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

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has you leading a band of magical influencers, spearheaded by the audacious British Daredevil, on a mission to reverse a universal phenomenon that prevents aging. It blends traditional RPG battles with action-game reflexes inspired by Soulslike games, all presented with a idiosyncratic visual style.

It has proven to be the major releases of the year, having garnered a huge player base and secured the premier award accolades. The adventure can feel a bit off-putting initially, but after you grasp its systems, you’ll uncover a deep and fascinating role-playing game that stands apart from many others. Listed here are a collection of beginner's tips for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Swap Party Members Frequently

In Expedition 33, characters who are active during a encounter receive a hefty increase to experience relative to those not fighting. Furthermore, the story will periodically require you to use specific characters. The most straightforward method to both issues is to change your lineup frequently and strive to keep all characters at a roughly equal power level.

The upside is that grinding is not too tedious. Encounters grant a sizable amount of XP, often enough for a stat increase after just two or three. You can refresh an zone's monsters by taking a break at an save point—these flags are placed throughout each level. If you need to gain levels quickly, simply engage in combat near a flag, use the flag, and continue the cycle.

Swap Accessories Often

There are two primary ways to grant bonus effects to your allies: Picto gems and Lumina abilities.

• Pictos function as gear that provide stat boosts and come with a constant effect. Each character can slot three different Pictos. After being worn, completing four fights with a Picto will unlock its associated Lumina.
• Luminas are not gear pieces but are similar to skill tree nodes. A party member has a amount of skill points (which you can raise via items). Every Lumina ability has a required LP amount. If a character has enough points, multiple characters can benefit from the same Lumina, allowing you to layer key bonuses across your full roster.

The most efficient strategy is to make sure one of your characters is wearing any new accessory and wins four battles to gain its Lumina. Doing this you gain access for future use.

If you don't have new Pictos to work on, simply equip the Pictos with the best stats for your current build.

Parrying Isn't Your Single Choice

Expedition 33’s signature mechanic is its fusion of RPG systems with twitch-based defenses. But, the timing for a perfect block is extremely brief on any mode. In place of struggling endlessly trying to master the timing, focus on evading.

Although a successful parry refunds Action Points and inflicts massive extra damage, failing to parry gives you nothing. The good news is there are a number of gear and skills that grant AP on a well-timed evade. If you struggle with the timing, equip those dodge-focused abilities instead.

Break Is Your Key Tactic

Break is a decisive state that can swing a fight. As you attack a foe, a yellow gauge increases beneath their HP bar. Once charged, you can stun the enemy, which reduces their armor by 20% and skips their turn for their next action. It is the most impactful condition in the game, but only certain abilities can cause it.

Level Up Deliberately

You have the option to reallocate stat points and abilities using a rare item called a Recoat item. Because it's rare, it's smart to think ahead before committing your attribute points. Get a feel for a hero's kit and map out a progression route beforehand.

Make Sure to Stop At the Checkpoint Flag

Using your tent at an checkpoint completely restores your entire party and replenishes your supply of healing items, including Chroma Elixirs and phoenix down equivalents. Make it a habit to use each flag you see!

These flags also serve as the primary method to quick traversal in the game. There is no traditional map, GPS, or quest indicators. Instead, each flag has a identifier. By resting, you can see a menu of your progress in that zone under a navigation option. It's a simple but effective way to track your progress.

Glowing Cages Are Always Rewarding

These special containers are effectively sealed loot boxes that require you to discover and activate three scattered mechanisms in the surrounding area to opening them. The reward is without fail worthwhile, such as respec items or unique gear. The required seals aren't in plain sight, but they are typically located close by. If you can't find one, try breaking objects or checking elevated spots.

Go Ahead and, Challenge the Shopkeeper

Each shopkeeper has a hidden special good that won't show up in their standard shop. To get them to sell it, you must choose one character and beat them in combat in a one-on-one fight. This is always a worthwhile endeavor, as these rewards are exceptionally powerful. The first merchant you meet, for instance, provides a special accessory that causes the Defenseless debuff, which increases damage dealt against the foe by 25%.

Trust In the Auto-Save System

There is no {manual saving