The Definitive King Arthur Build Guide: Monster Hunter vs. Mounted PvP
King Arthur is no longer a general you bench. Following his 2024 buff, the Once and Future King has become one of the most cost-effective, high-impact generals available to free-to-play and low-spending players in Evony: The King’s Return . However, success with Arthur is not automatic—it requires precision. You cannot build him the same way for every task.
This guide delivers two complete, field-tested builds for King Arthur. Whether you need a resource-generating monster slayer or a ground-counter PvP hammer, you will find the exact skill books, gear refines, dragon pairings, and stat targets required to maximize his performance.
I. Understanding Arthur‘s Build Foundation
Before selecting a build, you must understand what King Arthur brings to the table and, critically, what he lacks.
His Strengths:
- March Size: 25% total (+15% Caliburn, +10% Legendary Knight) .
- Mounted Attack/Defense: 45% each when attacking .
- Enemy Debuff: -6% Enemy Troop Attack .
His Critical Weakness:
This zero-percent HP buff is the single most important factor in building Arthur. HP is the primary survivability stat for mounted troops. Because Arthur provides none, every build must compensate for this deficit through skill books, gear refines, or assistant generals.
II. Build 1: The Monster Hunter (Primary / Recommended)
This is Arthur‘s highest-value role. His massive March Size and Attack buffs allow you to achieve “one-shot” kills on high-level boss monsters (B12, B13, Cerberus), dramatically accelerating your resource income and reducing troop losses .
A. Skill Books (Non-Negotiable)
Overwrite his default books. These three are mandatory:
| Slot | Skill Book | Why This Is Critical |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lv4 Mounted Troop Attack | +25% damage. Non-negotiable. |
| 2 | Lv4 Mounted Troop HP Against Monster | +45% HP specifically against monsters. This fixes his HP gap. Do NOT use standard PvP HP books here. |
| 3 | Lv4 March Size | +12%. Combined with his base 25%, this pushes you over the one-shot threshold. |
B. Equipment & Refinements
Equip the Ares or Dragon Mounted Set. Refinement priority is strict:
| Gear Slot | Primary Refine Target | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Spear | Mounted Troop Attack % | – |
| Ring | Mounted Troop Attack % | – |
| Helmet | Mounted Troop HP % | – |
| Leg Armor | Mounted Troop HP % | – |
| Armor | Mounted Troop Defense % | HP % |
| Boots | Mounted Troop Defense % | HP % |
Why: Against monsters, your goal is to survive the counterattack and kill in one cycle. Attack gets the kill; HP ensures you do not lose expensive high-tier mounted troops.
C. Dragon & Spiritual Beast
- Dragon: Fafnir. Provides Mounted Attack and HP. If you lack Fafnir, any dragon with mounted HP buffs is acceptable .
- Spiritual Beast: Polar Bear (reduces monster kill time) or King Tortoise (survivability).
D. Assistant General
Arthur pairs well with assistants who provide Mounted HP.
- Best Free Option: Roland (Mounted HP + Attack).
- Budget Option: Custer (Mounted HP).
E. Performance Target
With this build, a 5-star Arthur with max specialties should one-shot B12 and B13 consistently. If you fall short, increase March Size via research or refine additional March Size % on rings.
III. Build 2: Mounted PvP (Ground-Counter Specialist)
Arthur is not a top-tier mounted PvP general compared to Henry IV, Stephen I, or Ludwig . However, he is a serviceable substitute if you lack those premium options. His role is specific: countering ground-heavy defenses .
A. Skill Books
Swap out the monster-specific book for standard PvP stats:
| Slot | Skill Book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lv4 Mounted Troop Attack | +25%. Damage remains essential. |
| 2 | Lv4 Mounted Troop HP | +25%. This is your only source of HP. Mandatory. |
| 3 | Lv4 Mounted Troop Speed | +20%. Speed wins trades against ground troops. |
B. Equipment & Refinements
Same gear set (Ares/Dragon Mounted), but refinement priorities shift:
| Gear Slot | Primary Refine Target |
|---|---|
| Spear | Mounted Troop Attack % |
| Ring | Mounted Troop Attack % |
| Helmet | Mounted Troop HP % |
| Leg Armor | Mounted Troop HP % |
| Armor | Mounted Troop Defense % |
| Boots | Mounted Troop Defense % |
Note: Some PvP builds favor full Attack/HP refines and drop Defense entirely. This is acceptable if your dragon provides sufficient defense buffs.
C. Dragon & Spiritual Beast
- Dragon: Fafnir remains optimal. If using a different dragon, prioritize HP > Attack > Defense.
- Spiritual Beast: King Tortoise for survivability. Polar Bear is less useful in PvP.
D. Assistant General
In PvP, Arthur needs help. His buffs are purely offensive.
- Best Synergy: Roland (HP/Attack) or Licius (Debuffs).
- Premium Option: Ludwig (massive HP/Attack, but expensive).
E. When to Use Him
Deploy Arthur only against ground-heavy keeps. Do not send him against ranged or mounted counters. His lack of innate HP makes him fragile against archer volleys.
IV. The “Do Not” List: Common Build Errors
1. Do NOT build him for Ranged.
At 5-star Ascension, Arthur gains +15% Ranged Attack . This is a bonus, not a build direction. His kit is 90% mounted. Building him as a ranged general wastes his core strengths.
2. Do NOT keep default skill books.
His default books are incorrect for both monster hunting and PvP. Overwrite them. Yes, it costs gems. It is mandatory.
3. Do NOT use PvP HP books for monster hunting.
Lv4 Mounted Troop HP gives +25%. Lv4 Mounted Troop HP Against Monster gives +45%. This is an enormous difference. Use the correct book.
4. Do NOT neglect the 4th Specialty.
Legendary Knight provides +10% March Size and -6% Enemy Attack . This is essential for both builds. Max it as soon as possible.
V. Ascension Priority for Builds
Ascension significantly improves Arthur‘s performance. Prioritize as follows:
| Stars | Buff | Build Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Star | Marching Mounted Troop Attack +20% | Massive for both builds. Top priority. |
| 2 Star | Death into Wounded +8% | Great for monster hunter (preserves troops). |
| 3 Star | Rally Capacity +8% | Situational (useful if you lead rallies). |
| 4 Star | Mounted Defense/HP +20% | Significant. Fixes his HP/Def gap. |
| 5 Star | Mounted/Ranged Attack +15% | Good; unlocks assistant flexibility. |
F2P Strategy: Ascend via Tavern duplicates only. Do not waste universal sculptures.
VI. Which Build Should You Choose?
| Your Situation | Recommended Build |
|---|---|
| You are early-game (Keep 25-33) | Monster Hunter. Arthur’s best use is generating resources. |
| You lack premium mounted PvP generals | Monster Hunter first, then transition to PvP as needed. |
| You have Roland/Custer but no Ludwig | PvP build is viable as a secondary march. |
| You are end-game with full premium roster | Neither. Use Arthur as Art Hall filler or assistant |
VII. Final Verdict: Build With Purpose
King Arthur is not a general you build “just because.” He is a specialist who rewards players who understand his profile: high attack, high march size, zero HP. Your build must fix that HP gap—through skill books in PvE, through gear and assistants in PvP.
