The weight of an empire rests on your shoulders. Framed for the murder of the Emperor, Duchess Scarlet stands alone against an army that outnumbers her a hundred to one. But she is not entirely defenseless—by her side is Lily, a mysterious girl wielding the Stream Airship, a vessel capable of bending the battlefield with propaganda and psychological warfare. The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is not just a turn-based tactics game; it’s a narrative-driven revolution, where every decision—whether to spare or execute enemy commanders—reshapes the fate of a nation.
For new players, the game’s blend of supply-line warfare, character-driven storytelling, and punishing difficulty can feel overwhelming. This beginner’s guide for The Great Villainess is your lifeline, offering essential strategies, lore insights, and hidden mechanics to ensure your rebellion doesn’t end in ruin.
Understanding The Great Villainess Core Mechanics
Unlike traditional strategy games, The Great Villainess doesn’t reward mindless expansion. Instead, supply lines—paths connecting your headquarters to captured outposts—dictate survival. Units stationed on these lines regenerate HP each turn, while severed lines leave them vulnerable to collapse. This means abandoning outposts is sometimes wiser than defending them—a brutal lesson Scarlet learns early.
The enemy operates the same way. Cutting off their supply lines weakens their frontline forces, creating openings to strike their commanders. As one Steam reviewer noted, “This isn’t a war of land—it’s a war of logistics. Lose the line, lose the battle.”
The Stream Airship
Lily’s airship isn’t just for transport—it’s a propaganda machine with four game-changing abilities:
- Stalling Stream: Freezes enemy movement for a turn, buying time to regroup.
- Interception Stream: Disrupts enemy supply lines, crippling their reinforcements.
- Capture Stream: The crown jewel. Activate it to convert defeated generals into allies instead of executing them.
Early-game success hinges on mastering these tools. For example, stalling enemy reinforcements during the Act 1 boss fight against Uisce ensures you’re not overwhelmed while focusing on capturing her.
Early-Game Survival
The Uisce Dilemma: To Capture or to Kill?
Uisce, the first major boss, is an infantry unit who hard-counters Scarlet’s cavalry. A direct assault is suicide—instead, take the eastern detour, reclaiming outposts to trigger the airship’s arrival. Once Uisce’s HP is in the red, activate Capture Stream and use Lily’s On the Stage skill to recruit her. Her Fox Hunting ability (1.8x damage) will carry you through mid-game.
Why capture instead of execute? Lore-wise, sparing generals unravels the conspiracy behind Scarlet’s framing, leading to the “true ending.” Executing them boosts Scarlet’s power but locks her into a tyrannical path, forever staining her legacy.
Managing Morale and Supply
Losing outposts cuts off healing, making prolonged fights unwinnable. Prioritize:
- Securing chokepoints to stall enemy advances.
- Sacrificing less-critical outposts to protect key supply routes.
- Using the airship’s Hustle Stream to reposition units when ambushed.
Character Synergies
Scarlet (Cavalry)
- Crimson Wave: A low-cost AoE skill perfect for clearing mobs.
- Crimson Banner: Unlocked at Lv. 20, it heals her based on damage dealt. Pair with ATK buffs for sustain.
Lily (Gunner)
- Opening Call: Buffs an ally’s DEF and restores MP. Essential for keeping Scarlet alive.
- Famous Streamer: Boosts her ATK when battling near broadcasting bases.
Uisce (Soldier)
- Fox Hunting: Deals 1.8x damage + 200 fixed damage, bypassing enemy DEF. Ideal for boss fights.
Tip: Fielding certain pairs (e.g., Scarlet + Lily) builds trust, unlocking Unison Skills—devastating combo attacks that turn the tide of battle.
Tactics
The “Revolutionary” Attribute
Units with this trait deal bonus damage to standard troops (soldiers, gunners, cavalry). Use them to shred enemy elites.
Baiting the A.C.E. Units
These overpowered enemies patrol fixed routes. In Act 1, stalling them at Position ① lets you bypass them entirely. Later, when stronger, farming them yields boss-tier EXP.
Executing Generals: A Dark Power Boost
While capturing is ideal for the “good” ending, executions grant permanent stat boosts, pushing Scarlet closer to becoming the Demon Queen. This path is brutal but viable for players seeking a challenge.
Why Your Choices Matter in The Great Villainess
The game’s narrative thrives on moral ambiguity. Scarlet’s rebellion isn’t just about survival—it’s about truth versus power.
- The “Truth” Route: Capturing generals reveals the Empire’s corruption, culminating in a bittersweet redemption arc.
- The “Demon Queen” Route: Executions feed Scarlet’s rage, transforming her into a tyrant feared even by her allies.
As director Masked D explained, “We wanted players to feel the weight of leadership—every pardon or execution reshapes the world.”.
A Revolution Worth Fighting For
The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is a masterclass in tactical depth and narrative consequence. Whether you’re a newcomer struggling with Uisce or a veteran optimizing supply lines, this guide ensures your rebellion won’t end in a Dead End Theater—unless you want it to.