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An interesting tidbit: The title term “Obscur” in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 hints at the somewhat obscure nature of the game's menus and mechanics.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 places you in the role of a band of social media mages, led by the audacious British Daredevil, on a mission to reverse a universal phenomenon that stops people from growing old. It merges traditional RPG combat with real-time parries drawn from action RPGs, all wrapped in a distinctive aesthetic language.

It has become one of the biggest games of the season, having achieved massive sales and earned top honors accolades. The adventure can feel a bit off-putting initially, but when it clicks, you’ll uncover a deep and engrossing experience that differentiates itself from other games. Below are a collection of starting pointers for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Rotate Characters Regularly

In Expedition 33, allies who participate in a battle receive a hefty increase to Experience Points compared to those in reserve. Additionally, the story will at times require you to field certain characters. The most straightforward method to both issues is to switch members often and aim to keep your roster at a similar strength.

The good news is that grinding is fairly fast. Encounters grant a sizable amount of XP, sometimes enough for a stat increase after just several. You can reset an zone's monsters by resting at an checkpoint banner—these points are scattered throughout each area. If you need to power level, simply battle monsters near a flag, use the flag, and continue the cycle.

Swap Items Often

There are two main ways to bestow bonus effects to your characters: Pictos and Lumina skills.

• Pictos function as gear that provide stat boosts and include a special ability. Every party member can equip three different Pictos. When equipped, winning four encounters with a Picto grants access to its corresponding Lumina.
• Luminas function differently but essentially act as unlocked abilities. Each character has a pool of Lumina Points (which you can raise via level-ups). Every Lumina ability has a required LP amount. Provided that a character has the required amount, there is no limit can benefit from the same Lumina, allowing you to combine useful effects across your full roster.

The optimal approach is to ensure a party member has equipped each fresh Picto you find and fights through the required fights to reveal its Lumina. That way you’ll have it for when needed.

When you aren't have unleveled accessories to work on, simply equip the Pictos with the best stats for your needs.

Parrying Isn't Your Only Option

Expedition 33’s signature mechanic is its combination of strategic battles with action-oriented blocks. However, the opportunity to deflect is incredibly short on any mode. In place of breaking controllers trying to master the timing, focus on dodging.

While a perfect guard restores a resource and causes a huge damage spike, not blocking gives you nothing. The good news is there are multiple gear and skills that grant AP on a well-timed evade. If you can't get the block down, equip those evasion-based options instead.

Break Is Your Secret Weapon

Inflicting Break is a decisive condition that can turn the tide. As you whittle down health, a special bar charges under their life bar. Once charged, you can apply the Break status, which slashes their defense by a significant amount and stuns them for one full turn. It is the single most powerful debuff in the game, but only specific abilities can cause it.

Build Characters Intentionally

You have the option to reallocate stat points and abilities using a scarce resource called a Recoat. Since they are uncommon, it's prudent to plan your build prior to committing your skill points. Try out a hero's kit and plan a skill tree path first.

Always Rest At the Save Flag

Resting at an expedition flag fully heals your all characters and restocks your supply of healing items, including healing potions and Revive Tints. Develop the routine to stop and heal up!

These flags also act as the closest thing to quick traversal in the game. There is no mini-map, GPS, or quest indicators. However, each flag has a identifier. When you interact with one, you can view a list of your progress in that level under a fast travel menu. It's a simple but effective way to see how far you've come.

Locked Chests Are Always Worth It

Paint Cages are basically puzzle caches that require you to find and hit three concealed seals in the immediate vicinity to getting the loot. The reward is without fail high-tier, often containing rare resources or strong equipment. The three locks aren't in plain sight, but they are almost always near the cage. If you are stuck, try smashing crates or looking up.

Absolutely, Challenge the Merchant

Every merchant stocks a one-of-a-kind piece of gear that won't show up in their regular wares. To get them to sell it, you must pick a champion and defeat the merchant in a one-on-one fight. This is always worth doing, as these items are game-changing. The first merchant you meet, for instance, provides a Picto that causes the damage-increasing condition, which amplifies attacks against the target by 25%.

Trust In the Automatic Saving

There is no {manual saving