Each character in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has their own unique playstyle, all working towards their own mini-objectives in combat in order to maximize their damage or overall effectiveness. While each character is unique, there are a few universal options players can lean on in combat, no matter what character they are acting as.

One of these universal combat mechanics is the ability to break and stun an enemy. This can be done with any character as long as you build it up properly and also use the right skills; here's how it's done.

How To Break Enemies In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Breaking an enemy is done by using a break skill on an enemy whose break bar is full. Every enemy has a break bar; the yellow bar that fills up below their health bar whenever they take damage. Every enemy has a break bar, though the limit to fill it can vary from enemy to enemy, especially on bosses. Once the break bar is full, a small yellow diamond will appear next to the break bar, indicating the enemy is ready to be broken.

From here, you'll need to attack that enemy with a skill that says, "Can Break". Once you land that skill successfully on the enemy with the full break bar, they will take a large amount of damage and will also be stunned. When stunned, an enemy won't act the next time it's their turn.

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How to Get Every Weapon in Clair Obscur Expedition 33

There are dozens of weapons to collect and use in battle throughout Clair Obscur Expedition 33's 30-hour story.

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How To Fill The Break Bar In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Any time an enemy takes damage, a small amount of their break bar will fill. That being said, some skills will focus more on filling the break bar, and those skills will have "Break Damage" in the description, such as Monoco's Stalact Punches, which deal, "High Break Damage". Skills such as these focus on filling the break bar much faster than regular damage, even if they just deal low break damage. Another great way to deal break damage is by countering the enemy's attacks, though this will require good parry timing on your end. Getting an Expedition 33 counter and using all three party members will also greatly fill the break bar, no matter your builds.

If you're trying to build your characters around breaking your enemies, the following Pictos/Lumina can help deal increased break damage:

You can also increase the damage or benefits of breaking an enemy with the following Pictos/Lumina:

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
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Turn-Based RPG
JRPG
Fantasy
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
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Released
April 24, 2025
ESRB
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Developer(s)
Sandfall Interactive
Publisher(s)
Kepler Interactive
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SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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Engine
Unreal Engine 5
Genre(s)
Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy