In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, your initial encounter with a significant story boss arrives with Dualliste, following the departure of Gustave from the party. Without reliance on the overpowered Overcharge ability, players must adapt to a new combat dynamic. Fortunately, you gain access to Verso, who not only possesses greater strength and experience but also brings an impressive commanding presence to the battlefield.

Dualliste awaits at the Forgotten Battlefield, a challenge that can prove formidable thanks to his rapid attack patterns, which require agile dodging and precise parrying. If you’re encountering difficulties against this fierce opponent, fear not. This comprehensive guide to defeating Dualliste will equip you with the strategies and insights necessary to succeed. As a reward for your efforts, you’ll be treated to one of the game’s most visually striking cutscenes.

As Yugi might say, “It’s time to duel!”

Preparing for Dualliste

To gear up for the Dualliste battle effectively, consider the preparations and strategies that worked for me. These suggestions are derived from my successful attempt to conquer him, including tactics and party composition.

While you can employ your preferred party members and devise your own tactics, a little guidance can be invaluable, especially if you find Dualliste particularly challenging.

Dualliste exhibits two distinct phases during the encounter. In the initial phase, he engages with swift physical attacks using his sword, which primarily consist of multi-hit combos. It’s wise to utilize dodges until you master the timing of his strikes.

Transitioning to the second phase, Dualliste adopts a dual-wielding stance, increasing his combo count and introducing new skill mechanics that elevate the challenge level.

When selecting Pictos, prioritize those that enhance AP gain. The Inverted Picto is particularly useful, especially when equipped on Verso, as Dualliste applies the Inverted debuff in his second phase, granting him a significant 50% damage increase.

Best Party Composition

Given that Dualliste is vulnerable to Light-element attacks, including Verso in your party is imperative. This choice is also narratively rewarding, considering the established rivalry and the intense showdown between him and the boss.

In addition, I recommend bringing Lune for her healing capabilities, which are invaluable in any high-stakes battle. Although Dualliste shows resistance to Dark-element skills, having Sciel in your party adds substantial support and debuffing capabilities. I primarily utilized Sciel to assist with debuffing and as support, rather than focusing on her attack potential.

Best Skills

As detailed in my Monoco Build Guide, I’m an advocate for aggressive offensive builds. Consequently, I equipped both Verso and Sciel with skills optimized for dealing rapid damage.

In support of this strategy, I assigned Plentiful Harvest to Sciel for replenishing Verso’s AP to maximize his Light-element skills—particularly since I initially underestimated Dualliste’s resistance to Dark.

Focusing defenses, I configured Lune as a tank character, enhancing her HP and defense while ensuring she retained healing skills.

Your primary objective in the battle is to increase Verso’s Perfection rank to unleash his most powerful Light-based abilities. Dodging becomes essential, as it helps maintain a high rank, allowing for strategic maneuvering rather than outright parrying.

Party Member Skill Description Towards Assault Zero Low physical damage.5 hits. Critical hits generate 1 additional Perfection. B: Increased damage. Perfect Break Very high Light damage.1 hit. Can Break. Rank S on Break. B: Costs 5 AP. Phantom Stars Extreme Light damage to all enemies.5 hits. Can Break. S: Cost 5 AP. Moon Healing Light Heals a targeted ally by 30-50% Health and dispels Status effects. Consumes 2 Earth Stain: Costs 0 AP. Rebirth Revives an ally with 30-70% Health and +2 AP. Consumes 3 Lightning Stains: Costs 0 AP. Rock slide Medium Earth damage.2 hits. Can Break. Consumes 1 Lightning/Ice/Fire Stains: Greatly increased damage. Sciel Focused Foretell Medium Physical damage.1 hit. Applies 2 Foretell. If no Foretell, applies 5. Plentiful Harvest Medium Physical damage.2 hits. Consumes all Foretell to give AP to party members. Marking Card Medium Dark damage.2 hits. Applies 3 Foretell and Mark.

It’s crucial to elevate Verso’s Perfection Rank to unleash a rapid Light-powered assault.Equip him with Assault Zero, Perfect Break, and Phantom Stars to achieve this.

Even though Perfect Break and Phantom Stars demand a hefty AP cost, their costs will decrease as Verso’s Perfection rank increases, reinforcing the need to prioritize boosting this rank.

Sciel’s role is to enhance the party’s AP, marking Dualliste while utilizing items to sustain the fight. Equip skills like Focused Foretell, Plentiful Harvest, and Marking Card to optimize her effectiveness.

Lune’s supportive role includes healing and dealing Break damage, utilizing Healing Light and Rebirth for restoration and Rockslide for its significant Break potential. The stains created by Rockslide synergize beautifully with Healing Light.

While I’ve outlined three primary skills for each member, feel free to swap in those that suit your style best. Historical experience suggests maintaining focus on offensive skills yields the best results.

Dualliste Attack Breakdown

The Dualliste encounter consists of two distinct phases, each presenting different attack patterns. In the initial phase, he uses three types of attacks, all of which can be anticipated, although their timing may vary.

Some strikes occur quickly, while others may develop more slowly, and there are instances where Dualliste employs a sneaky swipe, necessitating a Jump dodge to evade.

Initially, I recommend focusing on dodging until you become familiar with his attack patterns. As you gain confidence, you can start incorporating parries into your strategy, or you may choose to continue with a dodging approach.

Overall, many players find the first phase manageable, particularly if leveraging Verso’s Light-based skills effectively. Hence, prioritizing dodges in this phase can conserve your HP and allow you to enter the second phase with more resilience for the tougher challenges that lie ahead.

Below, I have detailed each of Dualliste’s attacks alongside descriptions of their mechanics and recommended avoidance strategies.

First Phase

Throughout the first phase, Dualliste’s attacks are predominantly sword-centric, primarily involving fast-paced multi-hit combos. You’ll find a mix of straightforward attacks and more complex ones that may include jump dodges.

Overall, I didn’t face substantial issues navigating this phase. Even with missed dodges, Dualliste’s strikes dealt minimal damage, allowing for slightly reckless play.

Attack Phrase Indicator Attack Description Action “Dualliste performs a combo.” The swordsman unleashes a 5-hit fast combo featuring a deceptive final strike. Attempt to dodge; parrying can yield AP if you’re willing to take the hit. “Dualliste attacks swiftly.” He delivers a 3-hit combo targeting a single hero; his strikes are more predictable than during the combo. Dodge initially; use parries after discerning the rhythm of his attacks. “Dualliste attacks the Expedition.” Dualliste thrusts his sword into the ground, triggering an AOE flame that impacts the entire team after a brief delay. Dodge or parry to mitigate damage. “Dualliste performs a swiping combo.” This sequence features four swift slash attacks, with the last two delivered in a vertical manner. Dodge the initial strikes, jump to evade the second attack, then roll to dodge the following slashes.

Second Phase

The second phase introduces a pivotal shift in battle, as Dualliste reveals a second sword, significantly increasing his attack frequency.

He also inflicts the Inverted debuff on your entire party; however, Lune’s Healing Light can neutralize this debuff, albeit without restoring health.

Your most pressing challenge is the 10-hit combo attack that Dualliste initiates, where traditional parrying becomes risky. Evading each strike through dodging is the preferred strategy.

In the table below, I’ve outlined the indicators for each of Dualliste’s attacks, their descriptions, and suggested evasive actions.

Attack Phrase Indicator Attack Description Action “Dualliste performs a combo.” Dualliste unleashes an extensive 10-hit combo ending with a Gradient attack, whose timing can be difficult to anticipate. Dodge through the combo while preparing to respond to the final Gradient attack. “Dualliste attacks swiftly.” This 6-hit combo features initial quick slashes, with the second and third attacks easily countered by jumping. Dodge the first attack, jump to evade the second and third, then dodge the last three swiftly. “Dualliste attacks the Expedition.” Dualliste thrusts his sword again to trigger instant fire damage, followed by a secondary blast. Dodge immediately when the sword impacts the ground, and listen for the audio cue to avoid the secondary attack. “Dualliste applies Inverted to the Expedition.” All party members receive the Inverted debuff, inhibiting healing capabilities. There’s no action you can take here; focus on defense. “Dualliste uses Stormblood.” Dualliste conjures three ghostly copies that attack from multiple sides before launching into a quick 4-hit combo. Dodge the attacks; they can appear flashy but are more manageable to evade than they may appear.

How To Beat Dualliste

As previously highlighted in the skills section, your ultimate goal is to elevate Verso to Rank S and unleash his potent Light skills to resolve the battle swiftly.

Utilizing a single Assault Zero immediately places you at Rank C in Perfection. Delivering a second one—provided you’ve avoided major damage—promotes you to Rank B.

Upon reaching Rank B, Verso’s Perfect Break costs just 5 AP. Given the immense damage this ability does, it’s quite possible to Break Dualliste at this juncture, catapulting you directly to Rank S.

Once at Rank S, Verso’s skill Phantom Stars will only consume 5 AP, allowing it to break the maximum damage cap of 9, 999. Utilizing multi-hit skills permits high damage numbers, potentially eliminating Dualliste before he can respond.

Close

If you struggle to achieve Rank B with Verso, consider leveraging Sciel and her Plentiful Harvest. Start with Focused Foretell during her first turn to apply 5 Foretell to Dualliste.

Lune will serve a supportive role, ensuring ally restoration and managing Dualliste’s Break. Employ Healing Light for immediate healing and maintain Earth Rising for its excellent Break potential.

While Lune’s raw power may not rival others, the Break potential of her spells is noteworthy. Earth Rising generates both Earth and Light stains, allowing the subsequent Healing Light to cost 0 AP, which can be critical at lower health.

Keep in mind that Earth Rising serves primarily to bolster Dualliste’s Break gauge, leaving the effective Breaking actions to Verso.

Throughout both phases, Dualliste maintains identical resistances, so sticking with this aggressive approach will lead to a swift victory.

Rewards

Upon triumphing over Dualliste, you will receive a weapon for Verso, the Combo Attack Picto, in addition to experience points and valuable crafting materials.

  • 27, 560 XP
  • 3, 950 Battle Loot
  • Weapon: Dualiso – Level 9, for Verso
  • Combo Attack Picto – Level 9 (Base Attacks have 1 extra hit.)
  • Polished Chroma Catalyst x3

As the first main boss encountered after Verso joins the team, Dualliste serves as a pivotal test for new players, particularly due to his vulnerability to Light-element attacks.

Despite potential challenges, particularly if you approach the fight unprepared or neglect to maintain effective dodging, perseverance and learning will ultimately lead you to victory.

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