Sandfall Interactive, developers of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has rolled out Patch 1.2.3 for the popular role-playing game across all platforms.

The update delivers numerous fixes and key balance adjustments, notably toning down Clair Obscur’s most overpowered build (see patch notes below).

Sandfall had previously indicated that balance changes weren’t planned this early, focusing instead on bug fixes “unless something was glaringly off.”

“Stendahl was that exception,” the developer noted.

The affected build centered on young fencer Maelle and her sword Medalum, which activates a Virtuose Stance for 200% bonus damage. Combined with ability stacking and the Stendahl skill, which unleashes massive single-target Void damage, players could deal billions in damage, enough to defeat the final boss in one strike.

“It was lackluster during most of development, so we boosted its damage significantly in our final pre-release tuning — and went too far. It overshadowed other playstyles,” Sandfall explained.

“We still want players to feel powerful — and you can still dominate — but Stendahl made it too effortless.”

The nerf is part of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s first major hotfix package. Stendahl remains a potent single-hit skill with strong synergy but is now better balanced with other options.

The patch also corrects a bug causing Medalum’s third Lumina to double all damage in Virtuose Stance, instead of only Burn damage.

Key patch notes highlights:

• Fixed Medalum third Lumina doubling all damage in Virtuose Stance instead of only Burn damage.
• Stendahl: Reduced damage by 40%.

Maelle Outfits and Haircuts - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur has been a massive success for Sandfall, surpassing 2 million copies sold. Notably, it launched as a day-one Game Pass title alongside Bethesda’s Oblivion Remastered, making this milestone even more remarkable.

When Bethesda surprise-launched The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered at the same time as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many expected one to dominate. Yet, both titles have thrived.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s success has even earned praise from French President Macron for the development team. Check out our essential tips for starting the game.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Update 1.2.3 Patch Notes:

Steam Deck

Corrected menu backgrounds not displaying correctly on Steam Deck.

Various Ultrawide Fixes

Gameplay no longer zooms after cutscenes in ultrawide resolutions.

Options menu images no longer stretch in ultrawide resolutions.

Combat UI now adapts properly to ultrawide resolutions.

Game no longer minimizes when changing settings in ultrawide resolutions.

Cutscenes no longer letterbox in 32:9 aspect ratio.

Title screen now displays fullscreen on ultrawide resolution launch.

Mouse and Keyboard

UI button prompts in Expedition Menu are now visible and fully functional with keyboard.

Mouse buttons no longer become unresponsive after initial use.

Using 'WSAD' or directional arrows with the mouse cursor visible no longer hides the cursor.

Left mouse-button clicks no longer block keyboard menu navigation.

Mouse input no longer drops after the first Jump counterattack if pressed once.

Fixed areas of the world map where you can get stuck:

Between lanterns scattered on the ground near Stone Wave Cliff portal.

While walking on the shipwreck near the Forgotten Battlefield level entrance.

Between lanterns on the ground near Bourgeon encounter next to Stone Wave Cliffs level.

Between two small rocks located between Spring Meadows and Abbest Cave.

Between vases and corals when jumping from rooftops.

Between various rocks.

In ruins behind 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 would get stuck (poor guy):

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 reaches 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 reaches S at max level). Added Defense scaling starting at D.

Fixed Medalum third Lumina doubling all damage in Virtuose Stance instead of only Burn damage.

Stendahl: Reduced damage by 40%.

Other fixes

Stone Wave Cliffs boss encounter can now be completed on NG+.

Journal UI no longer blocks players after opening the first Journal in Spring Meadows.

Fixed inability to shoot in Free Aim while exploring levels due to worn triggers.

Lune and Monoco no longer spawn in the same place during their Level 6 relationship quests if completed without visiting camp.

Screen no longer goes black if you select “remember the objective,” then “go to sleep,” and immediately “leave” at camp.

Prevented triggering the “Discovering the truth” cutscene in Old Lumière twice, which split the party with only Verso and Maelle.

Updated rolling credits.