8 Tips for Beginners in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to make its grand entrance on April 24, catering to players on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. With Xbox Play Anywhere support right from the start, and available on day one with Game Pass, this game is brimming with fresh spins on classic RPG elements. When its first trailer dropped, the game’s concept and visual style piqued a lot of interest. Now, after delving deeply into the review build, I can confidently say that Sandfall Interactive has not only met expectations but has also polished and transformed the RPG gameplay mechanics to offer a thrilling and dynamic experience during each battle in Expedition 33.

Now, considering the novelty of some features, it’s worth going into a bit more detail. For those about to embark on their journey through Expedition 33—and if you’re a fan of RPGs, this game should definitely be on your radar—here’s a glimpse into the mechanics you’ll encounter, without any spoilers, that I wish I’d known before my inaugural trip to The Continent.

### Stay Alert

What sets Expedition 33 apart from many other turn-based RPGs is the heightened level of focus required for each battle. Sure, you’ll be selecting your actions like Attack or Skill from a menu, but once you lock in your choice, it’s time for action. Think of it as an action game demanding your undivided attention. Every move, whether it’s an attack, spell, heal, or buff, turns into a timed button challenge. Nail the timing, and you boost the effect of your action. As you progress, you’ll even have the chance to use high-reward skills, but a poorly-timed press may have dramatic consequences. It’s thrilling.

While timing offensive moves is generally pretty intuitive—eventually, each move will become familiar—adjusting to enemy attacks is a constantly evolving challenge. Initially, you have options: you can either dodge with the B button or parry with RB. The timing is critical here; you’ll need to closely observe enemy patterns to counter effectively. My tip? Start with dodging because it offers a slightly more forgiving timing. Once dodging becomes second nature, parrying is your next step, leading to powerful counterattacks. Early on, though, Dodge is your best friend.

### Ease Into Combat

Struggling to get the hang of attack precision? Or perhaps adjusting to Expedition 33’s play style isn’t coming as quickly as you’d like? You can tweak the game difficulty at any moment, giving you a broader margin to master Parries or Dodges. Alternatively, you might opt to let the game handle those QTE moments during battles for you, so you can sit back and enjoy the flashy fight sequences.

### Embrace Failure

Prepare to face off against some incredibly formidable foes early on. And yes, a mime might just be among them! Initially, these battles may seem overwhelming, but you can always return when you’re stronger. Should you choose to tackle them, death isn’t a major setback; you’ll respawn nearby, so feel free to give it your all! Not a soul-crushing experience – simply enjoy the adventure! Moreover, each time you heal at an Expedition Flag, enemies respawn, offering you further opportunities to level up your party.

### Use Your Resources – They Replenish

Don’t hesitate to use your healing and respawn items. They regenerate every time you rest at an Expedition Flag or campsite, so take the plunge, heal without restraint, and if things go south, you can always try again.

Another tip on items: As the adventure begins, you’ll pick up several items, like Tints and Chroma Catalysts, and might wonder what they’re for. No worries—collect them freely. Their purpose will become clear with time, and there’s no risk of missing out.

### Aim and Fire

Every character in the game can freely aim and shoot both in and out of combat, drawing inspiration from third-person shooters. Outside of battles, it’s primarily for interacting with the environment. I didn’t realize at first that you could shoot an enemy Nevron to stun them, offering you a chance to set the stage for combat by pressing RB, earning a First Strike by initiating battles on your own terms.

During battles, Free Aim becomes more strategic, as each shot requires 1 Action Point and won’t end your turn. Initially, you’re encouraged to target Nevron weak spots for maximum damage. But this move is invaluable, even without a weak point; many enemies fall solely to Free Aim shots—particularly those that are airborne. If your character starts a turn with excess AP, it’s often worth firing off a couple shots to weaken the enemy before employing a Skill or Attack to finish the job.

Mastering this technique, especially when paired with the Dead Energy Lumina, which grants 3 AP for every fallen foe, means you could potentially wipe out an entire enemy group in a single turn!

### Unlocking Lumina and Pictos

Among the standout features of Expedition 33 is the Pictos and Lumina systems, offering significant enhancements and character customization. Here’s how they work:

Think of Pictos as accessories—like rings that provide abilities or boosts. Just like wearing a ring long enough leaves a mark, equipping a Pictos for 4 victorious battles will “master” it. This mastery allows the entire party to benefit from the Pictos’ bonus, assuming they have enough Lumina points. Accumulate Lumina points with each level or via consumable items that offer extras.

Here’s how it unfolds: Equip any new Pictos you encounter—there will be plenty—and swap them out once mastered for fresh ones. Over time, you’ll amass a broad range of Lumina abilities to equip; mix and match to tailor your characters. Protip: Some Lumina skills might need up to 10 Lumina Points, while others might require just one. To maximize efficiency, focus on those useful lower-cost abilities for your Lumina lineup, keeping the Pictos equipped for those significant 10-point passives.

### Allocate Points Wisely

As your characters gain levels in Expedition 33, they receive 3 points to distribute among Attributes like Vitality, Might, or Luck, along with a point for the Skill tree.

An interesting aspect of Attributes is that sometimes, investing a point in one can upgrade another; for instance, a point in Agility might enhance both speed and Defense or Attack Power. Upon leveling up, it’s beneficial to test a point in each category before committing to see which offers the greatest advantage.

### Adventure Awaits

One last nugget of advice: embrace the mystery of The Continent and its importance. It’s easy to lose your way, but often, dead ends hold valuable items or daunting foes with great rewards. Plus, there’s a touch of platforming involved, so be sure to jump and investigate every nook and cranny—you never know what treasures you might discover.

In the end, you’re in for one of the most captivating RPG experiences I’ve encountered in quite a while. Make sure to pre-order or preload today!

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launches on April 24 for Xbox Series X|S & Windows PC, with support for Xbox Play Anywhere and available from day one with Game Pass, making it an adventure not to miss.