Evony Guide: Obtain & Pair Siege General Francis Drake

Francis Drake, an English explorer and vice admiral who completed England’s first circumnavigation of the globe. In Evony: The King’s Return, he is an Epic Historic quality general, who is good at leading siege machines. Please read the guide to learn about how strong the general is, how to acquire the general, and related main+assistant combinations.

Francis Drake Background

Francis Drake was an English navigator and privateer under Elizabeth I. He moved from family sea trade to raiding Spanish colonies, seizing great prizes and becoming the face of England’s “Sea Dogs”.

In 1577, he sailed to strike Spain’s Pacific coast. He rounded Cape Horn, raided ports, crossed the Pacific, and returned via the Indian Ocean. He completed the first English circumnavigation, shared vast treasure with the Queen, and was knighted.

In 1588, as vice admiral, he helped defeat the Spanish Armada. Fireships shattered the enemy at anchor, then English guns hit them at range. The Armada fled north with heavy losses, and England rose as the leading naval power.

Legend says Drake left a drum to be beaten in England’s hour of need, so he would return. Sailors later claimed to hear it in wartime. Myth or not, Drake endures as a symbol of England’s sea power and honor.

Francis Drake’s Special Skill

Royal Navy Vice Admiral – Increases siege machines’ attack and HP by 55% and siege machines’ defense by 40% when he is leading the army.

Ascend the general to unlock the following buffs:

1st red star – Siege machine attack and defense +10%
2nd red star – Attacking troop death into wounded rate +8%
3rd red star – Siege machine attack +15% and HP +20%
4th red star – Ranged troop and siege machine defense and HP +20%
5th red star – Attacking ranged troop and siege machine attack +35%; Siege machine defense and HP +35%

The Specialties of Francis Drake

Siege Machine Defense: siege machine HP and defense +10%
Bash: ranged troop and siege machine attack +10%
Siege Machine Ares: siege machine attack, HP, and defense +10%
Circumnavigation: siege machine attack, defense, and HP +40%

Covenant Generals & Attributes

This general has a covenant with William Marshal, Edward III, and James Cook. The corresponding buffs are shown below.

War Covenant: siege machine HP +5%
Cooperation Covenant: siege machine training speed +10%
Peace Covenant: siege machine defense +10%
Faith Covenant: siege machine attack +5%; reinforcing siege machine HP +5%
Honor Covenant: attacking siege machine attack +10%
Civilization Covenant: reinforcing siege machine attack +20%; march size capacity +10%

You have opportunities to receive the 3 covenanted generals in the following ways.

William Marshal:

Trojan Horse Historic General
General Hall Ⅱ Historic General
Historic General Summoning
Epic General / Epic Historic General / Epic Historic General (Premium)

Edward III:

Journey to Glory Sale
Epic General / Epic Historic General

James Cook:

Epic General / Epic Historic General / Epic Historic General (Premium)

How to Obtain Francis Drake?

Historic General Summoning event

You can use Epic Historic General (Glory) to summon generals on the reward list of this event.

During Evony’s 2025 Regata Storica, the chance of getting Francis Drake has been increased by 600% and the general is guaranteed within the next time after summoning 5 times.

You can obtain the Epic Historic General (Glory) from the tier 5 event package.

General Tokens

Use the following general tokens, and you will also have the chance of receiving the general.

Epic Historic General (Premium)
Epic Historic General
Epic General

Among them, the probability of obtaining Francis Drake is the highest when using Epic Historic General (Premium).

The way to acquire the Epic Historic General (Premium):

Debuff Skill Book Package
Warring States Elegance Package
Imperial Optional Package
Covenant Stone Sale
Imperial Monarch Gear Package
Military Tactics Package
Legend Maker Package
Champion’s Affection Epic Package
Alchemy Shop – Alchemy Super Sale
Alliance Competition – Legendary League monarch scores reach 3,900; Epic League monarch scores reach 3,650
Grace of Star Trail – highest-tier Star Trail Gift Sale pack
Great Expedition – Expedition Supply – Super Great Expedition Package
Braveheart – Nirvana Reborn pack
Voyage to Civilizations – Super Voyage Sale
Divination of Fate – Diviner’s Card Case

Get Evony Francis Drake & Premium General Token

General Strength Comparison

This comparison shows recent generals whose buffs primarily apply to “leading the army”.

The following table only includes attributes that apply to siege machines and the entire army (including attack buffs).

	Francis Drake	Hersilia	Champlain
Special Skill	Attack +55% Defense +40% HP +55%	Attack +55% Defense +55% HP +40%	Attack +50% Defense +40% HP +50%
Ascended Buff 1	Attack +10% Defense +10%	Defense +10% HP +10%	Attack +10% HP +15%
Ascended Buff 2	Attacking troop death into wounded rate +8%
Ascended Buff 3	Attack +15% HP +20%	Attack +20% Defense +10% HP +10%	Attack +15% Defense +15%
Ascended Buff 4	Defense +20% HP +20%	Attack +20% Defense +10%	Attack +20% HP +20%
Ascended Buff 5	Attack +35% Defense +35% HP +35%	Attack +35% Defense +35% HP +35%	Attack +25% Defense +25% HP +25%
Specialties	Attack +75% Defense +60% HP +60%	Attack +80% Defense +50% HP +40%	Attack +70% Defense +40% HP +60%
Covenant Buffs	Attack +15% Defense +10% HP +5%	Attack +20% Defense +5% HP +10%	Attack +10% Defense +10% HP +10%
Skin		Attack +8% Defense +16%
Total	Attack +205% Defense +175% HP +195%	Attack +238% Defense +191% HP +145%	Attack +205% Defense +145% HP +165%

How to Pair Francis Drake?

There are many siege generals suitable to be paired with Drake, for example:

Romulus
Hersilia
Christina
Stephen II (Can not use the “Siege Machine Attack” skill book)
Theobald I
Theodosius I
Gunther
Pallas
Kleos (The “March Size” skill book can be used on Kleos, rather than Drake)
John Churchill
Mu Guiying (Can not use the “Siege Machine Attack” skill book)
Maurice de Saxe (Can not use the “Siege Machine Attack” skill book)
Septimius Severus (Can not use the “Siege Machine Attack” skill book; the “Siege Machine HP” skill book needs to be used on Severus, not Drake）