Laoriri
What is Laoriri — Ability Details and Why She is Tier S
Second Imperial Princess Laoriri is the undisputed Tier S princess in the Heart of Crown base set. Her overwhelming strength comes from a unique ability that dramatically accelerates the speed of victory point collection after coronation — more so than any other princess in the game.
Ability Details
Upon coronation, she has the effect of "acquiring up to 5 Court Maidens and installing them in your territory" (if conditions are met).
This single-line description holds immense value. Let us break it down numerically.
Value of 5 Court Maidens
Court Maiden is a cost-3, 2 victory point territory card. In context, this card has the following value:
- As victory points: 2 points × 5 cards = 10 victory points secured immediately upon coronation by installing them in your territory
Court Maidens acquired upon coronation can be installed in your territory immediately, securing 10 victory points at the very moment of coronation. Normally you would need to purchase Court Maidens one at a time at 3 coins each from the market. Laoriri acquires all 5 for free at the moment of coronation.
Post-Coronation Victory Point Lead
Consider a standard deck at the time of coronation (with some Village compression):
| Timing | Example Deck | Expected Coins with 5-card Draw |
|---|---|---|
| Before coronation | City×3, Metropolis×1, Village×2, Court Maiden×1 | Approximately 8-10 coins |
| After coronation (Laoriri) | Above + Court Maiden×5 (installed in territory) | Unchanged (coin-wise), 10 VP secured immediately |
| After coronation (other princesses) | No change | Approximately 8-10 coins |
The Court Maidens are installed in your territory — not added to your deck. They become immediate victory points at the coronation turn itself.
Immediate Victory Point Acquisition
Normally after coronation you must purchase Duke (8 coins, 6 points) or Councilor (5 coins, 3 points) one at a time. Laoriri secures 10 victory points for free as the starting point, fundamentally changing the race.
A typical game ends around 20-25 total victory points. Laoriri enters the final phase already holding 10, meaning 10-15 more points ends the game.
Comparison with All Princesses
| Princess | Tier | Coronation Bonus | Difficulty | Strength Axis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laoriri | S | 5 Court Maidens (+10pts immediate) | Medium | Explosive power, versatility |
| Flamaria | A | 2 cards cost 5 or less | Med-High | Planning, specific combos |
| Rurunasaika | A | +1 purchase phase | Medium | Multi-buy, speed |
| Rain | B | Curse removal + draw | Low-Med | Beginner-friendly, stable |
| Bergamot | B | Opponent action restriction | High | Disruption, control |
| Cramcram | B | Extra turn related | High | Special route |
Laoriri stands alone at Tier S because she excels simultaneously in effect magnitude × low supply dependency × high reproducibility.
Three Absolute Advantages of Tier S
Advantage ①: Victory points are secured immediately upon coronation
Normally after coronation your deck's economic power stays the same. Laoriri installs 5 Court Maidens in her territory upon coronation, securing 10 victory points immediately and entering the VP race with a decisive lead.
Advantage ②: Not dependent on supply conditions
Court Maidens start with 5 in the market pile. As long as 5 remain, Laoriri always gets the full 5. This "universal strength" doesn't depend on supply card combinations.
Advantage ③: Always ahead in the VP race
When other princesses are thinking "now let's start collecting victory points" after their coronation, Laoriri already holds 10 points. Combined with her strong economy, she outpaces opponents in subsequent VP purchases as well.
When to Choose Laoriri
Laoriri is strong in any supply, but understanding when her priority increases will boost your win rate further.
Highest Priority Conditions
When Donation is Available (Top Rating)
Donation (cost 2) is a compression card that exiles a Village from your hand. Its synergy with Laoriri is exceptional.
- Exile Villages early → higher deck density
- Thin deck of City, Metropolis only
- Install the 5 Court Maidens in territory upon coronation for immediate 10 VP
When Donation is in the supply, Laoriri is almost always the correct choice.
When Economic Cards are Plentiful
Multiple economic enhancement cards in the supply combine with Laoriri's "5 Court Maidens installed in territory upon coronation" to enable consecutive purchases of high-cost victory points (Duke, Emperor's Crown).
When Star Witch is Available
Star Witch (cost 3) lets you look at the top 2 cards of your deck and discard one. Combined with Laoriri, this enables the advanced "coronation setup" technique (described later).
When Priority Decreases
| Situation | Reason | Recommended Response |
|---|---|---|
| Court Maiden pile reduced to 3 or fewer | May not get full 5 | Consider other princesses |
| Opponent already coronated | Behind in VP race | Calculate if acceleration is possible |
| Many curse-distributing cards in supply | Hand gets clogged with curses | Check if removal exists |
| No deck compression available | Economic building takes longer | Look for compression alternatives |
Phase-by-Phase Strategy (Complete Guide)
Laoriri's strategy divides into three major phases. Clarity on "what to prioritize" in each phase is the key to victory.
Phase 1: Early Game (Turns 1-4)
Phase Goals
- Build the economic foundation (secure City, Donation)
- Compress Villages as early as possible
- Set up 6 coins to purchase Laoriri
Turn 1: Opening Hand Decisions
The initial 5-card hand is drawn from 7 Villages + 3 Court Maidens shuffled together. Coin output depends on Villages only, since Court Maidens generate no coins.
Optimal Purchases by Coin Amount (Turn 1)
| Coins Available | Top Priority | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 coin | Pass (buy nothing) | Can't afford anything useful |
| 2 coins | Donation | Best compression available |
| 3 coins | Star Witch or Donation | Depends on supply |
| 4 coins | City | Core economic card |
| 5 coins | City (skip Alchemist) | Prioritize City over cost-5 actions |
When Donation (cost 2) is in the supply, buy it immediately at 2 coins. Even one Village exile makes a significant difference early.
Turns 2-3: Balancing Compression and Economy
Key awareness at this stage:
- Use Donation to exile a Village every turn
- Buy City (cost 4) when available
- Secure 1 Star Witch (cost 3) early if in supply
Village compression and economic building are not in conflict. With 2 Donations, you can exile 2 Villages per turn, doubling compression speed. Target 2 Donations.
Turn 4: Preparing for Laoriri Purchase
By this turn, aim for a deck that can reliably produce 6 coins.
| Ideal Deck State at Turn 4 | Status |
|---|---|
| Villages: 5-7 (depends on compression) | Fewer is better |
| Court Maidens: 3 (initial) | Territory cards (VP only) |
| City: 1-2 | Essential |
| Donation: 1-2 | Excellent if present |
Phase 2: Economic Development (Turns 5-10)
Phase Goals
- Complete the "3 Cities + 1 Metropolis" economic foundation
- Purchase Laoriri (cost 6)
- Set up a turn where you can produce at least 6 coins including Metropolis for coronation
The Meaning of 3 Cities + 1 Metropolis
Stable coronation requires holding Metropolis in hand with at least 6 total coins (Metropolis counts for 3 of those coins). With 3 Cities and 1 Metropolis in your deck, you can reliably produce 6+ coins when you draw Metropolis.
Economic Card Targets
| Card | Cost | Coins | Target Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City | 4 | 2 | 3 | Buy aggressively from early game |
| Metropolis | 6 | 3 | 1-2 | Also triggers coronation |
| Court Maiden | 3 | 0 | 3 (initial) | Territory card, 2 VP each. 5 more installed upon coronation |
When to Buy Laoriri
The best time to purchase Laoriri (cost 6) is when the economy is "starting to come together."
Recommended Purchase Window (Turns 5-7)
- 1-2 Cities are in your deck
- Villages compressed to 5 or fewer
- Metropolis purchasable in coming turns
Buying Laoriri late is wasteful. Buy her early — she does nothing in your deck until coronation, but early purchase opens up the coronation option sooner.
Warning: Laoriri becomes your princess the moment you buy her. Buy early before another player takes her.
Coronation Requirements
Coronation requires holding Metropolis in hand and producing a total of 6+ coins including Metropolis. Specifically:
- Hold Metropolis in hand — it contributes its 3 coins
- Produce 3+ coins from other cards — total reaches 6+
If you purchased Metropolis in a previous turn, on the coronation turn you just need 3+ coins from other cards to coronate.
The most efficient coronation preparation is: buy Metropolis one turn, then next turn produce 3+ coins from Cities/Villages to coronate.
Phase 3: Coronation and Victory Point Rush (Turn 10+)
State Immediately After Coronation
Upon crowning Laoriri, 5 Court Maidens can be installed directly in your territory (if conditions are met).
Typical state immediately after coronation:
| Card | Count | Position | VP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court Maiden (new 5) | 5 | Installed in territory | 2pts×5 = 10pts immediately |
| Court Maiden (initial 3) | 3 | In deck or territory | 2pts each |
| City | 3 | In deck | 2 coins×3 |
| Metropolis | 1 | In deck (if purchased) | 3 coins×1 |
| Village (compressed) | 2-4 | In deck | 1 coin each |
By installing the 5 Court Maidens in territory upon coronation, 10 victory points are secured instantly. This is Laoriri's greatest strength.
Victory Point Purchase Priority
| VP Card | Cost | Points | Efficiency | Purchase Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 8 | 6pts | 0.75pts/coin | Top priority |
| Emperor's Crown | 13 | 14pts | 1.08pts/coin | Highest if reachable |
| Margrave | 6 | 3pts+effect | Variable | Medium priority |
| Councilor | 5 | 3pts | 0.60pts/coin | Medium priority |
| Court Maiden | 3 | 2pts | 0.67pts/coin | Use leftover coins |
Duke's efficiency (0.75pts/coin) is excellent. With Laoriri's post-coronation economy, buying a Duke every turn is the ideal move.
Sample Game Walkthrough (Turn-by-Turn Example)
This section presents a concrete game scenario. The supply includes: Donation, Star Witch, City, Metropolis, Alchemist, Duke, and Emperor's Crown.
Assumed Supply Setup
| Card | Cost | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Donation | 2 | Village compression |
| Star Witch | 3 | Deck-top manipulation |
| City | 4 | Core economy |
| Metropolis | 6 | High economy + coronation trigger |
| Alchemist | 5 | Draw engine |
| Duke | 8 | Primary VP card (6 pts) |
| Emperor's Crown | 13 | Top VP card (14 pts) |
Starting deck: Village×7, Court Maiden×3 (10 cards total)
Turns 1-4: Early Game (Building Economy)
Turn 1
- Hand: Village×3, Court Maiden×2
- Coins: 3 (Village×3 only; Court Maidens generate no coins)
- Action: None
- Buy: Donation (2 coins) — 1 coin remaining, nothing useful to buy
- Reasoning: Prioritize Village compression from the start. Cannot afford Metropolis (6 coins).
Turn 2
- Hand: Village×4, Court Maiden×1
- Coins: 4 (Village×4; Court Maiden generates no coins)
- Action: None
- Buy: City (4 coins)
- Reasoning: Secure City to build economic foundation.
Turn 3
- Hand: Village×2, Court Maiden×2, Metropolis×1
- Coins: 5 (Village×2 + Metropolis×3; Court Maidens generate no coins)
- Action: None
- Buy: Star Witch (3 coins) + Donation (2 coins)
- Reasoning: Cannot afford Laoriri (6) yet. Secure Star Witch and second Donation for preparation.
Turn 4
- Hand: Village×3, City×1, Donation×1
- Coins: 5 (Village×3 + City×2)
- Action: Play Donation → exile 1 Village from hand
- Buy: City (4 coins)
- End of Turn 4 deck: Village×6, Court Maiden×3, Metropolis×1, City×2, Donation×1, Star Witch×1 (13 cards, 1 Village exiled)
Turns 5-8: Completing Coronation Preparation
Turn 5
- Hand: Village×2, City×1, Metropolis×1, Donation×1
- Coins: 7 (Village×2 + City×2 + Metropolis×3)
- Action: Play Donation → exile 1 Village
- Buy: Laoriri (6 coins) — 1 coin remaining, pass
- Reasoning: Secure Laoriri at Turn 5. Economic foundation is coming together.
Turn 6
- Hand: Village×2, City×2, Metropolis×1
- Coins: 9 (Village×2 + City×2×2 + Metropolis×3)
- Action: None
- Buy: Donation (2 coins) + Alchemist (5 coins) — 2 coins remaining, pass
- Reasoning: Second Donation acquired. Alchemist added to accelerate deck cycling.
Turn 7
- Hand: Village×1, City×2, Metropolis×1, Star Witch×1
- Coins: 9 (Village×1 + City×2×2 + Metropolis×3)
- Action: Play Star Witch → inspect top 2 cards, discard weak card
- Buy: City (4 coins) + Alchemist (5 coins)
- Reasoning: Third City secured. Second Alchemist increases draw power.
Turn 8
- Hand: Village×1, City×1, Metropolis×1, Donation×2
- Coins: 6 (Village×1 + City×2 + Metropolis×3)
- Action: Play both Donations → exile 2 Villages at once
- Buy: nothing (coins already committed)
- End of Turn 8 deck: Village×3, Court Maiden×3, Metropolis×1, City×3, Donation×2, Alchemist×2, Star Witch×1, Laoriri (≈17 cards, 4 Villages exiled)
Turns 9-10: Coronation — Installing 5 Court Maidens
Turn 9 (Coronation Turn)
- Hand: Village×1, City×2, Metropolis×1, Alchemist×1
- Action: Play Alchemist → draw 2 cards
- Coins: 8+ (Village×1 + City×2×2 + Metropolis×3 = 8, plus drawn cards)
- Coronation: Hold Metropolis in hand with total 6+ coins — coronate Laoriri
- Coronation effect triggers: Acquire up to 5 Court Maidens from the market pile; install them in territory immediately (10 VP secured at this very turn)
- Remaining coins: Buy Duke (8 coins) if possible
Coin breakdown: Village×1 (1) + City×2 (4) + Metropolis×1 (3) = 8 coins Total 6+ coins including Metropolis → coronation achieved
Turn 10 (First Turn After Coronation)
- Hand: Village×1, City×2, Metropolis×1, Court Maiden×1
- Coins: 8 (Village×1 + City×2×2 + Metropolis×3; Court Maiden generates no coins)
- Action: None
- Buy: Duke (8 coins)
- Effect: 5 Court Maidens already installed in territory (10 VP secured at coronation)
- Running VP total: Court Maiden×5 (10 pts) + Duke×1 (6 pts) = 16 points
Turns 11-15: Victory Point Rush (Duke and Emperor's Crown)
Turn 11
- Hand: City×2, Metropolis×1, Village×1, Donation×1
- Coins: 8 (City×2×2 + Metropolis×3 + Village×1)
- Action: Play Donation → exile Village
- Buy: Duke (8 coins)
- Running VP: Court Maiden×5 (10 pts) + Duke×2 (12 pts) = 22 points
Turn 12 (with Alchemist in hand)
- Hand: City×1, Metropolis×1, Village×1, Alchemist×1, Star Witch×1
- Action: Play Alchemist → draw 2 cards → example: City×1, Metropolis×1 drawn
- Coins: City×2 (4) + Metropolis×2 (6) + Village×1 (1) = 11 coins
- Buy: Duke (8 coins) + Court Maiden (3 coins) — installed in territory
- Running VP: Court Maiden×6 (12 pts) + Duke×3 (18 pts) = 30 points
Turns 13+
- Economy centered on City/Metropolis reliably produces coins
- Continue buying Dukes or aim for Emperor's Crown (13 coins)
- The 10 VP from coronation territory installation remains a stable base
Expected Final Score
Typical winning pattern (game ends around Turns 12-15)
| Card | Count | VP |
|---|---|---|
| Court Maiden | 5-8 | 10-16 pts (coronation 5 + 0-3 purchased) |
| Duke | 2-4 | 12-24 pts |
| Councilor | 0-2 | 0-6 pts |
| Emperor's Crown | 0-1 | 0 or 14 pts |
| Total | — | 22-60 pts |
Realistic average score examples:
- Pattern A: Court Maiden×5 (10 pts) + Duke×3 (18 pts) + Councilor×1 (3 pts) = 31 pts
- Pattern B: Court Maiden×5 (10 pts) + Duke×2 (12 pts) + Emperor's Crown×1 (14 pts) = 36 pts
- Pattern C: Court Maiden×8 (16 pts) + Duke×2 (12 pts) + Emperor's Crown×1 (14 pts) = 42 pts
While the exact winning threshold depends on opponents, Laoriri games typically end in the 30-45 point range — well ahead of opponents using other princesses.
Key Combo Examples
Combo 1: Ultra-Fast Compression via 2 Donations
Acquiring 2 Donations enables you to exile 2 Villages per turn — the "ultra-compression" route.
Purchase sequence and deck evolution:
| Turn | Key Action | Purchase | Villages Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turn 1 | None | Donation (2 coins) | 7 |
| Turn 2 | Play Donation → exile 1 Village | City (4 coins) | 6 |
| Turn 3 | None | Laoriri (6 coins) + 2nd Donation (2 coins) — needs 8 coins | 6 |
| Turn 4 | Play both Donations → exile 2 Villages | City (4 coins) | 4 |
| Turn 5 | Play both Donations → exile 2 Villages | Metropolis (6 coins) | 2 |
| Turn 6 | Play both Donations → exile 2 Villages | 3rd City or Star Witch | 0 |
End of Turn 6 ideal deck: Village×0, Court Maiden×3, City×2-3, Metropolis×1, Donation×2, Laoriri = 9-10 cards
Coronating from this lean deck means the 5 Court Maidens are installed in territory at the coronation turn, securing 10 VP instantly.
Important notes:
- Buying Laoriri + 2nd Donation on Turn 3 requires 8 coins (ideal hand: Metropolis)
- On turns where you play both Donations, your coins are very low — pre-purchase 1-2 Cities beforehand
Combo 2: Star Witch × Coronation Synergy
Star Witch (cost 3) lets you view the top 2 cards of your deck and discard one. Use this to improve the quality of your deck top for post-coronation turns.
Step-by-step procedure:
- Around Turns 4-6: Purchase 1 Star Witch and add it to your deck
- Turns 7-8: Use Star Witch every turn to inspect the top 2 cards
- Top 2 = Village + Village → discard one to reduce Village density
- Top 2 = City + Village → discard Village, keep City on top
- Top 2 = Court Maiden + City → leave as-is (good order)
- Coronation turn: Coronate with the deck top cleared of weak cards
- Coronation effect: Install Court Maiden×5 in territory → 10 VP secured immediately
- First post-coronation turn: Draw well-arranged economic cards for high coin output
Note: Star Witch is an action card. You can normally only play one action per turn. Plan so you either have additional action opportunities or simply don't play another action card the same turn.
Combo 3: Alchemist × Draw Chain
Alchemist (cost 5, +2 cards) creates a draw chain that produces large amounts of coins in a single turn.
Concrete example after coronation:
Assumed deck: City×3, Metropolis×1, Alchemist×2, Village×2 (remaining)
Procedure (1 Alchemist):
- Starting hand (5 cards): City×1, Metropolis×1, Village×1, Alchemist×1, Court Maiden×1
- Play Alchemist → draw 2 cards → example: City×1, Village×1 drawn
- Hand grows to 7 cards: City×2, Metropolis×1, Village×2, Alchemist (played)
- Coin total: City×2 (4) + Metropolis×1 (3) + Village×2 (2) = 9 coins
- Buy: Duke (8 coins) — 1 coin remaining
With 2 Alchemists:
- Starting hand (5 cards): City×1, Metropolis×1, Alchemist×2, Village×1
- Play 1st Alchemist → draw 2 → example: City×1, Village×1 drawn
- Play 2nd Alchemist → draw 2 more → example: City×1, Metropolis×1 drawn
- Hand grows to 9 cards: City×3, Metropolis×2, Village×2, Alchemist×2 (played)
- Coins: City×3 (6) + Metropolis×2 (6) + Village×2 (2) = 14 coins
- Buy: Emperor's Crown (13 coins) + 1 coin remaining
Why this combo matters: Alchemist draws more economic cards, creating 2-4 extra coins per turn compared to standard 5-card draws, significantly lowering the difficulty of purchasing Emperor's Crown (13 coins).
Key Card Priority Rankings
S-Rank: Must Have
| Card | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Donation |
2 | Best compression. Thins deck to maximize Laoriri's explosive effect |
 Metropolis |
6 | Required for coronation. Also provides strong 3-coin economy |
 City |
4 | Core of economic foundation. Target 3 copies |
A-Rank: Actively Acquire
| Card | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Star Witch |
3 | Enables deck-top manipulation for the advanced coronation setup technique |
 Alchemist |
5 | 2-card draw rotates deck, increasing economic card access |
 Duke |
8 | Primary VP card post-coronation. Best cost efficiency |
 Emperor's Crown |
13 | 14 points in one card. Reachable with Laoriri's economy |
B-Rank: Situationally Valuable
| Card | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Library |
4 | Supports economy in action-heavy builds |
 Supply Corps |
4 | Draw engine helps access economic cards reliably |
 Swift Horse |
2 | Early draw speeds access to economic cards |
 Margrave |
6 | 3pts + special effect. Value depends on the specific effect |
 Councilor |
5 | Lower efficiency but useful for early VP accumulation |
C-Rank: Generally Not Needed
| Card | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Cursing Witch |
5 | Laoriri is self-sufficient; less need to spend resources on disruption |
 Charming Witch |
5 | Makes opponent discard action cards. Use only if disruption is a priority |
Ideal Deck List
Ideal Deck Before Coronation
| Card | Count | Role | Expected Coins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court Maiden | 3 | VP (territory card, no coins) | 0 coins |
| City | 3 | Core Economy | 6 coins |
| Metropolis | 1 | High Economy + Coronation | 3 coins |
| Village (compressed) | 3 | Remaining Villages | 3 coins |
| Laoriri (princess) | 1 | Held | — |
| Total | 11 cards | — | 12 coins (all in hand) |
5-card draws average 6-8 coins. When you draw Metropolis, total 6+ coins enables coronation.
Ideal Compressed Form (After 2 Donations)
| Card | Count | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Court Maiden | 3 | VP (territory card) |
| City | 3 | Economy |
| Metropolis | 1 | High economy + Coronation |
| Village | 1-2 | Remaining (compressed) |
| Total | 8-9 cards | — |
An 8-card deck drawing 5 is extremely powerful — you draw almost what you need every turn.
Post-Coronation State (Victory Point Phase)
| Card | Count | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court Maiden (territory) | 5 | 10 VP secured | Coronation bonus — installed in territory |
| Court Maiden (initial) | 3 | VP in deck/territory | 2 pts each |
| City | 3 | Economy | 2 coins each |
| Metropolis | 1 | High Economy | 3 coins |
| Village (remaining) | 2-3 | Filler | Compress if possible |
This deck draws 5 expecting 7-9 coins. Buying Duke (8 coins) every turn is feasible.
Common Failure Patterns and Countermeasures
Failure 1: Forgetting to Buy Laoriri While Building Economy
Symptom: Keeps buying Cities and buys Laoriri after turn 8 or later.
Fix: Consciously aim to buy Laoriri by turns 5-6. Once you have 2 Cities, shift to buying Laoriri. Princesses can be taken by opponents — early acquisition is essential.
Failure 2: Coronating When Court Maiden Pile is Depleted
Symptom: Only 1-2 Court Maidens remain in market at coronation; ability is halved.
Fix: Always track the Court Maiden count. If it drops to 3 or fewer, accelerate coronation timing or reconsider the princess choice.
Failure 3: Coronating with Uncompressed Villages
Symptom: 7 Villages still in deck. Economic efficiency is poor at coronation.
Fix: With Donation available, buy and use it aggressively. Target 4 or fewer Villages at coronation.
Failure 4: Continuing to Buy Economic Cards After Coronation
Symptom: Still buying Cities after coronation; VP collection is delayed.
Fix: Laoriri's coronation secures 10 VP from territory installation. Switch immediately to VP-buying mode after coronation. The only exception is targeting Emperor's Crown early.
Failure 5: Ignoring Opponent's Laoriri Coronation
Symptom: Opponent coronates with Laoriri and rapidly accumulates points; you continue at normal pace.
Fix: When an opponent coronates with Laoriri, advance your own coronation timing. A 70%-ready economy may be sufficient to crown if the race demands it.
Opponent-Specific Strategies
vs Flamaria (Tier A — Planning Type)
Flamaria gains 2 cost-5-or-less cards upon coronation. She may set up a Star Witch + Alchemist combo.
Key threat: High hand quality after coronation; VP speed is slightly slower.
Strategy: Coronate before Flamaria completes her setup. The 10-point head start from Laoriri's ability is decisive.
Advantage: Laoriri favored
vs Rurunasaika (Tier A — Multi-Buy Type)
Rurunasaika gets +1 purchase phase after coronation, buying multiple VP cards per turn.
Key threat: Acceleration through multiple purchases per turn.
Strategy: Coronate as early as possible to leverage Laoriri's 10-point advantage before the multi-buy engine starts. Prioritize high-value VP cards like Duke and Emperor's Crown.
Advantage: Roughly even (depends heavily on coronation timing)
vs Rain (Stable Type)
Rain removes curses and gains draw enhancement. Stable but lacks explosive power.
Key threat: Resilient if curse distribution exists in the supply.
Strategy: Rain's VP speed is slow. Normal Laoriri pace wins comfortably. If curses are being distributed, use Star Witch to manage deck quality.
Advantage: Laoriri favored
vs Bergamot (Disruption Type)
Bergamot restricts opponents' actions.
Key threat: Can disrupt action-card-dependent economic builds.
Strategy: Build economy around treasure cards (City, Metropolis) rather than action cards. These are harder to disrupt.
Advantage: Slightly favored (Laoriri's treasure-based economy is resistant to disruption)
Advanced Techniques
Technique 1: Coronation Setup with Star Witch
Place Star Witch in your deck, then use it every turn before coronation to view and manage the top 2 cards of your deck. Remove Villages and weak cards from the top position. When you coronate, install the 5 Court Maidens in territory for immediate 10 VP, then on the very next turn draw your pre-arranged strong economic cards.
Technique 2: Pre-Acquiring Court Maidens When Supply is Low
If the Court Maiden pile drops to 2 or fewer before your coronation, consider buying 1-2 ahead of time to ensure you get the full 5 from Laoriri's ability. Only do this when the supply is truly threatened.
Technique 3: Intentional Coronation Delay
In rare cases, delaying coronation by 1-2 extra turns allows your economic foundation to strengthen, accelerating post-coronation VP collection. Valid only if: the Court Maiden pile is full (5 cards), the opponent hasn't coronated yet, and 1-2 more economic purchases will significantly increase your expected coin output.
Maximum delay: Turns 12-13. Beyond that, you risk losing the VP race.
Summary — 5 Points to Master Laoriri
- Early game: pursue "Donation + City" simultaneously to thin and strengthen the deck
- Buy Laoriri by turns 5-6 — before opponents can take her
- Always track the Court Maiden pile count — coronate before it drops below 5
- Switch to VP-buying mode immediately after coronation — the 10 VP from territory installation gives you a head start
- Learn the Star Witch coronation setup — the advanced technique that pushes your win rate to new heights
Laoriri is Heart of Crown's most "straightforward to play correctly" princess. No complex combos required — just execute the economic build → coronation → VP collection sequence accurately, and your win rate will be consistently high.