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

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has you leading a team of social media mages, fronted by the daring British Daredevil, on a journey to reverse a universal phenomenon that prevents aging. It merges strategic role-playing battles with real-time parries reminiscent of action RPGs, all presented with a unique aesthetic language.

It has become one of the major games of the year, having garnered a huge player base and earned Game of the Year recognition. The experience can feel somewhat dense at first, but once you lock in, you’ll find a deep and fascinating experience that is quite unique from other games. Here are are a collection of early-game strategies for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Rotate Team Members Regularly

In Expedition 33, allies who take part in a battle earn a hefty increase to Experience Points versus those in reserve. Furthermore, the campaign will periodically require you to include particular characters. The easiest solution to these mechanics is to switch members often and try to keep your roster at a roughly equal power level.

The positive aspect is that grinding is fairly fast. Fights award a sizable amount of XP, frequently enough for a level up after just a few. You can respawn an local foes by stopping at an save point—these flags are placed throughout each area. If you need to accumulate XP fast, simply engage in combat near a flag, rest, and do it again.

Swap Accessories Regularly

There are two main ways to provide constant buffs to your allies: Picto gems and Lumina abilities.

• Pictos are items which give attribute increases and include a constant effect. Every party member can equip up to three Pictos. When equipped, winning four encounters with a Picto will unlock its linked Lumina.
• Luminas aren’t physical items but are similar to skill tree nodes. Every ally has a pool of LP (which grows via level-ups). A Lumina has a set cost. If a character has the required amount, you are not restricted can benefit from the same Lumina, allowing you to combine useful effects across your full roster.

The smartest tactic is to always someone is wearing each fresh Picto you find and wins the required fights to reveal its Lumina. That way the ability will be available for when needed.

Should you not have unleveled accessories to unlock, simply use the Pictos with the best stats for your playstyle.

Blocking Is Not Your Only Option

Expedition 33’s key feature is its marriage of turn-based combat with action-oriented blocks. But, the opportunity to deflect is extremely brief on any mode. Rather than frustrating yourself trying to master the timing, prioritize evading.

While a successful parry grants one AP and inflicts a huge damage spike, missing the timing leaves you vulnerable. Luckily there are a number of gear and skills that provide resources on a well-timed evade. If you find parrying difficult, focus on those dodge-focused abilities instead.

Breaking Enemies Is Your Secret Weapon

Break is a game-changing state that can turn the tide. As you damage an enemy, a special bar increases beneath their HP bar. When full, you can stun the enemy, which slashes their armor by 20% and stuns them for an entire round. It is the most impactful status effect in the game, but only certain skills can apply it.

Build Characters Deliberately

You are able to re-spec stat points and abilities using a scarce resource called a Respec token. Given its scarcity, it's smart to consider your path prior to spending your attribute points. Get a feel for a party member's role and chart a progression route in advance.

Always Use the Save Flag

Using your tent at an save point fully heals your entire party and replenishes your supply of potions, including Chroma Elixirs and phoenix down equivalents. Remember to stop and heal up!

Expedition flags also serve as the closest thing to quick traversal in the game. There is no overworld map, compass, or quest indicators. However, each flag has a name and number. When you interact with one, you can access a log of your progress in that level under a teleport list. It's a minimalist way to navigate the world.

Locked Chests Are Invariably Rewarding

Glowing chests are essentially sealed loot boxes that require you to discover and activate three scattered mechanisms in the surrounding area before claiming the prize. The contents is consistently high-tier, such as respec items or unique gear. The required seals aren't always obvious, but they are usually within the same area. If you are stuck, try breaking objects or looking up.

Yes, Battle the Shopkeeper

Every merchant stocks a one-of-a-kind piece of gear that doesn't appear in their regular wares. To unlock it, you must select a party member and defeat the merchant in a single combat. This proves to be worth doing, as these rewards are truly unique. The initial shopkeeper you meet, for reference, sells a special accessory that inflicts the vulnerability status, which amplifies attacks against the target by a quarter.

Have Faith in the Automatic Saving

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