If you’ve visited a merchant near Esquie’s Nest in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and found that some items are marked “Find an Expeditioner”, but you have no clue what that means, you’re not alone. I was stumped at first too. I’ve seen this question pop up more than a few times, so I figured I’d put together a quick guide to help clarify things. In this guide, I’ll break down why some merchant items are locked, what “Find an Expeditioner” really means, and how to unlock these tricky cosmetics and gear. Whether you’re mid-way through your first run or eyeing a completionist New Game+, here’s what you need to know.
“Find an Expeditioner” at Merchant near Esquie’s Nest – Why is That?
If an item in a merchant’s shop says “Find an Expeditioner”, it means you haven’t yet recruited the character that uses that item. Merchants in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 only show specific items when the corresponding character is in your active party.
When I approached the merchant near Esquie’s Nest during a later playthrough, I noticed only one item, Find the Expeditioner, was available. That’s because Gustave wasn’t in my party at the time.
But in another playthrough, when Gustave was in my party, I returned to the same merchant. This time, two additional items appeared: a haircut and an outfit, both specifically for him. So, if you’re wondering why certain cosmetics are missing, chances are you just need to bring the right teammate along.
Character Recruitment Overview
Here’s a quick list of where and when you can recruit each character:
| Character | Act | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Gustave | Act 1 | Starting Party |
| Lune | Act 1 | Spring Meadows |
| Maelle | Act 1 | Flying Waters |
| Sciel | Act 1 | Gestral Village |
| Verso | Act 1 | Stone Wave Cliffs |
| Monoco | Act 2 | Monoco’s Station |
Most of the characters are found in Act 1, so keep progressing and explore every nook and cranny. Some are tied to story missions, while others may be missed if you rush through the main objectives.
Why Are Items Still Locked When I Have All Characters?
Gustave-Specific Items Become Unavailable After Act 1
If you’ve already recruited everyone and items are still locked, here’s the likely culprit: Gustave is no longer in your party.
By the time Act 2 rolls around, Gustave leaves the group (no spoilers here), and with him, so do the options to buy his unique cosmetics, unless you’re using a save from Act 1 or starting a New Game+.
That includes items like:
- Gustave’s exclusive outfits
- His hairstyles
- Gifts like the Gestral Beach swimsuit reward
So yeah, if you’re in Act 2 and missing his gear, it’s not a bug, it’s just too late in that save.
Your Options
- Go back to a save file from before Act 2
- Start a New Game+, where Gustave will be back in your party
- Begin a fresh playthrough if you really want to grab everything
Unfortunately, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 doesn’t support manual saves, so you might not be able to go back unless you’ve got an auto-save from just before the transition.
Unlockable in New Game+
Good news: in New Game+, you retain your progress and builds but start the story over. That means Gustave rejoins your party early on, and all his gear becomes available again, assuming you visit the same merchants.
So if you’re aiming for 100% completion or simply want to collect every piece of gear and every haircut, New Game+ is your best bet.
Wrap-Up
So there you have it. If a merchant’s got gear you can’t access and you’re staring at the “Find an Expeditioner” tag, the game is subtly telling you: “You’re missing someone.”
It’s a clever mechanic that ties merchant inventory to your party composition, but it can be confusing if you’re not expecting it. Just remember:
- No character = no gear.
- Gustave’s stuff = Act 1 only (unless you New Game+).
- Always check merchants again after recruiting someone new.
Good luck out there, and don’t let those rare cosmetics slip through your fingers! Interested in knowing the best method to farm EXP and Grandiose Chroma Catalyst in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? Check out our guide on that topics as well!
