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“The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily” Strategy Guide (Act 4)
The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is a turn-based strategy game with a satisfying level of challenge.
Here’s what you need to know to beat the game.
The Great Strategy Guide (Act IV)
Overview of Act IV
Battles will unfold across the entire regions of Midland and Elysia.
This act represents the climax of the game, where players must overcome overwhelming odds with limited forces. Truly the culmination of everything that has come before.
The difficulty of the battles will vary depending on the order in which enemy generals are captured. The recommended capture order is as follows:
Jane (twice) → Harold → Primula → Rubeus & Sapphirus → Gwyn
“To capture Primula, you must first capture Jane.
To capture Gwyn, both Rubeus and Sapphirus must be captured beforehand.”
The final boss of Act IV is one of the most formidable foes in the game.
It is highly recommended that your units are well-leveled before taking them on.
➤ Step ①: Respond to the base flip event and capture “Jane” for the first time
➤ Step ②: Retreat to Elysia and capture “Jane” and “Harold” via the eastern route
➤ Step ③: After capturing “Primula,” defeat A.C.E., capture “Rubeus” and “Sapphirus,” then capture “Gwyn”
➤ Step ④: Defeat the enemies that appear in the Imperial Capital, surround and eliminate Almeria
Step 1: Capturing Jane (first time)
[Basic Strategy]
At the start of Act IV, the enemy’s attacks temporarily subside.
If any of your characters were defeated or left at low HP during Act III, take this opportunity to recover before moving forward.
“As the story progresses, enemy generals will incite rebellion, causing previously captured bases to defect.
While maintaining your supply lines, aim to capture Jane for the first time.”
・Regroup and recover your forces
・Primula and Harold will appear
・Rebuild your army before triggering the event
After the beginning of Act IV, Primula and Harold will appear in the northeastern part of the map.
You must move your units to Base ① (North Coast) in order to advance the story.
If your forces are depleted from Act III, occupy Base ② (North Bridge) to fend off enemy attacks
and use the supply line to heal or wait for reinforcements.
If possible, stationing three units at Base ③ (North Shore) could be helpful.
It will serve as a buffer against enemy advances and become a critical point for maintaining supply lines during the second battle against Jane.
To prepare for the possibility of severed supply lines, place at least one character capable of healing, such as Tyler or Carmine, in the area.
・Once preparations are complete, advance to North Coast to trigger the story event
・Progress the story
・Defeat Jane and protect the supply lines
When you move a unit to North Coast, a story event will occur where Primula delivers a speech that causes several bases to change sides.
After this event, Jane will appear at Base ② (River Gate) and begin advancing toward Scarlet on the following turn.
・Battle against Jane ①
・Be careful not to lose your supply lines while capturing Jane, then retreat to Elysia.
Jane is an infantry unit with powerful offensive and sustained combat capabilities.
・The accompanying infantry squads are quite weak,
so using wide-area attacks like Crimson Wave can easily isolate Jane.
・Gunner units have an advantage against Jane.
You can weaken her attacks with Rebecca’s EX Skill: “Guide to Cute,”
and reduce incoming damage using Geena’s Skill: “Emergency Encampment.”
Even if you capture Jane in this battle, she will escape and won’t immediately join your team.
However, if you’re aiming for the best ending, you must capture her here as well.
Step 2: Capture Jane and Harold
[Basic Strategy]
(This guide recommends retreating to Elysia for safety before launching a counterattack.)
Once you’ve captured Jane, retreat to Elysia and take the eastern route to pursue and capture the reappearing Jane, Harold, and Primula.
On the way, you’ll encounter a powerful unit called the Elite Harold Troop,
but once Harold is captured, they’ll become weaker—so you don’t need to fight them immediately.
・Abandon your current bases and pull your forces back to Elysia
・The Elite Harold Troop appears
・Avoid engaging them until Harold is dealt with
・Secure key positions in Elysia
Capturing (or defeating) Jane will advance the story and trigger another event in which Primula incites rebellion, causing previously captured bases to defect once more.
At the same time, the Elite Harold Troop will appear, and Jane will return to Base ① (Standfield) near Elysia.
Since the Elite Harold Troop will be weakened once Harold is defeated,
you don’t need to fight them head-on right away. Focus first on capturing Harold and Jane.
As with Erle in Act III, enemy units may also advance toward Elysia via the southeastern route.
Retreating all units to Elysia temporarily and then launching a counterattack is recommended.
This allows you to both respond to the advancing grunt units and avoid an early clash with the elite troops.
During this phase, station some of your forces at Base ② (Elysia Viceregent) to block enemy entry.
The enemies attacking the Viceregent’s office are weak, so leaving two units there should be enough for defense.
・Battle against Jane ②
・Launch a counterattack from Elysia via the eastern route
・Capture Jane (second time)
The southern bases near Base ① (Standfield) where Jane is located, can each hold up to 3 units.
Be sure to station the maximum number of units at each base.
From there, launch multiple attacks from multiple directions to gradually wear down Jane’s HP and prepare for capture.
Jane’s level has increased by 2 since the first battle, but the overall strategy remains the same.
Use gunner units to gain an advantage and control her powerful attacks with debuffs and focused strikes.
If you capture Jane here (for the second time), you’ll be able to use her as an ally after capturing Primula.
(Note: You cannot use her until Primula has been captured.)
Capturing Jane will also advance the story, triggering Gwyn’s appearance in the Imperial Capital.
Gwyn will begin advancing toward Scarlet, but if you proceed via Elysia as described in this guide, you can avoid fighting him for now.
Continue progressing the story and prepare the proper conditions before attempting to capture him.
・Capturing Harold
・Approach from the south to capture him
To capture Harold, place your main capturing force at Base ① (North Shore) and a secondary, HP-chipping unit at Base ② (South Penrose).
If the Elite Harold Troop appears, they will always move north, so attacking from the south is the recommended strategy.
Since Harold is a support-type character, he should not be too difficult to defeat.
Strategy Step 3: Capture Primula, Rubeus, Sapphirus, and Gwyn
[Basic Strategy]
After capturing Primula, advance your front lines and aim to capture Rubeus and Sapphirus.
You must capture both of them before attempting to capture Gwyn.
・Capturing Primula
・Use “Luring Stream” to isolate Primula, who has strong support abilities
・Capture Primula
After Gwyn appears, Primula begins advancing toward Scarlet. If you were attacking Harold from the southern route, she will most likely have moved to around Base ① (North Peak Base) or Base ② (Mountain Range Base).
Secure the surrounding bases and launch attacks from the ones that allow more units to be stationed.
Primula is a highly capable cavalry unit and also excels at support.
Her skill “A Star With Your Name” is especially powerful, as it nullifies all damage for a turn.
She also has “War Angel Rush,” which boosts the attack power of the entire allied force,
so be cautious when engaging her.
Using the Luring Stream to isolate her from allies before attempting to capture should be the safest approach.
・ A.C.E., Rubeus, and Sapphirus Appear
・Use Primula’s skills to defeat A.C.E.
After capturing Primula, the story progresses and A.C.E., Rubeus, and Sapphirus appear.
If you plan to engage A.C.E., try to include Primula, who should be an ally by now.
A.C.E. specializes in powerful single-target attacks, but Primula’s skill “A Star With Your Name”, which nullifies all damage for a turn for one ally, can give you a significant edge in battle.
・Capturing Rubeus and Sapphirus
・Cut off their supply lines and capture them.
Rubeus and Sapphirus always move together.
Occupy Base ① (North Midland) and Base ② (Newport) to sever their supply lines.
Launching your attack from Newport, which can station up to four units is recommended.
Rubeus is a strong support unit, while Sapphirus excels in offense.
Sapphirus’ AOE skill “Prince’s Hound” deals heavy damage, so it’s best to focus your attacks on him first to reduce his HP and weaken his offensive power.
Once their supply lines are cut off, they won’t be able to heal so take them down in order—Sapphirus first, then Rubeus.
・Capturing Gwyn
・Prepare thoroughly before capturing Gwyn
If Rubeus and Sapphirus have been captured, Gwyn will likely have moved to around Base ① (Wall North) (Gwyn moves toward Scarlet).
It’s best to place multiple large units within 3 tiles of Base ① (Wall North) and launch a concentrated attack.
If you’ve captured all characters up to this point, you should be able to deploy your forces from
Base ② (Wall Street), Base ③ (Astrea Base), Base ④ (North Hill), and Base ⑤ (South Midland).
(This is just an example. Adjust your formation based on your current unit availability.)
Gwyn is a highly offensive character with 13,350 HP, and his EX Skill “Shiny New Golden Bomb” is extremely powerful.
He’s also accompanied by strong Elite Soldiers, making this a particularly tough battle.
・Focus fire on Gwyn to reduce both his HP and attack power.
・Use characters like Carmine, Sanjay, and Harold to boost your team’s attack power
while concentrating your attacks on Gwyn.
You can also use Luring Stream to lure the elite soldiers to Base ⑥ (Wall Front) and eliminate them one by one.
If you’re still having trouble:
・Try using Auto-Battle (Delegated Battle) to wear down his HP and weaken him enough for capture.
“After capturing or defeating Gwyn, the story advances and all your units will recover and return fully for the final battle of Act IV.
So don’t hesitate to throw everything you have into this fight.”
Strategy Step 4: Defeat Almeria
[Basic Strategy]
Almeria will remain at the Imperial Palace Square. Focus on defeating the Schwester Captains stationed around her one by one.
Recommended level is 35 or higher, with main attacking units at level 40 for safety.
Once the enemy bases in the Imperial Capital are captured, enemies will stop appearing, so this will be your last opportunity to level up. If you’re worried about your levels, defeat the Schwester Captains to grind experience.
・Defeat the Schwester Captains and secure nearby bases
・Prepare for the Almeria battle by controlling surrounding points
・If you’re struggling to beat Almeria, return to this stage and level up more
After capturing Gwyn, the story advances.
・Once Almeria appears, your units will automatically be placed in predetermined locations.
・Any characters who were previously withdrawn will return, fully healed.
Most of your forces will be grouped into sets of 3 units, and you’ll generally fight with these 3-unit squads.
If you’re having trouble, use Gwyn’s broadcast skill “Surrender Stream” to reduce the enemy forces.
Almeria is one of the strongest bosses in the entire game, so make sure to finish your leveling here before facing her.
・Battling Almeria
・Use the Stream Airship’s abilities to gain the upper hand
・Stack buffs and debuffs as much as possible to defeat Almeria
Once you’re ready to face Almeria:
・Gather 5 units at Base ① (Imperial Guardpost) to the north
・And 5 units at southern base ② (Glaston Capital)
Place the remaining units at surrounding bases.
These two groups of 5 units will form your strike force against your archenemy, Almeria. So be sure to assign your best and most elite units.
Since support skills (buffs and debuffs) are key in the fight against Almeria, it’s recommended to include characters like Erle and Primula, who excel at such skills.
< Recommended Skills >
・Primula “War Angel Rush”
・Erle “Idealized Onslaught”
・Sapphirus “Containment Attack”
・Nicol “Shrapnel”
Use the Stream Airship’s “Surrender Stream” to wipe out the regular soldiers accompanying Almeria.
Once she’s alone, unleash your full force on her.
Almeria is one of the strongest bosses in the game, and as Lily mentions in the story, she cannot be captured.
She possesses devastating skills, such as:
“Fooling Everyone” – Damages all units except Almeria and reduces both enemy and ally attack/defense by 75%
“Bringer of Revelations” – Heals 30% of damage dealt as HP
“Guide for the Lost” – Increases the supply value of her base to 100%
“Gray Battlefield” – On Turn 1, reduces all enemy MP gain by 80%
Since all units will be revived in the final act, don’t need to worry about losses. Just focus on protecting Scarlet and Lily while defeating Almeria.
・Debuffs can be offset with buffs.
Use Primula’s “War Angel Rush” to raise your team’s attack power, and Erle’s “Idealized Onslaught” to lower the enemy’s stats which are all 1 MP cost skills.
・Support skills can be stacked.
Repeated use of buffs and debuffs will amplify their effects, so don’t hesitate to spam them every turn.
Enemy damage-reduction debuff skills are especially effective as they also weaken the healing from Almeria’s “Bearer of Revelation.”
If your first assault fails to defeat Almeria, use the Stream Airship’s “Interception Stream” on the next turn to prevent her from healing.
Once Almeria is defeated, Act IV comes to an end.