Summary
Withso many Pictos options to choosefrom inClair Obscur: Expedition 33, every player will have their favorites for each character in the party, depending on the combat build or the type of combat encounter ahead. However, some Pictos in the game are truly invaluable for almost every scenario and should be equipped on every character at all times, as their perks will complement any playstyle.
Below, we’ll take a look at some of the best must-have Pictos inClair Obscur: Expedition 33that all characters in the party should haveequipped through the Lumina systemat all times. Only the most flexible and powerful Pictos with acost of no more than 5 Lumina pointsare considered, as anything more expensive would probably require tailoring one’s combat build to afford equipping them.
1Painted Power
Damage Can Exceed 9,999
If there’s one best Picto in all ofClair Obscur: Expedition 33that is an undeniable must-have for every party member, it would be Painted Power. Indeed, it’s hard to imagine even finishing the game’s Act 3 without this Picto, as, by the time players obtain it, they are likelywell past 9,999 damage per hit.
With Painted Power equipped, it’s time to unleash the full potential of character builds,reaching millions or even billionsof damage with Maelle, Sciel, or Monoco. In truth, Painted Power should be a passive ability unlocked for every character upon reaching Act 3, but given its cost of just five Lumina points, it’s not too bad as it is.
2Energizing Start I
On Battle Start, Gain +1 AP
InClair Obscur: Expedition 33, Action Points (AP) are the bread and butter of every combat build, and each character should ensure a predictable flow of AP in combat to enable the use of the most effective skills at vital moments. Energizing Start Pictos are one way to achieve this, granting additional AP for each Picto tier.
Of course, there are plenty of Pictos in the game that give extra AP (up to four at once) to characters, but they usually require certain steps to trigger or are rather costly in Lumina points. This makes Energizing Start an essential choice, with its low cost and its ability to expand the array of skills that players can use right when the battle starts.
3Augmented First Strike
50% Increased Damage On The First Hit, Once Per Battle
Augmented First Strike isone of the best Pictos for increasing damageinClair Obscur: Expedition 33, even if it applies only to the first damage dealt. Nevertheless, for just five Lumina points, each character can receive an incredible damage buff that few other Pictos or abilities can match.
What’s best is that Augmented First Strike affects any kind of damage, be it a free-aim shot, a base attack, or any skill. All that remains for players to do is to ensure they have enough AP to use a powerful skill with 50% increased damage right at the start of every combat encounter. An absolutemust-have for any non-support buildin the game.
4Teamwork
10% Increased Damage While All Allies Are Alive
Teamwork’s damage boost isn’t groundbreaking by any means, but for its cost of five Lumina points, a 10% increase to all damage is nothing to complain about. While this Picto isn’tcompatible with Auto-Death buildsor tactics, it is certainly useful for any other party combination or preferred playstyle and should be equipped on every character at all times.
Additionally, Teamwork remains relevant when starting a battle solo, with a single character in a party, which allows for a further damage increase in vital battles, like duels with tough merchants or when completing certain endgame challenges.
5Gradient Fighter
25% Increased Damage with Gradient Attacks
Gradient Attacks are definitely among the most powerfullate-game skills for every character inClair Obscur: Expedition 33, capable of dealing trulydevastating damage to the toughest bosseswhen used wisely. And Gradient Fighter is the best way to significantly increase the strength of such attacks, especially given the Picto’s low cost in Lumina.
While some players might prefer specific Gradient Attacks performed only by certain characters (Monoco recommended), it’s still worth equipping Gradient Fighter on everyone. Players never know when it can become a lifesaver when facing certain foes that can quickly eliminate characters with their long and deadly combo attacks, leaving little choice for who should use a Gradient Attack to save the day instead of wasting a turn reviving fallen allies.
Gain +3 AP on Killing an Enemy
Dead Energy is a great Picto for intense combat scenarios against numerous foes inClair Obscur: Expedition 33, or during fights where one elite enemy can summon additional enemies into the fight. With this Picto, a character gains a substantial addition to AP for each enemy defeated, as there’s no such thing as too much AP.
The only downside of the Dead Energy Picto is that it’s useless during combat encounters with a single tough enemy or boss. Nevertheless, given that it costs just two Lumina points to equip, this isn’t really a deal-breaker, so players should keep Dead Energy equipped at all times, as switching it back and forth isn’t worth the hassle.
7Healing Tint Energy
Healing Tints Also Grant 1 AP
No matter how skilled players are inClair Obscur: Expedition 33, sometimescharacters will take serious damagefrom bosses or elite enemies, requiring healing. There arenumerous ways to heal in the game, but more often than not, the most reliable is touse healing tintsthat, once upgraded, can restore a character’s full HP.
While not the strongest, given how cheap the Healing Tint Energy Picto is (a single Lumina point to equip), it is wise to keep it active for every party member at all times. This allows players to gain an additional AP whenever they use a healing potion and return to the fight refreshed and ready for casting.
8Dodger
Once Per Turn, Gain 1 AP on Perfect Dodge
Dodger is among the first Pictos that players obtain inClair Obscur: Expedition 33, and while it’smore suited for early-game play, as players are encouraged tofocus on parries rather than dodges later on, its perk remains valuable throughout the entire game, especially given that it costs only a single Lumina point.
The best way to utilize Dodger later in the game is to dodge only during long enemy attack combos, as even a single missed parry will prevent countering, making parrying unnecessarily risky. Therefore, the best strategy is to parry if players are confident and rely on dodges; otherwise, gaining additional AP for every party member each turn for almost no Lumina cost.
