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A curious piece of trivia: The title term “Obscur” in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 alludes to the complex nature of the game's menus and mechanics.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 places you in the role of a band of magical influencers, spearheaded by the bold British Daredevil, on a quest to reverse a global affliction that halts the natural aging process. It blends strategic role-playing battles with timed defensive moves reminiscent of Soulslike games, all wrapped in a unique aesthetic language.

It has proven to be the major games of the year, having sold millions and secured Game of the Year recognition. The experience can feel somewhat dense in the beginning, but once you lock in, you’ll find a deep and engrossing experience that stands apart from many others. Here are are 10 essential early-game strategies for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Rotate Party Members Often

In Expedition 33, allies who participate in a fight earn a sizable bonus to Experience Points versus those in reserve. What's more, the story will periodically force you to field certain characters. The easiest method to these challenges is to switch members often and aim to keep all characters at a comparable strength.

The positive aspect is that farming experience is not too tedious. Encounters award a generous amount of XP, frequently sufficient for a stat increase after just a few. You can respawn an area's enemies by taking a break at an checkpoint banner—these points are located in each zone. If you need to accumulate XP fast, simply engage in combat near a flag, refresh, and continue the cycle.

Rotate Accessories Regularly

There are a couple of key ways to bestow constant buffs to your allies: Pictos and Lumina skills.

• Pictos are items which provide attribute increases and include a special ability. A character can slot a maximum of three Pictos. When equipped, completing four encounters with a Picto will unlock its associated Lumina.
• Luminas are not gear pieces but essentially act as skill tree nodes. Every ally has a amount of skill points (which grows via consumables). Every Lumina ability has a set cost. As long as a character has enough points, you are not restricted can benefit from the same skill, allowing you to stack powerful passives across your full roster.

The smartest approach is to ensure someone equips any new accessory and fights through four battles to gain its Lumina. Doing this you gain access for future use.

Should you not have new Pictos to unlock, simply slot the Pictos with the best stats for your needs.

Parrying Isn't Your Sole Defense

Expedition 33’s signature mechanic is its marriage of RPG systems with action-oriented blocks. That said, the timing for a perfect block is notoriously tight on any mode. Rather than struggling endlessly trying to master the timing, concentrate on dodging.

Even though a perfect guard grants Action Points and deals massive extra damage, not blocking leaves you vulnerable. The good news is there are multiple Pictos and Luminas that provide resources on a perfect roll. If you can't get the block down, use those dodge-focused abilities instead.

The Break Status Is Your Secret Weapon

The Break status effect is a game-changing mechanic that can secure victory. As you damage an enemy, a yellow gauge charges beneath their health bar. When full, you can stun the enemy, which slashes their damage resistance by a fifth and prevents them from acting for their next action. It is the most impactful debuff in the game, but only specific skills can cause it.

Level Up With a Plan

You can reset stat points and abilities using a scarce resource called a Respec token. Since they are uncommon, it's prudent to plan your build before using your skill points. Experiment with a hero's kit and map out a build strategy beforehand.

Make Sure to Rest At the Expedition Flag

Using your tent at an checkpoint fully heals your all characters and restocks your supply of consumables, including Chroma Elixirs and Revive Tints. Remember to stop and heal up!

Expedition flags also function as the closest thing to quick traversal in the game. You won't find a overworld map, compass, or floating icons. However, each flag has a designation. At a flag, you can view a list of your progress in that level under a navigation option. It's a minimalist way to navigate the world.

Locked Chests Are Always Worth the Effort

Paint Cages are effectively puzzle caches that require you to find and hit three scattered mechanisms in the immediate vicinity prior to claiming the prize. The treasure inside is always valuable, including items like Recoats or strong equipment. The three locks aren't in plain sight, but they are typically located close by. If you can't find one, try smashing crates or scanning the environment vertically.

Absolutely, Battle the Shopkeeper

All vendors stocks a hidden special good that doesn't appear in their regular wares. To get them to sell it, you must choose one character and beat them in combat in a solo battle. This is always rewarding, as these pieces of gear are truly unique. The first merchant you meet, for instance, offers a Picto that causes the vulnerability status, which boosts damage against the target by a significant margin.

Rely On the Auto-Save System

The game lacks {manual saving