Lu Bu is a new legendary commander that is being introduced to Rise of Kingdoms through ROK Patch Notes 1.0.40: ROK x Dynasty Warriors 9 Collab. He is a very powerful commander with superior leadership and conquering skill. He is also one of the best legendary commander to use for attacking enemy governor’s cities due to his skills.
Rarity: Legendary
Civilization: China | Title: The Powerful Demon God
Leadership | 
Conquering | 
Skill
Lu Bu Summary:
- Hits up to 3 targets in fan-shaped, dealing 2,400 damage per target.
- Reduces up to 3 targets defense by 40%.
- Deals 10% increased damage when attacking enemy cities.
- Deals 15% increased troop attack.
- Has a chance to increase attack by 30% (50% when paired with Diaochan) for 3 seconds.
- Troop capacity increased by 10%
Why Lu Bu is the Best Commander?
- Very strong legendary commander with high damaging active skill.
- Amazing defense debuff ability.
- Strong attack capabilities.
- Great commander for attacking cities.
- Expanded troop capacity size.
Background Information
Lu Bu was a military general and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of Imperial China. Originally, he was a subordinate of a minor warlord, Ding Yuan. Who Lu Bu betrayed and murdered him, then escaped to Dong Zhuo, the warlord who ruled the Han central government. Later, Lu Bu turned against Dong Zhuo and killed him.
In 194, he managed to take control of Yan Province from the warlord Cao Cao with help of the defectors. Although, Cao Cao retook the province within two years. In 196, Lu Bu turned against Liu Bei who offered him refuge in Xu Province. Then he severed ties with Yuan Shu and declared himself emperor. Which he joined the wars along with Cao Cao and others in attacking the pretender.
But in 198, he switched the side with Yuan Shu and came under attack by the combined forces of Cao Cao. Thus leading him to the defeat at Battle of Xiapi in 199. He was captured and executed on Cao Cao’s command.
Introduction
Welcome to our in-depth Rise of Kingdoms guide for Commander Lu Bu. This informative guide was created to help provide an overview of Lu Bu skills, talent trees, gameplay, strategies, and guides in Rise of Kingdoms. The purpose of this overview guide is to help new and experienced players understand how to play Lu Bu right and maximize strategic advantages.
Lu Bu is a brand new legendary commander in Rise of Kingdoms. He comes with the nationality of China and boasts large troop capacity combined with powerful conquering skill and enhanced abilities. Lu Bu can quickly demolish enemy cities to rubbles in matter of seconds.
To summon Lu Bu in Rise of Kingdoms, you will need to gather 10 Lu Bu sculptures. Once you have the required materials, navigate to the Commander Selection tab on the lower right corner. Tap on the button to summon Lu Bu.
Skills
In the next part, we are going to talk about the best skills to use for Lu Bu. As you can see, the majority of his skills focus on providing buffs that reduces enemies’ combat effectiveness and increases overall damage toward the cities.
While Lu Bu is a very strong commander for attacking cities, he is also excellent choice for PvP battles if you want to have some additional support — mainly with reducing the enemies’ defense so that the hard hitters can come in and deliver the blows.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at Lu Bu’s skills and see how you can use them to your advantage during the gameplay in Rise of Kingdoms.
Lu Bu Skills
Below is a list of Lu Bu skills that he uses during the battle in Rise of Kingdoms. Check out each skill to learn more:
Sky Piercer
Active Skill
Deals increased damage up to 3 targets in a forward facing fan-shaped area (Damage Factor 400 / 800 / 1200 / 1600 / 2000)
Damage dealt to each target is reduced by 15% for each additional target. Successfully hit targets also suffer 20% reduced defense for 3 seconds.
Sky Piercer Skill: This active skill is really good because at max upgrade, it deals 2,000 damage and reduces defense by 20% for up to 3 targets. This allows Lu Bu’s troops to deal even more damage against multiple targets which works out well in PvP battles.
Horse of Horses
Passive Skill
Troops led by this commander deal 2% increased damage when attacking cities.
Upgrades:
Increase the troops damage led by this commander when attacking cities from 2% / 4% / 6% / 8% / 10%.
Horse of Horses Skill: This is a good passive skill that works well along Lu Bu’s active skill. The more troops he command, the more damage he deals and of course, and the more damage defenders takes while protecting the cities.
Man of Men
Passive Skill
Troops led by this commander gain 3% / 6% / 9% / 12% / 15% increased attack.
Normal attacks have a 10% chance to increase the attack of troops led by this commander by 30% (or 50% when troops include Diao Chan) for 3 seconds.
This effect can trigger at most once every 5 seconds.
Man of Men Skill: Another stellar passive skill that packs some serious firepower for Lu Bu. At max upgrade, troops under his leadership deals 15% increased damage. Plus there’s a small chance that will further boost overall attack by 30% and if you pair Lu Bu with Diaochan, that goes up to 50% for 3 seconds. When the enemies’ defense are down, this passive skill can seriously dent through even the most toughest defenders in the game.
Flying General
Passive Skill
Troops led by this commander gain 2% increased troop capacity. When this commander launches a rally, rallied troop capacity is increased by 2%.
Upgrades:
Increase troop capacity and rallied troop capacity by 2% / 4% / 6% / 8% /10%.
Flying General Skill: This is a skill with an interesting name. Basically it increases overall troops capacity by 10%. The Flying General skill is very versatile and works well as a solo or rally commander.
Sky Scorcher
Expertise Skill
Deals direct damage to up to 3 targets in a forward-facing fan-shaped area (Damage Factor 2400).
Damage dealt to each target is reduced by 15% for each additional target. Successfully hit targets also suffer 40% reduced defense for 3 seconds.
Sky Scorcher Skill: This is a very powerful skill that increases the damage factor of active skill to 2,400 and further reduce enemies’ defense by 40% for 3 seconds. Combined with his passive skills, Lu Bu is capable of making quick work out of his opponents with diminished defense and high attack strength.
Best Lu Bu Talent Trees
In the next part of our best Lu Bu commander guide, we will reveal the best talent builds to go with this legendary commander. There are at least three popular talent builds, but it depends on your preferences and gameplay style. So take a look at the recommended talent builds for Lu Bu below:
Conquering Talent Build
The Conquering Talent Build is currently the best talent tree choice to use for Lu Bu since it synergizes well with his skills. One of the biggest advantage that this talent build has to offer is reduced damage taken from the enemy watchtowers. Additionally, troops are less likely to die during the battle and will be severely wounded instead. Combined with fast rage generation build gives Lu Bu an awesome combat advantage by utilizing his active skill to apply 40% defense buff.
Total Talent Bonuses (Conquering Talent Build)
- +5.5% Troop Attack Bonus
- +6.0% Troop Defense Bonus
- +4.0% Troop Health Bonus
- +6.0% Troop March Speed Bonus
- -15% Damage taken from watchtowers
- +15% Damage dealt to watchtowers
- -9% Counterattack damage taken
- +9% Rally Troop March Speed Bonus
- +9% Troop Damage Bonus when more than 90% army strength
- -9% Troop Causalities when attacking enemy cities
- +3% Damage dealt to Strongholds
- -3% Damage taken from Strongholds
- 10% Chance to increase attack by 50% on the next turn
- Generates 9 additional rage per normal attack
- +6% Active skill damage for secondary commander
- Restores 60 rage whenever a skill is used
- +3% Maximum troop capacity
- Generates 6 additional rage every time the commander is attacked
Pure PvP Talent Build
One of the best PvP talent build if you prefer to stick to just one troop type. This talent build works very well with Lu Bu with any troop type of your choice as these talent point bonuses are flexible. The Pure Army PvP talent build grants Lu Bu additional rage generation and improves his skill damage which helps out in the long run because then he can dish out even more damage.
Total Talent Bonuses (Pure PvP Talent Build)
- +3.5% Troop Attack Bonus
- +4.5% Troop Defense Bonus
- +5.5% Troop Health Bonus
- +12.0% Troop March Speed Bonus
- +9% Healing Effect received
- +1.5% Normal Attack Bonus
- +3% Maximum troop capacity
- Generates 6 additional rage every time the commander is attacked
- +12% Troop Attack when army strength is below 50%
- +20% Troop Defense for 2 seconds after using a skill.
- +5% Rally Troop Attack Bonus
- Generates 9 additional rage per normal attack
- +6% Active skill damage for secondary commander
- Restores 60 rage whenever a skill is used
- +9% Active skill damage
- -6% Damage Taken from active skill
Mixed PvP Talent Build
Another strong talent build for Lu Bu to use. The Mixed PvP talent build focuses on utilizing various troop types such as archers, infantry, and cavalry. Using all these three troop types at the same time under Lu Bu’s leadership will gain +3% attack and defense bonuses. On the top of that, Lu Bu is able to leverage rage generation boost to maintain 40% defense debuff on the enemies.
Total Talent Bonuses (Mixed PvP Talent Build)
- +3.0% Troop Attack Bonus
- +4.5% Troop Defense Bonus
- +4.5% Troop Health Bonus
- +12.0% Troop March Speed Bonus
- +9% Healing Effect received
- +1.5% Normal Attack Bonus
- +3% Maximum troop capacity
- Generates 6 additional rage every time the commander is attacked
- +12% Troop Attack when army strength is below 50%
- +20% Troop Defense for 2 seconds after using a skill.
- +5% Rally Troop Attack Bonus
- Generates 9 additional rage per normal attack
- +6% Active skill damage for secondary commander
- Restores 60 rage whenever a skill is used
- +9% Active skill damage
- +3% Attack Bonus when leading 3 or more troops type
- +3% Defense Bonus when leading 3 or more troops type
Mixed Field Talent Build
If you want to have a strong talent build that specializes in using Lu Bu’s impressive skill set. This is the right talent build to use when you want to use Lu Bu to fight on the battlefield. With three or more troops type, he will be able to gain 3% attack and defense bonuses. Plus, this talent build max out his skill area. Which gives him a chance to generate 100 rage on normal attack along with rapid rage generation. It is the perfect talent build to hold down multiple enemies on the frontline with reduced defense.
Total Talent Bonuses (Mixed PvP Talent Build)
- +4.5% Troop Attack Bonus
- +5.5% Troop Defense Bonus
- +4.5% Troop Health Bonus
- +6.0% Troop March Speed Bonus
- +9% Healing Effect received
- +3% Maximum troop capacity
- Generates 6 additional rage every time the commander is attacked
- Generates 9 additional rage per normal attack
- +6% Active skill damage for secondary commander
- Restores 60 rage whenever a skill is used
- +15% Active skill damage
- +3% Attack Bonus when leading 3 or more troops type
- +3% Defense Bonus when leading 3 or more troops type
- +6% Skill damage taken
- +6% Skill damage for 6 seconds after using active skill
- 10% Chance to restore 100 rage
Pure Field Talent Build
Lastly, if you prefer to stick to just one troop type while improving Lu Bu’s active skill and skill damage. The Pure Field talent build is a good choice because it lets you work with just one troop type. At the same time, Lu Bu will get several bonuses that boosts his active skill into a very powerful version. He will also gain rage generation boost and have normal attacks have a chance to generate 100 rage.
Total Talent Bonuses (Pure PvP Talent Build)
- +5.0% Troop Attack Bonus
- +5.5% Troop Defense Bonus
- +5.5% Troop Health Bonus
- +6.0% Troop March Speed Bonus
- +9% Healing Effect received
- +3% Maximum troop capacity
- Generates 6 additional rage every time the commander is attacked
- Generates 9 additional rage per normal attack
- +6% Active skill damage for secondary commander
- Restores 60 rage whenever a skill is used
- +15% Active skill damage
- +1.5% Normal Attack Bonus
- +6% Skill damage taken
- +6% Skill damage for 6 seconds after using active skill
- 10% Chance to restore 100 rage
Star Level & Talent Point Upgrade Priority
In the next part of our Best Lu Bu commander guide, I am going to talk about star level & talent point upgrade priority to maximize your commander’s combat potential. Here’s how to prioritize your Lu Bu effectively:
Conqueror Talent Build:
- Keep Lu Bu at 1 ⭐ until you max out his first skill.
- Level Lu Bu to 2 ⭐ and max out his second skill.
- Level Lu Bu to 4 ⭐ and max out all of his skills.
Pure PvP Talent Build:
- Keep Lu Bu at 1 ⭐ until you max out his first skill.
- Level Lu Bu to 3 ⭐ and max out his third skill.
- Level Lu Bu to 4 ⭐ and max out all of his skills.
Mixed PvP Talent Build:
- Keep Lu Bu at 1 ⭐ until you max out his first skill.
- Level Lu Bu to 3 ⭐ and max out his third skill.
- Level Lu Bu to 4 ⭐ and max out all of his skills.
Pure Field Talent Build
- Keep Lu Bu at 1 ⭐ until you max out his first skill.
- Level Lu Bu to 3 ⭐ and max out his third skill.
- Level Lu Bu to 4 ⭐ and max out all of his skills.
Mixed Field Talent Build
- Keep Lu Bu at 1 ⭐ until you max out his first skill.
- Level Lu Bu to 3 ⭐ and max out his third skill.
- Level Lu Bu to 4 ⭐ and max out all of his skills.
Best Commander Pairs
Lu Bu is a great legendary commander and obviously there are some decent commanders to pair with his. We have compiled the best commander pairs if you plan to specialize Lu Bu as your main commander of choice.
Diaochan
One of the best commanders to pair with Lu Bu is Diaochan. When you pair both, Lu Bu will have a chance to increase attack by 50% (up from 30%) for 3 seconds. Which helps a lot when he needs to be able to dish out additional damage. While Diaochan isn’t an effective commander in PvP battles, she comes with an awesome skill set that provide healing and buffs.
This pair works the best when Lu Bu acts as the primary commander so that Diaochan can focus on what she does the best. In addition to that, she provides a small direct damage support with her active skill. Lu Bu’s talent build will also further increase her offensive and healing capabilities which means this pair a decent choice for support.
Julius Caesar
Another great commander to pair with is Julius Caesar. He is one of the best legendary commanders that increases troop capacity and endurance in the open field battles, which makes him a solid commander choice to pair with.
If you are seeking for absolute conquest, then you need to pair Lu Bu with Julius Caesar to gain improved defense and troop capacity so that they can last longer in the battles. Plus, Julius Caesar is a very flexible commander and can work along Lu Bu to your preference.
Hannibal Barca
While Lu Bu is already a very strong legendary commander, why don’t you take his overall damage capabilities even further with Hannibal Barca? He comes with expanded troop capacity and his active skill deals quite a hefty amount of damage.
Not to forget to mention that Hannibal Barca do have healing capabilities that helps recover injured troops when attacking cities. With Lu Bu’s improved healing effect, he is able to recover more troops which makes Hannibal Barca the perfect commander to pair with and can mix troops as well.
Attila
If you want to use cavalry troops with Lu Bu, pair him with Attila. He is one of the most powerful conquerors in Rise of Kingdoms. Have Lu Bu serve as the secondary commander makes him the perfect choice thanks to 40% defense debuff.
Attila will be able to take advantage of that defense debuff along with his buffs which greatly improves cavalry troops’ offensive capabilities. The improved troop capacity is also another factor that allows Attila to take more cavalry troops with him when attacking cities.
Chandragupta Mauryan
One of the best conquerors in Rise of Kingdoms that is very capable of destroying enemy cities. Chandragupta Mauryan is just like Attila, since most of his attack is focused on buff-debuff which can cause great deal of damage.
When combined with Lu Bu’s active skill that reduces enemy defense by 40%. He can help Chandragupta lead your armies to victory thanks to all powerful offensive skillset and solid debuff / buff.
Charlemagne
Lastly, Charlemagne, one of the legendary commanders that has France as his nationality, is a good conqueror commander to pair with. Charlemagne comes with improved troop capacity, powerful and damaging skills and a huge number of skill improvements that lets him destroy the enemies in his way.
When you pair Charlemagne with Lu Bu, this pair will transforms into unstoppable force thanks to 40% defense debuff and high damaging skills.
