While every character in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has their own unique mechanics and strengths, Gustave is a great starting point.ย
As the first playable character, players get familiar with the gameโs core systems through himโbut that doesnโt mean his playstyle has to stay basic.
With the right build, Gustave can become a tanky support powerhouse with some surprising versatility.
Just like how you can build Lune to be a fiery AoE nuke or a full-on burn master, Gustaveโs flexibility comes from how you choose to spec him out.
Want him to absorb damage and keep your team alive? Or maybe stack Crits and ramp up Charge generation? This guide walks you through the best early game build to make Gustave shine. Also Check Complete Yellow Harvest Guide (All Items, Bosses & Secrets).
๏ธ Gustave Build Basics: Play to His Strengths
Gustaveโs weapons donโt come with fancy effects, so you want to focus on stat-scaling weapons that make him even more defensive and reliable. Go for anything that leans into Vitality and Defense to help him stick around longer in fights.
โ๏ธ Best Weapons & Attribute Priorities
| Rank | Weapon | Attribute Priority |
| 1 | Abysseram | Vitality, Defense, Luck, Agility, Might |
| 2 | Lanceram | Vitality, Defense, Luck, Agility, Might |
| 3 | Cruleram | Defense, Vitality, Luck, Agility, Might |
These weapons help Gustave stay tanky and also provide solid scaling for both survival and damage. Prioritize Luck and Agility after the core stats to boost Critical Chance and mobility.
Best Pictos & Luminas
| Lumina | Cost | Effect |
| Dodger | 1 | Gain 1 AP on Perfect Dodge (once per turn). |
| Staggering Attack | 1 | +50% Break damage on Base Attack. |
| Marking Shots | 3 | 20% chance to apply Mark on Free Aim shot. |
| SOS Shell | 5 | Applies Shell when HP drops below 50%. |
| Critical Burn | 5 | +25% Critical Chance vs Burning enemies. |
| Energising Start I | 5 | +1 AP at the start of battle. |
| Exposing Attack | 10 | Base Attack applies Defenseless for 1 turn. |
| Attack Lifesteal | 15 | Heal 15% of damage dealt with Base Attack. |
These help Gustave become a solid mix of frontline tank and consistent damage dealer. Dodger and Attack Lifesteal help with sustain, while Exposing Attack and Staggering Attack boost his break potential.
Best Skills for Gustave
| Skill | Effect |
| From Fire | Medium single-target damage (3 hits). Heals Gustave if the enemy is Burned. |
| Lumiere Assault | Low single-target damage (5 hits). Crits give extra Charge. |
| Recovery | Restores 50% HP and clears status effects. Grants 0โ2 Charges. |
| Powerful | Buffs 1โ3 allies, increasing their damage for 3 turns. Grants 0โ2 Charges. |
| Shatter | High AoE Lightning damage. Can Break. If successful, fully Charges Overcharge. |
| Overcharge | Heavy Lightning attack. Damage scales with Charges. Can Break. |
Lumiere Assault is your main tool for building Charge quickly.- From Fire helps with self-sustainโespecially in fire-heavy team comps.
- Recovery gives Gustave a clutch heal and cleanse option.
- Powerful gives him a support angleโgreat when paired with glass-cannon teammates.
- Shatter + Overcharge is your big finisher combo for tough fights.
Strategy Tips for Gustave’s Early Game Build
Gustaveโs game plan is all about charging Overcharge to max before unleashing it. Donโt rush itโuse Base Attacks and Lumiere Assault until youโre fully stacked with 10 Charges.
A good early build aims to stack Luck and Defense to get your Critical Chance to around 30%. Throw in Critical Burn, and youโre pushing 60โ70% Crit chance against Burned enemiesโperfect for Charge generation and triggering Lumiere Assaultโs bonuses often.
Strike Storm is a tempting alternative to Lumiere Assault, but itโs too AP-heavy early on. Until you have stronger passive AP regen or better Luminas unlocked, stick with Lumiere Assault for better efficiency.
Lastly, donโt underestimate Recovery and Powerfulโthey add a lot of survivability and team utility to Gustaveโs kit. Shatter is your crowd-control ace, especially when you need to clear the board and get a free Overcharge ready.
You can also check Every Hidden Secret in Lumiere โ Items, How to Find and Defeat Clea and Every Flying Manor Paint Cage.
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