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

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 casts you as a band of social media mages, led by the bold British Daredevil, on a quest to halt a universal phenomenon that prevents aging. It blends turn-based RPG battles with timed defensive moves drawn from Soulslike games, all cloaked in a idiosyncratic aesthetic language.

It has proven to be the biggest titles of the year, having achieved massive sales and secured the premier award recognition. The experience can feel a bit off-putting in the beginning, but once you lock in, you’ll discover a layered and fascinating role-playing game that is quite unique from many others. Here are are a collection of beginner's tips for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Swap Characters Often

In Expedition 33, allies who are active during a fight earn a sizable bonus to Experience Points compared to those in reserve. Additionally, the story will at times mandate you to include particular characters. The simplest approach to both issues is to switch members often and try to keep your roster at a roughly equal strength.

The positive aspect is that grinding is not too tedious. Battles provide a generous amount of XP, frequently sufficient for a character progression after just several. You can reset an local foes by taking a break at an expedition flag—these flags are located across each zone. If you need to power level, simply fight enemies near a flag, use the flag, and do it again.

Change Accessories Frequently

You have two primary ways to grant passive perks to your characters: Picto accessories and Luminas.

• Pictos function as gear that provide attribute increases and come with a unique passive skill. Each character can slot up to three Pictos. After being worn, finishing four encounters with a Picto will unlock its associated Lumina.
• Luminas are not gear pieces but can be thought of as skill tree nodes. Every ally has a pool of skill points (which you can raise via items). Each Lumina has a set cost. If a character has the required amount, multiple characters can use the same Lumina, allowing you to combine useful effects across your whole party.

The most efficient approach is to make sure one of your characters has equipped each fresh Picto you find and fights through four battles to unlock its Lumina. Doing this you gain access for when needed.

When you aren't have unleveled accessories to work on, simply use 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 turn-based combat with action-oriented blocks. That said, the opportunity to deflect is extremely brief on any mode. In place of struggling endlessly trying to land parries, prioritize rolling.

While a successful parry refunds a resource and inflicts massive extra damage, not blocking yields no benefit. Fortunately there are several Pictos and Luminas that provide resources on a successful dodge. If you find parrying difficult, use those evasion-based abilities instead.

Breaking Enemies Is Your Secret Weapon

The Break status effect is a battle-altering state that can swing a fight. As you whittle down health, a yellow gauge fills up beneath their life bar. When full, you can stun the enemy, which reduces their armor by a fifth and prevents them from acting for one full turn. It is the most impactful debuff in the game, but only particular skills can cause it.

Build Characters With a Plan

You have the option to reallocate stat points and abilities using a scarce resource called a Recoat item. Because it's rare, it's smart to plan your build instead of using your stat investments. Experiment with a hero's kit and chart a skill tree path first.

Always Use the Expedition Flag

Resting at an expedition flag completely restores your whole team and refreshes every potions, including healing potions and revival items. Make it a habit to use each flag you see!

These flags also act as the closest thing to quick traversal in the game. You won't find a overworld map, waypoint system, or objective markers. But, each flag has a name and number. By resting, you can access a log of your progress in that level under a fast travel menu. It's a minimalist way to track your progress.

Locked Chests Are Invariably Worth the Effort

These special containers are essentially sealed loot boxes that demand you to locate and shoot three scattered mechanisms in the immediate vicinity to claiming the prize. The reward is always high-tier, often containing Recoats or strong equipment. The three locks aren't easy to spot, but they are usually near the cage. If you are missing a lock, try smashing crates or checking elevated spots.

Yes, Challenge the Merchant

Each shopkeeper carries a one-of-a-kind piece of gear that isn't listed in their normal inventory. To unlock it, you must pick a champion and defeat the merchant in a single combat. This is always a worthwhile endeavor, as these pieces of gear are game-changing. The first merchant you meet, for instance, offers a special accessory that inflicts the damage-increasing condition, which amplifies attacks against the target by 25%.

Trust In the Auto-Save System

There is no {manual saving