The surprise free DLC drop during The Game Awards caught many Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 players off guard. Verso’s Drafts is not just a side area you stumble into by accident. It is a hidden underwater expansion that adds some of the toughest boss rematches, new gear, and meaningful endgame challenges. If you are wondering why you cannot find it yet, or what exactly you need to do to unlock it, this guide walks you through everything step by step.
What Is Verso’s Drafts DLC?
Verso’s Drafts is a free endgame expansion that opens up one of the deepest layers of the canvas. Visually, it is a striking underwater realm that feels very different from the rest of the map. From a gameplay perspective, it is clearly designed for experienced players who want more than standard story encounters.
Inside, you will find upgraded boss rematches, new equipment, cosmetic rewards, and systems that push your mastery of timing and positioning. This is not filler content. It feels like a deliberate test of how well you truly understand the game’s combat.
Requirements Before You Can Access Verso Drafts
Before you can dive into Verso's Drafts, you must satisfy two critical requirements that many players overlook.
Reach Act III of the Main Story
You cannot access the DLC content while still progressing through Acts I or II. The game locks this area until you've advanced the main storyline sufficiently. If you're still in earlier acts, focus on completing story missions until you reach the third act milestone.
Important
You don't need to complete the entire game or face the final boss. Act III access is sufficient for entry.
Unlock Esquie's Diving Ability
The second requirement involves Esquie's underwater diving capability. This ability becomes available through relationship progression at your camp base.
To boost your relationship with Esquie, visit him regularly at camp and engage in dialogue options. Each conversation increases your bond, and reaching rank six unlocks his final ability set, including the crucial diving skill.
Tip
If you're behind on relationship points, dedicate time to camp interactions before attempting to access the DLC area.
Where to Find the Verso's Drafts Entrance
Once you've met both prerequisites, locating the entrance becomes straightforward. The portal appears as a distinctive whirlpool near Lumiere on your world map.
Here's how you find the exact location:
- Open your world map using M
- Navigate to the Lumiere region
- Look for a new icon east of Lumiere, positioned in the water
- The entrance appears as a shimmering whirlpool
The entrance sits in the water slightly east of Lumiere. You'll recognize it immediately due to its unique visual design and the fact that it wasn't present in your previous playthroughs.
Verso's Drafts map location
How to Enter Verso's Drafts
Approaching the whirlpool triggers an automatic sequence, but you must have Esquie's diving ability active. Without this skill, the game prevents entry entirely.
- Navigate to the whirlpool location
- Ensure Esquie is in your active party
- Interact with the whirlpool prompt
- Watch the diving animation sequence
Warning
Attempting entry without the diving ability results in an error message. Always verify your relationship rank before traveling to the location.
The transition takes you deep underwater into what the game describes as "one of the deepest layers of the canvas." The visual shift from the surface world to this mystical underwater realm creates an impressive atmospheric change.
Verso's Drafts represents a substantial free addition to an already content-rich experience. The combination of enhanced boss encounters, exclusive equipment, and atmospheric underwater exploration provides compelling reasons to return to the painted world. Whether you're completing your first playthrough or diving into NG+, this expansion offers meaningful challenges that extend your adventure in Lumiere's mystical realm.
For more Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, check out our beginner guide and take a look at the best builds for each character.