How to Increase Relationship Levels in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has not one, not two, not three, but five trophies/achievements tied to maxing out the Relationship Levels for the various party members. The achievements in question can be seen below:

Lune (Reach Relationship Level 7 with Lune)
Maelle (Reach Relationship Level 7 with Maelle)
Monoco (Reach Relationship Level 7 with Monoco)
Sciel (Reach Relationship Level 7 with Sciel)
Esquie (Reach Relationship Level 7 with Esquie)

To max out the relationship levels for these characters, you will need to speak to them at camp at certain points throughout the story. By gaining a deeper understanding of the party, you will not only unlock collectibles like outfits, hairstyles, and music records, but most importantly, you will get super-powerful Gradient Attacks.

Each character can learn up to three unique Gradient Attacks in Clair Obscur and can be used in battle by expending Gradient Charges, which can be stocked by performing skills in battle (these are unlocked around midway through the game).

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clair obscur expedition 33 - gustave header image

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Gustave Character Trailer

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 gives fans more details on one of its main characters, Gustave, and why he has chosen to join the expedition.

Is There Romance in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?

clair obscur expedition 33 how long to beat

Before we get into the main section of the guide, it’s worth pointing out that there is no romance in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

It’s not like a Persona game that lets you “spend time” with characters and choose one to eventually be your partner. You can easily max out everyone’s relationship before the end of the game, and you don’t need to pick and choose who to speak to.

How to Increase Relationship Levels with All Characters in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

When Should You Talk to Everyone?

We’ve played through the entirety of the story of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and have kept track of the moments when you can deepen your relationships with the party. In the table below, you will find out how to increase the relationship levels for everyone in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and what you will obtain for doing so (besides the Achievements and Trophies).

It’s worth mentioning that the requirements for upgrading relationships, as well as the rewards, fall into spoiler territory. Proceed with caution.

Relationship Level	Requirement	Reward
Esquie
Level 1	After Verso joins the party (start of Act 2), speak to Esquie at Camp and choose to spend more time.	n/a
Level 2	Speak to Esquie after completing the ‘Forgotten Battlefield’ map.	n/a
Levels 3 & 4	After fighting Renoir at the Manor, speak to Esquie at Camp.	Unlock Striker Gradient Attack for Verso
Level 5	Go to Camp after beating the Paintress.	n/a
Level 6	Speak to Esquie again after beating the game to fight Francois and unlock the ability to dive and swim underwater.	n/a
Level 7	Speak to Esquie once more at Camp.	Unlock Angel’s Eyes Gradient Attack for Verso.
Lune
Level 1	Speak to Lune at Camp after ‘Forgotten Battlefield.’	n/a
Levels 2, 3, 4	After fighting Renoir at the Manor, speak to her at Camp.	Unlock Tree of Life Gradient Attack for Lune.
Level 5	After defeating the second Axon before the Paintress, speak to Lune at Camp.	n/a
Level 6	Speak to her after the final boss is gone, go to Sirene’s Dress, and find her parents’ expedition journal.	n/a
Level 7	Speak to Lune one more time at Camp.	Unlock Sky Break Gradient Attack for Lune.
Sciel
Level 1	Speak to Sciel at Camp after Forgotten Battlefield.	n/a
Level 2 and 3	After fighting Renoir at the Manor, speak to her.	n/a
Level 4	Speak to her after you beat the first Axon.	Unlocks Doom Gradient Attack for Sciel.
Level 5	Speak to her after the second Axon fight.	n/a
Level 6	Speak to her after defeating the final boss.	n/a
Level 7	Speak to Sciel again.	Unlocks End Slice Gradient Attack for Sciel.
Maelle
Level 1	After Forgotten Battlefield, this will happen at Camp automatically.	n/a
Level 2 and 3	After fighting Renoir at the Manor, speak to Maelle at Camp.	n/a
Level 4	Speak to her after the first Axon is defeated.	Unlocks Phoenix Flame Gradient Attack for Maelle.
Level 5	After beating the second Axon, speak to her at Camp.	n/a
Level 6	After the game ends, speak to Maelle to go to Reacher and fight Alicia.	n/a
Level 7	Speak to her again.	Unlocks Gommage Gradient Attack for Maelle.
Monoco
Level 1 and 2	After fighting Renoir at the Manor, speak to Monoco at camp twice.
Level 3	Speak to him after defeating the first Axon.	Unlocks Samurai Haircut for Verso and Viking Haircut for Monoco.
Level 4	After the second Axon fight, speak to Monoco.	Unlocks Monoco’s Sanctuary Gradient Attack.
Level 5	Manually go to camp and speak to him after beating the Paintress.	n/a
Level 6	Speak to him after beating the game. You’ll have to find Noco at Sacred River and Fight Golgra.	n/a
Level 7	Speak to him again.	Unlocks Break Point Gradient Attack for Monoco.

Clair Obscur is Getting Its Own Live-Action Movie

Despite the game not being released yet, reports confirm that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will get a live-action film adaptation.

All Gradient Attacks in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

verso skill screen menu gradient attacks

As you progress through the relationship levels for the party, you will eventually unlock ten Gradient Attacks (there are three for each character). You won’t be able to start using Gradient Attacks and Gradient Counters until the game teaches you after the first act, but using these will prove to be super useful for the mid, end, and post-game of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

You can check your Gradient Attacks in the Skill Tree menu. They’ll be separated from the regular Skills.

Here’s a list of all Gradient Attacks in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and their effects:

All Gradient Attacks in Clair Obscur	Effect
Verso
Sabotage (learned automatically)	Deals medium Physical damage to all enemies. 1 Hit. Applies Mark.
Striker (Get Esquie’s relationship to level 4)	Deals high single-target Physical damage. 1 Hit. Can Break.
Angel’s Eyes (Get Esquie to max relationship)	Deals extreme Physical damage. 8 Hits. Gain 1 additional Perfection per hit. Applies Aureole to Verso, reviving him if he dies.
Maelle
Virtuose Strike (unlocked automatically)	Deals high single-target Physical damage. 5 Hits.
Phoenix Flames (Get Maelle’s relationship level to 4)	Applies 10 Burn to all enemies and revives all allies with 50 to 70% health.
Gommage (Max out Maelle’s relationship level)	Kills weak targets. Otherwise, it deals extreme Void damage. 1 Hit.
Sciel
Shadow Bringers (Unlocked automatically)	Deals high single target Dark damage to random enemies. 10 Hits. Applies 1 Foretell per hit.
Doom (Get Sciel’s relationship to level 4)	Deals very high single target Dark damage. 3 Hits. Applies Powerless, Defenceless, and Slow for 3 Turns. Can Break.
End Slice (Get her relationship level to 7)	Deals extreme single target Physical damage. 1. Hit. Damage is increased for each Foretell consumed since the beginning of the battle.
Monoco
Mighty Strikes (Unlocked automatically)	Deals high single target damage. 2 Hits. Uses weapon’s element. Deals double damage if the target is Stunned. Goes to Almighty Mask.
Sanctuary (Get Monoco’s relationship to level 4)	Gives 2 Shields and applies Regen to all allies for three turns.
Break Point (Max out his relationship level)	Deals extreme single target damage. 1 Hit. Uses weapon’s element. Fills the target’s Break Bar and Breaks it.
Lune
Tremor (unlocked automatically)	Deals high Earth damage to all enemies. 1 Hit. Removes all enemies’ Shields.
Tree of Life (Get her relationship level to 4)	Cleanses all status effects and heals all allies.
Sky Break (Max out Lune’s relationship)	Deals extreme damage to all enemies. 1 Hit. Element depends on which Stains Lune has the most. Can Break.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Released: April 24, 2025
ESRB: Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Developer(s): Sandfall Interactive
Publisher(s): Kepler Interactive
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Cross-Platform Play: No
Cross Save: No