In Rise of Kingdoms, Minamoto no Yoshitsune remains one of the most accessible and effective cavalry commanders for new and intermediate players alike. With high single-target damage and excellent mobility, he excels in open-field skirmishes, barbarian farming, and early-game PvP. However, to unlock his full potential, choosing the best secondary commander for Minamoto is essential. The right pairing can amplify his nuking capabilities, improve troop durability, and provide additional utility on the battlefield. Whether you’re playing in KvK, participating in rallies, or simply trying to dominate the field, understanding which commanders work best as his secondary will give you a significant edge.
Why Minamoto Needs a Strong Secondary Commander
Optimizing Cavalry Synergy
Minamoto is built for cavalry troops, and his talent tree strongly favors mobility and skill damage. His active skill deals high damage to a single target and applies a chance for additional damage over time. To make the most of these features, a secondary commander should complement his strengths and compensate for his weaknesses particularly in defense, AoE capability, or sustainability in prolonged fights.
Skill Damage Scaling
As a primary commander, Minamoto benefits from the Skill talent tree, which enhances the damage of active abilities. A secondary commander with multiple active skills or passives that enhance nuking potential will scale exceptionally well with this build. This makes certain epic and legendary commanders particularly ideal partners for Minamoto.
Top Legendary Secondary Commanders for Minamoto
Cao Cao Speed and Utility
Cao Cao is a popular legendary pick due to his cavalry buffs and mobility boosts. Key benefits include:
- Strong march speed increase for fast hit-and-run tactics
- Debuffs to enemy defense, increasing Minamoto’s damage output
- Excellent synergy for barbarian hunting due to extra healing
Though not the best for long-term fighting due to his lower durability, Cao Cao pairs well for fast strikes and quick disengagement, especially in open field scenarios or during farming events.
Saladin Sustain and Anti-Swarm Capability
Saladin offers powerful defensive buffs, making him a great complement to Minamoto’s offensive nature. Advantages include:
- Reduces enemy healing and defense
- Enhances cavalry defense and march speed
- Decreases skill damage taken, protecting Minamoto
While Saladin’s active skill does not deal huge damage, his support-based abilities make him invaluable in drawn-out field fights. He’s ideal in KvK where swarm battles and extended marches are common.
William I AoE Damage and Rage Generation
William I brings splash damage and rage generation to the pairing. His synergy includes:
- AoE damage that affects multiple enemies
- Rage regeneration boost when hitting two or more enemies
- Cavalry stat increases
This pairing is excellent for mid-to-late game players who participate in large-scale battles. Minamoto provides the direct nuke, while William adds area control and additional rage income, allowing more frequent skill use.
Takeda Shingen Maximum Durability
For a more defensive build, Takeda Shingen is a top-tier choice. His passives focus on cavalry durability and counterattack strength. Benefits include:
- Massive sustain through healing effects and damage reduction
- Increased cavalry defense and attack
- Ideal for prolonged engagements and anti-swarm defense
Pairing Minamoto with Takeda turns the march into a tanky cavalry squad that can hold its ground against overwhelming numbers, perfect for defending objectives or maintaining map control in KvK.
Top Epic Secondary Commanders for Minamoto
Baibars Budget AoE and March Speed Reduction
For free-to-play and low-spender players, Baibars is a viable epic secondary. He offers:
- Area-of-effect damage to up to five enemies
- Reduces enemy march speed on hit
- Heals troops after leaving battle
While not as powerful as legendary commanders, Baibars adds value in swarm fights and offers minor sustain post-combat. His AoE damage complements Minamoto’s focused nuke well, especially in lower-tier fights or in the early game.
Pelagius Excellent Sustain and Skill Cycle
Pelagius is another epic commander that supports Minamoto’s offensive style through rage and healing. Key traits include:
- Bonus rage generation on attack
- Small healing with each skill usage
- Increased cavalry defense and attack
Pelagius helps Minamoto activate his powerful skills more often, while keeping the march sustainable in smaller field fights or barbarian encounters. This duo is a classic combination for early game efficiency.
Specialized Pairings for Unique Strategies
Minamoto + Aethelflaed Utility and Debuffs
While Aethelflaed isn’t a cavalry commander, she provides AoE damage and powerful debuffs. This pairing is especially useful for:
- Debuffing enemy attack, defense, and health
- AoE damage in rally or garrison defense support roles
- Boosting troop effectiveness in mixed marches
This combo is unconventional but useful when you need utility more than raw damage. Best used in secondary armies or in team-based coordinated attacks.
Minamoto + Xiang Yu Explosive Burst Combo
If you want an extremely aggressive cavalry march, Xiang Yu is a top-tier secondary. Together, they deliver:
- High AoE and single-target damage
- Rage reduction in enemies
- Massive short-term nuking potential
This combo is risky due to low durability, but it can obliterate enemy marches quickly when used correctly. Best used in coordinated swarms or quick elimination tactics.
Choosing Based on Gameplay Focus
Best for Open Field
- Minamoto + William I
- Minamoto + Saladin
- Minamoto + Pelagius (early game)
Best for Barbarians and PvE
- Minamoto + Cao Cao
- Minamoto + Pelagius
- Minamoto + Baibars
Best for Rally and Nuking
- Minamoto + Xiang Yu
- Minamoto + Takeda Shingen
- Minamoto + William I
Best for Free-to-Play Players
- Minamoto + Pelagius
- Minamoto + Baibars
- Minamoto + Aethelflaed (situational)
Minamoto remains a staple cavalry commander in Rise of Kingdoms due to his potent nuking and mobility. His effectiveness increases dramatically with the right secondary commander, tailored to your specific combat goals. For players seeking high burst damage, Xiang Yu or William I offer explosive potential. For sustainability, Takeda or Saladin provide essential defense. Free-to-play players can still get strong results with Pelagius or Baibars. Whatever your strategy, matching Minamoto with a commander who balances his offensive power with supportive or complementary traits is the key to dominating the battlefield in every phase of the game.