How To Find and Defeat a Burgeon in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

As you venture into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, you'll soon encounter one of the initial major adversaries: the formidable Burgeons. Towering high, these colossal creatures can present a real challenge, especially in the early stages of the game when your character may not be fully leveled up or have the ideal combat setup.

In the early hours of your adventure, you may also encounter a side quest that involves assisting a small Burgeon in growing to its full size. Regardless of your preferences, you'll face a Burgeon eventually. Below are some strategies to overcome a Burgeon in Clair Obscur Expedition 33, along with tips on where to locate them for the related side quest.

Where to Locate a Burgeon

While exploring the vast overworld, keep an eye out for the area inhabited by The Small Burgeon. To help it grow, it requires the skin of a larger Burgeon, which can be found nearby.

Step 1: Your initial encounter with a Burgeon will likely occur in the Flying Waters. You might reach a confusing fork where the path branches. Instead of veering left toward the light posts and structures, take the right path through the tall kelp.

Step 2: Proceed down this path, and you’ll encounter a Burgeon. It’s possible you’ll face this creature before you even become aware of The Small Burgeon quest.

Step 3: In addition to the Flying Waters, you'll find various Burgeons scattered throughout the overworld. You can choose to engage them in battle or bypass them; however, if you seek to collect Burgeon Skin, combat is necessary. Just ensure you're not challenging a Burgeon that significantly outmatches your level; preparation is key with your Pictos and Luminas for the encounter.

Strategies to Defeat a Burgeon

The Burgeon poses a unique challenge as it will incapacitate one of your three party members early in the battle, leaving you to manage with just two fighters. Here’s how to navigate that situation.

Step 1: At the very start of the encounter, utilize any vital moves that may be difficult to access later. This precaution is important because the Burgeon will swallow one of your party members on its first turn, rendering them inactive for an extended period. Use this opportunity to apply buffs or debuffs. For instance, deploying Gustave's Powerful skill can provide crucial advantages during the fight, especially if he gets swallowed afterward.

Step 2: After a party member gets swallowed, you'll need to coordinate the remaining two characters effectively. Consider how they can support one another. In a previous encounter where Lune was swallowed, I had to rely on Maelle and Gustave. Maelle's Spark ability could inflict Burn, assisting her in activating the Virtuose Stance if followed up with Swift Stride. Gustave can capitalize on this with his From Fire ability, combining damage with healing for himself if the target is Burning. Gustave can also use Marking Shot to set up for Maelle's Percée which hits harder against marked enemies.

Step 3: Take note that the Burgeon is vulnerable to Lightning damage. Gustave has the most effective Lightning moves by this stage, although Lune may also have access to some if you've progressed her skill tree. Having Gustave in the fight is critical for delivering Lightning damage to effectively Break the enemy.

Breaking the Burgeon and stunning it will force it to spit out the swallowed member, so prioritize using skills marked "Can Break." Utilize Gustave's Overcharge ability for high Lightning damage based on accumulated Charges. This can also serve to break the Burgeon.

Step 4: The Burgeon's move set is manageable but can disrupt your strategy. One of its attacks involves spitting miasma, inflicting damage and causing Exhaust, which halts your character from gaining AP. Dodge this by evading the miasma. After it releases the green projectiles, wait a moment before dodging, as they move slowly.

The Burgeon also has a combo attack. It may first execute a slower body slam, then consecutively strike with its fists. If it's a five-hit sequence, it will deliver two slow hits with its left hand, followed by three rapid strikes with its right.

Step 5: Once you successfully Break and Stun the Burgeon, it will expel the swallowed party member. The remaining fight will be considerably easier, allowing you to defeat the Burgeon swiftly. Attack as aggressively as possible while it is Stunned, as it will miss its next turn.

Upon defeating a Burgeon, you will obtain Burgeon Skin as a reward. Deliver this skin to the tiny Nevron in the Small Burgeon location to receive a rewarding transformation after a brief wait.