NYCC 2026: Why Does Clair Obscur’s Maelle Hit So Hard? You Can Thank Jennifer

This past Friday at New York Comic Con, four cast members from hit indie game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 reminisced about their time in Lumiere. The panel featured Kirsty Rider (Lune), Rich Keeble (Monoco), Jennifer English (Maelle), and a chaotic Ben Starr (Verso). But it was perhaps English who proved the most chaotic during development.

During the “Cast of Clair Obscur” panel, English related a story from the making of the game. As she put it, she got “a bit merry” at a holiday party hosted by the developers, Sandfall Interactive. She ended up making two requests. The first was that Maelle be “the strongest.” According to English, Maelle was originally the fourth strongest of the playable characters. She went back and forth with the team, saying “No, you will make her the strongest.” And Sandfall caved. “And now she is,” related English with a smile.

For context, Maelle is arguably the strongest party member out of the six playable characters. During the game, players have access to Lune, Monoco, Maelle, Verso, Gustave, and Sciel. Though they don’t have access to all at once, for reasons I won’t spoil here. A standard party consists of three characters.

Maelle is widely considered to be the strongest character for a few reasons. She routinely deals high damage under normal circumstances. But in her “Virtuose Stance” she gains a 200% damage multiplier. The weapon Medalum allows her to start in Virtuose Stance right off the bat. And then players can choose the Stendhal skill to dish out high-damage. Add on to that Pictos such as Painted Power and support from teammates like Sciel, and Maelle can easily deal damage reaching into the millions.

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As for English’s second request? A story mode, for players who wanted to play the game on an easier setting. “Having more and more accessibility just opens your audience up,” English explained.

Starr also shared the love for offering various degrees of difficulties in games. He added that he loves a wide range of difficulties, from incredibly hard modes “for the sickos” who relish a challenge to story modes for players who may want an easier time for any reason. “You should be able to play games in the way you want to play them,” said Starr.

And if English’s first party-fueled request got a bit silly, there was plenty of silliness at Friday’s panel as well. Each actor had a different response to the questions: what would they do if they had dinner with their character, who would they add, and what would they eat?

Starr said that him and his character Verso would be joined by actor Timothee Chalamet and fictional character Belle from Beauty and the Beast. “What would we eat? I don’t know, each other!” answered Starr with glee.

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But much like Clair Obscur itself, the panel didn’t stay lighthearted for long. The cast also discussed the heavy themes of the game, feelings of doubt as actors, and finding comfort in games and stories. “There’s something about chosen family that really clicked with me,” remarked English, in regards to taking on her role in the game.

In our review of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, we gave the indie RPG a perfect score, calling it “an amazing experience.” We also awarded it our top Game of the Year award for 2025.

new york comic con Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Sandfall Interactive Ben Starr Clair Obscur NYCC 2026 Jennifer English