Combat Guide

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 uses a hybrid turn-based real-time combat system. Normally, each character takes turns based on their speed; the faster you are, the more likely you are to go first and the more turns you get. However, you get to react to enemy attacks in real time, using a variety of defensive actions to avoid damage.

Select an action from the Battle Wheel.

• The battle wheel shows your actions. At the start of the game, you can Attack, use Skills, use Consumable Items, or Free Aim. Later, Gradient Attacks are added to your Battle Wheel.
• Each character can use 6 skills at a given time, but you can unlock as many as you want (provided you have enough skill points from leveling up). When you're struggling on a fight, consider switching up your skills, changing your weapon and trying a different approach.
• Managing your AP is crucial to defeating enemies efficiently. You can use different Pictos to increase AP generation or focus on parrying enemy attacks.
• If your team falls in battle but you have more than 3 people in your party, the remaining members can come in for a last stand. Use this to take down a foe you're struggling against!
• While exploring Monoco's Station, you also get access to powerful Gradient Attacks. Build your Gradient charge by spending AP (5% per 1 AP spent). Characters play again after using a Gradient Attack, allowing you to chain these into your strongest abilities.
  • NOTE: Players can only "Play Again" once per turn. So if you use one of those effects after a Gradient Attack, they do not get a third turn.
• Your damage is limited to 9,999 while you play through most of the story. Once you reach the damage cap, it's better to hit more frequently than it is to continue trying to hit harder. This changes once you obtain Painted Power.

When an enemy attacks, dodge (B) to avoid damage.

• Enemies telegraph their attacks. This is called out with text near the center of the screen, such as "The enemy attacks slowly," but also with the movement of their weapons. While the attack type gives you a general idea, you need to watch the weapon itself to time your dodge or parry.
  • In the early game, enemies have simple sequences of 1-3 attacks. However, by the endgame, they use complex sequences of 5-7 moves with animation traps. Plan carefully, use consumables, and dodge to learn their patterns.
• You can Dodge, Jump, Counter, or Parry almost every attack in the game. There are a few exceptions, but these are tied to fight-specific mechanics.
• After you unlock Gradient Counters, watch out for the screen going dark, telegraphing this dangerous attack type. The counter window on these moves is quite generous, so countering a little earlier is better.

Enemies have different Elemental Affinities.

• Enemies have different elemental weaknesses. If one damage type is ineffective and you're struggling in a fight, consider swapping to a different weapon or trying skills of a different element.
• Shields protect from all damage. When an enemy shields itself, use an anti-shield skill, multi-hit attack, or Free Aim shots to break them.
• Buffs provide both allies and enemies with a temporary bonus. Powerful increases damage, Shell reduces damage taken, and Rush increases speed.
• Debuffs known as statuses are a big part of battle. In particular, there are a lot of synergies around the "Burn" status, which deals fire damage at the end of the turn. Slow reduces speed and delays action, Stun skips a turn, Defenseless makes you more vulnerable to damage, and Exhaust prevents you from gaining AP.

• Dodging (B) is easier than Parrying (RB), but Parrying is much more rewarding. Parrying gives you +1 AP per attack you Parry, and if you Parry every attack in the sequence, you unleash a devastating counterattack!
• Set your characters up to deal multiple types of elemental damage. This way, if an enemy is resistant, or immune to one damage type, you can simply use another without needing to change your weapon or build.
• Always break shields before shooting an enemy's weak point!

Summary

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 features a turn-based combat system with real-time elements, such as dodging and parrying.
• Turn order is typically based on the Speed stat of both the player and the opposition; gererally, higher speed grants more frequent turns.
• On your turn, you can Attack, use Skills, consume Items, or use Free Aim to target enemy weaknesses. Strategic use of all of these options is crucial when trying to efficiently win fights.
• During the enemy's turn, focus on dodging or parrying by carefully watching enemy movement patterns. This is not always as easy as it seems, and may take practice! Once you get the timing down, parrying is always the superior option as it rewards you with AP and a strong counterattack.
• Not all enemies are the same! Try to always find weaknesses to exploit (such as elemental affinities), use buffs and debuffs as necessary, and break shields before unleashing your heavy attacks.

Credits

Written by: Tenkiei