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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Chroma Catalysts - Getting Polished, Resplendent, Grandiose and Perfect Ones

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Chroma Catalysts - Getting Polished, Resplendent, Grandiose and Perfect Ones

Alexandre Jollier April 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM

In brief

This comprehensive guide explains how to obtain the five types of Chroma Catalysts in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to fully upgrade your weapons to the maximum level. From Standard Catalysts to Perfect Catalysts, discover the areas, enemies, and merchants that will let you progress strategically in your weapon upgrading.

Optimizing your weaponry proves to be a strategic priority of the utmost importance to allow you to progress as well as possible in the adventure of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Chroma Catalysts are the resources needed for this upgrade, available in several varieties with different properties. This complete guide will detail how to obtain each type of catalyst in order to maximize the power of your weaponry.

Standard Chroma Catalysts

Standard Chroma Catalysts represent the first step in upgrading your weapons, allowing you to reach level 3. These resources are mainly found in the first two zones of the story after the prologue: the Spring Meadows and the Flying Waters. By thoroughly searching these zones, you will easily recognize the glowing purple shards scattered on the ground - these are your first Chroma Catalysts. Defeated enemies in these zones can also grant you some, as can the end-of-map bosses.

If, unfortunately, your collection proves insufficient, you can also obtain these catalyst points by shopping around. Two merchants are indicated in the game's help: the merchant at the Bazaar in the Gestral village and another at the Stone Wave Cliffs. The path leading to the latter involves setting off from the Old Farm expedition flag, moving right to discover a tunnel to take.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 chroma catalysts - Getting polished, resplendent, grand and perfect ones

Polished Chroma Catalysts

Gaining a level from 3 to 9 for these weapons requires obtaining Polished Chroma Catalysts. These rarer resources begin to appear starting from the Ancient Sanctuary, after the Flying Waters in the game's level progression. By getting the better of the coveted Petanks and mimes at the Ancient Sanctuary, your first Polished Catalysts will drop when defeating the final boss, who will grant you a few. From these little creatures, which are otherwise very generous, the Petank amusingly rewards you with five Polished Catalysts upon your victory; they can be found at Esquie's Nest, at the Stone Wave Cliffs, and beyond.

However, it is in the Stone Wave Cliffs, the Forgotten Battlefield and the Old Lumière that the abundance of Polished Catalysts will be considered a good resource, as some are clearly visible on the ground and many enemies can drop them, such as the Buds and the imposing creatures encountered while traveling across the Continent, or even the Chromatic enemies, who are good sources of Polished Catalysts (but also formidable opponents).

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 chroma catalysts - Getting polished, resplendent, grand and perfect ones

Resplendent Chroma Catalysts

To advance your weapons to level 19, Resplendent Chroma Catalysts are mandatory. These resources appear when you reach the point in the story where you must pursue the two Axons. You will find them at Visage as well as at Sirène, on the ground or after defeating enemies. They will continue to appear in the story zones until the end of the game.

They are also offered by several merchants in the upper region of the Continent. You can find them in particular: near the Crumbling Path expedition flag at Sirène (take the left of Glissando to cross a gap), in the flying waters zone of Monolith before the Stained Meadows expedition flag, near the Stained Hearts expedition flag (to the left after defeating Gargant and climbing the wall).

Grandiose Chroma Catalysts

For persistent players who wish to advance their arsenal up to level 32, Grandiose Chroma Catalysts are the second-to-last step. These elite resources can only be obtained by completing the challenges linked to the Endless Tower. This zone becomes accessible following access to Act 3 and the ability to Fly. Its position is indicated on the map at the beginning of this chapter; it is therefore possible to head there as soon as possible to access this demanding content.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 chroma catalysts - Getting polished, resplendent, grand and perfect ones

Perfect Chroma Catalysts

For the final upgrade tier allowing you to reach the maximum level of 33, you need Perfect Chroma Catalysts. On your first playthrough, it will be possible to obtain a few through end-game side content such as the Painting Workshop.

But it is truly in your New Game+ that you will secure these legendary catalysts. During this second adventure, the formidable enemies of Monolith and other zones will start dropping them, allowing you to definitively perfect your arsenal.

By mastering the art of gathering and wisely using the various Chroma Catalysts, you will be able to turn your weapons into formidable instruments of destruction to tackle the most extreme difficulties of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Let's remember that access to the weapon upgrade system will only be available once you have completed the Flying Waters and unlocked the Curator, an essential first step in your progression.

Which weapon upgrade stage is the hardest to reach in your progression?

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the first Chroma Catalysts?

Standard Catalysts are mainly found in the Spring Meadows and the Flying Waters. Look for glowing purple shards on the ground, defeat enemies in the areas, or take them from end-of-map bosses. You can also buy them from the merchant at the Gestral Bazaar or at the Stonewave Cliffs.

How do I obtain Grandiose Catalysts?

Grandiose Catalysts can only be obtained by taking on the Endless Tower's challenges. This area becomes accessible once you reach Act 3 and unlock the ability to Fly. Its location is marked on your map at the start of this chapter.

At what point can I start collecting Resplendent Catalysts?

Resplendent Catalysts appear once you reach the point in the story where you must pursue the two Axons. From then on, you'll find them on the ground or by defeating enemies in story areas all the way to the end of the game, as well as from several merchants across the Continent.

Do I need a New Game+ to fully upgrade my weapons?

Yes, to regularly obtain Perfect Catalysts and reach level 33, a New Game+ is practically necessary. While a few can be found near the end of your first playthrough via the Painting Workshop, it's really in a second playthrough that you'll collect them in abundance from powerful enemies.

Key takeaways

Standard and Polished Catalysts can be obtained from the earliest areas by searching the ground and defeating enemies
Resplendent Catalysts appear from the point where you must pursue the two Axons and are scattered throughout story areas
Grandiose Catalysts can only be obtained through the Endless Tower's challenges, accessible in Act 3
Perfect Catalysts require a New Game+ to be collected regularly from powerful enemies
The weapon upgrade system only becomes accessible after completing the Flying Waters and unlocking the Curator