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

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 developer Sandfall Interactive has rolled out Patch 1.2.3 for its critically acclaimed role-playing game, now available on all platforms.

This update introduces a comprehensive list of fixes and, more importantly, key balance adjustments—most notably the nerfing of Clair Obscur’s most overpowered build (patch notes below).

Sandfall had previously stated that no major balance changes were planned at this stage — focusing instead on bug fixes — unless something "clearly stood out."

“Well, Stendhal did,” the developer admitted.

The infamous build revolves around young fencer Maelle and a weapon called Medalum, which unlocks the Virtuose Stance, granting a 200% damage boost. Players combined this with ability stacking and the Stendhal skill — dealing massive single-target Void damage — to reach absurd damage numbers in the billions. This allowed players to defeat the final boss with a single hit.

“It was underwhelming for most of development, so during our final pre-release balance pass, we gave it a big damage boost — and clearly overdid it. It ended up overshadowing most other options,” Sandfall explained.

“We still want you to be able to break the game — and you absolutely still can — but Stendhal made it a bit too easy.”

This adjustment is part of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's first full hotfix set. While Stendhal remains a strong single-hit skill with great synergy potential, it now sits much more evenly within the game’s overall balance.

Additionally, the patch addresses a bug where Medalum’s third Lumina was doubling all damage types in Virtuose Stance, rather than only Burn damage as intended.

Here are the relevant highlights 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 has become a breakout success for Sandfall, surpassing 2 million copies sold shortly after launch. Considering it launched alongside Bethesda’s Oblivion Remastered as a Game Pass title, this achievement is even more remarkable.

When Bethesda surprise-released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered on the same day as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many assumed one would overshadow the other. Fortunately, both games found their audience and thrived independently.

The overwhelming success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 even caught the attention of French President Macron, who publicly praised the development team.

For newcomers, be sure to [ttpp] before diving into the 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 zooms in after a cutscene in ultrawide resolutions.
• The Options menu image will no longer stretch in ultrawide resolutions.
• Combat UI now adapts correctly to ultrawide resolutions.
• Game will no longer minimize when 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 the Expedition Menu are now visible and fully functional with keyboard input.
• Mouse buttons do not become unresponsive after first use.
• With the mouse cursor visible, using 'WSAD' or directional arrows to navigate UI will no longer hide the cursor unintentionally.
• Left mouse-button clicks will no longer block keyboard navigation in menus.
• Mouse input is retained after the first Jump counter attack if pressed only once.

World Map Collision Fixes

• Fixed areas where players could get stuck:
  • Between lanterns near Stone Wave Cliff portal
  • On shipwrecks near Forgotten Battlefield level entrance
  • Between lanterns near Bourgeon encounter next to Stone Wave Cliffs
  • Between small rocks near Spring Meadows and Abbest Cave
  • Between vases and corals when jumping from rooftops
  • Between various rocks in multiple locations
  • In ruins behind Flying Manor level entrance
  • Near the bridge between Flying Waters and Spring Meadows
  • On world map rocks near Flying Waters
  • Near hardened land close to Flying Waters exit

Esquie-Specific Fixes

• Fixed situations where Esquie would get stuck:
  • Taking off from paint bridges, causing him to fall through and restrict movement
  • Flying into lower parts of levitating structures near Visages
  • Near the Flying Waters entrance level
  • Near a giant hammer close to Blades' Graveyard level

Weapon and Skill Fixes and Tuning

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

Other Fixes

• Boss encounter in Stone Wave Cliffs can now be completed in New Game+
• You will no longer be blocked by the Journal UI window after opening the first Journal in Spring Meadows
• Fixed inability to shoot in free aim while exploring levels due to worn triggers
• Lune and Monoco no longer spawn in the same location during the end of their Level 6 relationship quests if completed without going to camp
• If at camp, selecting “remember the objective”, then quickly choosing "go to sleep" and immediately pressing "leave", the screen no longer goes black
• You can no longer trigger the "Discovering the truth" cutscene in Old Lumière twice in a row, preventing the party from splitting permanently with only Verso and Maelle remaining
• Updated rolling credits