Laurel
Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| English Name | Laurel |
| Japanese Name | 月桂樹 |
| Chinese Name | 月桂 |
| Weapon Type | Damage-nullifying periodic shield |
| Evolution Material | Metaglio Left + Metaglio Right |
| Evolves To | Crimson Shroud |
| Pickup Priority | A (defensive specialist) |
Effect and Behavior
A shield weapon that activates automatically after a cooldown, completely negating all incoming damage while active. The shield breaks early if hit; surviving without taking damage extends the active window and rewards a bonus. Deals zero direct damage.
Level scaling extends shield duration and shortens the cooldown, increasing the proportion of time spent shielded. At max level, Laurel is active for the majority of the run, approaching near-invincibility. Divano starts with Laurel and is the natural fit for evolution runs.
Evolution Conditions
Max Laurel (Lv 8), carry both Metaglio Left and Metaglio Right, then open an elite-drop chest after 10:00 to evolve into Crimson Shroud.
Crimson Shroud Effect
After evolution the shield gains damage reflection — all damage received while shielded is returned to the attacker. High-HP bosses hit the shield harder and reflect more. Shield uptime also increases substantially compared to Laurel. Against Red Death, Crimson Shroud's reflection can deal significant damage.
Strengths
- Best-in-class defensive weapon — full damage immunity when active
- At max level maintains shield for long stretches of the run
- Post-evolution reflection converts defense into boss damage
- Exceptional in high-Curse builds where incoming damage spikes
Weaknesses
- Zero direct damage — always requires other offensive weapons
- Evolution needs two passive items (Metaglio Left + Metaglio Right)
- Completely unprotected when the shield is down
- Low-level shield duration is short, leading to frequent damage
Recommended Characters
- Divano: starts with Laurel, the definitive evolution character
- Gennaro: pairs well with Curse builds that need Laurel survivability
- Imelda: +10% Growth speeds evolution timing
Recommended Passives
- Metaglio Left: mandatory for evolution (pair with Metaglio Right)
- Metaglio Right: mandatory for evolution (pair with Metaglio Left)
- Hollow Heart: higher max HP buffers the gaps between shield windows
- Pummarola: recovery rate helps sustain HP between shields
Synergistic Arcanas
- VI Sarabande of Healing: heals during shield-up windows, offsetting gap damage
- XIII Wicked Season: higher Curse with shield safety pushes score and rewards
Strategy and Tips
- Early (0–10 min): Level Laurel and collect both Metaglio items. Use mobility to survive the unshielded gaps.
- Mid (10–20 min): Hit Lv MAX + both Metaglia → evolve into Crimson Shroud. Actively press bosses during shield windows for reflection damage.
- Late (20+ min): Pair with Curse-heavy builds for extreme scores; Crimson Shroud's reflection shreds Red Death over time.
FAQ
Q: Can Laurel carry a build solo?
A: No direct damage at all — always run multiple offensive weapons alongside it.
Q: Where do Metaglio Left and Metaglio Right drop?
A: Both drop from field items and chests. Securing both is the sole evolution gate.
Q: Tips for keeping the shield up?
A: Move away from enemy clusters whenever the shield drops. Speed passives help widen the gap between shield and enemy contact.