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A fun fact: The title term “Obscur” in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 references the initially cryptic nature of the game's menus and systems.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 places you in the role of a band of glamorous spellcasters, fronted by the audacious British Daredevil, on a journey to combat a global affliction that prevents aging. It fuses turn-based RPG combat with action-game reflexes inspired by Soulslike games, all presented with a idiosyncratic artistic lexicon.

It has proven to be the most successful games of the period, having achieved massive sales and won the premier award recognition. The game can feel slightly intimidating in the beginning, but after you grasp its systems, you’ll discover a deep and engrossing RPG that differentiates itself from many others. Below are 10 essential starting pointers for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Swap Party Members Often

In Expedition 33, party members who are active during a battle receive a sizable bonus to XP relative to those not fighting. Furthermore, the story will at times force you to use specific characters. The most straightforward method to these challenges is to rotate your team and aim to keep your roster at a roughly equal strength.

The good news is that leveling up is not too tedious. Fights provide a sizable amount of XP, often enough for a character progression after just two or three. You can refresh an local foes by taking a break at an checkpoint banner—these markers are scattered across each level. If you need to power level, simply engage in combat near a flag, rest, and repeat.

Change Items Regularly

You have two main ways to grant passive perks to your allies: Picto accessories and Luminas.

• Pictos are accessories that grant attribute increases and come with a unique passive skill. Each character can wear a maximum of three Pictos. When equipped, completing four battles with a Picto will unlock its corresponding Lumina.
• Luminas aren’t physical items but can be thought of as equippable passives. A party member has a pool of LP (which grows via level-ups). A Lumina has a required LP amount. Provided that a character has the required amount, there is no limit can equip the same skill, allowing you to combine useful effects across your entire team.

The smartest tactic is to always a party member has equipped each fresh Picto you find and completes four battles to reveal its Lumina. That way the ability will be available for when needed.

If you don't have fresh gear to unlock, simply equip the Pictos with the most beneficial attributes for your current build.

Perfect Guards Are Not Your Only Option

Expedition 33’s defining element is its combination of turn-based combat with twitch-based defenses. But, the timing for a perfect block is notoriously tight on every setting. Rather than frustrating yourself trying to hit perfect blocks, focus on rolling.

Even though a well-timed block restores one AP and causes significant bonus damage, missing the timing yields no benefit. Fortunately there are multiple accessories and abilities that provide resources on a successful dodge. If you find parrying difficult, use those roll-centric abilities instead.

Break Is Your Secret Weapon

Break is a game-changing mechanic that can turn the tide. As you attack a foe, a gold meter charges under their health bar. Once charged, you can inflict break, which lowers their damage resistance by 20% and stuns them for an entire round. It is the top-tier status effect in the game, but only specific attacks can cause it.

Build Characters Intentionally

You have the option to reallocate your build using a scarce resource called a Recoat item. Since they are uncommon, it's wise to consider your path prior to committing your stat investments. Try out a character's playstyle and plan a skill tree path in advance.

Always Stop At the Save Flag

Resting at an expedition flag fully heals your all characters and replenishes your supply of potions, including healing potions and Revive Tints. Develop the routine to use each flag you see!

These flags also serve as the only means to fast travel in the game. There is no mini-map, compass, or objective markers. Instead, each flag has a designation. When you interact with one, you can see a menu of your progress in that level under a fast travel menu. It's a minimalist way to navigate the world.

Locked Chests Are Consistently Worth It

Paint Cages are effectively puzzle caches that require you to locate and shoot three hidden locks in the nearby environment before claiming the prize. The reward is consistently high-tier, such as respec items or strong equipment. The required seals aren't easy to spot, but they are almost always near the cage. If you can't find one, try breaking objects or checking elevated spots.

Go Ahead and, Challenge the Shopkeeper

Each shopkeeper stocks a secret, unique item that won't show up in their regular wares. To gain access to it, you must select a party member and defeat the merchant in a one-on-one fight. This proves to be a worthwhile endeavor, as these items are game-changing. The initial shopkeeper you meet, for instance, provides a Picto that inflicts the Defenseless debuff, which boosts damage against the foe by a quarter.

Rely On the Auto-Save System

The game lacks {manual saving