Of the many strange and mysterious enemies in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the Petank puzzle-type enemies are among the most interesting and sometimes challenging in the game. Petanks are little orbs that you'll see running around various maps, and you'll need to chase them down to get them positioned on a special platform before taking them on and defeating them for the useful rewards. Petanks typically reward the same general items, including upgrade materials and Recoat, which will allow you to re-spec a character's skills or attributes.

As you explore Clair Obscur's many different locations across the Continent, assuming you didn't see the Petank itself, you might see these oddly-colored platforms on the ground that look like something belongs in the center. That's a clear sign that a Petank is somewhere in the area, and it's worth tracking them down. You'll need to do a little chasing and maneuvering to get them to their platform, and then you can attack them for a battle. During combat, you'll only have a limited number of turns before the Petank flees, and you'll have to return later or load an old save to fight them again.

How Petank Puzzle Enemies Work In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Chasing Down Petanks & Figuring Out Their Weaknesses Is Sometimes A Puzzle

If you're wondering where you can get more materials for upgrading your various weapons in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Petank enemies are an excellent source for these coveted items. You won't be able to attack these little glowing orbs unless they are on their dedicated platform, which will be a circular stone spot on the ground shimmering the same color as the Petank itself. You'll have to plan your approach strategically to get them on the platform, manipulating their direction based on which angle you run toward them.

Once you get them to their platform, you can attack them and enter combat. During battle, each Petank will only have about three turns until they flee. This can be delayed in different ways, such as breaking them or parrying and countering their attacks. Each Petank has the same set of attacks, but their defenses, resistances, and weaknesses will be slightly different, requiring you to figure out the best method for draining their health before time is up and they flee.

If you're struggling to get a Petank to its platform, try approaching it from a different angle - sometimes you'll need to take the long way around.

If a Petank gets away before you manage to kill it, you can reload a previous save, or you can go Rest at an Expedition Flag and the Petank will reset. Some Petanks will be buffed with a ton of Shields, while others have extremely high Defense and Health. Further, each Petank can be delayed in different ways. For example, certain Petanks might be surprised by a parrying counterattack and delay their flight, while others need to be Broken. Defeating Petanks will not always be straightforward, and they become more challenging as you progress into Acts 2 and 3.

All Petank Locations & Rewards In Clair Obscur

Petanks Drop Upgrade Materials Such As Recoat & Chroma Catalyst

There are a number of different Petanks found across the Continent, and they are located in main quest areas as well as side areas that you don't necessarily need to explore in order to complete the game, such as Frozen Hearts. You'll find Petanks in each Act, all the way up to the ending of Clair Obscur, and they get progressively more difficult and "puzzling" as you advance into the endgame. Here are all the Petank locations I've currently tracked down, and I will update this list if and when further Petanks are discovered:

When you defeat Petanks, you'll be rewarded with upgrade materials such as Recoat, Colour of Lumina, or Chroma Catalysts that can upgrade your weapons to certain levels. As you enter NG+, you'll get better versions of Chroma Catalysts to upgrade your weapons all the way to Level 33.

The Chromatic Petank is a unique Petank that summons other Petanks and absorbs their health when they flee, and it drops the unique Anti-Stun Pictos while also unlocking the Carreau Parfait Achievement/Trophy.

You won't be able to fully upgrade any weapons until you've entered the later stages of NG+. There are five different Chroma Catalyst upgrade Tints that Petanks will drop depending on how far into the game you defeat them, each able to upgrade weapons to a specific level.

These include Chroma Catalyst (Level 3), Polished Chroma Catalyst (Level 9), Resplendent Chroma Catalyst (Level 19), Grandiose Chroma Catalyst (Level 32), and Perfect Chroma Catalyst (Level 33). At Level 33, weapons receive a massive damage boost, making Perfect Chroma Catalysts essential for the endgame against tough bosses like Simon in The Abyss. Overall, Petanks are an excellent source for upgrade materials that you'll absolutely need to stand a chance against some of the harder enemies in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.