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A fun fact: The name “Obscur” in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 hints at the somewhat obscure nature of the in-game systems and systems.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 places you in the role of a group of glamorous spellcasters, led by the audacious British Daredevil, on a quest to combat a worldwide curse that prevents aging. It blends turn-based RPG combat with timed defensive moves reminiscent of action RPGs, all wrapped in a distinctive artistic lexicon.

It has become one of the most successful titles of the year, having garnered a huge player base and won the premier award praise. The game can feel slightly intimidating at first, but after you grasp its systems, you’ll uncover a rich and engrossing experience that is quite unique from contemporary titles. Listed here are 10 essential starting pointers for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Rotate Characters Frequently

In Expedition 33, party members who take part in a fight receive a hefty increase to XP relative to those in reserve. What's more, the narrative will sometimes require you to use specific characters. The most straightforward solution to these challenges is to switch members often and try to keep your roster at a comparable power level.

The positive aspect is that leveling up is fairly fast. Battles award a generous amount of XP, frequently enough for a character progression after just two or three. You can respawn an zone's monsters by resting at an checkpoint banner—these points are located in each level. If you need to gain levels quickly, simply engage in combat near a flag, use the flag, and repeat.

Rotate Accessories Often

You have two main ways to grant constant buffs to your party members: Pictos and Lumina skills.

• Pictos function as gear that give stat boosts and come with a special ability. Every party member can slot three different Pictos. When equipped, completing four battles with a Picto unlocks its corresponding Lumina.
• Luminas aren’t physical items but can be thought of as equippable passives. Every ally has a amount of Lumina Points (which you can raise via items). Each Lumina has a set cost. As long as a character has sufficient LP, you are not restricted can use the same Lumina, allowing you to stack powerful passives across your entire team.

The optimal approach is to make sure a party member is wearing every new Picto and completes four encounters to unlock its Lumina. Doing this you gain access for future use.

Should you not have fresh gear to work on, simply equip the Pictos with the best stats for your needs.

Perfect Guards Are Not Your Only Option

Expedition 33’s defining element is its fusion of RPG systems with real-time parries. However, the opportunity to deflect is incredibly short on every setting. Instead of frustrating yourself trying to master the timing, prioritize evading.

Although a perfect guard restores Action Points and inflicts significant bonus damage, not blocking gives you nothing. The good news is there are multiple Pictos and Luminas that grant AP on a successful dodge. If you can't get the block down, focus on those roll-centric options instead.

The Break Status Is Your Greatest Advantage

The Break status effect is a game-changing state that can secure victory. As you damage an enemy, a yellow gauge increases under their HP bar. Upon maxing out, you can stun the enemy, which slashes their damage resistance by 20% and skips their turn for one full turn. It is the most impactful debuff in the game, but only particular attacks can trigger it.

Build Characters With a Plan

You are able to re-spec stat points and abilities using a limited consumable called a Recoat item. Given its scarcity, it's wise to think ahead prior to spending your stat investments. Get a feel for a character's playstyle and chart a build strategy beforehand.

Make Sure to Stop At the Checkpoint Flag

Resting at an expedition flag fully heals your all characters and refreshes your supply of consumables, including HP restoratives and revival items. Develop the routine to use each flag you see!

These flags also function as the only means to quick traversal in the game. There is no traditional map, waypoint system, or quest indicators. But, each flag has a identifier. At a flag, you can view a list of every flag you've found in that area under a teleport list. It's a basic yet helpful way to track your progress.

Glowing Cages Are Invariably Worth the Effort

These special containers are basically sealed loot boxes that need you to discover and activate three hidden locks in the nearby environment before opening them. The reward is without fail worthwhile, such as respec items or unique gear. The associated mechanisms aren't always obvious, but they are usually near the cage. If you are missing a lock, try smashing crates or scanning the environment vertically.

Yes, Battle the Shopkeeper

Each shopkeeper stocks a hidden special good that doesn't appear in their normal inventory. To unlock it, you must choose one character and win a duel in a solo battle. This is invariably worth doing, as these items are truly unique. The earliest vendor you meet, for instance, sells a Picto that applies the damage-increasing condition, which boosts damage against the target by a quarter.

Rely On the Auto-Save System

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