Specialties Upgrade Guide in Evony - Maximize General Potential
Specialties are an integral part of optimizing generals in Evony: The King’s Return. They provide powerful buffs and debuffs that can significantly impact your gameplay, whether in PvP battles, monster hunting, or city defense. This guide explores everything you need to know about specialties, from understanding their mechanics to mastering upgrades for maximum effectiveness.
What is a Specialty?
Specialties are unique buffs or debuffs available exclusively to high-quality generals in Evony: The King’s Return. These attributes provide significant enhancements to troop performance, leadership capabilities, and battlefield effectiveness, making them essential for maximizing a general's potential.
Specialties are unlocked when a general reaches Level 25. By default, specialties start at zero, and players must invest Runestones and Gems to increase their effectiveness. The buff strength increases with higher specialty levels, allowing players to gradually optimize their generals for specific roles.
Gold generals possess four specialties, while purple generals have three specialties. Each specialty requires a different type of Runestone for upgrades, and their values can be viewed by accessing the general's portrait in the tavern.
Types of Specialties
Each general's specialties focus on different attributes, enhancing their effectiveness in PvP battles, monster hunting, or subordinate city roles. The following table summarizes the types of specialties and their corresponding Runestones:
| Specialty | Runestone Required | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty 1 | Leadership Runestone | Troop Leadership and Efficiency |
| Specialty 2 | Military Runestone | Attack and Combat Skills |
| Specialty 3 | Glory Runestone | Troop Buffs and Performance |
| Specialty 4 (Gold Generals Only) | Immortal Runestone | Advanced Buffs and Debuffs |
Viewing and Unlocking Specialties
Players can view a general's specialties by navigating to their portrait in the tavern. Specialties remain locked until the general reaches Level 25. Once unlocked, players can begin investing Runestones and Gems to upgrade their learning level, gradually increasing the buffs provided by the specialty.
Are Assistants, Sub-City Mayors, and Duty Officers’ Specialties Effective?
Specialties function differently depending on the general's assigned role in Evony: The King’s Return. While Assistants, Sub-City Mayors, and Duty Officers all have specialties, the effectiveness of these buffs varies based on their position and the nature of the specialty.
Assistants
Specialties for Assistant Generals are fully effective. When paired with a lead general, the Assistant's specialties contribute to the overall buffs during battle, enhancing troop performance significantly. This makes Assistants crucial for both PvP and PvE scenarios.
Example: A lead general focused on Mounted Troop Attack can be paired with an Assistant whose specialties boost Mounted Troop Defense and HP, creating a balanced and formidable combination.
Sub-City Mayors
Sub-City Mayors’ specialties are also effective but are restricted to subordinate city soldiers and buffs directly impacting subordinate cities. This limitation means that these specialties do not influence main troop performance but are still vital for maximizing subordinate city resource production, training, and defenses.
Example: A mayor with a specialty enhancing troop training speed can significantly expedite the production of subordinate city soldiers.
Duty Officers
The effectiveness of specialties for Duty Officers depends on the type of specialty and the officer's role. In most cases, Duty Officer specialties do not apply unless explicitly stated with a phrase such as "Applied to [specific officer role]." These specialties are often limited to improving the building or function the Duty Officer oversees, such as increasing construction speed for a Keep Officer or enhancing troop production for a Barracks Officer.
Example: A Keep Officer with a specialty that increases troop training capacity will only apply this buff when assigned to the Keep.
For more details, visit the Duty Officer Guide.
Summary Table
| Role | Specialties Effective? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant General | Yes | Fully effective in battles and events. |
| Sub-City Mayor | Yes (Restricted) | Buffs apply only to subordinate city troops and functions. |
| Duty Officer | Limited | Buffs only apply to the officer’s assigned building or function. |
Importance of Upgrading Specialties
Specialties are a critical aspect of general development in Evony: The King’s Return, providing unique buffs and debuffs that can significantly enhance gameplay. Upgrading specialties ensures that your generals are not only more effective in their roles but also provide a substantial increase in power, making them indispensable for both PvP and PvE scenarios.
Key Benefits of Upgrading Specialties
- Increased Buffs: Each level upgrade increases the buffs provided by a specialty, such as troop attack, defense, HP, or debuffs applied to enemies.
- Higher General Power: Specialties directly increase a general’s power, contributing to the overall strength of your army.
- Enhanced Role-Specific Performance: Upgraded specialties allow generals to excel in specific roles, whether for PvP, monster hunting, city defense, or duty assignments.
Impact of Specialties on Gameplay
Specialties have a profound impact on various aspects of gameplay:
- Troop Efficiency: Buffs to troop attack, defense, and HP improve combat performance, ensuring higher survivability and damage output in battles.
- Faster Resource Acquisition: Generals assigned as subordinate city mayors or duty officers benefit from specialties that enhance resource production and management.
- Debuffing Enemy Troops: Certain specialties focus on weakening enemy troops, giving your army a strategic advantage in battles.
- Event Competitiveness: Upgraded specialties are crucial for excelling in events such as Server Wars and Battlefields, where general strength often determines the outcome.
Case Study: The Impact of Gold-Level Specialties
To highlight the significance of upgrading specialties, consider a general with gold-level (Genius) specialties:
| Specialty | Buffs at Gold Level |
|---|---|
| Specialty 1 | +25% Troop HP |
| Specialty 2 | +30% Troop Defense |
| Specialty 3 | +35% Troop Attack |
| Specialty 4 | -20% Enemy Troop HP & Defense |
In this scenario, the general becomes a powerhouse, capable of significantly enhancing troop performance and debuffing enemies in large-scale battles.
Why Focus on Upgrading Specialties?
Given the extensive resources required to upgrade specialties, it’s essential to prioritize generals that align with your strategic goals. Whether for PvP, monster hunting, or resource management, investing in the right generals ensures maximum return on investment.
Tips for Prioritizing Specialties
- Focus on One General: Runestones are limited, so concentrate on upgrading the specialties of a single general to maximize their impact.
- Consider General Roles: Prioritize generals with versatile roles or those integral to your strategy, such as PvP specialists or duty officers.
- Leverage Lucky Stones: Use Lucky Stones for the fourth specialty to reduce resource costs and accelerate upgrades.
Upgrading specialties is a long-term investment that transforms your generals into game-changing assets, enabling you to dominate the battlefield and achieve strategic objectives.
Upgrading Specialties: Process and Costs
Upgrading specialties is a vital part of enhancing your generals in Evony: The King’s Return. The process requires specific resources and follows a structured path that scales in complexity and cost. Understanding the requirements and optimizing your approach ensures efficient use of resources.
The Process of Upgrading Specialties
Specialties can be upgraded in the following steps:
- Unlock Specialties: Specialties become available at General Level 25. However, they are initially inactive and must be upgraded to take effect.
- Use Runestones: Each specialty upgrade requires a specific type of Runestone:
- Specialty 1: Leadership Runestones
- Specialty 2: Military Runestones
- Specialty 3: Glory Runestones
- Specialty 4: Immortal Runestones (only for gold-tier generals)
- Spend Gems: Gems are needed for each upgrade level. The cost increases as you progress to higher levels.
- Optional Lucky Stones: Lucky Stones can be used to increase the chance of earning double EXP during the upgrade process, reducing the total cost.
Specialty Levels and Quality
Specialties progress through five levels, each offering progressively higher buffs:
| Level | Quality | Buff Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Green (Veteran) | +5% |
| 2 | Blue (Master) | +10% |
| 3 | Purple (Expert) | +20% |
| 4 | Orange (Grandmaster) | +40% |
| 5 | Gold (Genius) | +80% |
Resource Costs for Upgrading Specialties
The resources required for each specialty level are as follows:
| Level | Runestones Required | Gems Required |
|---|---|---|
| Green (Veteran) | 200 | 4,000 |
| Blue (Master) | 500 | 10,000 |
| Purple (Expert) | 1,000 | 19,980 |
| Orange (Grandmaster) | 3,000 | 60,000 |
| Gold (Genius) | 8,000 | 160,000 |
Tips for Reducing Costs
- Use Lucky Stones: These can save up to 50% of the resources needed for upgrades by doubling EXP gained.
- Prioritize Your Best General: Focus your Runestones and Gems on a single high-value general to maximize effectiveness.
- Participate in Events: Events like Server Wars and Dwarf’s Lucky Apple often reward Runestones and Gems, reducing out-of-pocket costs.
Understanding Specialty 4 Costs
Specialty 4 (Immortal) is the most resource-intensive and is exclusive to gold-tier generals. Unlocking it requires all three prior specialties to be maxed at gold level. This makes Specialty 4 accessible primarily to heavy spenders or players with long-term dedication.
Here’s a breakdown of costs for Specialty 4:
| Level | Runestones Required | Gems Required |
|---|---|---|
| Green (Veteran) | 200 | 4,000 |
| Blue (Master) | 500 | 10,000 |
| Purple (Expert) | 1,000 | 19,980 |
| Orange (Grandmaster) | 3,000 | 60,000 |
| Gold (Genius) | 8,000 | 160,000 |
Tips for Upgrading Specialties
Upgrading specialties can be resource-intensive and time-consuming, but with a strategic approach, you can maximize your progress efficiently. Here are actionable tips to help you upgrade specialties effectively in Evony: The King’s Return.
Prioritize High-Value Generals
Focus your resources on upgrading specialties for generals who provide the highest value for your gameplay. These are typically generals with exceptional buffs that align with your strategic goals, such as PvP, PvE, or resource management.
- Main PvP Generals: Prioritize generals like Napoleon or Scipio Africanus for combat-heavy roles.
- Resource Generals: Upgrade specialties for generals who boost subordinate city or resource production, such as Mansa Musa.
Focus on One General at a Time
Runestones are a finite resource, especially for free-to-play players. Concentrate your efforts on upgrading one general to gold before spreading resources across multiple generals.
Participate in Events
Many events in Evony provide opportunities to earn Runestones, Lucky Stones, and Gems, which are essential for upgrading specialties:
- Battle of Constantinople: High scores reward Runestones and Gems.
- Dwarf’s Lucky Apple Event: Earn Runestones by participating regularly.
- Server Wars: Dropping enemy troops can yield Runestones and other rewards.
Use Lucky Stones Strategically
Lucky Stones double the EXP earned during specialty upgrades, significantly reducing resource costs. Use them strategically:
- Reserve Lucky Stones for higher-level upgrades (Orange or Gold) where the cost is highest.
- Combine multiple Lucky Stones for up to a 90% chance of doubling EXP, minimizing wasted resources.
Save Gems for Specialties
Gems are critical for upgrading specialties. Avoid spending them on unnecessary items and prioritize their use for specialty upgrades. Participating in Gem-gathering events can help build your reserves.
Utilize Flexible Specialties
Flexible Specialties are a newer feature in Evony, offering additional buffs that can be tailored to your needs. To utilize them effectively:
- Focus on unlocking “Battle-Tested” specialties, as they are attainable without payment.
- Upgrade Flexible Specialties strategically based on your gameplay focus, such as PvP or defense.
Know When to Stop
For free-to-play or moderate spenders, it’s essential to understand that upgrading all specialties to Gold may not be feasible. Focus on reaching Orange (Grandmaster) for most specialties, as it provides a strong balance of buffs and resource efficiency.
Track Your Progress
Keep track of the Runestones and Gems you earn and spend to maintain an efficient upgrade strategy. Use event calendars and milestone trackers to ensure you maximize rewards during gameplay.
Coordinate with Your Alliance
Your alliance can be a valuable resource for earning Runestones and Gems through coordinated participation in events like Battle of Constantinople and Server Wars. Work together to maximize rewards and distribute resources efficiently.
Utilize External Tools and Guides
Leverage online resources, such as the Evony Guru, to stay informed about specialty upgrades, optimal generals, and event participation strategies. Staying informed can save time and resources.
Flexible Specialties
Flexible Specialties are a unique addition to Evony: The King’s Return, providing generals with customizable buffs that can be tailored to your strategic needs. Introduced in recent updates, Flexible Specialties open up new possibilities for enhancing your general’s performance, particularly for players aiming to excel in PvP battles, monster hunts, or city defense.
What Are Flexible Specialties?
Unlike the primary four specialties, Flexible Specialties offer customizable buffs that can be swapped or upgraded based on your requirements. These specialties are unlocked once the first three specialties of a general are maximized (Gold quality). Flexible Specialties allow players to adapt generals for specific roles, such as improving offensive capabilities or reinforcing defensive strategies.
Key Features of Flexible Specialties
- Customizable Buffs: You can select a specialty that aligns with your current goals, such as troop attack or defensive bonuses.
- Separate Leveling: Flexible Specialties have their own leveling system, which requires Runestones and Flexible Specialty Fragments.
- Five Quality Levels: Flexible Specialties range from Green (Basic) to Gold (Genius), with increasing buffs at each level.
- Reusable: Flexible Specialties can be swapped without losing progress, allowing players to adapt to changing strategies.
Types of Flexible Specialties
There are ten types of Flexible Specialties, categorized into troop-specific and general-purpose buffs. Each specialty provides unique bonuses based on its role:
| Specialty | Primary Buffs | Special Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Piercing Arrows | Ranged Troop Attack +50%, HP +20% | Ranged PvP & Offense |
| Heavy Legions | Ground Troop Attack +50%, HP +20% | Ground PvP |
| Forceful Cavalry | Mounted Troop Attack +50%, HP +20% | Monster Hunting |
| Battering Ballista | Siege Machine Attack +50%, HP +20% | Siege PvP |
| Battle-Tested | Troop Attack +20%, HP +10% | All-Purpose |
How to Obtain Flexible Specialties
Acquiring Flexible Specialties requires specific items and participation in events:
- Battle-Tested: Earnable through SvS personal rewards and the Dawn of Civilization event.
- Other Specialties: Obtained from Flexible Specialty Boxes available in premium packages.
- Disassembling Specialties: You can disassemble unused specialties to gain fragments for upgrades.
Costs for Upgrading Flexible Specialties
Upgrading Flexible Specialties requires a combination of Runestones and Flexible Specialty Fragments. Here is a cost breakdown:
| Quality | Runestones (Per Level) | Fragments Needed for Promotion |
|---|---|---|
| Green → Blue | 50 | 10 |
| Blue → Purple | 70 | 20 |
| Purple → Orange | 120 | 30 |
| Orange → Gold | 200 | 30 |
Strategies for Using Flexible Specialties
Maximizing Flexible Specialties requires careful planning:
- Focus on unlocking “Battle-Tested” first, as it provides a universal buff and is easier to acquire without spending money.
- Prioritize troop-specific specialties for generals you use in specific roles, such as PvP or monster hunting.
- Upgrade to Gold quality for generals who are essential to your strategy, as this provides the highest buffs.
Flexible Specialties: Attributes and Buff Progression
Flexible Specialties offer a revolutionary way to further enhance your generals in Evony: The King’s Return. Introduced in 2023, these specialties allow players to customize buffs tailored to specific roles, such as marching, dragon synergy, or city defense. Flexible Specialties add depth to general customization and can be changed at any time, providing unprecedented strategic flexibility.
Attributes and Buff Types
Flexible Specialties offer two main categories of attributes:
- Basic Attributes: Buffs related to troop HP, defense, attack, or debuffs to enemy stats.
- Quality Attributes: Static numerical increases, such as additional attack points or specific troop bonuses, based on the specialty's quality (color).
The buffs are further divided into roles, such as general-purpose, troop-type specific, and defense or dragon synergies.
Buff Progression Overview
| Quality | Max Level | Basic Attribute Buffs | Quality Attribute Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | 20 | +10% HP, +10% Defense | +50 Attack Points |
| Blue | 40 | +20% HP, +20% Defense | +250 Attack Points |
| Purple | 60 | +30% HP, +30% Defense | +500 Attack Points |
| Orange | 80 | +40% HP, +40% Defense | +750 Attack Points |
| Gold | 100 | +50% HP, +50% Defense | +1000 Attack Points |
The progression reflects the growing strength of Flexible Specialties as their levels and qualities are enhanced. Higher levels provide increased percentages for Basic Attributes, while Quality Attributes grow significantly with each promotion.
Examples of Specialty Buffs
Here are examples of the buffs provided by specific Flexible Specialties at maximum level and gold quality:
| Specialty | Buffs |
|---|---|
| Piercing Arrows (Ranged Troops) | +50% Ranged Troop Attack, +20% HP/Defense, -20% Enemy Mounted HP |
| Heavy Legions (Ground Troops) | +50% Ground Troop Attack, +20% HP/Defense, -20% Enemy Ranged HP |
| Forceful Cavalry (Mounted Troops) | +50% Mounted Troop Attack, +20% HP/Defense, -20% Enemy Ground HP |
| Iron Curtain (Defense) | +20% In-City Troop Attack/Defense/HP, -30% Enemy Troop Attack |
The variety of buffs available allows players to tailor their generals to specific troop types or strategic roles, such as siege-focused offense or ranged-heavy defense.
Key Takeaways
- Flexible Specialties add a dynamic layer to general customization, enabling players to pivot between strategies as needed.
- Each specialty offers unique advantages, whether for troop-specific enhancements or broader roles like city defense or dragon synergy.
- Upgrading these specialties requires specific resources, such as Flexible Specialty Fragments and Runestones.
Conclusion
Specialties in Evony: The King’s Return offer players a unique and impactful way to enhance their generals, transforming them into formidable leaders across PvP, PvE, and city management scenarios. Whether focusing on the primary four specialties or the innovative Flexible Specialties, the investment in upgrading and cultivating these abilities is key to achieving dominance in the game.
For beginners and intermediate players, prioritizing one general at a time is crucial to maximizing the benefits of specialties without overwhelming resource requirements. Advanced players with access to higher-level events and rewards can leverage strategies like focusing on the fourth specialty or exploring Flexible Specialties to further refine their gameplay.
As demonstrated throughout this guide, upgrading specialties requires careful planning, strategic allocation of resources, and an understanding of your long-term goals in the game. By following the outlined tips and leveraging the provided tables, you can systematically enhance your generals, ensuring that your army is always prepared for the challenges ahead.
Ultimately, specialties provide a significant power boost, allowing players to tailor their generals to meet specific needs. Whether leading massive PvP campaigns, conquering monsters, or fortifying city defenses, fully upgraded specialties are an indispensable tool for any successful player in Evony: The King’s Return.