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A curious piece of trivia: The “Obscur” in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 hints at the initially cryptic nature of the in-game systems and gameplay loops.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has you leading a team of glamorous spellcasters, spearheaded by the bold British Daredevil, on a journey to halt a universal phenomenon that prevents aging. It blends traditional RPG combat with timed defensive moves inspired by Soulslike games, all cloaked in a idiosyncratic visual style.

It has become one of the biggest releases of the year, having garnered a huge player base and earned the premier award accolades. The experience can feel a bit off-putting initially, but when it clicks, you’ll find a layered and fascinating RPG that differentiates itself from contemporary titles. Here are are ten crucial starting pointers for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Change Party Members Often

In Expedition 33, characters who take part in a fight earn a sizable bonus to Experience Points compared to those not fighting. Additionally, the narrative will at times force you to include particular characters. The most straightforward solution to these challenges is to switch members often and strive to keep everyone at a roughly equal power level.

The good news is that leveling up is fairly fast. Battles grant a sizable amount of XP, frequently enough for a stat increase after just two or three. You can reset an local foes by stopping at an expedition flag—these flags are located in each area. If you need to gain levels quickly, simply engage in combat near a flag, rest, and repeat.

Change Items Often

There are two primary ways to grant passive perks to your characters: Pictos and Lumina abilities.

• Pictos function as gear that grant numerical bonuses and also feature a constant effect. A character can wear a maximum of three Pictos. After being worn, winning four fights with a Picto will unlock its associated Lumina.
• Luminas aren’t physical items but are similar to equippable passives. Every ally has a amount of LP (which can be increased via consumables). Every Lumina ability has a specific point cost. As long as a character has the required amount, multiple characters can use the identical ability, allowing you to layer powerful passives across your whole party.

The smartest approach is to always one of your characters equips each fresh Picto you find and completes four encounters to gain its Lumina. This ensures the ability will be available for later builds.

When you aren't have new Pictos to level up, simply slot the Pictos with the best stats for your needs.

Parrying Isn't Your Only Option

Expedition 33’s key feature is its fusion of turn-based combat with twitch-based defenses. However, the parry window is incredibly short on every setting. Rather than struggling endlessly trying to land parries, concentrate on dodging.

Even though a successful parry grants one AP and deals a huge damage spike, failing to parry gives you nothing. Luckily there are multiple gear and skills that grant AP on a successful dodge. If you can't get the block down, focus on those dodge-focused options instead.

The Break Status Is Your Greatest Advantage

Break is a battle-altering mechanic that can secure victory. As you whittle down health, a gold meter fills up under their life bar. Upon maxing out, you can apply the Break status, which slashes their armor by a fifth and skips their turn for their next action. It is the top-tier status effect in the game, but only particular skills can trigger it.

Build Characters Intentionally

You can reset stat points and abilities using a rare item called a Recoat. Since they are uncommon, it's prudent to plan your build instead of using your stat investments. Experiment with a hero's kit and plan a build strategy first.

Always Rest At the Expedition Flag

Using your tent at an checkpoint refills the health of your entire party and restocks your supply of consumables, including Chroma Elixirs and revival items. Remember to use each flag you see!

Expedition flags also function as the closest thing to navigation in the game. The game lacks a traditional map, GPS, or floating icons. But, each flag has a identifier. When you interact with one, you can access a log of every flag you've found in that zone under a fast travel menu. It's a simple but effective way to see how far you've come.

Glowing Cages Are Always Worth It

These special containers are effectively sealed loot boxes that demand you to discover and activate three concealed seals in the surrounding area prior to claiming the prize. The contents is consistently worthwhile, such as respec items or strong equipment. The three locks aren't in plain sight, but they are typically located close by. If you are missing a lock, try breaking objects or checking elevated spots.

Go Ahead and, Fight the Vendor

Every merchant stocks a secret, unique item that won't show up in their normal inventory. To gain access to it, you must select a party member and beat them in combat in a single combat. This proves to be a worthwhile endeavor, as these rewards are game-changing. The initial shopkeeper you meet, for instance, offers a special accessory that causes the Defenseless debuff, which amplifies attacks against the foe by a quarter.

Trust In the Automatic Saving

The game lacks {manual saving