If you’ve ever wanted to play mind games with your opponents while shapeshifting into a harmless bush, Lily is the brawler you’ve been waiting for. This Mythic rarity assassin brings a unique blend of stealth, deception, and burst damage that can completely flip the outcome of any match. Whether you’re a beginner trying to understand her mechanics or a seasoned player looking to master her advanced strategies, this comprehensive guide will transform you into a Lily expert.
Lily isn’t just another brawler—she’s a psychological warfare specialist who punishes positioning mistakes and rewards clever plays. Her ability to disguise herself and create confusion makes her one of the most entertaining and strategically deep characters in Brawl Stars. Let’s dive into everything you need to dominate with this shapeshifting sensation.
What Makes Lily Special in Brawl Stars?
Lily is a Mythic rarity assassin brawler who excels at ambushing enemies and creating chaos through deception. Released as part of the Starr Toon season, she brings a completely unique playstyle centered around her shapeshifting abilities that allow her to disguise herself as environmental objects.
Lily’s Core Identity
Role: Assassin/Flanker
Rarity: Mythic
Attack Type: Close to mid-range burst damage
Special Ability: Environmental shapeshifting and disguise
Best Game Modes: Gem Grab, Bounty, Knockout, Showdown
Playstyle: Ambush predator, stealth flanker, mind games specialist
What sets Lily apart from other assassins like Edgar or Mortis is her emphasis on deception over pure mobility. While those brawlers rely on aggressive dives and escapes, Lily thrives on creating uncertainty and striking when enemies let their guard down.
Lily’s Stats and Abilities Breakdown
Base Statistics
Understanding Lily’s stats helps you recognize her strengths and limitations:
- Health: 4,000 HP at Power 11 (moderate survivability for an assassin)
- Movement Speed: Fast (allows her to reposition quickly)
- Attack Range: Medium (effective at mid-close range)
- Reload Speed: Moderate (requires good ammo management)
Main Attack: Blooming Petals
Lily’s main attack launches a spread of damaging petals in a fan-shaped pattern.
Attack Details:
- Damage per Hit: Approximately 560 damage per petal at max level
- Number of Projectiles: Multiple petals in a spread pattern
- Range: Medium range with spread mechanics
- Reload Speed: 1.8 seconds per ammo
- Ammo Capacity: 3 ammo slots
Attack Mechanics: Lily’s attack works similarly to a shotgun blast—the closer you are to your target, the more petals connect, dealing higher total damage. At point-blank range, you can deal devastating burst damage by landing all petals. At longer ranges, the spread reduces effectiveness.
Best Use Cases:
- Ambushing enemies at close range for maximum damage
- Finishing off low-health targets
- Controlling tight chokepoints
- Quick burst damage before retreating to cover
Super Ability: Vanish
This is where Lily’s unique playstyle really shines. Her Super allows her to become invisible and disguise herself as an environmental object.
Super Mechanics:
- Duration: Several seconds of invisibility/disguise
- Charge Requirement: Charges through dealing damage with main attack
- Movement: Can move while disguised but at reduced speed
- Reveal Conditions: Attacking or taking damage breaks the disguise
- Object Types: Transforms into contextual objects (bushes, barrels, boxes depending on map)
Strategic Applications: The Super isn’t just about going invisible—it’s about creating doubt in enemy minds. Even after your Super ends, enemies will second-guess every bush and barrel they see. This psychological pressure is just as valuable as the stealth itself.
Advanced Super Techniques:
- Fake Retreats: Use Super to make enemies think you’ve escaped, then re-engage
- Mid-Combat Reset: Disguise during fights to break enemy targeting
- Objective Camping: Hide on Gem Grab mines or Brawl Ball goals
- Rotation Confusion: Disappear from one lane and reappear in another
- Bait and Switch: Let teammates engage while you flank invisibly
Lily’s Star Powers
Star Powers significantly enhance Lily’s capabilities. Choose based on your playstyle and game mode.
Star Power 1: [First Star Power Name]
Effect: [Specific buff or ability enhancement]
Best For:
- Aggressive playstyles focused on securing eliminations
- Game modes where assassination is crucial (Bounty, Knockout)
- Players who excel at ambush tactics
Strategy Tips: This Star Power amplifies Lily’s burst potential, making her even deadlier in surprise attacks. Use it when your team composition benefits from quick eliminations and you’re confident in your positioning.
Star Power 2: [Second Star Power Name]
Effect: [Specific buff or ability enhancement]
Best For:
- Defensive/utility-focused playstyles
- Longer matches where sustainability matters
- Game modes requiring objective control (Gem Grab, Hot Zone)
Strategy Tips: This option provides more consistent value throughout matches and helps Lily survive longer in extended engagements.
Best Game Modes for Lily
Excellent Modes (S-Tier)
1. Gem Grab Lily excels in Gem Grab due to the mode’s emphasis on map control and ambush opportunities. Her ability to hide near the gem mine creates constant pressure, and she can eliminate enemy gem carriers efficiently.
Strategy: Position yourself near mid or in enemy territory. Use your Super to camp high-traffic areas, then burst down gem carriers before they can react.
2. Bounty In Bounty, Lily’s assassination potential shines brightest. The mode rewards eliminations heavily, and her stealth mechanics make securing high-value kills much easier.
Strategy: Focus on eliminating enemy bounty leaders. Use disguises to get close, land your burst damage, and escape before reinforcements arrive. Similar to other Brawl Stars brawlers, positioning is everything.
3. Knockout The elimination-focused nature of Knockout perfectly suits Lily’s kit. The smaller team size means each elimination matters more, and there are fewer enemies to expose your disguises.
Strategy: Play as a flanker or backline threat. Force enemies to constantly check their surroundings, creating openings for your teammates.
Good Modes (A-Tier)
4. Showdown (Solo and Duo) Lily performs well in Showdown thanks to abundant bushes and hiding spots. Her ambush potential makes her a threat in any engagement.
Strategy: Use bushes naturally, but save your Super for critical moments—escaping dangerous situations or securing high-value eliminations. Power cube control is essential.
5. Brawl Ball While not her strongest mode, Lily can create scoring opportunities through deception and can protect your goal effectively.
Strategy: Focus on eliminating the ball carrier and creating numerical advantages rather than trying to score yourself.
Challenging Modes (B-Tier)
6. Heist Lily struggles in Heist because the mode emphasizes sustained damage and safe defense, neither of which are her strengths.
Limited Strategy: Focus on eliminating enemy attackers rather than dealing damage to the safe. Protect your own safe aggressively.
7. Hot Zone The static nature of zones and constant team fighting reduces Lily’s ambush opportunities.
Limited Strategy: Use your Super to temporarily secure zones or eliminate zone controllers, but expect limited impact compared to sustained damage dealers.
Mastering Lily: Advanced Strategies and Tips
Positioning and Map Awareness
Map Control Principles: Lily thrives on asymmetric positioning—being where enemies don’t expect you. Study each map’s blind spots, chokepoints, and common rotation paths.
Key Positions to Master:
- Flank Routes: Learn alternate paths that avoid main sightlines
- Ambush Points: Identify high-traffic areas near objectives
- Escape Routes: Always know your nearest cover or bush
- Vision Blockers: Use walls and obstacles to approach unseen
Map-Specific Tips: On open maps, Lily struggles without adequate cover. Prioritize maps with bushes, walls, and tight corridors where her ambush potential maximizes. Avoid extremely open maps unless you’re highly experienced.
Mind Games and Deception
Creating Paranoia: Your most powerful weapon is enemy uncertainty. Once you’ve used your Super a few times, enemies will start shooting random bushes and hesitating before advancing. This paranoia creates free value for your team.
Deception Tactics:
- The Fake Bush: Hide in normal bushes sometimes instead of using your Super, saving it for critical moments
- Pattern Breaking: Don’t always hide in the same types of locations
- Delayed Aggression: Stay hidden even when enemies are near to make them question if you’re there
- False Retreats: Start retreating, use Super, then circle back to re-engage
Reading Enemy Behavior: Watch for enemies who check bushes compulsively—they’re scared of you. These players become passive, creating space for your team. Conversely, enemies who ignore potential hiding spots are prime ambush targets.
Ammo Management and Damage Optimization
Burst Damage Windows: With only 3 ammo slots, you must make every shot count. Your full ammo burst can eliminate or severely damage most brawlers if landed at close range.
Reload Timing: Reload during your Super invisibility to re-enter combat with full ammo. This technique maximizes your damage potential in extended engagements.
Ammo Conservation: Don’t waste ammo on poke damage at long range where your spread reduces effectiveness. Save your shots for high-percentage opportunities at closer distances.
Combat Techniques
The Ambush Combo:
- Position yourself in a disguised state near a high-traffic area
- Wait for an isolated or vulnerable target
- Close distance while still disguised
- Unleash full ammo burst at point-blank range
- Secure elimination or retreat to cover immediately
Mid-Fight Invisibility: Using your Super during active combat (not just for ambushes) can reset enemy targeting and create confusion. This advanced technique requires practice but can turn losing fights into victories.
Kiting and Spacing: Despite being an assassin, Lily has enough range to kite melee brawlers. Use your movement speed to maintain optimal distance—close enough for damage concentration, far enough to avoid tank damage.
Team Coordination
Communication Value: If playing with coordinated teammates, communicate your Super status and intended targets. Coordinated ambushes are exponentially more effective.
Creating Openings: Your presence alone forces enemies to play more cautiously. Even without securing eliminations, you create space for your teammates by forcing defensive positioning.
Supporting Gem Carriers: In Gem Grab, protect your gem carrier by eliminating flankers and creating safe retreat paths through your zone control.
Synergistic Teammates: Lily pairs well with brawlers who can capitalize on the chaos she creates:
- Throwers (Dynamike, Tick): Your pressure forces enemies into their explosive zones
- Long-range (Piper, Brock): You distract while they deal safe damage
- Controllers (Emz, Gale): Combined zone control becomes overwhelming
Countering Lily’s Weaknesses
Brawlers That Counter Lily
Hard Counters:
- Edgar: His mobility and healing make him difficult to burst down, and he can chase through your escapes
- Tanks with area damage (Bull, El Primo): High HP survives your burst, and they excel in close quarters
- High damage/range brawlers (Colt, Brock): Can eliminate you before you close distance
Soft Counters:
- High HP brawlers generally: Your burst damage is less effective against tanky targets
- Fast-firing brawlers: Can reveal you more easily by spraying bushes
- Team-fighting specialists: Thrive in extended fights where your burst is less impactful
How to Play Against Counter Picks
Against Tanks: Don’t engage them directly unless they’re already damaged. Focus on their squishier teammates and use your mobility to avoid direct confrontation.
Against High Damage Dealers: Use cover religiously and only engage when you have positional advantage. Your Super is essential for closing distance safely.
Against Reveal Mechanics: Some brawlers have abilities that reveal bushes or invisible enemies. Against these, play more conventionally and rely less on your Super for aggressive plays.
Positioning Mistakes to Avoid
Common Errors:
- Overusing Super: Don’t waste your Super on low-value hiding. Save it for crucial moments
- Predictable Patterns: Hiding in the same spots repeatedly trains enemies where to check
- Poor Escape Planning: Engaging without knowing your escape route
- Isolation: Straying too far from teammates without your Super available
- Telegraphing Intentions: Moving toward enemies before using Super reveals your plan
Survival Tips: Always maintain awareness of enemy positions before committing to aggressive plays. Lily excels at punishing mistakes, not creating miracles against alert enemies with full HP.
Building the Perfect Lily Loadout
Recommended Builds by Game Mode
Aggressive Assassination Build (Bounty, Knockout):
- Star Power: [Damage-focused option]
- Gadget: [Offensive gadget]
- Gears: Speed and Damage (when available)
- Playstyle: Focus on eliminating high-value targets quickly
Control and Utility Build (Gem Grab, Hot Zone):
- Star Power: [Defensive/utility option]
- Gadget: [Defensive gadget]
- Gears: Health and Shield
- Playstyle: Zone control and protecting teammates
Showdown Survival Build:
- Star Power: [Sustain or escape option]
- Gadget: [Versatile defensive gadget]
- Gears: Health and Speed
- Playstyle: Opportunistic eliminations and survival
Progression Priority
Power Point Investment Order:
- Level 7-9: Get base stats to competitive levels
- Level 9: Unlock first Star Power (choose based on preferred mode)
- Level 11: Max out for competitive play
- Gadgets: Unlock both for situational flexibility
- Gears: Speed and Damage first, then Health
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Lily good for beginners?
A: Lily has a moderate to high skill floor. Beginners can enjoy her unique mechanics, but mastering her requires good map knowledge, positioning sense, and understanding of brawler matchups. Start by learning basic ambush spots before attempting advanced mind games.
Q: What’s the best Star Power for Lily?
A: It depends on your playstyle and preferred game modes. The aggressive Star Power works better for Bounty and Knockout where eliminations are prioritized, while the defensive option provides more consistent value in objective modes like Gem Grab.
Q: How do I charge Lily’s Super quickly?
A: Land your main attack shots consistently. Prioritize hitting enemies over environmental damage. In Showdown, attacking boxes won’t help—focus on player damage.
Q: Can enemies see me when I use my Super?
A: You appear as an environmental object (bush, barrel, etc.) matching the map. Enemies can’t distinguish you from normal objects unless they attack you directly or you reveal yourself. However, experienced players may shoot suspicious objects.
Q: What should I do if enemies keep finding me in my disguise?
A: Vary your hiding positions, use normal bushes sometimes instead of your Super, and try bluffing by not hiding in obvious spots. Sometimes the threat of your presence is more valuable than actually using it.
Q: Is Lily viable in competitive play?
A: Yes, in the right hands and on appropriate maps. Her unique kit provides value in coordinated teams, though she requires more skill and game sense than straightforward brawlers. She’s particularly strong in Bounty and Knockout at competitive levels.
Q: How do I counter brawlers who spray bushes looking for me?
A: Use their paranoia against them. If they’re wasting ammo checking bushes, they have less ammo for actual fights. Additionally, don’t always be in disguise—sometimes hide in normal bushes or position aggressively without using your Super.
Q: Should I play Lily in Showdown or 3v3 modes?
A: Both are viable, but Lily generally performs better in 3v3 modes where team coordination and objective control matter more. Showdown is good for practicing mechanics and ambush timing, but her full potential shines in coordinated team play.
Advanced Tips from Top Players
Pro Techniques
Super Canceling: You can cancel your disguise early by attacking. Use this to bait enemy abilities—appear disguised, make them waste cooldowns checking for you, then reveal and punish.
Vision Manipulation: Hide just outside enemy vision range, then as they approach, use your Super to reposition behind them. This creates the illusion you were never there and allows backstabs.
Objective Pressure: In modes with stationary objectives, your mere presence near the objective forces enemies to approach cautiously or waste resources checking for you, creating free time advantage.
Reload Optimization: Your disguise doesn’t prevent reload. Use invisibility time to reload and reposition simultaneously, maximizing efficiency.
Matchup-Specific Strategies
Against Sniper Comps: Use walls and cover aggressively. Your mobility and burst damage counter their range advantage if you can close distance safely.
Against Tank Comps: Focus on eliminating their support brawlers first. Tanks without backup are far less threatening.
Against Assassin Mirrors: The better ambusher wins. Practice reading enemy patterns and striking first.
Lily Skins and Customization
While skins don’t affect gameplay, they add personality to your Lily experience. Choose skins that match your style and that you enjoy looking at during matches—visual satisfaction improves your overall enjoyment and potentially your performance through increased engagement.
Some players also find that certain skin animations feel smoother or more responsive, though this is largely psychological. Play with what feels good to you.
Final Mastery Checklist
Before considering yourself a Lily master, ensure you can:
- Consistently land full-damage ambushes at close range
- Use Super invisibility for both offensive and defensive plays
- Identify optimal hiding spots on all commonly played maps
- Manage ammo effectively without running empty during critical moments
- Counter-play against at least 3 of your hard counters
- Win lanes against equal-skill opponents
- Create pressure even without securing eliminations
- Adapt your playstyle between aggressive and defensive as needed
- Coordinate with teammates for combined attacks
- Maintain positive win rates in your preferred game modes
Conclusion: Becoming a Lily Legend
Lily represents everything exciting about Brawl Stars—unique mechanics, mind games, high skill ceiling, and incredibly satisfying outplays. She rewards creativity, map knowledge, and psychological warfare more than raw mechanical skill, making her accessible yet deep.
Your journey to mastering Lily won’t happen overnight. Start by learning basic ambush spots and getting comfortable with her damage patterns. Progress to understanding matchups and optimal game modes. Finally, develop the advanced techniques and mind games that separate good Lily players from legendary ones.
Remember these core principles:
Patience Wins: Don’t force plays. Wait for the right moment to strike.
Deception is Power: Your invisible presence is often more valuable than visible aggression.
Position Over Mechanics: Being in the right place matters more than perfect aim.
Adapt Constantly: Every game requires different approaches based on enemies, teammates, and map.
Whether you’re looking to climb the ranked ladder, dominate casual matches, or simply enjoy the most unique assassin in Brawl Stars, Lily offers a gameplay experience unlike any other brawler. Embrace the chaos, master the mind games, and watch your opponents question every bush they see.
If you’re interested in mastering more Brawl Stars characters, check out our guides on Cordelius and Kit to expand your brawler pool.
Now get out there, vanish into thin air, and show them why you don’t underestimate the shapeshifter.
Stay sneaky. Stay deadly. Master Lily.
Looking for more Brawl Stars content? Explore our comprehensive character guides and strategies to dominate every game mode. From understanding Brawl Stars for parents to mastering individual brawlers, we’ve got you covered.
