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

If you're a fan of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, you'll be thrilled to hear that developer Sandfall Interactive has rolled out Patch 1.2.3 for all platforms. This update is packed with fixes and, importantly, significant balance adjustments, including a much-needed nerf to one of the game's most overpowered builds (full patch notes below).

Sandfall had previously hinted at this change, stating their intention was initially focused solely on bug fixes unless something glaringly obvious required attention. Well, the community spoke loud and clear—Stendhal was the standout issue.

The build in question involved young fencer Maelle and the sword Medalum, which unlocked a Virtuose Stance dealing 200% bonus damage. Combined with ability stacking and the Stendhal skill, players were capable of dishing out astronomical damage, enough to defeat the final boss in a single strike. Sandfall admitted they had underestimated its power during the final balance phase, leading to this drastic adjustment.

“Stendhal was making it a bit too easy,” Sandfall noted. “We still want you to be able to break the game, but this was just unfair.”

The nerf is part of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's first comprehensive hotfix set. Although Stendhal remains a formidable single-target skill with excellent synergy potential, it’s now better balanced against other options.

In addition to the balance changes, the patch addresses several bugs, such as Medalum’s third Lumina incorrectly doubling all damage in Virtuose Stance instead of just Burn damage.

Here are the key 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 been a runaway success for Sandfall, selling over 2 million copies. Interestingly, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 debuted alongside Bethesda’s Oblivion Remastered as a day-one Game Pass title, highlighting its impressive market impact.

When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered during the launch of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many assumed only one game could thrive. However, both titles found massive audiences.

President Macron of France even praised the development team, acknowledging their achievement. For those new to the game, be sure to check out our guide for essential tips before diving in.

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 after cutscenes in ultrawide resolutions.
• The Options menu image no longer stretches in ultrawide resolutions.
• Combat UI now adjusts 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 launching in ultrawide resolution.

Mouse and Keyboard

• UI button prompts in the Expedition Menu are now visible and triggerable with Keyboard/Mouse.
• Mouse buttons do not become unresponsive after the first use.
• Using 'WSAD' or directional arrows to navigate UI no longer hides the cursor.
• Left Mouse-button click no longer blocks Keyboard navigation in menus.
• Mouse input is no longer lost after the first Jump counterattack if pressed only once.

Fixed Areas Where You Can Get Stuck

• Between lanterns near Stone Wave Cliff portal.
• While walking on the shipwreck near the Forgotten Battlefield level entrance.
• Between lanterns near Bourgeon encounter next to Stone Wave Cliffs.
• Between two small rocks between Spring Meadows and Abbest Cave.
• Between vases and corals when jumping from rooftops.
• Between various rocks in ruins behind the 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 Gets Stuck

• When taking off from paint bridges, causing him to fall through 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 levels. Reduced initial Vitality scaling from A to C (still ends at 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 ends 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 Spring Meadows.
• Fixed being unable to shoot in Free Aim while exploring levels due to worn triggers.
• Lune and Monoco no longer spawn in the same place during Level 6 relationship quests if completed without visiting camp.
• If at camp you pick “remember the objective,” then quickly choose to "go to sleep" and immediately 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.