Charles Martel

This information is current as of August 2026.

Karl Martell is a legendary infantry commander in Rise of Kingdoms with the specializations “Infantry,” “Garrison,” and “Defense.” He is one of the best tanks in the game thanks to his powerful shield, which absorbs massive damage while simultaneously boosting his troops’ attack power. Carl Martell is a must-have for any serious infantry player.

Historical Background

Charles Martel was a Frankish statesman and military commander, and the founder of the Carolingian dynasty. He became famous for his victory over the Muslim army at the Battle of Poitiers in 732, which halted Muslim expansion into Western Europe. Charles Martel was the de facto ruler of the Frankish Kingdom, although he formally held the title of mayor of the palace. His grandson was the famous Charlemagne.

Charles Martel’s Skills

Active Ability — Shield of France

Fury Required: 1,000. Activates a shield that absorbs massive damage for 4 seconds. Also increases unit damage by 30% while the shield is active.

Shield Factor: 600 / 700 / 800 / 1000 / 1200
Damage Bonus: 10% / 14% / 18% / 24% / 30%

This skill makes Karl Martell one of the strongest tanks in the game. A shield with a 1200 multiplier plus a +30% damage bonus is a unique combination that allows him to both defend and deal damage simultaneously.

Passive Ability — Heavy Infantry

Increases the defense and health of infantry units.

Infantry Defense Bonus: 5% / 7% / 9% / 12% / 15%
Infantry Health Bonus: 5% / 7% / 9% / 12% / 15%

Passive Skill — The Uncrowned King

When Charles Martel serves as garrison commander, increases the defense of the watchtower and the attack of the garrison.

Watchtower Defense Bonus: 2% / 4% / 6% / 8% / 10%
Garrison Attack Bonus: 2% / 4% / 6% / 8% / 10%

Passive Skill — Martel’s Counterattack

Increases the counterattack damage of all troops.

Counterattack Damage Bonus: 10% / 15% / 20% / 25% / 30%

Expert Skill — Rise from the Ashes

Enhances the Heavy Infantry’s second skill. Infantry defense increases by up to 20%, infantry health by up to 20%, and infantry march speed by up to 20%.

Skill Leveling Priority

Optimal allocation — 5-5-1-1:

First skill at level 5—a shield with 1,200 damage + +30% damage—is the foundation of everything.
The second skill at level 5—+15% defense and health for infantry—is critical for survivability.
The third skill at level 1 is sufficient for the basic garrison bonus.
The fourth skill at level 1 is enough to activate the counterattack.

After reaching 5-5-1-1, it’s recommended to max out the fourth skill to level 5 for maximum counterattack damage, then focus on expertise.

Best Combos for Charles Martel in 2026

Top Team: Richard I + Carl Martell

Richard I is the best partner for Charles Martel. Richard provides massive healing and damage reduction, while Charles provides a shield and a counterattack. Together, they create a virtually unkillable tank. This pairing dominates infantry marches at all stages of the game. Use Richard as your primary character for his healing talents and Charles as your secondary.

Top Garrison Combo: Karl Martell + Yi Seong-Gye

YSG provides AoE damage and crowd control. Karl Martell provides a shield and defense. This combination is effective for defending flags and cities. YSG should be the main commander.

Alternative Combinations

Charles Martel + Alexander the Great — Alexander adds a shield and anti-heal. The two shields don’t stack, but using them alternately creates nearly continuous protection. The ultimate tank duo.
Charles Martel + Sun Tzu — Sun Tzu adds AoE damage and rage generation. An excellent combo for open field and Ark of Osiris.
Charles Martel + Eulji Mundeok — Eulji adds skill damage and defense reduction. A budget-friendly option for early stages.
Charles Martel + Guan Yu — Guan Yu deals massive skill damage, while Charles Martel ensures survivability. A powerful infantry combo for open-field battles.
Charles Martel + Joan of Arc — Joan provides buffs and healing. A versatile combo for alliance support.
Charles Martel + Constantine I — Constantine provides massive healing and defense. Maximum survivability for garrisons.

Charles Martel’s Talent Tree

Charles Martel uses three talent trees: Infantry, Garrison, and Defense.

Open-Field Build (Infantry + Defense)

Key talents in the “Infantry” branch:

Iron Spear — additional damage against cavalry.
Undying Fury — generates rage.
Double-Headed Axe — attack bonus.
Hold the Line — reduces damage taken.
Elite Soldiers — +defense and +health for infantry.

Key talents in the “Defense” tree:

Master Armorer — +defense.
Burning Blood — generates rage.
Spiked Armor — Damage Reflection.
Loose Formation — reduces AoE damage.

Garrison Build (Garrison + Defense)

Key talents in the “Garrison” tree:

Impenetrable Fortifications — Strengthens building defenses.
City Guardian — increases the garrison’s health.
Kings Guard — reduces damage taken by the garrison.

Build for Mixed Troops

For mixed troops, focus on the “Defense” tree + key “Infantry” talents. The main goal is maximum survivability and counterattacks.

Charles Martel’s Role in the 2026 Meta

In 2026, Charles Martel remains one of the best infantry tanks in Rise of Kingdoms:

Open field — a combo with Richard I or Alexander the Great is still one of the strongest infantry pairs.
Garrison — effective for defending flags and cities, especially when paired with YSG or Constantine.
Ark of Osiris — Shield + Counterattack make him valuable for controlling control points.
Availability — available via gold keys and the “King of Cards” event. Attainable for mid-tier spenders.

Important: Charles Martel is a must-have for infantry players. His shield is unique and has no direct equivalents (except for Alexander the Great). Feel free to invest in him—he remains a valuable asset throughout all stages of the game.

Conclusions

Charles Martel is a legendary infantry tank with a powerful shield and high survivability. In the 2026 meta, he remains one of the best options for open field, garrison, and Ark of Osiris. Synergies with Richard I and Alexander the Great continue to dominate the infantry meta. Invest in Charles Martel without hesitation—he’ll pay off at every stage of the game.