Upgrading your weapons in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is essential if you want to survive tougher enemies and bosses later in the game. Weapon upgrades not only boost raw damage, but they also make characters much more effective at exploiting Colour of Lumina strategies. This guide explains how weapon upgrades work, where to upgrade your weapons, and the materials you’ll need to strengthen your gear.
How to Upgrade Weapons in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
To upgrade weapons, you’ll need to visit The Curator at your main Expedition camp. The Curator becomes available early in the game, after you progress past the first part of Act 1.
Here’s how to upgrade your weapons:
- Speak to The Curator at camp.
- Select “Upgrade Weapons” from the upgrade options menu.
- Choose the weapon you want to enhance.
- Spend the required materials and gold to perform the upgrade.
Each upgrade boosts your weapon’s base stats significantly. Higher-level weapons also improve elemental affinity effects tied to Colour of Lumina, making it easier to break enemy defenses and deal massive combo damage.
Materials Required for Weapon Upgrades
Each level of weapon upgrading requires specific crafting materials. Here’s a breakdown:
- Levels 1–3: Chroma Catalyst
- Levels 4–9: Polished Chroma Catalyst
- Levels 10–19: Resplendent Chroma Catalyst
- Levels 20–32: Grandiose Chroma Catalyst
- Level 33: Perfect Chroma Catalyst
Materials can be earned through:
- Defeating powerful enemies and bosses
- Opening treasure chests in hidden areas
- Completing side quests that reward rare crafting resources
Higher-tier catalysts are much rarer, so plan your upgrade path carefully to avoid wasting valuable items on weapons you might replace later.
Tips for Upgrading Weapons Efficiently
- Prioritize Your Main Damage Dealers: Upgrade the weapons of your primary DPS characters first, such as Gustave or Sciel, to maximize combat effectiveness.
- Match Upgrades to Your Build: Focus upgrades on weapons that align with the Colour of Lumina strategy you’re building your party around.
- Save Rare Materials for Endgame Gear: Basic weapons may not be worth pushing beyond a few early upgrades. Save Grandiose and Perfect Chroma Catalysts for your best late-game equipment.
- Balance Across the Party: Don’t leave your support characters completely underpowered. Even healers and tanks benefit from improved weapons when enemies start hitting harder in later acts.
Can You Undo Weapon Upgrades?
No, weapon upgrades are permanent in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Once you spend your materials and gold, the enhancement cannot be reversed. Be deliberate when choosing which weapons to invest in, especially as you unlock stronger gear in later acts.
If you’re looking for even more ways to optimize your team’s potential, check out our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 guides over here at How To Video Game!