Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Guide | Parry Build For Expert Difficulty

In Expert mode, the parry timing is tighter, but you’ll get used to it, so it won’t be a problem. There’s an item that synergizes exceptionally well with this setup, and because there’s no room for mistakes, you can be one-shotted, so you need a rock-solid build. This guide will walk you through the steps you’ll need to be able to finish Expert difficulty with this method.

Build Gameplay

In Expert mode, you begin by putting all your defenses up as fast as possible. First, enter a defensive stance using Spark—its low cost lets you switch quickly—and you’ll see a blue icon indicating you’ve entered defensive mode, granting a 50% damage reduction. 

Next, a Shield should be applied to Monoo since Monoo lacks innate damage reduction and has lower health. Every successful parry generates a shield, so your existing shields absorb the hit even if you miss. Once both characters are shielded, activate Bushier Fortify to apply Shell, giving an extra 20% damage reduction; you’ll notice a Shell icon beneath each avatar. 

If you’ve equipped the green heavy Shield, you’ll also gain additional shields upon entering a defensive stance. Repeat Spark between parries to maintain your stance, and remember that most incoming damage comes from counterattacks. To boost your counterattack damage, equip Pictos and Luminos, and avoid any items that deal damage on use, as they will break your defensive stance.

Build Details

Your build hinges on parry synergy—you must parry to trigger shields and defensive buffs. The two critical skills are Bushier Fortify, which applies Shell to all targets, and Cooler Barrier, which applies Shield to a single target. You wield a Light-element weapon (light is intense against dark enemies) and include Protective Heal to use Shell for one turn as a safety net. 

The centerpiece is Shellium, which, on a defensive stance, grants one Shield per parry, resets all shields at the start of your turn, increases light damage with skills by 10%, and—at Level 20—boosts counterattack damage by 50% per Shield. 

This last effect compensates for any elemental mismatch you might face. Finally, keep Spark in your rotation to reenter your defensive stance and avoid skills that break your stance so you maintain uninterrupted protection.

Tips

You can expand on this core by adding more party members and synergies. Once you have shields up, you can shield an additional ally—perhaps your healer—before the enemy’s turn, giving your team extra breathing room. All three characters can receive Shell and, if you’re using the green heavy Shield, extra shields as well. 

This makes Expert mode easier than Story mode, provided you stick to the parry-shield-Shell loop. If you’re concerned about elemental weaknesses, remember that Shellium’s level-20 bonus grants 50% more counterattack damage per Shield, compensating for any damage shortfalls. You’ll breeze through Hard and Expert encounters with practice and perfect timing.

Shellium Weapon Location

Shellium is found in a Sinister Cave. According to the wiki, this is where you can secure the weapon that powers the build’s core mechanic—make your way there to complete your setup.

Also, check our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review and other guides below:

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Beginner's Guide | Tips & Tricks
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Guide | Best Early Game Farm Location
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Guide | How To Find Chromatic Petank
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Guide | How To Get Verso's Best Weapon (Cultam)
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Guide | How To Play Monoco
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Guide | How To Play Verso
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Guide | Solo Verso Overload Build
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Guide | Solo Verso Sniper Build
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Guide | Jar NPC Item Location