Stendhal Expedition 33: The Build That Shook a GOTY Contender

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has rapidly gained attention as a modern masterpiece among turn-based RPGs. Its creative combat system and deep character customization have drawn comparisons to beloved genre classics. However, not all the buzz has been about balanced play. A powerful strategy known as the "Stendhal Expedition 33" build—centered on the character Maelle—recently turned the community upside-down.

What Made the Stendhal Expedition 33 Build So Disruptive?

Players discovered that Maelle, armed with the Stendhal skill and clever buff stacking, could deal astronomically high damage. Some reports suggested over 3 billion damage from a single attack, trivializing even the toughest bosses. As Forbes noted, this build erased much of Expedition 33’s late-game challenge. Even Sandfall Interactive, the developer, admitted that the synergy between the skill Stendhal and Maelle’s unique buffs went far beyond what they intended.

The process involves equipping Maelle with a rare sword, unlocking special stances, and layering buffs for an explosive outcome. As explained in a detailed analysis by Kotaku, combining the Virtuose stance—granting 200% extra damage—with critical skills and the right stat allocation caused an exponential scaling effect.

Why Is the Build Being Nerfed?

Game balance sits at the heart of any engaging RPG. When one character can outperform every other option by orders of magnitude, players are less motivated to experiment. According to GameSpot, Sandfall Interactive chose to act quickly. Initially, Stendhal was underwhelming during development, so it received a late buff prior to launch. This buff, while well-intentioned, turned Maelle into a one-hit machine.

Developers have emphasized they still want players to experiment and even "break the game" to some extent. The upcoming patch aims to keep Stendhal strong but not overpowering. This change will roll out first on Steam, then land on other platforms, making the Maelle build more balanced with the game's other systems.

What Does This Mean for Players Going Forward?

The Stendhal Expedition 33 nerf doesn’t mean the end of creative builds. Other characters, like Verso, have already demonstrated potential for high damage. Many fans enjoy pushing the game's systems, and Sandfall Interactive intends to preserve that spirit. The patch will simply encourage a wider variety of strategies without letting one overshadow all others.

Meanwhile, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 remains a standout title in 2025. It’s not only a sales success, but its soundtrack has also charted at No.1 in the classical genre. Post-launch updates demonstrate the studio’s commitment to both fair play and player delight, helping to ensure the game’s longevity.

Final Thoughts

The rise and nerf of the Stendhal Expedition 33 build is a testament to the passion and ingenuity of the RPG community. Game-breaking builds can be fun to discover, but balance ensures everyone enjoys the challenge. For more on this evolving story, check out Forbes', Kotaku's coverage, or GameSpot’s latest update.

Ready to try your own hand at buildcrafting? Expedition 33’s world is yours to experiment within—just don’t expect to one-shot every boss after the next update!