Perk Tree & Rainbow Modifier Directory
The meta-progression grid in 9 Kings allows players to multiply their signature faction abilities up to 4x multiplier strength. By compounding directional rainbow modifiers—such as Nationalist, Verticalist, and Leftist—you turn standard units into unstoppable high-ascension juggernauts.
Proven Multiplier Grid Templates
Tested board templates designed to break through King IX ascension
The Triple Nationalist (Meta S-Tier)
King VII - King IX (Mandatory for High Ascension)The definitive competitive perk layout developed by top players. Stacks three separate King-Specific perks up to x4 multiplier strength by clustering Nationalist and directional modifiers.
The Double Nationalist + Economy Engine
King V - King VIIICombines two x4 King combat perks with one x3 Generic economic perk to ensure infinite gold/reroll sustain during prolonged runs.
The Generalist Flex Layout
King I - King V & Early LevelingAn adaptable template for players who have not yet unlocked the high-tier Nationalist perk. Spreads consistent 2x and 3x multipliers across four different slots.
Rainbow Positional Modifiers
Rainbow perks do not grant direct combat stats. Instead, they act as positional amplifiers on your board, multiplying neighboring faction perks when laid out in orthogonal or directional clusters.
❖Nationalist
S+Grants +1 application/multiplier stack to all orthogonally adjacent King-Specific perks.
The indisputable king of rainbow perks. Placing Nationalist adjacent to your main King signature perks enables devastating 3x and 4x multipliers that break the scaling curve.
❖Verticalist
SApplies a modifier bonus to perks positioned directly above and below it.
Crucial for multi-column perk chains. Verticalist allows you to daisy-chain bonuses vertically across the board into Nationalist or Capstone perks.
❖Horizontalist
AApplies a modifier bonus to perks positioned directly to the left and right.
Pairs exceptionally well in grid layouts where horizontal rows are populated by synergistic unit modifiers.
❖Leftist
AApplies a +1 stack modifier bonus to the perk directly to its left.
Directional amplifier used to push a single signature perk from 3x to 4x strength.
❖Rightist
AApplies a +1 stack modifier bonus to the perk directly to its right.
The counter-directional booster, frequently combined with Leftist on opposite flanks of a central Nationalist.
❖Expander
S+Permanently expands the total number of unlocked perk grid slots.
Mandatory for high-ascension play. Extra slots provide the physical grid canvas needed to fit modifier pyramids.
❖Generalist
ADistributes +1 stack modifier to all adjacent Generic utility perks.
Great for economy-focused archetypes that rely on shared neutral perks across mixed deck strategies.
Signature King Perks (4x Multiplication Targets)
Each of the 9 Kings features 9 dedicated perks. These are the high-impact abilities you should surround with Nationalist and directional modifiers to trigger the 3x and 4x multipliers.
Expansionist
Grants +1 starting War Table plot, giving immediate grid freedom on Year 1.
The premier early-game perk. Unlocking an extra plot right at Year 1 prevents early crowding and lets you set up Farm/Citadel buffers immediately.
Ingenious
Royal Citadel levels up +5 times automatically, boosting base HP and tower damage.
Transforms your core base into a high-damage defensive battery that can solo early waves without heavy gold investment.
Hoarder
Start every run with an extra King card in opening hand.
Eliminates early RNG variance by guaranteeing your signature building or unit is playable on turn 1.
Bountiful Harvest
Farms produce recruit waves 50% faster and spawn Paladins at Year 5+.
The engine behind the Paladin Wall. Generates a self-sustaining army that scales automatically every year.
Arcane Conduit
Citadel Chain Lightning bounces to +3 additional enemy targets.
Turns your Citadel into an automatic board-wiping storm engine. With 4x Nationalist stacking, each bolt clears entire mob swarms.
Spontaneous Combustion
Enchanted units explode on death, dealing 200% spell damage in an area.
The ultimate anti-swarm answer for high King difficulties. Turns sacrificial frontline troops into tactical nukes.
Archive Mastery
Libraries duplicate spell scrolls and enchantments 2x faster.
Enables explosive mid-game scaling once your core defenses survive the Year 7 hump.
Primal Stamina
Boars and Beast units gain +35% Health and +15% Size per adjacent Forest.
The core reason King of Nature is SSS-Tier in the meta. When multiplied 4x, Boars become colossal unkillable juggernauts with tens of thousands of HP.
Spore Proliferation
Mycelium pits spawn poison spores 50% faster and infect enemies with stacking rot.
Provides constant damage-over-time pressure against shielded boss waves on King IX.
Dispenser Overclock
Gold Dispensers gain double attack speed (+10% instead of +5%) per 10 gold acquired.
The core weapon of the Greed meta. Transforms Dispensers into miniguns firing hundreds of coins per second.
Compound Interest
Earn 10% interest on unspent gold above 50g at the end of each year.
Creates runaway infinite money engines that allow infinite rerolls and maxed card upgrades by Year 12.
Unholy Tithe
Corpses harvested at Cemeteries and Demon Altars yield double power charges.
Accelerates demon summons and hyper-buffs frontliners when cheap fodder units perish.
Assembly Overdrive
Workshops duplicate mechanical units 40% faster with zero maintenance cost.
Creates endless clockwork soldier legions to overwhelm standard battle lines.
Ready to Test Your Layouts in Battle?
Use our interactive War Table Simulator to configure cards, calculate orthogonal multipliers, and preview King IX survivability.