If you’ve been exploring Expedition 33 you will find blue roots at first, you will not be able to get past them. But you can break them with a special ability. In this guide, we’ll show you how to break Paint Spikes and where to find the four lost Gestral kids you’ll need to rescue first to unlock the ability.
How To Break Paint Spikes (Blue Roots)
To break through Paint Spikes, you’ll need the Paint Break upgrade. You can get this from Sastro after you rescue four of his lost Gestral kids. Sastro shows up at your camp not long after you visit the Gestral Village during the main story, but helping him find the missing Gestrals is totally optional. Once you’ve unlocked the ability, you can break Paint Spikes just by hitting them with a regular attack.
Gestral Kids Location
Each time you find a lost Gestral for Sastro, he’ll give you a new reward when you return to camp. If you’re having trouble finding the Gestral chef, from the clearing where you meet The Curator, head left, then take another left into a smaller clearing. Just keep in mind the chef won’t show up until after you meet Esquie. In fact, he might not appear at all until you rescue the first lost Gestral near the entrance to Esquie’s Nest.
1st Gestral Kid Location
The first lost Gestral is standing right in front of Esquie’s Nest when you visit in Act One. You’ll naturally go into Esquie’s Nest as part of the main story after checking out the Gestral Village, so you’re very likely to run into this little Gestral. Once you talk to them, they’ll head back to camp, and that’s also when Sastro shows up. To find him, go left from the Curator’s cave, then take another left when you reach the pond. You’ll spot Sastro standing near a glowing blue tree. Your reward for this first rescue is a new Gestral-themed haircut for Maelle.
2nd Gestral Kid Location
The second lost Gestral can be found just east of the Stone Wave Cliffs. From the entrance, head down the path to the right. You’ll need to take down a Bourgeon and a few other enemies to reach the Gestral, who’s waiting just off to the right after the fight. Once you get Esquie’s flying ability in Act Three, you’ll be able to skip the fight completely. Your reward for finding this one is a Gestral-themed haircut for Lune.
3rd Gestral Kid Location
The third lost Gestral is on a little island near the White Tree area, west of the Gestral Village. To reach it, you’ll need Esquie’s swim ability, which you get at the end of Act One. From the village, head west to Gestral Beach, swim across the water gap, then continue swimming northwest until you reach the White Tree island. Look for the Gestral in the part of the island with seaweed-like plants they’ll be standing in front of some vases. Find them, and you’ll unlock a Gestral-themed haircut for Sciel.
4th Gestral Kid Location
The fourth lost Gestral is found just after The Forgotten Battlefield, right before you reach Monoco’s Station in Act Two. From the station, head downhill and stick to the left side. Look for a cluster of green trees where the snowy area meets the grass you’ll spot the Gestral standing near some pots and broken crates. Finding this Gestral unlocks the ability to break Paint Spikes.
