"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Patch 1.2.3 Released, Nerfs Maelle's Stendahl Build"

Sandfall Interactive, the developer behind the critically acclaimed role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has rolled out Patch 1.2.3 across all platforms. This update brings a slew of fixes and significant balance adjustments, including a nerf to what was previously the game's most overpowered build. You can find the detailed patch notes below.

Sandfall had previously indicated that they were not planning on making any balance changes so early in the game's lifecycle, focusing instead on bug fixes. However, they noted, "unless something clearly stood out." They continued, "Well, Stendhal did."

The build in question revolved around the young fencer Maelle and her sword, Medalum, which unlocks a Virtuose Stance that deals 200% bonus damage. Players were exploiting this by stacking abilities with the Stendahl skill, which delivers extreme single-target Void damage, resulting in billions of damage and the ability to defeat the final boss with just one hit.

Sandfall explained, "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." They added, "We still want you to be able to break the game — and you absolutely still can — but Stendhal was making it a bit too easy."

The nerf is part of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's first full hotfix set. While Stendhal remains a potent single-hit skill with excellent synergy potential, it is now balanced to be more in line with other game mechanics. Additionally, the patch corrects a bug where Medalum's third Lumina was doubling all damage in Virtuose Stance, rather than just doubling Burn damage.

Here are the key points from today's patch notes:

• Fixed Medalum third Lumina doubling all damage in Virtuose Stance instead of doubling only Burn damage.
• Stendhal: Reduced damage by 40%.

Maelle Outfits and Haircuts - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has emerged as a breakout hit for Sandfall, boasting sales of over 2 million copies. It's noteworthy that the game was launched as a day-one title on Game Pass, alongside Bethesda's Oblivion Remastered. This achievement is even more impressive given the simultaneous release.

When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered alongside Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many anticipated a fierce competition. However, both games have thrived, demonstrating the diverse appeal of role-playing games. Clair Obscur's success has even earned praise from French President Macron for the development team. For those eager to dive in, be sure to check out our tips for the important things to know before starting your adventure.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 update 1.2.3 patch notes:

Steam Deck

• Fixed backgrounds of various menus not displaying properly on the Steam Deck.

Various Ultrawide Fixes

• Gameplay no longer becomes zoomed after a cutscene occurs in ultrawide resolutions.
• The Options menu image will no longer be stretched in ultrawide resolutions.
• Combat UI now adapts correctly to ultrawide resolutions.
• Game will no longer minimize upon changing settings in ultrawide resolution.
• Cutscenes won’t letterbox in 32:9 aspect ratio.
• Title screen now displays fullscreen when the game is launched in ultrawide resolution.

Mouse and Keyboard

• UI button prompts in Expedition Menu are now visible and fully able to be triggered with Keyboard.
• Mouse buttons do not become unresponsive after first use.
• With mouse cursor on screen, using 'WSAD' or directional arrows to navigate in UI or trigger any other functionality will no longer hide the cursor instead of doing the intended action.
• Left Mouse-button click will no longer block the player from using Keyboard to navigate menus.
• Mouse input is not lost after the first Jump counter attack if it is pressed only once.

Fixed areas of the world map where you can get stuck:

• Between lanterns scattered on the ground near Stone Wave Cliff portal.
• While walking on the ship wreck near the Forgotten Battlefield level entrance.
• Between lanterns on the ground near Bourgeon encounter next to Stone Wave Cliffs level.
• Between two small rocks located between Spring Meadows and Abbest Cave.
• Between vases and corals when jumping from rooftopps.
• Between various rocks.
• In ruins behind Flying Manor level entrance.
• Near the bridge between Flying Waters and Spring Meadows.
• In the rocks on the World Map, near Flying Waters.
• Next to hardened land, close to the Flying Waters location exit.

Fixed situations where Esquie specifically would get stuck (poor guy):

• When taking off from paint bridges, making him fall through the bridge and restrict movement.
• When flying into bottom parts of levitating structures near Visages.
• Near the Flying Waters entrance level.
• Near a giant hammer when traversing close to Blades' Graveyard level.

Weapon and skill fixes and tuning:

• Fixed Lithelim attribute scaling not working at high level. Reduced initial Vitality scaling from A to C (will still end at S at max level). Added Luck scaling starting at D.
• Fixed Blizzon attribute scaling not working at high level. Reduced initial Luck scaling from B to C (will still end at S at max level). Added Defense scaling starting at D.
• Fixed Medalum third Lumina doubling all damage in Virtuose Stance instead of doubling only Burn damage.
• Stendhal: Reduced damage by 40%.

Other fixes

• Boss encounter in Stone Wave Cliffs can now be finished on NG+.
• You will no longer be blocked by the Journal UI window after opening the first Journal in the Spring Meadows.
• Fixed being unable to shoot in Free aim while exploring levels due to worn triggers.
• Lune and Monoco no longer spawn in same place during end of theirs Level 6 relationship quests if they are completed without going to camp.
• If at camp you pick “remember the objective”, then quickly choose to "go to sleep" and immediately after press "leave", the screen no longer goes black.
• You can no longer trigger the "Discovering the truth" cutscene in Old Lumière a second time in a row, splitting the party forever with only Verso and Maelle in it.
• Update to rolling credits.