"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Patch 1.2.3 Nerfs Maelle's Stendahl Build"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 developer Sandfall Interactive has launched Patch 1.2.3 for its acclaimed role-playing game, now available across all platforms. This update brings a wide array of fixes and crucial balance adjustments, most notably targeting one of the game’s most overpowered builds—yes, we’re looking at you, Stendhal.

Sandfall had previously stated that early updates would focus on bug fixes rather than balance changes unless something truly stood out. As it turns out, Maelle’s Stendhal build definitely did. The young fencer’s Medalum sword, which unlocks the Virtuose Stance dealing 200% bonus damage, was being combined with ability stacking and the Stendhal skill to unleash absurd amounts of Void damage—enough to wipe out the final boss in a single hit.

The developers admitted that while the build was underwhelming during development, a last-minute damage boost before release clearly went too far. “It ended up overshadowing most other options,” Sandfall noted. While the team still wants players to find creative ways to break the game, Stendhal made it just a little too easy.

Patch 1.2.3 tones down the Stendhal skill by reducing its damage output by 40%, bringing it more in line with the rest of the game's mechanics. Additionally, a bug involving Medalum’s third Lumina incorrectly doubling all damage in Virtuose Stance—instead of only Burn damage—has been fixed, restoring balance to the combat system.

Key Highlights from the Patch Notes

• Stendhal damage reduced by 40%
• Fixed Medalum third Lumina to double only Burn damage in Virtuose Stance
• Various Steam Deck interface improvements
• Enhanced ultrawide resolution support (no more zoomed gameplay after cutscenes, correct UI scaling, proper cutscene display)
• Improved mouse and keyboard controls for better navigation and responsiveness
• World map collision fixes preventing players from getting stuck in specific areas
• Esquie movement fixes to prevent him from falling through structures or getting trapped
• Weapon scaling rebalances (Lithelim, Blizzon)
• Combat and exploration fixes including free aim functionality, journal UI issues, and quest progression bugs

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has proven to be a major success for Sandfall Interactive, surpassing 2 million copies sold shortly after launch. Notably, it launched alongside The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered as a day-one Game Pass title, yet still managed to carve its own space in the competitive RPG market. The game’s popularity even earned praise from French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the growing influence of independent studios in the global gaming landscape.

Whether you're a veteran player or just starting your journey in this dark fantasy world, Patch 1.2.3 ensures a smoother, more balanced experience across the board. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out our tips for what to know before diving into [ttpp].