Sun Tzu in Rise of Kingdoms: Comprehensive Guide to Skills, Talent Builds, and Strategies

Sun Tzu, an Epic commander in Rise of Kingdoms, is renowned for his exceptional versatility and effectiveness, particularly in leading infantry units and dealing substantial area-of-effect (AoE) damage. His skill set makes him invaluable in both offensive and defensive scenarios, catering to various strategic needs.
How to Obtain Sun Tzu
Players can unlock Sun Tzu by collecting 10 of his sculptures, which are obtainable through various means:
- Choosing China as Your Starting Civilization: Sun Tzu is the initial commander for players who select China, providing an early advantage in infantry leadership and AoE capabilities.
- Tavern Chests: Sun Tzu’s sculptures can be acquired from silver and golden chests in the Tavern, offering opportunities to enhance his skills over time.
- Events and VIP Shop: Participating in special events and purchasing from the VIP shop are additional avenues to gather his sculptures.
Skills Overview
Sun Tzu’s skills are tailored to maximize damage output, enhance infantry resilience, and expedite rage regeneration:
![]() Art of War Active Skill | Rage Requirement: 1000 Deals direct damage to up to 3 targets in a fan-shaped area, and deals additional damage to the target(s) on the next turn. Sun Tzu gains additional rage for each target hit by this skill. Upgrade Preview: Direct Damage Factor: 150 / 210 / 270 / 360 / 450 Additional Damage Factor: 50 / 70 / 90 / 120 / 150 Rage Restored: 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 |
![]() Philosophy of War Passive Skill | While this commander is leading the garrison of your own city, garrison troops take less damage. Upgrade Preview: All Garrison Troops Damage Reduction: 1% / 2% / 3% / 4% / 5% |
![]() Master Strategist Passive Skill | Troops led by this commander take less damage, and infantry units gain increased health. Upgrade Preview: Damage Taken Reduced By: 4% / 5% / 6% / 8% / 10% Infantry Health Bonus:4% / 5% / 6% / 8% / 10% |
![]() Ever-changing Tactics Passive Skill | Troops led by this commander deal increased skill damage. Upgrade Preview: Skill Damage Bonus: 5% / 8% / 11% / 15% / 20% |
![]() Book of Aeons Enhanced: Art of War | Deals direct damage to up to 5 targets in a fan-shaped area (Damage Factor 800), and deals additional damage to the target(s) on the next turn (Damage Factor 200). Sun Tzu gains an additional 50 rage for each target hit by this skill. |
Optimal Talent Builds
Tailoring Sun Tzu’s talents to specific roles can significantly enhance his performance:
Garrison Defense Build

Focuses on the Garrison and Skill talent trees to strengthen city defenses and maximize rage regeneration, ensuring frequent use of powerful active skills.
Open Field (PvP) Build

Emphasizes the Infantry and Skill talent trees to boost march speed, damage output, and durability, making Sun Tzu formidable in open-field battles.
Effective Commander Pairings
Strategic pairings can amplify Sun Tzu’s strengths:
![]() | Yi Seong-Gye (YSG): Combining YSG’s circular AoE with Sun Tzu’s fan-shaped AoE results in devastating damage to multiple targets, ideal for open-field engagements. |
![]() | Eulji Mundeok: This pairing enhances infantry capabilities, with Eulji’s defense reduction synergizing with Sun Tzu’s damage output, creating a balanced and resilient force. |
![]() | Charles Martel: Martel’s defensive buffs complement Sun Tzu’s offensive prowess, making this duo effective in both offensive pushes and defensive stands. |
Strategies for Maximizing Sun Tzu’s Potential
- Skill Prioritization: Maximize “Art of War” first to leverage its high damage and rage regeneration. Follow with “Master Strategist” to enhance infantry durability.
- Troop Composition: Deploy full infantry units to fully benefit from Sun Tzu’s infantry-specific buffs, ensuring maximum effectiveness in combat.
- Engagement Tactics: Position Sun Tzu to strike multiple enemies simultaneously, capitalizing on his AoE damage and rage gain to maintain pressure on opponents.
By thoughtfully developing Sun Tzu’s skills, selecting appropriate talent builds, and pairing him with synergistic commanders, players can harness his full potential to dominate the battlefield in Rise of Kingdoms.