10 Newcomer Pointers to Understand Prior to Diving Into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

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

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 places you in the role of a band of glamorous spellcasters, led by the daring British Daredevil, on a quest to combat a universal phenomenon that stops people from growing old. It merges turn-based RPG battles with timed defensive moves reminiscent of Soulslike games, all presented with a idiosyncratic visual style.

It has become one of the most successful games of the season, having sold millions and secured top honors praise. The game can feel slightly intimidating in the beginning, but after you grasp its systems, you’ll uncover a layered and captivating role-playing game that stands apart from many others. Below are 10 essential beginner's tips for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Swap Team Members Frequently

In Expedition 33, allies who take part in a fight gain a sizable bonus to Experience Points versus those in reserve. What's more, the campaign will sometimes require you to field certain characters. The most straightforward solution to these mechanics is to switch members often and strive to keep everyone at a similar power level.

The upside is that farming experience is not too tedious. Fights award a substantial amount of XP, often enough for a character progression after just two or three. You can respawn an zone's monsters by stopping at an save point—these flags are placed across each area. If you need to power level, simply fight enemies near a flag, use the flag, and continue the cycle.

Swap Gear Often

The game features two main ways to grant passive perks to your allies: Picto gems and Lumina abilities.

• Pictos are items which provide attribute increases and include a special ability. Every party member can slot up to three Pictos. After being worn, winning four encounters with a Picto will unlock its corresponding Lumina.
• Luminas are not gear pieces but can be thought of as skill tree nodes. Each character has a pool of skill points (which you can raise via level-ups). Every Lumina ability has a required LP amount. If a character has enough points, multiple characters can benefit from the same skill, allowing you to combine key bonuses across your full roster.

The smartest tactic is to ensure a party member equips any new accessory and fights through the required fights to gain its Lumina. Doing this you gain access for later builds.

If you don't have fresh gear to unlock, simply slot the Pictos with the best stats for your needs.

Perfect Guards Are Not Your Single Choice

Expedition 33’s key feature is its fusion of strategic battles with action-oriented blocks. But, the opportunity to deflect is incredibly short on any mode. Instead of frustrating yourself trying to master the timing, prioritize evading.

While a successful parry refunds Action Points and deals massive extra damage, failing to parry gives you nothing. Luckily there are a number of accessories and abilities that restore Action Points on a perfect roll. If you can't get the block down, focus on those evasion-based perks instead.

Breaking Enemies Is Your Key Tactic

Inflicting Break is a battle-altering mechanic that can swing a fight. As you damage an enemy, a yellow gauge charges below their HP bar. Upon maxing out, you can inflict break, which lowers their defense by a significant amount and prevents them from acting for an entire round. It is the top-tier debuff in the game, but only specific skills can apply it.

Allocate Points Intentionally

You have the option to reallocate your build using a rare item called a Recoat. Because it's rare, it's smart to plan your build prior to using your attribute points. Try out a hero's kit and map out a progression route first.

Make Sure to Use the Checkpoint Flag

Resting at an save point completely restores your whole team and restocks your supply of consumables, including healing potions and phoenix down equivalents. Make it a habit to stop and heal up!

Expedition flags also function as the closest thing to navigation in the game. The game lacks a overworld map, GPS, or objective markers. However, each flag has a name and number. By resting, you can access a log of every flag you've found in that area under a navigation option. It's a basic yet helpful way to see how far you've come.

Glowing Cages Are Always Worth the Effort

Glowing chests are essentially puzzle caches that demand you to discover and activate three concealed seals in the surrounding area prior to opening them. The reward is without fail valuable, such as respec items or powerful weapons. The three locks aren't in plain sight, but they are typically within the same area. If you are stuck, try smashing crates or checking elevated spots.

Yes, Challenge the Merchant

All vendors has a one-of-a-kind piece of gear that doesn't appear in their normal inventory. To get them to sell it, you must select a party member and defeat the merchant in a single combat. This proves to be rewarding, as these items are exceptionally powerful. The first merchant you meet, for example, provides a Picto that applies the Defenseless debuff, which amplifies attacks against the affected enemy by a significant margin.

Have Faith in the Autosave

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