---
title: "Choosing Your Role"
description: "Understanding the different ways to contribute to a kingdom"
url: https://support.kingdoms.com/en/articles/200-choosing-your-role
collection: "Introduction to Travian Kingdoms"
updated: 2026-11-06
language: en
alternates: [fr, de, ru, tr]
---

# Choosing Your Role

Understanding the different ways to contribute to a kingdom

Every player contributes to a kingdom in a different way. While some players enjoy focusing on building their own avatar, others prefer organizing strategies and leading an entire kingdom.

The role you choose at the start of a game world shapes your experience, but it doesn't determine your entire journey. As you gain experience, you may decide to take on additional responsibilities.

## Governor

Most players start as a **Governor**, making it the ideal role for both beginners and experienced players.

As a Governor, you can focus on developing your avatar, building your economy and army, and supporting your kingdom through offense, defense, treasures, and tributes without the additional responsibilities of kingdom leadership.

If you're new to Travian Kingdoms, this is usually the best place to start. Joining an established kingdom allows you to learn from experienced players while contributing to your kingdom's success.

Learn more in [Governor](https://support.kingdoms.com/articles/34)

## King

Choosing to become a **King** means leading your own kingdom.

Besides developing your own avatar, you'll recruit new members, coordinate your kingdom's strategy, manage diplomacy, and guide your kingdom throughout the game world.

Leading a successful kingdom requires experience, activity, and good communication. For this reason, most new players are better off starting as Governors before founding their own kingdom in a future game world.

Learn more in [King](https://support.kingdoms.com/articles/31)

## Kingdom leadership

Kings don't lead alone.

Experienced and trusted players may become part of the kingdom's leadership by taking on additional responsibilities.

**Dukes** help manage the kingdom by activating Treasuries, expanding influence, and often coordinating specific areas such as offense, defense, recruitment, or player support.

In a **Kingdom Union**, the **Vice King** works alongside the King to lead the united kingdom. Together with the Dukes, they share the responsibility for managing and developing the kingdom.

Leadership roles are assigned by the kingdom and are typically given to experienced, active, and trusted players.

Learn more in: [Duke](https://support.kingdoms.com/articles/32), [Vice King](https://support.kingdoms.com/articles/33), [Kingdom Union](https://support.kingdoms.com/articles/30)

## Which role is right for you?

<table data-id="51e2ba91-d70a-4728-941b-7eef78d38210" style="min-width: 50px;"><colgroup><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="682a055e-9b03-4441-8c02-9a578f59ff6d"><strong>If you want to...</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="ee7d8d82-aaa3-492c-b359-a13b16a0a830"><strong>Recommended role</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="3ad76da8-b342-499f-9a98-08bdf1a360a0">Develop your avatar and contribute to your kingdom's success</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="8034fdff-c257-43f9-918c-28b3fd4fff6b">Governor</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="b043e524-0b94-497f-b429-616fff21cb32">Lead and organize your own kingdom</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="32edc59d-59cd-4ccc-a6c6-b0a3da853d1d">King</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="e4c207b8-a354-452a-83c1-5bc6d1d71fff">Take on leadership responsibilities without leading the entire kingdom</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="351d2489-963a-4e09-a00c-50d49089a7a0">Duke <em>(appointed by the kingdom leadership)</em></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="2789c348-9557-403e-8e05-b986f1f9bb82">Lead a Kingdom Union alongside the King</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="6099a327-67d1-4056-9e80-5b4f6728ac4d">Vice King <em>(available only in Kingdom Unions)</em></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

> **Info:** **Remember:** At the beginning of a game world, you only choose between **Governor** and **King**. **Duke** and **Vice King** are leadership roles that may be assigned later to experienced and trusted players.

> **Success:** Learn more:
> \- [Governor](https://support.kingdoms.com/articles/34)
> \- [King](https://support.kingdoms.com/articles/31)
> \- [Duke](https://support.kingdoms.com/articles/32)
> \- [Vice King](https://support.kingdoms.com/articles/33)
> \- [Kingdom Union](https://support.kingdoms.com/articles/30)