Lune has already proven to be a tremendous asset, playing a critical role in shaking Gustave out of his post-massacre state and setting the stage for their adventurous journey in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. With their partnership, players now have a plethora of options in combat that can dramatically alter the dynamics of battles.

As we dive into the latest installment of The Week In Games, titled Dark Knights and Dark Princes, its essential to highlight some fundamental aspects of Lunes gameplay. You might be asking yourself how to effectively combine elemental attacks, what the intriguing Stain mechanic entails, and how a character can traverse such grim terrains without a speck of dirt on her feet. Thankfully, were here to clarify all your questions, providing you with detailed insights on how to best utilize everyones favorite ethereal elemental fighter.

1. Basic Kit

At her core, Lune is primarily a magic wielder, yet her melee weapona unique magical dreamcatcherserves as a conduit for her elemental abilities, capturing all her elemental Stains. This dreamcatcher can morph into various forms, including Chinese bagua mirrors and other mystical shapes that reflect her elemental prowess.

When it comes to skills, Lunes abilities can vary widely. Generally, as you explore new areas, you'll discover that most enemies are vulnerable to a specific element. Its crucial to build your strategy around exploiting these weaknesses. However, there may be instances where you encounter foes that Lune cant counter effectively with her available elemental arsenal.

For instance, when Verso joins the party, expect to face adversaries that are weak to Light. In such scenarios, leaning towards Fire attacks often yields the best results. Fire, in fact, is almost universally useful, while the rare instances where it might not apply can be remedied by switching Lune to Healing Light mode, allowing for health restoration and status effect removal.

2. Special Mechanic: Stains

At first glance, the Stain system may not seem as pivotal for Lune as Overdrive is for Gustave, but it can become a vital aspect of long battles, particularly when challenging bosses. Understanding how to manage this mechanic from the onset can lead to significant advantages in combat.

Essentially, every skill Lune employs generates an elemental Stain on her primary weapon, which can be viewed in the Skill menu. Additionally, each skill can trigger a modifier based on the Stains present in the battle. For example, Lunes primary Fire Skill, Immolation, creates a Fire Stain. If Ice Stains are also on the field, the damage output increases significantly. Moreover, some abilities can generate a generic Light Stain, which functions as a wild card for your strategies.

Strategically building up valuable Stains might require using skills that initially appear ineffective against certain enemies. This becomes increasingly relevant as you progress and encounter foes that absorb specific elements. However, for the first twenty hours of gameplay, focus on mastering which Pictos you should enhance to exploit weaknesses effectively.

3. Recommended Builds/Synergy

In the early stages of the game, Lune will be surrounded by an abundance of Fire-focused Pictos and Lumina. Therefore, its advisable to build skill sets around that element until you reach the Gestral Village. Maintaining a minimum of three burns at all times will ensure you are maximizing your damage output. The Lighterim Weapon will also aid in generating Burns without relying on specific skills, a critical asset once Maelle joins the party.

Although Ice damage may not always deliver high attack values, it is invaluable for generating Stains that enhance Fire skills. The ability for Ice attacks to slow down enemies is particularly advantageous when dealing with quick foes capable of taking multiple turns consecutively. This strategy of layering Ice Stains before unleashing powerful attacks becomes an effective combat tactic later in the game.

However, remember that utilizing these strategies consumes a significant amount of AP, and Lunes base attack may not always generate enough for sustained use. Skills like Energizing Attack and Dead Energy are instrumental in replenishing your AP, especially since enemies defeated through Lunes Fire spells will reward her with AP bonuses unexpectedly.

4. Skills to Aim For

Among the skills you should prioritize, Mayhem stands out as a must-have. This ability allows Lune to deal non-specific elemental damage by utilizing every Stain currently in play. Its a game-changer, especially in battles where you might not have advantageous elemental alignments.

Youll begin with Ice Lance, but youll eventually want to replace it with Thermal Transfer, which trades Ice damage for the consistent generation of AP. Thunderfall is another skill worth keeping in your arsenal, as it can prove essential during moments when you need to capitalize on burning enemies and clear the field effectively.

Lastly, while its a late-game skill, Revitalization should be your ultimate goal in Lunes healing abilities. This skill not only heals the entire party but also grants a Regeneration effect, ensuring your team can sustain longer in combat. Once youve secured the other skills mentioned, focus on accumulating resources to acquire this valuable ability as soon as possible.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is now available for play on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PCs, promising players an engaging and dynamic gaming experience.