🔗 Share this article

A curious piece of trivia: The name “Obscur” in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 references the complex nature of the interface systems and mechanics.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has you leading a team of glamorous spellcasters, led by the audacious British Daredevil, on a quest to reverse a worldwide curse that halts the natural aging process. It merges traditional RPG battles with real-time parries reminiscent of action RPGs, all presented with a unique visual style.

It has proven to be the most successful releases of the season, having sold millions and earned Game of the Year recognition. The adventure can feel a bit off-putting initially, but after you grasp its systems, you’ll find a layered and fascinating experience that is quite unique from many others. Below are ten crucial starting pointers for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Change Team Members Regularly

In Expedition 33, characters who are active during a encounter gain a significant 50% bonus to experience compared to those on the bench. Additionally, the story will at times require you to use specific characters. The easiest approach to these challenges is to switch members often and strive to keep everyone at a comparable strength.

The upside is that grinding is not too tedious. Battles award a sizable amount of XP, often sufficient for a character progression after just a few. You can respawn an local foes by taking a break at an checkpoint banner—these markers are scattered in each area. If you need to power level, simply fight enemies near a flag, rest, and repeat.

Swap Items Regularly

The game features two primary ways to provide constant buffs to your party members: Picto gems and Lumina skills.

• Pictos are items which provide attribute increases and include a constant effect. Every party member can slot up to three Pictos. When equipped, completing four fights with a Picto grants access to its corresponding Lumina.
• Luminas aren’t physical items but essentially act as equippable passives. Each character has a pool of Lumina Points (which you can raise via items). Every Lumina ability has a required LP amount. Provided that a character has the required amount, there is no limit can benefit from the same Lumina, allowing you to combine useful effects across your whole party.

The most efficient strategy is to always someone equips each fresh Picto you find and fights through the required fights to gain its Lumina. That way you’ll have it for when needed.

When you aren't have fresh gear to level up, simply slot the Pictos with the highest bonuses for your needs.

Perfect Guards Are Not Your Single Choice

Expedition 33’s key feature is its fusion of RPG systems with real-time parries. However, the parry window is notoriously tight on every setting. Rather than frustrating yourself trying to land parries, focus on evading.

While a perfect guard grants Action Points and deals significant bonus damage, not blocking yields no benefit. Luckily there are a number of gear and skills that provide resources on a perfect roll. If you can't get the block down, focus on those evasion-based perks instead.

Breaking Enemies Is Your Greatest Advantage

The Break status effect is a battle-altering condition that can secure victory. As you whittle down health, a yellow gauge fills up below their life bar. When full, you can apply the Break status, which lowers their damage resistance by 20% and stuns them for their next action. It is the top-tier status effect in the game, but only certain attacks can trigger it.

Build Characters Deliberately

You have the option to reallocate your build using a scarce resource called a Recoat. Given its scarcity, it's wise to think ahead instead of spending your skill points. Experiment with a character's playstyle and chart a build strategy first.

Make Sure to Use the Checkpoint Flag

Using your tent at an expedition flag completely restores your entire party and restocks all of your consumables, including HP restoratives and revival items. Make it a habit to use each flag you see!

These flags also function as the only means to fast travel in the game. The game lacks a traditional map, waypoint system, or objective markers. Instead, each flag has a identifier. By resting, you can view a list of every flag you've found in that area under a fast travel menu. It's a simple but effective way to track your progress.

Paint Cages Are Invariably Rewarding

These special containers are basically locked treasure chests that need you to locate and shoot three hidden locks in the surrounding area prior to getting the loot. The contents is without fail valuable, often containing Recoats or unique gear. The three locks aren't easy to spot, but they are usually located close by. If you are missing a lock, try exploring thoroughly or checking elevated spots.

Absolutely, Battle the Merchant

Every merchant carries a one-of-a-kind piece of gear that doesn't appear in their regular wares. To gain access to it, you must pick a champion and beat them in combat in a one-on-one fight. This proves to be rewarding, as these rewards are exceptionally powerful. The initial shopkeeper you meet, for example, provides a special accessory that causes the Defenseless debuff, which amplifies attacks against the affected enemy by 25%.

Rely On the Autosave

There is no {manual saving