Best Pictos Guide
Last Updated:April 24, 2025|Changelog
In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Pictos are one of the strongest sources of character power and are an part of tackling everything the game has to offer. When a Pictos is equipped to a character that participates in 4 battles, it is able to be assigned to any character using Lumina Points, which allow it to be used passively alongside any other "unlocked" Pictos. The amount that can be equipped is only limited by your total number of acquired Lumina Points, meaning it's possible to stack many of these effects at once!
Not all Pictos are created equally though, and that's where this guide comes in. The following is a compiled list of what we think are the most powerful and impactful Pictos that can currently be found in the game, along with their locations and descriptions on how to find them.
Since many of the best Pictos are found later in the game, this post does contain spoilers involving story locations and story-related enemy encounters.
Damage Limit Removal
This is the best Pictos in the game, hands down - so good in fact, that it's practically mandatory. When you get it, use it on everyone.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Painted Power | Earned after defeating the final story boss in Monolith Peak. |
AP Generators
In order to use the best abilities frequently, constant AP generation is extremely important. The following Pictos all serve as AP batteries in some form.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Energising Start I | On the beach by a collapsed arch just north of Gestral Village on the map - only accessible after unlocking Esquie. |
| Energising Start II | In the caves within the Sanctuary Maze. From the Expedition 63 Rest Point, head right at the fork, then crouch under the gap. Head right again, and follow the path up the slope and then look for handholds to your left. Climb up to find it at a dead end. |
| Energising Start III | On a ledge at the end of the path leading out of Esquie's Nest. |
| Energising Start IV | In the trench to the right as you enter the Forgotten Battlefield combat area. |
| Energising Turn | Earned after defeating Sirene. |
| Energising Parry | Earned after defeating the Chromatic Luster in Forgotten Battlefield. |
Generic Damage Increases
These serve only one purpose: increasing the user's damage. Some have little to no downside, while others are a bit more risky.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Full Strength | Available for purchase from Cribappa the merchant in Lumiere (after returning to defeat Renoir) for 53,200 Chroma after defeating them. |
| Immaculate | Earned after defeating the Mask Keeper in Visages. |
| Teamwork | Purchasable from Pinabby the merchant atop the floating rock in Yellow Harvest for 9,120 Chroma after defeating him. |
| Warming Up | Earned after defeating the Grosse Tete outside the Coastal Cave. |
| Glass Canon | On the circular arena where the Chromatic Ramasseur is roaming, on the left-most upward sloping path in Visages left-most region (Sadness/Rain). |
| Inverted Affinity | Purchasable from Kasumi the merchant in Forgotten Battlefield for 9,870 Chroma. |
Counterattack Enhancers
Fully parrying an incoming enemy attack results in a strong counterattack. The following Pictos boost this retaliatory strike to absurd levels.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Augmented Counter I | Earned after defeating the Bourgeon down the slope to the southeast of Stone Wave Cliffs on the world map. |
| Augmented Counter II | Earned after defeating the Chromatic Ramasseur in the left-most area of Visages (Sadness/Rain). |
| Augmented Counter III | Earned after defeating the Chromatic Echassier in Lumiere after you return to defeat Renoir. |
| Healing Counter | Purchasable from Mandelgo the merchant in Old Lumiere for 20,400 Chroma. |
Lone Wolf Supports
Lone Wolf refers to a character that fights without any party support. There are several strong Pictos in the game that enable this playstyle.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Accelerating Last Stand | Earned after defeating Bertrand Big Hands in the Hidden Gestral Arena. |
| Empowering Last Stand | Earned after defeating Julien Tiny Head in the Hidden Gestral Arena. |
| Last Stand Critical | Earned after defeating Matthieu the Colossus in the Hidden Gestral Arena. |
| Protecting Last Stand | Earned after defeating Dominique Giant Feet in the Hidden Gestral Arena. |
| Solo Fighter | Earned after defeating all 4 opponents in the Hidden Gestral Arena. |
Healing & Sustain
Passive healing and sustain is extremely valuable when staying on the offensive; these Pictos help greatly in supporting that cause.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Clea's Life | Earned after defeating Clea in Flying Manor. |
| Healing Parry | On the ground in the shoreline camp behind the Bourgeon down the slope to the southeast of Stone Wave Cliffs on the world map. |
| Second Chance | Earned after defeating Renoir inside the Monolith. |
| Survivor | Purchasable from the Grandis merchant in Monoco's Station for 98,000 Chroma after retrieving the Eternal Ice from the Gargant in Frozen Hearts. |
Confidence Boosters
These drastically boost the offensive and defensive capabilities of their user, but come at a heavy cost - the inability to receive healing.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Confident | Earned after defeating the Hexga in your path shortly into Stone Wave Cliffs. |
| Confident Fighter | Under the tree up the slope to the left in Visages (Floral/Happy path). |
Auto-Buffs & Buff Enhancers
Auto-buff Pictos grant powerful bonuses to their user at the start of battle. They can be further enhanced with the corresponding "Greater" and "Longer" supports.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Auto Powerful | - |
| Auto Rush | On the path through Old Lumiere when you're on your own as Maelle, guarded by 3 Ceramic Chevalieres in an alcove through a doorway on the slope to your left. |
| Auto Shell | Earned after collecting 3 Rock Crystals from the deep caves in Stone Wave Cliffs and giving them to the dejected Hexga. |
| Greater Powerful | Purchasable from Klaudiso the merchant in Sirene, by the Petank trap down the rope past the Tisseur for 37,100 Chroma. |
| Greater Rush | Purchasable from the Grandis merchant in Monoco's Station for 85,750 Chroma after retrieving the Eternal Ice from the Gargant in Frozen Hearts. |
| Greater Shell | Across the way from the Chromatic Greatsword Cultist in Sirene, near some handholds leading up. |
| Longer Powerful | Purchasable from Mandelgo the merchant in Old Lumiere for 20,400 Chroma. |
| Longer Rush | On the ground near some tents in the snowy valley to the east of Monoco's Station on the world map. |
| Longer Shell | Earned after defeating the first group of Chaliers and Ramasseur in Forgotten Battlefield. |
Burn Supports
To make use of these, have a character such as Maelle or Lune in the party, as they can reliably inflict Burn.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Burn Affinity | After climbing the handholds in and taking the right option (instead of up to the left), grapple to the floating train, activate the rope, and descend it to reach the top of the train below. |
| Critical Burn | In an alcove on the right just after defeating the first two Lanceliers in Chapter 1. |
| Healing Fire | After descending the rope in Sirene to confront the giant snake-like enemy, immediately head right and descend the rope on the ledge. Follow the path to find this past a crawlspace. |
Rule Breakers
Cheaters never prosper. Unless?
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Cheater | Earned after defeating Sprong on the world map (in the water between Crimson Forest and Blade's Graveyard). |
Summary
- Pictos are the building blocks of character power.
- By acquiring Lumina Points, many Pictos can be active simultaneusly.
- Seek out the strongest Pictos to make your characters the best they can be! Some are generically strong, while others can be used to fill specific niches.
- A lot of the best Pictos are locked behind endgame content, but most are available as your journey naturally progresses. Keep a sharp eye when entering any new areas.
Written by: snail