In-Depth Character Builds: Maelle’s High-Damage Strategies in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

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Maelle is one of the most powerful offensive characters in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, capable of dishing out massive damage when optimized correctly. With the right build, equipment, and teammates, her signature skill Stendhal can deal over 50 million damage in a single blow.

Whether you’re aiming to clear high-level content or just want to watch enemies melt under her might, this guide covers everything you need to unlock Maelle’s full destructive potential.

Team Composition: Buffing Maelle to the Max

To get the most out of Maelle’s high-damage potential, you’ll want to construct a team that enhances her offensive output while providing survivability:

Best Allies for Maelle:

  • Sciel – Offers magic amplification and barrier buffs to protect Maelle while charging Stendhal.

  • Lune – Great for elemental synchronization and debuffing enemies to increase critical multipliers.

Tip: Keep Sciel’s Inspira Forte active and Lune’s Lumidown applied before Maelle strikes.

Core Ability: Stendhal

Maelle’s High-Damage Strategies, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Stendhal is Maelle’s signature burst ability and scales heavily with her equipped Pictos and gear stats. Here’s what enhances it:

  • Elemental Affinity: Equip fire-boosting Pictos if using the Flame Stendhal version.

  • Critical Damage Multipliers: Pair with abilities or gear that boost critical hit rate and crit damage.

According to GameFAQs, with optimal crit buffs, Stendhal can exceed 50M damage in boss fights. 

Gear & Pictos: What to Equip for Maximum Damage

Proper gear synergy is essential to making Maelle hit like a truck. Focus on the following:

Top Recommended Equipment:

  • Burnished Pendant – Adds a stacking damage bonus with each turn Maelle remains unhit.

  • Starlit Grimoire – Increases magical crit rate and boosts Stendhal's final modifier by 25%.

Best Pictos for Maelle’s Build:

  1. Fury of the Flame – Grants +15% fire damage and +10% crit chance.

  2. Echo of the Void – Boosts damage when alone or as the last active attacker.

  3. Heart of Glass – Increases burst damage by 20% after receiving a healing buff.

Diario AS notes that combining these Pictos results in unstoppable momentum, especially in boss chains.

Rotation Strategy: When to Unleash Stendhal

  1. Open with buffs from Sciel and Lune.

  2. Apply enemy debuffs (e.g., Weakness or Defense Down).

  3. Wait 2–3 turns for Burnished Pendant to stack.

  4. Trigger Stendhal after all conditions are in place.

Steam users report that this rotation is key to breaking the 50M mark on damage leaderboards.

Community Resources for Builds & Testing

Final Thoughts

Building Maelle into a high-damage machine takes a bit of effort, but the results are absolutely worth it. With proper teammates, equipment, and timing, she can deal unmatched burst damage in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Don’t forget to experiment with Pictos depending on your mission type — flexibility can make or break your output. 

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