El Cid Commander Guide: Skills, Talent Builds, Pairs
Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar was a Castillian nobleman and military leader in medieval Spain. The Moors called him El Cid, which meant the Lord (probably from the original Arabic al-Sayyid, السَّيِّد).
In 904, after the fall of Valentia, El Cid established an independent principality on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. He ruled over a pluralist society with the popular support of Christians and Muslims alike.
The figure of El Cid has been the source for many literary works, beginning with the Canter del Mio Cid, an epic poem from the 12th century which gives a partly-fictionalized account of his life.
Overview
El Cid is a Legendary Archer, Versatility, and Skill commander. He can be obtained via Gold Keys, The Mightiest Governor Event, Card King, and Daily Chests. I think it’s safe to assume that El Cid is one of the most hated Commander in Rise of Kingdoms. He used to be one of the best rally leaders during the 1st Season of Kingdom vs Kingdom. However, with the introduction of better rally leaders, El Cid is nowhere to be seen these days, except maybe in the open field with Edward or with Ramesses I for their march speed and durability respectively.
The problem with El Cid is that, he tries to do too many things at once instead of specializing in one area and there are better alternatives for everything that he does. The only good thing about using El Cid is that like Richard I, all 5 of his skills work regardless of what you are doing.
Skills
 Famous Warrior Active Skill | Rage Requirement: 1000 Deals direct damage to the target, and disables target’s normal attacks and active skills for 1 second. Upgrade Preview: Direct Damage Factor: 500 / 600 / 700 / 800 / 1000 |
To this day it baffles me why is this skill isn’t buffed already. The damage factor on this skill is less than that of an epic commander like Hermann and the same goes for debuff duration. Guan Yu at 1-0-0-0 deals more damage than El Cid at 5-0-0-0 and Guan can AoE silence up to 3 enemies for 3 secs.
 Poem of El Cid Passive Skill | El Cid’s troops have a 10% chance to deal additional damage to the target. Upgrade Preview: Additional Damage Factor: 500 / 600 / 700 / 800 / 1000 |
This is another skill of El Cid that needs to be buffed or reworked entirely. The damage factor itself isn’t bad considering it’s a passive skill but it needs more utility to it.
 Guardian of Valencia Passive Skill | Increases archer units’ defense and march speed. Upgrade Preview: Archer Defense Bonus: 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% / 20% Archer March Speed Bonus: 5% / 7% / 9% / 12% / 15% |
This skill is not that good but compared to his first two skills it’s pretty decent.
 Unyielding Passive Skill | When Cid’s army has been reduced to less than 50% of his units, increases the damage of all troops and march speed of all troops. The effect lasts until the army is disbanded. Upgrade Preview: Damage Bonus: 5% / 10% / 15% / 20% / 25% March Speed Bonus: 5% / 10% / 15% / 20% / 25% |
This skill is probably El Cid’s best skill but only when you’re rallying with El Cid. In the open field however, you shouldn’t even continue to fight when you’re below 50%.
 Out of Control New skill: Passive Skill | Increases damage dealt to infantry units by archer units by 5%, and decreases damage taken from infantry units by archer units by 5%. |
As far as Expertise Skills goes, this is one of the better ones.
Talents
Pairings
El Cid Primary
 Yi Seong-Gye |  Ramesses II |  Fredrick I |  Hermann |
El Cid Secondary
 Yi Seong-Gye |  Ramesses II |  Edward of Woodstock |  Artemisia I |
Conclusion
El Cid isn’t bad by any means it just that the other commanders are significantly better. That said, El Cid can still be used in game modes like Ark of Osiris where march speed and durability are crucial.
