Race Against Time, one of the most exciting events in Rise of Kingdoms, is a competition where you try to achieve the highest score by hunting barbarians within a limited time. The inclusion of legendary commander sculptures in the rewards significantly increases the competition among both free and paying players. If there are many strong players on your server, making it into the top 10 can be difficult; however, with the right preparation and smart use of resources, free-to-play players also have a chance to secure a place in the upper ranks. In this guide, we will cover the event's mechanics, tactical preparations, and damage-boosting elements as a whole.
How do the event rules and scoring work?
In Race Against Time, the main goal is to defeat as many barbarians as possible within a 5-minute period. As the level of the barbarian you defeat increases, you earn more points and also gain extra time; this extra time is capped at 4 minutes. Therefore, a quick start and focusing on high-level targets are direct determinants of your score. During the event, you have 3 attempts per day, and your daily attempts reset at 00:00 UTC. Additionally, the overall ranking is calculated based on the highest score you achieve during the event; rewards can only be claimed once. No new challenge can be started in the last 15 minutes of the event, a rule put in place to avoid data errors at the last moments.
Why is the competition important and what does it offer to whom?
The most appealing aspect of the event is that the ranking rewards include legendary commander sculptures. While players in the top 10 receive the most valuable of these rewards, everyone in the top 100 earns extra prizes. This makes the event valuable for free-to-play players as well, because commander sculptures are normally a resource that takes a long time to collect. Although paying players have a strong advantage, a planned approach and using available resources at the right moment can close the gap. Notably, the fact that rewards can be claimed only once requires focusing on your best score and not wasting your daily attempts.
The importance of preparation before starting
When you only have a 5-minute period, wandering around aimlessly after barbarians is a huge waste of time. Therefore, before starting the event, you should choose a region and make sure the barbarians in that area are close to each other. Standing as close as possible to your first barbarian and positioning your army to that point in advance provides an initial advantage. Additionally, if you are participating with your alliance members, establishing coordination via voice chat is critical. This way, instead of scattering in different directions in the same region, everyone can focus on a common target and everyone can earn the same points. Starting an attempt unprepared usually means missing out on a few barbarians, which can make a significant difference in the ranking.
Move with the right commander and troop type
Speed and damage are paramount in Race Against Time. Therefore, it is best to use a cavalry-heavy army instead of infantry units. Particularly, moving with Tier 5 infantry can be quite slow; if you don't have cavalry, archer units will suffice, but you should stay away from siege weapons. When it comes to commander selection, peacekeeping commanders who deal bonus damage to barbarians stand out. Names like Boudica, Lohar, Minamoto, Belisarius, and Aethelflaed make your job easier in this event. As secondary commanders, consider high-damage cavalry commanders; G. Khan, Attila, and Cao Cao are strong options in this role, but if you don't have them, your best nuking commander will do.
Don't neglect boosts to raise your score
The gems you spend to reach the top 10 usually pay for themselves alongside the legendary sculptures you'll receive. Especially the Army Expansion 50% boost significantly increases your damage; although the cost of 2,000 gems may seem high, the rewards you will earn at the end of the race make this expenditure worthwhile. Additionally, as a damage-increasing item, you should use at least a 10% bonus, otherwise a 5% bonus. Each of the following supports has a small but ultimately decisive effect on your score:
- Equip your best gear on your commander; the gear bonus directly reflects on damage.
- The Scout Player bonus provides an extra 3% damage; don't forget to activate it.
- Asking alliance leaders for a damage-boosting alliance title works.
- With an alliance skill, all members can gain extra damage; coordination comes into play here.
- Hunting barbarians with a kingdom title, rune, city skin, and within alliance territory also provides additional bonuses.
Race Against Time, when planned correctly, is one of the best opportunities for free-to-play players to obtain legendary commander sculptures. Knowing the event rules, preparing in advance, using a cavalry-heavy army, and combining damage boosts will significantly improve your ranking position. Remember: you have 3 attempts each day, and you cannot start a new run in the last 15 minutes, so manage your time efficiently. Even if you can't break a record right away in your first attempt, you can raise your score in subsequent attempts with the experience you gain. By spending your resources modestly but consciously, you can turn both the competition and the rewards in your favor.
