Clare Obscure Expedition 33 is becoming a hit among gamers, providing an exciting and engaging adventure. The game mostly follows a straight path, but there are lots of extra things to do that you might miss.
This guide will show you some of the coolest hidden features, choices, and tips to make your game even more fun as you play through the second part of Act One
The Hidden Gestral Arena: A Treasure Trove of Rewards
One of the most valuable locations in the game is the hidden Gestral Arena, accessible from the world map after completing the Flying Waters zone.
This optional area serves multiple purposes and offers significant benefits to players who can overcome its challenges.
How to Access the Arena
To reach the hidden Gestral Arena:
- From the world map, locate the Ancient Sanctuary area.
- Instead of entering the sanctuary, circle around to the back of the area.
- Follow the path to find the entrance to the arena.
Arena Mechanics and Rewards
Once inside, speak to the NPC in the center to participate in the fights. You’ll need to choose one party member as your champion for solo combat. The arena offers four boss fights of increasing difficulty, each with unique rewards:
- First Boss: Rewards the “Last Stand Critical” Picto, granting 100% critical hit chance when fighting alone.
- Second Boss: Provides the “Accelerating Last Stand” Picto, offering a 33% speed increase when solo.
- Third Boss: Grants the “Protecting Last Stand” Picto, giving a major damage reduction buff when alone.
- Fourth Boss: Rewards the “Empowering Last Stand” Picto, providing the “powerful” buff and 10% crit chance.
After defeating all four bosses, you’ll receive the “Solo Fighter” Picto, which increases damage by 50% when fighting alone.
Benefits of the Arena
The hidden Gestral Arena offers several advantages:
- Excellent experience farm through repeatable boss fights
- Substantial Chroma (currency) rewards
- Chroma tokens for weapon upgrades (up to level 9)
- Five powerful Pictos that enhance solo combat performance
Players can repeatedly challenge these bosses to farm experience and Chroma, with harder bosses offering greater rewards.
This area is particularly useful for early-game progression and strengthening your party.
Crucial Choices in the Gestral Village Arena
When you reach the Gestral Village zone, you’ll participate in a series of one-on-one fights.
The final reward depends on which character emerges victorious, presenting an important strategic choice:
- Gustave: Upgraded Sacaram (least useful option)
- Lune: Trebuche (marginally useful)
- Maelle: Medallum Sword (highly recommended)
- Starts Maelle in Virtuoso stance at the beginning of fights
- Offers significant damage output potential
- Rare weapon type not available again until much later
There’s also a hidden fourth option:
- Lose to Cel: Rewards Heon, a weapon for Cel when she joins your party
- Allows free aim shots to consume charges for various effects
The Medallum Sword for Maelle is generally considered the best choice due to its unique properties and scarcity.
The Elusive Merchant: Pinabby 
In the optional Yellow Harvest zone, players can find a easily missable Gestral merchant named Pinabby. To locate him:
- Access Yellow Harvest after unlocking Esier (your open-world mount)
- Progress to the second expedition flag (Harvesters Hollow)
- Take the right path and climb the fallen pillar
- Follow the path past a journal entry
- Look for a grappling hook prompt on a high ledge
- Grapple up to find Pinabby
Pinabby offers multiple valuable items:
- Chroma catalysts
- Color of Luminas
- Recota Picto (instantly defeats a character at the start of combat)
- Wavy hairstyle for Lune
After defeating Pinabby in combat, he adds the “Teamwork” Picto to his inventory.
This Picto provides health, defense, and a 10% damage increase while all party members are alive.
Essential Picto in Stonewave Cliffs
In the Stonewave Cliffs zone, players can find a crucial Picto called “First Strike”:
- Progress past the first energy weapon-wielding enemies
- Stick to the right side of the area
- Climb the ledges to reach a raised platform
- Collect the “First Strike” Picto from the ground
This Picto grants a speed bonus, increased crit chance, and most importantly, ensures that the equipped character always acts first in combat. This effect becomes essential later in the game when enemies would otherwise always move first on higher difficulty settings.
As a bonus, defeating the light blade-wielding enemy near the Picto location rewards players with the Chation, a new weapon for Cel. This dark element weapon scales with luck and offers a high-risk, high-reward playstyle.
Final Thoughts
Clare Obscure Expedition 33 offers a wealth of hidden content and strategic choices that can significantly impact your gameplay experience.
By exploring the hidden Gestral Arena, you need to find all the elusive merchants, and collecting powerful Pictos, players can gain a substantial advantage in their journey through the game.
Remember that these optional elements not only provide immediate benefits but can also set you up for success in later stages of the game.
Whether you’re looking to optimize your character builds, farm experience and resources, or simply uncover every secret the game has to offer, these tips will help you make the most of your time in Clare Obscure Expedition 33’s rich and engaging world.
As you continue your adventure, keep an eye out for these hidden gems and remember that sometimes the path less traveled can lead to the most rewarding experiences.
