Chroma Catalysts are weapon-upgrade resources in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Use them at the Curator in camp; after Act 2, weapon upgrades are also available at Expedition Flags. Select a weapon, check the displayed cost, and confirm the upgrade you want.
Where to upgrade weapons
At the Curator in camp
Unlock the Curator in camp to begin upgrading weapons. The Game8 guide updated December 12, 2025, identifies the Curator as the initial upgrade access point: Game8’s Chroma Catalyst guide.
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At Expedition Flags after Act 2
After Act 2, the same guide says you can interact with an Expedition Flag to upgrade weapons. The guide does not establish current button-by-button controls or exact menu labels, so follow the prompts shown in your game.
How to use a Chroma Catalyst
- Go to the Curator in camp, or interact with an Expedition Flag after Act 2.
- Select the weapon you want to upgrade.
- Inspect the displayed catalyst and any other costs before confirming.
- Confirm only if the selected weapon and upgrade are what you intend.
The interface’s exact controls and labels may depend on the current game version; check its on-screen prompts rather than relying on a specific button instruction.
#1 Best Overall
- Reactive Turn-based Combat: Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and &character synergies
- Dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system
- With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, & fellow Expeditioners as they embark on a desperate quest to break Paintress’ cycle of death
- Explore an enchanting realm populated by adversaries; Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack
How many Chroma Catalysts do you need?
Game8’s guide, updated December 12, 2025, says three Chroma Catalysts are used to upgrade a weapon through level 3. It does not specify that one catalyst is spent at each individual level, so check the cost shown for your upgrade in-game.
Which catalyst tier applies to each weapon level?
A separate Game8 weapon-upgrade guide gives the following tier ranges. These are secondary-source figures; inspect the current upgrade screen to confirm the requirement for a particular weapon and level.
Rank #2
- Reactive Turn-based Combat - In this evolution of JRPGs, real-time actions enhance the heart of turn-based combat. Build your party and level up six characters. Craft unique builds for your expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and character synergies. Open an active dimension in combat - dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free-aim system.
- “Tomorrow Comes” - With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners as they embark upon a desperate quest to break the Paintress’ cycle of death. Follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate. Get to know the members of Expedition 33 as they learn to work together against impossible odds.
- A Hauntingly Beautiful World - Explore an enchanting realm populated by surreal adversaries. Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, discovering secrets and hidden quests along the way. Find allies of fortune in creatures of legend and recruit a special companion who can access new travel methods and secret areas in the World Map.
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack.
- European/ UK version
| Catalyst | Weapon levels listed |
|---|---|
| Chroma Catalyst | 1–3 |
| Polished Chroma Catalyst | 3–9 |
| Resplendent Chroma Catalyst | 9–19 |
| Grandiose Chroma Catalyst | 19–32 |
| Perfect Chroma Catalyst | 33 |
The ranges overlap at levels 3, 9, and 19. Because the guide does not explain how those boundaries are handled, use the in-game cost display to determine the catalyst needed for the next upgrade. The guide also says duplicate weapons can raise a weapon’s level: Game8’s weapon upgrade guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choosing which weapon to upgrade
There is no universally best weapon established by these guides. Consider the weapon’s role in your build, the level you can currently reach, and the resources shown for the upgrade. Compare those costs before committing catalysts to a weapon you may not use.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking turn-based RPG with unique real-time mechanics, making battles more immersive and addictive than ever.
- Explore a fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France in which you battle devastating enemies.
Rank #3
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