Sandfall's Belle Époque turn-based RPG sends Expedition 33 across the sea to end the Paintress before she paints the next cursed number. This golden-path walkthrough takes you from the Gommage in Lumière, through every act and major boss, to the ending choice — with reactive-combat tactics throughout.
The standing reference behind the route — items, abilities, collectibles, side-quests, and the systems you'll lean on throughout Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
| Action Points (AP)Combat system | Every battleThe core resource for skills. Basic attacks and successful parries generate AP; stronger skills spend it. Some Pictos refund AP on a perfect dodge. | |
| DodgeDefence | From the startThe safe defensive option with a wide timing window. Avoids damage; with the right Picto a perfect dodge also returns AP. | |
| ParryDefence | From the startA tight-window counter that negates damage and feeds the enemy's Break gauge. High risk, high reward; learn each attack's audiovisual tell. | |
| JumpDefence | From the startClears low sweeps and some ground attacks that a dodge cannot. Watch for the attacks the game flags as jumpable. | |
| Free AimOffence | From the startA ranged shot you can place manually on weak points and breakable parts — handy for chipping flyers and triggering Break. | |
| PictosEquipment | Found, bought and earned throughoutUp to three per character; each gives a stat boost and a passive effect. Win four battles to master one and learn its Lumina. | |
| LuminasEquipment | Mastered from PictosPassive effects, learned from mastered Pictos, that any character can equip from a shared point pool — the heart of build crafting. | |
| Gradient AttacksCombat system | Unlocked partway through the storyPowerful party gauge attacks added to the Battle Wheel. Also enables Gradient Counter, a defensive option against heavy enemy turns. |
Carry a full stock of healing tints; this is the first real test of your defence, so expect to take a few hits while you learn the rhythm.
Top up before: Rest at the Expedition flag in Spring Meadows to refill tints and heal before approaching.
Where to heal: Use healing tints freely in-battle, and retreat to the nearby Expedition flag to reset and re-equip.
Easier tactic: Forget parrying and just dodge everything — slower but far safer. Focus fire to Break Évêque, then unload your strongest skills during the Break window.
Retreat: You can reload from the last flag if the fight goes badly; nothing is lost.
Top up tints and bring a reviving item if you have one; Bourgeon hits harder than anything in Spring Meadows.
Top up before: Rest at the flag near Noco's Hut before the approach.
Where to heal: Heal with tints between its combos; reset at the Flying Waters flag.
Easier tactic: Equip Pictos that boost defence and AP-on-dodge, dodge everything, and win the attrition battle through Break windows.
Retreat: Reload from the last flag without penalty.
Come in with full tints and a mastered defensive Picto or two; this is a multi-stage fight.
Top up before: Rest before entering Monoco's Station — there is no top-up mid-fight.
Where to heal: Use tints throughout; there is no safe retreat once the duel starts, so manage HP proactively.
Easier tactic: Prioritise survival over damage in phase one, bank AP, and spend it all during a Break in phase two.
Retreat: If you fall, reload from before Monoco's Station and adjust your Pictos.
Arrive fully stocked and well levelled. Master your best Luminas across the whole party and upgrade your lead weapons first.
Top up before: Clear the optional Act II areas and rest before the Monolith ascent; this is the act climax.
Where to heal: Rotate a dedicated healer and use tints on cooldown; reset at the last flag before the ascent.
Easier tactic: Build for sustain — defensive Pictos, AP-on-dodge, and a revive in the bag — and win slowly through repeated Break windows.
Retreat: Reload from before the Monolith to re-spec if needed.
Only approach when your party is near the level cap with mastered Luminas and fully upgraded weapons. This is the hardest required fight in the game.
Top up before: Do the Act III side content and any postponed expeditions first — the screen-rant 'mistake' is rushing Renoir under-prepared.
Where to heal: Keep a permanent healer in the rotation and never let HP coast; reset at the last rest point to re-equip.
Easier tactic: Step back and grind a few levels, master more Luminas, and refine your build — preparation matters more here than execution.
Retreat: Reload from before the city-centre approach to adjust and try again.