For those near the end or playing the endgame ofClair Obscur: Expedition 33or you’ve been reading up on some builds online, you might have come across a few builds focused on Maelle and how overpowered (OP) her various skills are.
The developers at Sandfall Interactive have noticed this too and have singled out a particular skill that will get nerfed very soon.
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Clair Obscur: Expedition’s First Major Update Will See Maelle Nerfed
The ability of Maelle getting nerfed is Stendhal. The skill effect deals extreme single target Void damage for one hit, and removes self-Shields and self applies Defenceless. Players will see the skill available once they hit Act 3.
While the skill seems innocent enough, it’s currently being used to “nuke” enemies fast, with a prospect Pictos build netting hundreds of thousands or even millions of damage using the skill.
Sandfall has taken notice and made an announcement onTwitter/X, where the studio confirmed the skill is a tad too powerful. This was because of the buff given to it since it was underwhelming for most of the game’s development.
While the studio said they hadn’t planned to make any balance changes this early unless something stood out, they had to since Stendhal “overshadowed” the other options. Sandfall shared, “It was underwhelming for most of development, so in our final pre-release balance pass, we gave it a big damage boost—and clearly overdid it. It ended up overshadowing most other options.”
The devs added that they do want players to “break” the game, and they still can, it’s just that Stendhal broke it a little too much, and made the game “too easy.”
“You’ve got one more day to enjoy it in its current form and set some wild records. The adjustment will be included in our first full hotfix set, going live tomorrow. The patch will roll out on Steam first, and other platforms will follow.,” the devs noted.
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After the patch is applied, Sandfall states that Stendhal will still be a “strong single-hit skill with great synergy potential,” but it will be in line with other skills.
If you’re one of the many abusing Stendhal to one-shot bosses and whatnot, you can opt to not update the game to avoid the nerf. I mean, Expedition 33 is purely a single-player game that doesn’t need an online connection. And it’s not like the game has a ton of game-crashing/breaking bugs. Sure, there are issues, but for the most part, they are nothing game-breaking that people can enjoy the game without applying a patch.
For those playing on PS5, turn off “Auto-Updates” in your system settings and this should do the trick.
Chances are, more people will find other “nukes” for the other characters, and I’m hoping Sandfall doesn’t go overboard on the nerfs. Expect the patch that drops tomorrow to include various fixes, though it won’t include any new content. Whilethe developers are open to developing DLC, nothing’s been announced just yet.
For more on Expedition 33,check out our game page, where there are many guides on builds, secret quests, and more.
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking turn-based RPG with unique real-time mechanics, making battles more immersive and addictive than ever. Explore a fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France in which you battle devastating enemies.In this evolution of JRPGs, real-time actions enhance the heart of turn-based combat. Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and character synergies. Open an active dimension in combat - dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system.With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners as they embark upon a desperate quest to break the Paintress’ cycle of death. Follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate. Get to know the members of Expedition 33 as they learn to work together against impossible odds.Explore an enchanting realm populated by surreal adversaries. Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, discovering secrets and hidden quests along the way. Find allies of fortune in creatures of legend and recruit special companions, access new travel methods and discover secret areas in the World Map.
