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A curious piece of trivia: The title term “Obscur” in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 alludes to the somewhat obscure nature of the in-game systems and systems.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has you leading a band of glamorous spellcasters, spearheaded by the audacious British Daredevil, on a journey to reverse a universal phenomenon that stops people from growing old. It fuses traditional RPG battles with timed defensive moves drawn from Soulslike games, all presented with a idiosyncratic visual style.

It has proven to be the biggest titles of the season, having sold millions and secured the premier award accolades. The experience can feel slightly intimidating at first, but when it clicks, you’ll find a rich and fascinating experience that differentiates itself from many others. Here are are ten crucial beginner's tips for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Change Characters Often

In Expedition 33, characters who participate in a battle receive a hefty increase to Experience Points versus those on the bench. What's more, the story will sometimes require you to field certain characters. The most straightforward method to these challenges is to change your lineup frequently and aim to keep everyone at a roughly equal level.

The upside is that farming experience is fairly fast. Encounters grant a substantial amount of XP, frequently sufficient for a level up after just several. You can respawn an zone's monsters by taking a break at an checkpoint banner—these markers are scattered in each area. If you need to power level, simply engage in combat near a flag, rest, and do it again.

Change Gear Regularly

The game features two primary ways to grant bonus effects to your characters: Pictos and Luminas.

• Pictos are items which provide stat boosts and come with a special ability. Every party member can equip a maximum of three Pictos. When equipped, completing four fights with a Picto unlocks its associated Lumina.
• Luminas aren’t physical items but are similar to unlocked abilities. Every ally has a amount of Lumina Points (which grows via items). A Lumina has a set cost. If a character has the required amount, multiple characters can use the identical ability, allowing you to layer useful effects across your whole party.

The optimal tactic is to always someone has equipped every new Picto and wins four encounters to unlock its Lumina. That way you gain access for when needed.

When you aren't have fresh gear to level up, simply slot the Pictos with the most beneficial attributes for your playstyle.

Parrying Isn't Your Only Option

Expedition 33’s signature mechanic is its fusion of turn-based combat with real-time parries. However, the opportunity to deflect is notoriously tight on every setting. In place of struggling endlessly trying to hit perfect blocks, prioritize rolling.

Even though a well-timed block grants Action Points and inflicts a huge damage spike, not blocking gives you nothing. Fortunately there are multiple gear and skills that restore Action Points on a successful dodge. If you find parrying difficult, use those evasion-based options instead.

The Break Status Is Your Secret Weapon

Break is a battle-altering state that can turn the tide. As you attack a foe, a gold meter charges beneath their HP bar. Once charged, you can stun the enemy, which slashes their defense by a fifth and stuns them for one full turn. It is the most impactful debuff in the game, but only certain skills can cause it.

Allocate Points Deliberately

You have the option to reallocate attributes and skills using a limited consumable called a Recoat item. Given its scarcity, it's wise to think ahead instead of spending your skill points. Experiment with a hero's kit and plan a build strategy first.

Don't Forget to Use the Save Flag

Using your tent at an checkpoint refills the health of your all characters and restocks your supply of healing items, including healing potions and phoenix down equivalents. Remember to rest at every flag!

These flags also serve as the closest thing to navigation in the game. The game lacks a traditional map, waypoint system, or quest indicators. But, each flag has a designation. At a flag, you can access a log of your progress in that area under a navigation option. It's a basic yet helpful way to see how far you've come.

Locked Chests Are Invariably Worth the Effort

These special containers are effectively sealed loot boxes that demand you to find and hit three concealed seals in the surrounding area to claiming the prize. The reward is consistently valuable, often containing respec items or powerful weapons. The required seals aren't easy to spot, but they are usually near the cage. If you are stuck, try breaking objects or looking up.

Go Ahead and, Battle the Shopkeeper

All vendors stocks a secret, unique item that isn't listed in their standard shop. To gain access to it, you must select a party member and defeat the merchant in a solo battle. This is always a worthwhile endeavor, as these pieces of gear are game-changing. The initial shopkeeper you meet, for example, provides a special accessory that causes the damage-increasing condition, which amplifies attacks against the foe by a quarter.

Have Faith in the Auto-Save System

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