Once you enter Act 2 of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, you can start building relationships with each of the main characters after going back to camp and speaking with them one-on-one. While it might seem like this is simply about building backstory and developing characters for the narrative, increasing relationship levels with each character actually unlocks new combat skills and unique exploration abilities. If you don't want to miss out on both some excellent storylines and the best Gradient Skills in the game, I highly recommend going back to camp often and speaking with each character,

!!! WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR CLAIR OBSCUR: EXPEDITION 33 !!!Once you unlock Verso in Act 2, you can revisit camp and have side conversations with Clair Obscur. These conversations dive deep into the individual relationships between Verso and each respective character, including Esquie, and can increase relationship levels all the way up to Level 7. You'll have dialogue options with each character, though advancing the relationship will happen regardless of what you decide to say. That means it's more important to simply have the conversations and increase the relationship level, and your dialogue choices don't make a major difference on the outcome of each relationship.

How Relationships Work In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Speak With Each Character At Camp For Unique Interactions

Once you've unlocked Verso in Act 2 of Clair Obscur, you'll be able to start relationships with each of the main characters back at camp. This includes Maelle, Sciel, Lune, Monoco, and Esquie. While at camp, you can speak to each character and choose whether to spend time alone with them. Each conversation will reveal a new aspect of the respective character's backstory and will likewise reveal much about Verso himself. In addition to character development, you will receive unique rewards in the form of new Gradient Skills as you advance each relationship.

At Level 4 Relationship, you'll unlock the second Gradient Skill for each playable character by speaking with them. The first Gradient Skill is automatically unlocked once you unlock Gradient attacks. As you progress through the story, you can continue to speak with characters individually to increase your relationship level. However, you'll need to reach Act 3 before you're able to advance them to the final stages. At Level 6, three of the characters require a special quest in a specific location across the Continent (see below for specifics).

Swimming underwater allows you to loot glowing areas in the ocean and gives you access to locations like Renoir's Depths, so increasing Esquie's relationship is essential if you want to fully explore Clair Obscur.

After completing the Level 7 quest for each character, you'll unlock their third and final Gradient Skill. These are among the most powerful skills in the game and are well worth the trouble of completing each respective character's relationship in its entirety. One important distinction is that building a relationship with Esquie at camp will unlock Verso's Gradient Skills, and at Level 6, you will be able to unlock Esquie's ability to swim underwater. This is essential for finding some of the most hidden places in the game, including Renoir's Drafts, where you can defeat Simon.

How To Reach Max Relationship With Each Character In Clair Obscur

Some Characters Require Unique Endgame Quests To Reach Level 7

As you enter the late stages of the game and start to explore Clair Obscur's hidden regions in Act 3, you will also unlock each character's unique final quests that allow you to reach the maximum relationship Level 7. At Level 6, you'll have a specific task that needs to be completed in most cases to be able to advance the relationship to its final stages. You will have the choice in Clair Obscur for Verso to romance either Lune or Sciel, though you can maximize their relationships regardless of who you decide to fall in love with.

These relationship quests actually include some of the most powerful story details in the game, and they are well worth completing for the narrative depth alone. Maelle's storyline in particular involves ascending The Reacher tower on the west side of the Continent and facing off against Alicia, and the resolution to this has a major impact on Verso.

Monoco and Lune both have equally compelling character arc resolutions that are only viewable if you head to the associated area and complete their quests. For Monoco, you can bring Noco back to life in the Sacred River, while you'll need to find Lune's parents' journal at Sirene's Dress. For Sciel, I reached max level with her as my romantic interest, and there were no quests in new locations required at all. However, you do learn much and more about her history, and even find out why she and Esquie have such a deep connection.

Esquie's relationship can be increased to unlock Verso's Level 4 and 7 Gradient Skills, but you will also be able to unlock the ability to swim underwater by advancing Esquie's relationship to Level 6. Once you hit Level 6, you will automatically be transported back to Esquie's Nest to battle Francois once again, only this time you'll have to face off against him alone with Verso. Once you defeat him, you'll give him a new fancy rock to take the place of Esquie's Urrie rock that allows him to swim underwater.

Rewards For Each Relationship In Clair Obscur

Unlock Gradient Skills & Esquie's Unique Exploration Ability

The primary rewards for advancing each relationship are new Gradient Skills, which are easily the most powerful and effective skills each character can learn in the game. No matter what type of Clair Obscur build you prefer for Lune, Maelle, or any character, for that matter, Gradient Skills are absolutely essential for taking out the toughest enemies in the endgame.

In my view, the best Gradient Skills in Clair Obscur: Expedtion 33 belong to Verso and Lune. The Sky Break skill hits all enemies and deals extreme damage based on the Stains Lune has most of, making it not only a versatile skill but also one with the capacity to annihilate enemies despite their specific resistances. Verso's Angel's Eyes, however, is probably the most OP Gradient Skill if used properly, dealing extreme Physical damage with eight hits, while also giving him an automatic revive if he ends up falling in battle.

Overall, relationships in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are more important than simply advancing storylines and discovering more about each character. They will also give you unique skills that are absolutely essential for late-game bosses. However, the narrative aspects of these side quests should not be undersold, and in some cases, they inform the main storyline of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and make it even more powerful.