In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 there are several builds that you can use for Maelle. MeinMMO shows you 2 builds that make the challenging game easier.
How is this list structured? In this list, we outline possible builds for Maelle that you can build upon. Ultimately, your playstyle determines which builds are suitable for you. We do not present “the best” build but rather provide several optimal options.
- Combat mechanics of Maelle
- Fire Solo Build (Act I)
- Counter Build (Act II + III)
- Stendhal Build (Act III)
Additionally, we explain how Maelle fundamentally works. This way, you can get the best out of the fighter.
How to use Maelle in combat
Maelle uses fire attacks and a rapier as her weapon. She can also switch her stance and adopt four states:
- Stance-less: No special effects
- Offensive: Deals 50% more damage but also receives 50% more damage
- Defensive: Takes 50% less damage and gains 1 AP for each evade or parry
- Virtuoso: Deals 200% more damage
To maximize her potential, you should change stances every round. This way, you gain 1 AP. If you do not do this or use the same stance twice in a row, she will switch to the stance-less state afterward.
If you are already in the offensive or defensive stance, using the standard attack is sufficient. Maelle will then alternate between the offensive and defensive stances. If she is stance-less or in the virtuoso stance, you must execute other actions.
Fire Solo Build
What kind of build is this? This build is designed so that Maelle can spread the burning status to enemies by shooting. This way, she does not have to rely on other team members and can completely ignore the left side of her skill tree. She shoots and can alternate between Percée and Quick Step depending on the enemy’s status. The build is particularly suitable in Act 1 of the game.
Required skills:
- Percée: Switch to the defensive stance
- Quick Step: Switch to the virtuoso stance when the enemy is burning
- Mezzo Forte: Maintain stance, returns 2-4 AP
Suitable weapon: The best weapon for the build is Medalum. The sword exploits that Maelle can spread the burning status. The status lasts longer and deals double damage. You receive the sword as a prize in the tournament in the village of the Gestrale when you complete the final challenge with Maelle.
Pictos and Lumina:
- Burning Shots (obtained in the area Spring Meadows)
- Marking Shots (obtained from the Gestral merchant in the Sanctuary of Endless Night)
- Death Energy (obtained in the area Spring Meadows)
Special features of the build: By using the applied Pictos and Lumina, you can mark enemies with simple shots and put them in the burning status. This saves one round in which she would have to use a fire attack to set the enemy on fire.
Against marked enemies, Percée deals increased damage. If the enemy is additionally burning, Quick Step causes Maelle to switch to the virtuoso stance. The advantage is that she can switch stances every round. If at any point she runs out of AP from shooting, Maelle can help with Mezzo Forte or regain AP with Death Energy.
Counter Build
What kind of build is this? This build relies heavily on countering. You remain permanently in the virtuoso stance after you have parried an attack. This way, you can choose between Impulse Strike, Phantom Thrust, and Retribution, depending on which attack is most suitable for your situation. Therefore, it is especially designed for Act 2 and 3, when you become more familiar with countering.
Required skills:
- Impulse Strike: Switch to the defensive stance
- Phantom Thrust: Switch to the defensive stance
- Retribution: Switch to the defensive stance
- Furious Rapier: Switch to stance-less, unless you are in the virtuoso stance, then stay
Suitable weapon: The perfect weapon for the counter build is Jarum. The rapier allows you to switch to the virtuoso stance after a counterattack. This way, you can use strong attacks without switching to the defensive stance, thus maintaining your damage bonus of 200%.
Pictos and Lumina:
- Increased Counter III (obtained after defeating the chromatic Échassier in Lumière)
- Risky Parry (obtained after defeating the golden Chevalière at the Stone Wave Cliffs)
- Glass Cannon (obtained in Visages)
- Flawless (obtained after a boss fight at Visages)
Special features of the build: The applied Pictos and Lumina increase the damage you deal with counters and additionally give you more AP. Glass Cannon also increases your standard damage, though you also receive more damage when you are hit. So, you should be sure that you can parry well. The same goes for Flawless, as you only deal additional damage until you are hit.
With Furious Rapier, you remain in the virtuoso stance if you make a mistake while parrying. The remaining attacks deal high damage and can even break the enemy.
Stendhal Build
What kind of build is this? Although Maelle’s Stendhal ability has been nerfed (via X), the attack still deals immense damage when the damage cap is lifted. You can defeat even the strongest opponents in just two rounds. Therefore, the build is especially suitable for Act III.
Required skills:
- Last Chance: Switch to the virtuoso stance
- Stendhal: Switch to the defensive stance
Suitable weapon: The perfect weapon for the counter build is Yeverum. The ability to receive more shields can be combined with the Picto Shield Affinity to further increase damage.
Pictos and Lumina:
- Threshold of Death (obtained after the last boss fight in Act I)
- Painted Power (obtained after the last boss fight in Act II)
- Master of Energy (obtained by defeating the Serpenphare)
- Shield Affinity (obtained in Sirène)
Special features of the build: With Last Chance, Maelle can switch to the virtuoso stance and restore all AP. She needs this for Stendhal, as the attack costs a full 8 AP. Because she only has 1 TP left, Threshold of Death deals 50% more damage. Moreover, the Picto Painted Power is particularly important because you will not exceed the 9,999 damage otherwise.
Maelle’s attack can be further driven to dizzying heights with Sciel’s Wrath of Fate. Additionally, you can apply shields to Maelle beforehand and use Shield Affinity to increase damage by 30%.
