Dive into the depths of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s secret endgame dungeon and face the most punishing boss in the game.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a game that wears its heart on its sleeve: emotional, surreal, and narratively rich. But what sets it apart isn’t just its story. It’s how that story is constantly elevated by layered gameplay systems that make you feel connected to the characters, the world, and its cryptic lore.

For players who crave challenge beyond the emotional trials, the game also has a surprise tucked away. A hidden, punishing endgame dungeon that demands patience, precision, and deep character interaction to unlock. Even the satisfaction of reaching and surviving it is unmatched.

How to unlock Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s ultimate dungeon, Renoir’s Draft

Reaching Renoir’s Drafts in itself is no simple feat; it’s intentionally obscured behind a side quest and relationship mechanic, and if you miss the window, you might lock yourself out of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s most brutal and narratively rich postgame content.

To begin the journey to the dungeon, first, you must focus on building your relationship with Esquie, one of your camp companions. As you return to Camp between major story beats, make sure to talk to him every chance you get.

These interactions are totally optional, but slowly raise your Relationship Level with him. When you eventually hit Level 5, Esquie will tell you about a lost rock named Urrie, setting off a short quest where you battle Francois in a 1v1 scenario. Beat him, retrieve Urrie, and return it to Esquie.

This is more than a quirky rock-hunt side quest. Once your Relationship Level hits 6, Esquie gains his final and most critical ability, underwater diving. With this, you’re finally able to interact with those glowing whirlpools scattered across the world map.

Now, head toward the waters just before one of the Axon islands. Swim using Esquie’s new skill until you reach a seemingly inconspicuous patch of water. This is the gateway to Renoir’s Drafts.

Dive in, and you’ll find yourself in a distorted battleground filled with enemies you don’t want to engage unless you’re extremely prepared (Level 80 recommended). Surviving this chaotic gauntlet is an endurance test in itself.

As you go through, you will experience a visually surreal falling animation, and you’ll find yourself face-to-face with Simon, the enigmatic boss pulled straight from Expedition 00.

Why Renoir’s Drafts is the hardest dungeon in the game

You thought emotional trauma was the final boss? Meet Simon. | Image Credit: Sandfall Interactive

The difficulty spike in this dungeon is not subtle. Just reaching the place is an ordeal, and the enemies that populate the path to Simon are some of the most aggressive, unpredictable creatures in the game. Even experienced players might opt to evade rather than engage with them.

After defeating or evading them, we come face-to-face with the boss: Simon, the dungeon’s centerpiece. In simple terms, he is a force of nature. With a staggering 72 million HP, Simon makes every other fight in the game feel like warm-ups. He has brutal 10–15-hit combos that punish even the slightest mistake.

And like any final obstacle worth its weight, Simon isn’t satisfied with just a single phase. His fight is split into two distinct phases, each more brutal than the last. In his final form, Simon can erase your entire active party from the Canvas with one attack, forcing you to rely on your secondary team.

Even worse, Simon has a mechanic that can reduce your party’s HP to 1, setting up instant wipes if you don’t react fast enough. One missed parry, one failed dodge, and your entire strategy can crumble.

It’s a battle that demands both mental and mechanical excellence, pure skill, strategic prep, and a touch of luck. So, if you think you’ve seen all that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has to offer, think again, because Simon is waiting. And he doesn’t care how prepared you are.