Clair Obscur: Expedition 33has a lot going on. Between the turn-based combat, timed inputs and unusual art style, it’s the kind of game that drops you in and expects you to figure things out on your own. One minute you’re dodging death at the last second, the next you’re farming for XP by fighting dancers. And somewhere in between, you start thinking, “wait…there was an easier way to handle that?”
Review: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG that pushes the technical aspect of modern hardware to its limits.
It’s easy to miss how elemental weaknesses actually work, how parrying refunds your AP or why you don’t have to fight every battle. That’s why we’ve put together these tips to make your journey through Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 easier.
8Take on Optional Bosses to Farm XP Quickly
You Can Earn Up to 100,000 XP from Optional Bosses
If you’re looking for a way to rack up XP early in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,taking on difficult, but optional, bossesis one of the best ways to do it. Optional bosses offer a serious XP boost if you’re brave enough to take them on early on. One in particular, the Chromatic Abbest found deep in Abbest Cave, is worth hunting down.
How to Defeat Chromatic Chalier in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Locked in the dark and dreary Sinister Cave, take down the Chromatic Chalier in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
You can get up to 50,000 XP if you manage to survive the fight with the Chromatic Abbest. This isn’t some conveniently marked quest on your map. You’ll need to poke around, pay attention to environmental clues and be willing to detour from the main objective path.
7Destroy Paint Spikes to Open New Paths
Attack the Blue Roots to Destroy Paint Spikes
You’ll eventually run into these odd-looking roots sticking out of the ground called Paint Spikes as yousearch for the Lost Gestrals. You can destroy these spikes, and when you do, something nearby usually changes. Sometimes a new path opens up, sometimes a chest appears or maybe an area that looked like a dead end suddenly leads somewhere new.
There’s no big alert telling you what just happened. It’s up to you to notice. If you clear a Paint Spike and nothing looks different at first, try turning around or checking nearby spots. A hidden route might now be open without you realizing it right away.
6Enable QTEs to Deal More Damage
A Good Way to Get Some Extra Damage Without Having to Work Harder
Every now and then, mid-fight, the game throws up an “A” icon for you to click. It’s quick, so be on the lookout for it. If you get it right, your character follows up with a stronger hit. These are called Quick Time Events (QTEs).
You don’t get these QTEs all the time – they only show up when enemies are vulnerable or at certain points in your combos. The trick is paying attention, waiting for the prompt and pressing the right button before it disappears. Landing QTE is one of the simplest ways to squeeze more power out of your attacks. And once you get used to spotting them, they become second nature.
5You Can Avoid Fighting Minor Enemies
Use Flee to Avoid Fights Not Worth Fighting
There are times when the smart option is flight, not fight. Let’s say you’re running low on health, your team’s looking rough and suddenly a group of enemies pops up like they own the place. You’ve got two options: tough it out or be smart about it and hit the Flee button.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - 10 Best Secrets and Easter Eggs
A list of the best Easter eggs hidden within Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Yes, fleeing is a real option and a completely valid one too. If it’s not a boss fight, you don’t have to stay and suffer through a battle you’re not ready for. The game lets you back out of regular encounters with the Flee command, giving you room to recover, rethink your setup or just avoid a fight that feels like a waste of time.
4Apply Rush Buffs to Boost Speed
Use Auto Rush Pictos or Skills Like Sciel’s Rush
The Rush buff increases yourClair Obscur: Expedition 33 character’sSpeed, which directly affects how soon their turn comes up in combat. If you apply Rush, that character gets to act earlier than they normally would. It’s especially useful when you need to squeeze in a heal, interrupt an enemy or just act before someone slower on the timeline. You’re not overpowering anyone – you’re adjusting the clock.
Let’s say your damage dealer’s turn is lagging behind or your healer might miss a chance to save someone in time. Throwing Rush on them pushes their turn forward and that small shift can stop a fight from spiraling.
3Use Free Aim to Target Enemies’ Weak Points
Deal More Damage with Free Aim
During certain attacks, you’ll have the opportunity to take control and manually target the enemy’s weak point using the right stick. The enemy’s vulnerable spot won’t always be in your face. You’ve got to watch for small cues – maybe a glowing mark, an exposed area, something slightly off in their design.
If you hit the weak point cleanly, the damage goes up. If you miss? Tough luck. You deal standard damage and lose that shot at momentum. But the good thing is that you’ll have the chance totake your turn in combatafter using free aim.
2Parrying is the Best Defensive Move
Parry to Restore 1 AP and Land a Counterattack
When you successfully pull off a parry move, it not only blocks the incoming attack, but also restores 1 Action Point (AP), giving you a bit of breathing room. And the best part is you don’t take any damage from that attack, so it keeps you in the fight without losing ground.
If you’re on point with your Parrying and manage to deflect every single attack an enemy throws your way, you get to follow up with a Counterattack. This is where you get to turn the tables, hitting back right after their failed attempt. It’s a nice way to keep the pressure on while saving yourself from taking damage.
1Use the Enemy’s Elemental Weakness
Use Your Enemy’s Elemental Weakness Against Them
Figuring out the enemy’s Elemental Weakness can make a difference in how you handle battles. Most of the enemies you face have a specific elemental type that they’re vulnerable to. For example, an enemy might be weaker to fire attacks while another might take extra damage from ice or lightning.
If you know what an enemy’s weakness is, it’s a smart move to take advantage of it. Instead of just throwing everything you’ve got at them, you can choose your attacks wisely, targeting their weak spot to deal more damage. It’s a simple tactic that works well when you’re up against tougher foes.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
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