joan of Arc's support abilities amplify Sun Tzu’s strengths, making your army more resilient and powerful in battles. This pairing is particularly effective in both PvE and PvP scenarios, providing a well-rounded approach to combat.

Furthermore, Joan of Arc’s versatility makes her an excellent addition to any army composition. Her buffs not only increase the effectiveness of Sun Tzu but also benefit the entire army, providing a significant advantage in prolonged engagements. Joan of Arc's ability to generate rage ensures that Sun Tzu can unleash his active skill more often, dealing consistent damage to the enemy. This pairing is ideal for players looking to create a balanced and effective army that can handle a variety of combat situations. By leveraging Joan of Arc’s support skills and Sun Tzu’s damage output, you can create a formidable force that can dominate the battlefield.

4. Bjorn Ironside

Bjorn Ironside makes a strong pairing with Sun Tzu due to his skill damage enhancement and versatile talent tree. Bjorn Ironside can significantly amplify the skill damage dealt by Sun Tzu, making this duo incredibly effective in battles where skill damage is crucial. Bjorn Ironside’s first skill increases damage dealt to enemies and then buffs the damage of the next three skills used by the paired commander, complementing Sun Tzu's AOE damage. This pairing is especially potent in open-field battles where dealing burst damage can quickly turn the tide of the engagement.

Moreover, Bjorn Ironside’s talent tree allows for flexible customization, enabling you to tailor his abilities to suit your specific needs. Whether you focus on maximizing skill damage or enhancing his survivability, Bjorn Ironside can be adapted to complement Sun Tzu’s play style. This adaptability makes him a valuable asset in various combat scenarios. By focusing on skill damage and utilizing Bjorn Ironside’s adaptability, this pairing offers a balanced and effective approach to combat.

General Tips for Pairing Commanders

Okay, so you've got some commander pairing ideas, but let's cover a few general tips to keep in mind:

• Synergy is Key: Look for commanders whose skills complement Sun Tzu’s. Do they buff infantry? Do they debuff enemies? The better the synergy, the more effective the pairing.
• Consider the Situation: Are you fighting barbarians, defending a city, or engaging in open-field PvP? Different situations call for different pairings.
• Talent Trees Matter: Pay attention to the talent trees of both commanders. Make sure their talents align with your strategy.
• Level and Skill Up: Don’t neglect leveling up your commanders and upgrading their skills. A maxed-out Sun Tzu with maxed skills is a force to be reckoned with.

Strategic Considerations

When deploying Sun Tzu, consider the strategic context of your game. In the early game, focus on leveling him up through PvE activities, as his skills are invaluable for clearing barbarian camps and forts. As you progress, transition him into a more supportive role, pairing him with commanders who can benefit from his skill damage buffs and infantry enhancements. During alliance wars and large-scale battles, Sun Tzu can be used effectively in garrison defense or as part of a coordinated attack force. Understanding his strengths and limitations will allow you to make informed decisions about when and how to deploy him.

Furthermore, pay attention to the equipment and troops you assign to Sun Tzu. Equipping him with gear that boosts infantry stats and skill damage will significantly enhance his effectiveness. Similarly, ensure that your army composition consists primarily of high-tier infantry units, as this will maximize the benefits of his infantry-focused skills. By optimizing his equipment and troop composition, you can transform Sun Tzu into an unstoppable force on the battlefield. Remember to adapt your strategy based on the specific challenges you face, and always be prepared to adjust your pairings and tactics as needed.

Conclusion: Mastering Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu is a cornerstone commander in Rise of Kingdoms, especially for players who appreciate a solid infantry-based strategy. By understanding his strengths and weaknesses and pairing him with the right commanders, you can create a formidable force that can dominate the battlefield. So, go ahead, experiment with different pairings, and find what works best for your play style. Happy commanding, guys! You’ll be crushing it in no time.