Why the Stendhal Expedition 33 Build Is Shaking Up RPG Gaming
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has taken the RPG world by storm in 2025, but no build has caused a bigger splash than the now-infamous Stendhal Expedition 33 combo. This powerful setup, focused on the character Maelle, pushed the boundaries of what players thought was possible. Let’s dive into why this build changed the game and what led to its recent nerf.
What Made the Stendhal Expedition 33 Build So Powerful?
The core of this build revolves around Maelle, a young fencer, and the devastating Stendhal skill. By combining unique stances, the hard-to-find Medalum sword, and significant stacking buffs, players created a combo capable of dealing billions of damage in a single hit. According to Kotaku’s deep dive, the right skills and Luminas actives could boost damage output to truly wild levels—enough to one-shot the toughest bosses multiple times over.
The sheer scale of this combo far exceeded any other strategy in Expedition 33. As Forbes detailed, the Stendhal build let Maelle "erase the entire endgame’s challenge." Players could see numbers like 50 million, or even three billion, flashing up on the screen.
Why Did Developers Nerf the Build?
Sandfall Interactive had originally buffed Stendhal late in development, aiming to make single-hit skills feel impactful. However, balance quickly became a topic of concern. The developers realized that allowing one character to trivialize every encounter wasn’t in the spirit of Expedition 33’s challenging, creative combat.
As GameSpot’s coverage explained, the upcoming patch will reduce Stendhal’s damage output, while still allowing one-shot victories in some scenarios. The intent is to bring Maelle’s top build back in line with other powerful strategies, ensuring players still need to strategize and engage with late-game content.
Endgame and the Community’s Reaction
Despite the nerf, players remain enthusiastic. The buildcrafting system in Expedition 33 allows for creative experimentation, and new high-damage strategies are already surfacing. Endgame bosses may survive longer, but the thrill of finding new combos keeps the community active. With over two million copies sold and a chart-topping soundtrack, Expedition 33’s popularity shows no signs of waning.
Conclusion: The Legacy of the Stendhal Expedition 33 Build
The Stendhal Expedition 33 build will be remembered as one of 2025’s most disruptive and creative RPG strategies. Its rise and fall highlight the delicate balance developers must maintain between giving players power and preserving the core challenge of their games. For those who experienced the Stendhal combo in its prime, it was a moment of epic gaming history—one that ensures Expedition 33’s legacy in RPG communities for years to come.
Curious about more builds and industry reactions? Read full discussions on Forbes and Kotaku for expert takes.