Evony Epic Historic General James Cook is a new general whose buffs focus on ranged troops. This general was added to the game starting with the 2025 Easter Event. There is still a good chance of getting him. Read this guide to learn about this general’s attributes, how to obtain him, his strength, usage suggestions, and related general combination recommendations.
The Background of James Cook
James Cook was a legendary Royal Navy officer and fearless explorer of the 18th century whose name became a legend upon the waves. Standing atop the Endeavour, he carved through the unknown with the blade of discovery and the shield of purpose, unveiling the mysteries of the vast South Pacific.
Through scorching sun, fierce storms, and relentless hardship, Cook never faltered. His unmatched seamanship and unbreakable resolve opened routes across the globe. In 1770, he became the first European to chart Australia’s eastern coastline, shaping the West’s future in the Southern Hemisphere. By 1778, he had reached the Hawaiian Islands, bringing them into the light of history for the first time.
With unparalleled precision, Cook mapped the South Pacific, turning myth into map and legend into land. His voyages connected distant islands to the world and extended the reach of the British Empire across the oceans.
A symbol of courage and discovery, Cook’s spirit of exploration continues to inspire those who dare to reach the horizon.
Special Skill: Wave-Breaking Pioneer
Increases ranged troops’ attack by 50% and increases ranged troops and siege machines’ defense and HP by 40% when James Cook is leading the army.
Ascend the general and gradually unlock the following red star buffs:
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Ranged troop defense and HP +10%
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Attacking troop death into wounded rate +8%
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Ranged troop attack +25%; ranged troop and siege machine defense +15%
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Ranged troop and siege machine attack and HP +10%
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Ranged troop attack +35%; ranged troop defense and HP +20%
James Cook’s Specialty – Max Level Effect
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Ranged Troop Formation: Ranged troop attack and defense +10%
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Bash: Ranged troop and siege machine attack +10%
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Ranged Troop Ares: Ranged troop attack, HP, and defense +10%
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Global Exploration: Ranged troop attack +45% and HP +30%; march size capacity +10%
The Covenant Details of James Cook
Covenanted Generals: Aethelflaed, Elizabeth I, and Edward Teach
Covenant Attributes:
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War covenant: Ranged troop attack +5%
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Cooperation covenant: March speed +5%
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Peace covenant: In-rally ranged troop attack +10%
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Faith covenant: Ranged troop and siege machine HP +5%; ranged troop defense +5%
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Honor covenant: March size capacity +8%
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Civilization covenant: Ranged troop attack and HP +10%
The Paths to Obtain James Cook
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Historic General Summoning Event
During the event opening, you can consume the Epic Historic General Glory to summon generals.
This way can help you get the general with a high probability.
To obtain the Epic Historic General Glory, you can purchase the packs below.
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Festival pack (like Easter Sale pack)
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Imperial Ancestral Blessing Pack
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General Token – Epic Historic General Premium
During the closure of the Historic General Summoning event, Epic Historic General Premium becomes the primary way to obtain this general.
You can directly obtain the premium token, for example:
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VIP Premium Packs
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Champion loyalty rewards
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Limited Offer – Monthly Package (the Gems one) and scores (80 & 250) rewards
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Flexible Specialty Super Value Pack
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Imperial Optional Pack
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Covenant Stone Sale
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Successive Purchase Benefits – select General Lottery Chest as your ultimate prize, and then, open the chest to get a random item from the Officer General Chest and the Epic Historic General Premium.
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Limited Recruitment Order Pack
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Hypnos’ Dream – Dream Epic Pack
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Grace of Star Trail – Star Trail Gift Sale
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Dragon Battle Epic Pack
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Voyage to Civilizations – Super Voyage Sale
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Revelation of Horus – Super Horus Sale
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Giant’s Wisdom Temple – Luxury Ultimate Treasure pack
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Star Goddess’ Box – Super Star Sale
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World Boss – Deal 150,000,000 damage to claim a premium token on the target rewards page.
In addition, there are some ways to obtain premium token fragments. 30 fragments can be synthesized into a premium token.
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Active Monthly Card – After purchase, complete gems patrol 3 times a day to claim the token fragment.
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Successive Purchase Benefits – If you buy all 5 days, you can get 30 fragments. (If you choose the General Lottery Chest, you also have the opportunity to get the premium token directly.)
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Ranger Knight Order – Compose the Knight’s Emblem to receive a chest of random quality. – Legendary and Epic Emblem Chests have premium token fragments.
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World Boss – Target Rewards – Deal 20,000,000 damage to the world boss to claim 10 premium fragments. (Besides, deal 150,000,000 damage to claim a premium token.)
How to Use & Pair James Cook?
According to James Cook’s skill description, this general is of the same category as the recently launched Franz Joseph I. Both generals focus on benefiting ranged troops. As long as they lead the troops, the buffs will take effect.
The following table compares the gains of these two generals on the core dimensions of ranged troops and march size when their special skills and specialties reach maximum level, without considering other factors such as equipment, cultivating, and skill books.
|
Position
|
General
|
Ranged Attack
|
Ranged Defense
|
Ranged HP
|
March Size Capacity
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Main
|
James Cook
|
+210%
|
+110%
|
+135%
|
+18%
|
|
Franz Joseph I
|
+165%
|
+150%
|
+120%
|
+22%
|
|
|
Assistant
|
James Cook
|
+140%
|
+65%
|
+95%
|
+18%
|
|
Franz Joseph I
|
+125%
|
+100%
|
+90%
|
+14%
|
Comparison:
According to the data comparison in the table above, James Cook’s bonus to ranged troop attack is stronger than Franz Joseph I’s, but his defense is weaker. Their difference in HP bonus can be negligible. As for the march size bonus, Franz Joseph I has a better effect when they are the main general, and James Cook is better when you set them as the assistant general.
Skill Books:
In practice, it is found that the special skills of these two generals conflict with the skill books that enhance ranged troop attack. Therefore, their combination can only carry skill books that enhance ranged troop defense and HP, march size, range bonus, and other skill books that are less related to PVP.
Combinations:
To pair with James Cook, we recommend the following combinations:
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Brian Boru + James Cook
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Algernon Sidney + James Cook
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Ragnar + James Cook
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Merlin + James Cook
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Marcus Agrippa + James Cook
Other archer generals that can be combined:
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Godfrey of Bouillon
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Marcus Agrippa
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Douglas
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Eleanor
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Mihai
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Sigurd
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Charles XII
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Edward III
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Princess Kaguya
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Simeon the Great
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…
Archer generals that cannot be combined:
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Louis IX
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Tachibana Ginchiyo
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Subutai
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…
