Summary

One of the last new mechanics you’re introduced to during the second act ofClair Obscur: Expedition 33is Gradient Skills. These powerful attacks don’t use AP, and instead use Gradient Charges that are built up by spending AP on other abilities.

Each party member (except Gustave), has three of these to unlock, and they can easily turn the tide of battle if used strategically. However, some of these are much more useful than others, and given how long Gradient Charges can take to accumulate, it’s best to know which are worth spending the points on, and which you shouldn’t,

Striker Gradient Skill description over blurred background in Clair Obscur Expedition 33.

10Striker

Verso - Two Gradient Charges

Verso is capable of being one of the most powerful party members in Clair Obscur. Part of this relies on tactical distribution of attributes, but it mainly relies on his Perfection rank. If Verso manages to avoid taking hits, and instead build up Perfection points, his attacks will be buffed, and certain perks are activated.

Some of Verso’s Gradient Skills are best saved for if he has a high Perfection rank, a good example beingStriker. The ability needs two charges, deals high single-target damage, and can break enemies. At a low rank, this isn’t worth the charge cost, but if he’s at S, or even A rank, it’s well worth using.

Shadow Bringer Gradient Skill description over blurred background in Clair Obscur Expedition 33.

9Shadow Bringer

Sciel - One Gradient Charge

Getting themost out of Scielrequires careful understanding of her Fortell and sigil system, but once you master it, you’ll be able to take down multiple enemies at once thanks to her various multi-target skills.

If you’re up against a group of enemies, and want to weaken them all quickly, usingShadow Bringerwill deal 10 hits of high Dark damage to a random selection of enemies, applying Fortell each time. Not only is this a great way to deal masses of damage for only one Gradient Charge, but it also sets up future attacks too.

Gommage Gradient Skill description over blurred background in Clair Obscur Expedition 33.

8Gommage

Maelle - Three Gradient Charges

Upon unlocking the final Gradient Skills for each of the party members right at the end of the main story, you’ll finally have access to the most powerful abilities in the game. While these have a high cost, they’re unmatched in power, and nothing exemplifies this more thanGommage.

Its first effect will immediately kill all weaker targets, but since it takes so long to charge up, there’s a low likelihood of any weaker enemies being present unless summoned by a stronger boss. However, its true power is in the extreme Void damage dealt to all remaining enemies after that, and in how it leaves Maelle in Virtuose Stance, setting up any future attacks perfectly.

Tree of Life Gradient Skill description over blurred background in Clair Obscur Expedition 33.

7Tree Of Life

Lune - Two Gradient Charges

While Lune is capable of being one of themost powerful party membersif you manage to wrangle her Stain system, she’s also one of the easier characters to build as a healer thanks to that set of skills being relatively simpler in comparison.

Later bosses in the game play dirty by layering various stacks of status effects on the party; that’s why Lune having access toTree of Lifeis such a blessing. Not only will you get two Light Stains for follow-up attacks, but the ability will also heal all the allies on the field and clear any status effects too.

Mighty Strike Gradient Skill description over blurred background in Clair Obscur Expedition 33.

6Mighty Strike

Monoco - One Gradient Charge

Whileunlocking all of Monoco’s abilitiestakes a lot more active effort than other party members thanks to his foot collecting and needing to keep him in the party, his Gradient Skills are luckily easier to unlock. They’re available through his relationships like all the other characters.

However, his first Gradient Skill remains one of the most useful, even after the others are unlocked. Only needing one Gradient Charge,Mighty Strikedeals high single-target damage based on the element of Monoco’s weapon, and if you’ve managed to stun the enemy, the damage is doubled. Even better, it leaves Monoco on his Almighty Mask on the Bestial Wheel, making planning your next move even easier.

Angel’s Eyes Gradient Skill description over blurred background in Clair Obscur Expedition 33.

5Angel’s Eyes

Verso - Three Gradient Charges

While Verso is designed to be one of the more powerful party members in Clair Obscur, depending on how you build him, he can also end up as one of the more fragile members too. To help balance his fragility and damage output, his final Gradient Skill is well worth the three charges.

Angel’s Eyeswill deal eight hits of extreme physical damage, and for each of these hits Verso will gain one Perfection, pushing up his rank each time. On top of this, it leaves Verso with the Aureole status, reviving him the next time he dies, providing a useful safety net.

Phoenix Flame Gradient Skill description over blurred background in Clair Obscur Expedition 33.

4Phoenix Flame

Maelle - Two Gradient Charges

Switching between Defensive, Offensive, and Virtuose strikes makes Maelle one of the more versatile characters in the game, and careful manipulation of her stances makes her capable of being one of the most powerful attackers too. However, she’s easy to build partially as a support character thanks to some useful skills.

Phoenix Flameis a great way to bring the battle back in your favour, especially if Maelle is the last member standing. On top of dealing a massive ten simultaneous stacks of Burn, all other party members are immediately revived with 50-70 percent of their health.

Sky Break Gradient Skill description over blurred background in Clair Obscur Expedition 33.

3Sky Break

Lune - Three Gradient Charges

All the level three Gradient Skills are obviously fantastic, but it’s hard to justify their cost sometimes since there are some lower-cost Gradient Skills that can be just as useful. However, if you have three charges to spare, and want to deal the most damage, then Lune’sSky Breakis the best bet.

All enemies on the field will be dealt extreme elemental damage, the specific element chosen based on which stain Lune has the most of. After this, Lune will be given three Light Stains, perfect for setting up a follow-up attack.

Sanctuary Gradient Skill description over blurred background in Clair Obscur Expedition 33.

2Sanctuary

Monoco - Two Gradient Charges

Monoco is by far one of the most versatile party members thanks to his massive selection of skills, but one position that is easy to build him for is support, especially when you consider his level two Gradient Skill,Sanctuary.

All party members are immediately given two layers of shield, some of the best protection available, especially if you’re good at parrying, but also given Regen for three turns. Regen will heal passively each turn, helping party members build back health after getting their shields.

Doom Gradient Skill description over blurred background in Clair Obscur Expedition 33.

1Doom

Sciel - Two Gradient Charges

The reality of Gradient Skills is that, while they’re showy and powerful, you’ll often only end up using them in boss fights since these are the main scenarios where battles go on long enough for the charges to be accumulated.

Because of this, the best Gradient Skills are those aimed at taking down a singular powerful foe, and it’s why Sciel’sDoomis so useful. The level two Gradient Skill hits one target with three high damage Dark hits, and then layers on Powerless, Defenceless, and Slow for three turns, and can even break the enemy. If you want to quickly debilitate your target, this is the best option.