Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has quickly become one of 2025’s breakout titles, with its striking visual style and deep combat system capturing the attention of RPG fans worldwide. Developed by the relatively unknown Sandfall Interactive, the game has achieved critical and commercial success—despite launching mere days after the surprise drop of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster.
However, with success comes scrutiny, and the team behind Expedition 33 is now stepping in to address what many players have called the most broken build in the game.
The Stendhal Ability: From Stylish to Overpowered
At the center of the controversy is Maelle’s Stendhal ability, a key component in a damage-dealing combo that has allowed players to hit billions of damage in a single strike. When combined with her Virtuose stance, the synergy exponentially increases damage output to such a degree that one player was able to kill a secret superboss 45 times over in theoretical DPS simulations.
Although Clair Obscur is a single-player RPG, the immense imbalance caused by this build prompted Sandfall Interactive to respond. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the developer confirmed that a balance update is on the way.
“We’re thrilled that players are experimenting with builds and pushing the limits, but Stendhal + Virtuose currently creates numbers far beyond our intended curve. The upcoming patch will tone down the scaling for a healthier gameplay balance.”
Fan Reaction: Mixed but Understandable
The announcement sparked a mixed reaction online. While many players agree that the combo trivialized boss encounters and invalidated build diversity, others argue that nerfing a single-player game feels unnecessary.
“I bought this game to feel like a god,” one user posted. “If I want to do a billion damage, let me. It’s not PvP.”
On the flip side, others praised the studio for treating Clair Obscur with live-service-level care, ensuring a consistently polished experience.
What to Expect in the Patch
According to developers, the upcoming patch will reduce the damage multiplier stacking from Stendhal, while slightly increasing damage across underused abilities to maintain variety. Additionally, players can expect bug fixes, UI tweaks, and adjustments to lesser-used relic interactions.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 continues to evolve, and while the Stendhal nerf may end an era of overpowered builds, it also signals Sandfall Interactive’s commitment to long-term balance—even in a single-player world.