Best Gustave build in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Gustave is the tactical backbone of Clair Obscur Expedition 33. He’s a battle-hardened engineer who balances raw physical power with calculated control. He specializes in building Charges through multi-hit attacks and strategic support skills, then cashing them in with Overcharge, his devastating Lightning finisher.

His rhythm is what makes him dangerous. Stack Charges with Lumière Assault and Strike Storm, apply team buffs with Powerful, and unleash Overcharge when the enemy’s Break bar is ready. Patience and timing turn Gustave into your most reliable spike damage deale. When played right, he doesn’t just end turns; he ends fights.

Best character build for Gustave

To optimize Gustave’s Charge loops and survivability, invest in crit-scaling, defense, and early damage output.

Best Attributes for Gustave

• Luck: Crucial for Charge generation. His multi-hit moves benefit from crits, and high Luck makes those loops faster and more efficient.
• Defense: He’s up front in most fights. Defense keeps him standing through the turns it takes to build Charges.
• Might: Boosts his raw attack output. Strong in the early game before Charge-based damage takes over.

The percentages below represent suggested ratios for how to distribute your total attribute points as you level – use them to prioritize your build focus over time.

• Early Game: Luck (40%) / Defense (30%) / Might (30%)
• Late Game: Luck (50%) / Defense (30%) / Might (20%)

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Best Skills for Gustave

Early Game

• Lumière Assault: 5-hit combo that rapidly builds Charges. Core to his rotation.
• Powerful: Buffs party damage and generates 2 Charges. Great when used before an ally’s burst.
• Strike Storm: 6-hit attack that stacks Charges faster than anything else. Excellent when Luck is high.
• Overcharge: Gustave’s signature move. Consumes 10 Charges to deal massive Lightning damage. When timed with a full enemy Break bar, it can trigger Break and deal even more.
• Guard Up: Defensive party buff that reduces incoming damage for 3 turns. Use to prep for big enemy moves or keep Gustave safe during his Charge buildup.

Mid to Late Game

• Marking Shot: Deals low single target Lightning damage. Perfect to start a fight.
• Lumiere Assault: 5-hit combo that rapidly builds Charges. Core to his rotation.
• Overcharge: Gustave’s signature move. Consumes 10 Charges to deal massive Lightning damage. When timed with a full enemy Break bar, it can trigger Break and deal even more.
• Shatter: Deals High Lightning damage to all enemies. Having an AoE attack at this stage of the game is a must.
• Strike Storm: 6-hit attack that stacks Charges faster than anything else. Excellent when Luck is high.

Tip: Don’t throw Overcharge into a neutral turn. Stack Charges first, time it after an enemy is Marked or near Break, and let it carry the turn.

Best Pictos for Gustave

Focus on Charge efficiency, early AP boosts, and durability:

Early Game

• Empowering Attack: Boosts base attack power. Helps Lumière Assault and Strike Storm land harder.
• Sweet Kill: Restores HP on KO. Not flashy, but solid sustain for long fights.
• Energizing Start: Gives +1 AP at the start of combat, letting you open with Lumière Assault or Guard Up without delay.

Late Game

• Rewarding Mark: Grants +2 AP when hitting a Marked enemy (1x per turn). Perfect when paired with teammates who apply Mark.
• Dead Energy II: +3 AP on KO. Great for wave fights or cleanup kills during boss phases.
• Augmented Attack: 50% increased Base Attack damage. This one paired with Over

Best Weapons for Gustave

Early Game

• Cruleram: Found early and scales well with Luck and Defense. Ideal for a crit-heavy Charge strategy.

Late Game

• Lanceram: Gustave’s top-tier weapon. Excellent Might scaling and reliable for closing fights with Overcharge.

Best builds for other Clair Obscur characters

Who is Gustave? Lore explained

Gustave is the oldest and most grounded member of Expedition 33. Before joining, he was a quiet force in Lumière—fixing what others ignored, building machines to keep society running. When his own 33rd year arrived, he volunteered to lead the Expedition, not because he expected to survive it, but because someone had to go first.

His prosthetic arm, forged by his own hand, is a symbol of his practical brilliance. He doesn’t talk much, but he acts when it counts. Calm, calculating, and deeply human, Gustave doesn’t fight out of fury; he fights out of duty, design, and an unwavering will to finish the job.

He wants to free the people of Lumière from danger for future generations, and that is what drives him forward.