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A fun fact: The “Obscur” in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 references the somewhat obscure nature of the in-game systems and systems.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 casts you as a team of magical influencers, fronted by the bold British Daredevil, on a quest to combat a universal phenomenon that stops people from growing old. It fuses turn-based RPG battles with real-time parries reminiscent of Soulslike games, all cloaked in a idiosyncratic visual style.

It has become one of the most successful games of the period, having sold millions and earned Game of the Year praise. The game can feel slightly intimidating initially, but after you grasp its systems, you’ll find a deep and engrossing RPG that stands apart from many others. Below are a collection of beginner's tips for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Change Team Members Regularly

In Expedition 33, allies who participate in a battle earn a sizable bonus to Experience Points relative to those in reserve. What's more, the campaign will sometimes require you to field certain characters. The simplest solution to these mechanics is to rotate your team and try to keep all characters at a roughly equal power level.

The upside is that grinding is not too tedious. Encounters provide a generous amount of XP, sometimes enough for a character progression after just several. You can reset an zone's monsters by resting at an checkpoint banner—these flags are located throughout each zone. If you need to gain levels quickly, simply fight enemies near a flag, rest, and continue the cycle.

Change Accessories Frequently

You have two primary ways to grant passive perks to your party members: Picto gems and Lumina skills.

• Pictos function as gear that give stat boosts and include a unique passive skill. Every party member can equip three different Pictos. Once slotted, winning four fights with a Picto unlocks its linked Lumina.
• Luminas function differently but essentially act as skill tree nodes. Every ally has a number of skill points (which you can raise via level-ups). Each Lumina has a required LP amount. If a character has the required amount, you are not restricted can use the same Lumina, allowing you to layer key bonuses across your whole party.

The optimal tactic is to always someone has equipped every new Picto and fights through four encounters to unlock its Lumina. That way you gain access for future use.

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

Parrying Isn't Your Sole Defense

Expedition 33’s key feature is its combination of RPG systems with twitch-based defenses. However, the parry window is notoriously tight on every setting. Instead of breaking controllers trying to hit perfect blocks, focus on rolling.

While a well-timed block grants one AP and causes significant bonus damage, failing to parry yields no benefit. Luckily there are a number of accessories and abilities that provide resources on a perfect roll. If you struggle with the timing, equip those evasion-based options instead.

Breaking Enemies Is Your Key Tactic

Inflicting Break is a decisive condition that can turn the tide. As you attack a foe, a special bar fills up below their HP bar. Upon maxing out, you can inflict break, which lowers their defense by 20% and prevents them from acting for their next action. It is the single most powerful status effect in the game, but only certain abilities can apply it.

Build Characters Deliberately

You are able to re-spec attributes and skills using a limited consumable called a Recoat. Since they are uncommon, it's prudent to plan your build before committing your attribute points. Get a feel for a hero's kit and chart a progression route first.

Make Sure to Use the Save Flag

Resting at an expedition flag fully heals your all characters and restocks all of your consumables, including HP restoratives and phoenix down equivalents. Develop the routine to use each flag you see!

Checkpoints also serve as the primary method to quick traversal in the game. There is no overworld map, waypoint system, or floating icons. However, each flag has a identifier. By resting, you can access a log of your progress in that zone under a fast travel menu. It's a basic yet helpful way to see how far you've come.

Glowing Cages Are Invariably Worth the Effort

These special containers are basically puzzle caches that demand you to locate and shoot three hidden locks in the surrounding area prior to getting the loot. The treasure inside is without fail high-tier, including items like Recoats or strong equipment. The required seals aren't always obvious, but they are usually near the cage. If you are missing a lock, try smashing crates or looking up.

Yes, Battle the Shopkeeper

Each shopkeeper carries a secret, unique item that isn't listed in their standard shop. To get them to sell it, you must select a party member and beat them in combat in a single combat. This is invariably a worthwhile endeavor, as these pieces of gear are game-changing. The initial shopkeeper you meet, for example, provides a Picto that inflicts the damage-increasing condition, which amplifies attacks against the foe by a quarter.

Trust In the Autosave

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