So, you finally took down the Paintress. You watched the credits roll, maybe shed a tear for Gustave, and now you’re staring at that Expedition Flag wondering if you should click the "New Game+" button. Honestly? It's a trap if you aren't prepared. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 New Game Plus isn't just a victory lap where you steamroll through Lumiere with endgame gear. It is a brutal, calculated shift in how the game plays, and if you haven't mastered the parry windows yet, the first few mobs in Act I are going to absolutely wreck your day.
Most people think NG+ is just about seeing the alternate ending or finally romancing Sciel instead of Lune. While that’s a big part of it, the real reason to jump back in is the level 33 cap on gear. You literally cannot max out your build in a single playthrough. The game locks the best materials—like the Perfect Chroma Catalysts—behind the second run.
How to actually start New Game Plus
It’s kinda weird because there isn't a button on the main menu. You have to load your clear save, which drops you back into the world right before the final encounter. From there, you head to any Expedition Flag. A new option will appear.
Once you click it, the game gives you a big warning. Pay attention to it. This isn't a "soft" reset.
📖 Related: Is Roblox Working Right Now? What Most People Get Wrong
What carries over (and what disappears)
The biggest relief is that you don't lose your power. You keep your character levels, all your unlocked skills, and your entire inventory of Pictos and Luminas. This is huge because your build is already "online" the moment you step foot back into the opening areas. You also get to keep all your party members from the start. Having Maelle and Sciel available in the very first combat encounters changes the dynamic completely.
However, the "Lost Gestrals" and your relationship levels? Gone.
- Relationship Levels: These reset to zero. You have to rebuild those bonds from scratch, which is actually a blessing if you want to see the different character scenes you missed.
- Quest Items: Anything tied to a specific side mission is wiped.
- Exploration Abilities: This is the annoying part. Your Paint Break ability and most of Esquie's flight perks reset. You're back to being a ground-dweller for a while.
- World Collectibles: Records and journals are gone. If you were one record away from a trophy, finish that before you reset.
The massive difficulty spike
The enemies in Expedition 33 New Game Plus aren't just sponges. They hit significantly harder, and their speed stats are tuned way up. In your first run, you could probably tank a missed parry here and there. In NG+, missing a parry against a high-level Nevron often means an immediate "Last Stand" trigger or a total wipe.
The game expects you to be around level 45-50 starting out, but the enemies scale as if you've already optimized your Lumina sets. If you haven't been using the Painted Power Lumina to break the 9,999 damage cap, you're going to feel like you're attacking with a wet noodle by the time you reach the Flying Manor.
Exclusive rewards and the Level 33 gear chase
Why put yourself through this? Because of the loot. Expedition 33 rewards the grind with higher-tier Tints and weapon upgrades that simply do not drop in the first playthrough. You’ll start seeing Grandiose Chroma Catalysts as random drops from standard mobs.
The ultimate goal for most players is the Baguette weapon. It sounds like a joke—and it kinda looks like one—but it has some of the highest base stats in the game. You need Festival Tokens to get it, and since you only get a limited amount per run, you actually need to reach NG+2 to fully kit out your entire party with them.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Connections July 14 Puzzle Was a Total Brain Teaser
The strategy shift
In the base game, you could mostly rely on Gustave’s Overcharge or Lune’s elemental stains to carry you. In New Game Plus, you have to play the "Gradient" game.
Gradient Counters become your best friend. Since enemies attack in longer, more complex sequences (sometimes up to 7 hits in a single turn), you have to stay focused. The "animation traps" are way more frequent here. An enemy might wind up for a slow swing, then suddenly accelerate. If you're just button-mashing, you're dead.
Actionable steps for your NG+ run
Before you commit to the reset, do these three things:
- Farm the Isle of Eyes: Make sure you’re at least level 50. It makes the transition much smoother.
- Max your Pictos: You want those passive bonuses fully unlocked so you can slot them into your Lumina builds immediately.
- Check your Tints: Ensure you have enough basic materials to upgrade any new weapons you find in the early hours of NG+.
Honestly, the second run feels like the "real" game. The story hits differently when you know the truth about the Paintress, and the combat finally demands the precision the devs at Sandfall clearly intended. Just don't expect it to be easy.
🔗 Read more: The Walking Dead Season Three Telltale Games: Why Fans Still Debate A New Frontier
If you're looking to truly "break" the game, focus on the Maelle and Sciel combo. Their synergy with status effects and follow-up attacks is still the most broken strategy in the current 2026 meta, even after the recent patches. Stack Foretell with Sciel, swap to Maelle’s Virtuose Stance, and watch the bosses melt. Just... make sure you time that jump right when the floor starts glowing.