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A curious piece of trivia: The name “Obscur” in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 hints at the initially cryptic nature of the in-game systems and gameplay loops.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has you leading a group of social media mages, fronted by the audacious British Daredevil, on a quest to combat a global affliction that prevents aging. It merges turn-based RPG combat with real-time parries reminiscent of Soulslike games, all wrapped in a idiosyncratic visual style.

It has become one of the major games of the period, having sold millions and won the premier award recognition. The adventure can feel a bit off-putting at first, but once you lock in, you’ll discover a layered and captivating experience that is quite unique from other games. Listed here are ten crucial beginner's tips for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Rotate Team Members Regularly

In Expedition 33, allies who are active during a fight receive a significant 50% bonus to experience versus those in reserve. Additionally, the story will at times force you to use specific characters. The simplest method to both issues is to rotate your team and aim to keep your roster at a comparable power level.

The upside is that leveling up is not too tedious. Encounters provide a generous amount of XP, frequently enough for a level up after just several. You can reset an local foes by taking a break at an save point—these flags are located across each level. If you need to accumulate XP fast, simply battle monsters near a flag, use the flag, and continue the cycle.

Change Gear Often

The game features two primary ways to provide passive perks to your allies: Picto gems and Lumina skills.

• Pictos are accessories that provide stat boosts and include a special ability. Every party member can slot three different Pictos. Once slotted, completing four encounters with a Picto will unlock its linked Lumina.
• Luminas function differently but can be thought of as equippable passives. Each character has a number of LP (which grows via consumables). Every Lumina ability has a required LP amount. As long as a character has enough points, you are not restricted can benefit from the same Lumina, allowing you to combine useful effects across your entire team.

The smartest approach is to make sure one of your characters equips each fresh Picto you find and fights through the required fights to gain its Lumina. This ensures you’ll have it for future use.

Should you not have fresh gear to level up, simply equip the Pictos with the best stats for your playstyle.

Perfect Guards Are Not Your Sole Defense

Expedition 33’s signature mechanic is its fusion of turn-based combat with real-time parries. But, the opportunity to deflect is notoriously tight on all difficulty levels. Instead of struggling endlessly trying to hit perfect blocks, focus on dodging.

Even though a well-timed block refunds a resource and deals massive extra damage, missing the timing yields no benefit. The good news is there are several gear and skills that grant AP on a well-timed evade. If you find parrying difficult, focus on those evasion-based abilities instead.

Break Is Your Greatest Advantage

Break is a game-changing mechanic that can turn the tide. As you damage an enemy, a yellow gauge fills up below their health bar. When full, you can inflict break, which slashes their damage resistance by 20% and prevents them from acting for an entire round. It is the single most powerful condition in the game, but only certain attacks can cause it.

Level Up With a Plan

You can reset attributes and skills using a rare item called a Recoat item. Given its scarcity, it's smart to think ahead prior to using your stat investments. Try out a hero's kit and plan a skill tree path beforehand.

Make Sure to Use the Expedition Flag

Resting at an checkpoint refills the health of your whole team and replenishes all of your potions, including Chroma Elixirs and revival items. Develop the routine to rest at every flag!

Checkpoints also serve as the closest thing to quick traversal in the game. The game lacks a traditional map, compass, or floating icons. Instead, each flag has a identifier. At a flag, you can view a list of your progress in that area under a fast travel menu. It's a basic yet helpful way to navigate the world.

Locked Chests Are Always Worth the Effort

These special containers are basically locked treasure chests that require you to locate and shoot three concealed seals in the immediate vicinity prior to claiming the prize. The reward is without fail valuable, often containing Recoats or unique gear. The associated mechanisms aren't always obvious, but they are usually near the cage. If you can't find one, try smashing crates or checking elevated spots.

Yes, Battle the Merchant

All vendors stocks a secret, unique item that doesn't appear in their regular wares. To get them to sell it, you must pick a champion and win a duel 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, offers a Picto that causes the damage-increasing condition, which boosts damage against the affected enemy by a quarter.

Rely On the Automatic Saving

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