One of Cuphead’s many selling points is the many memorable bosses spread across the Inkwell Isles. While these bosses are difficult, fighting them is a true joy that has enraptured many gamers, and one of the best parts of that is the variety of weapons you can use to give the bosses your own personal brand of walloping. You can take down any of the Cuphead bosses with any of the weapons, but some make it easier than others, so which shot brings down each boss the best?
For this list I’ve compiled all of the non-plane bosses and taken a good hard look at how they fare against each of the various weapons. Based on how quickly the boss is taken down, the opportunity for parrys, and the overall difficulty of using the shot in that specific fight I’ve assigned each boss the weapon that will be sure to get you that A+ score.
1) The Root Pack (Best Weapon: Peashooter)
Root Pack Fight
It only seems fitting that the classic first boss gets taken down best by the classic first weapon. The Root Pack was designed to introduce players to the variety of ways Cuphead bosses can attack, so it makes sense that the most simplistic weapon fares the best against the simple battle styles the three bosses give us. There’s no need to complicate things with more complex weapons when the Peashooter gives great damage, leaves plenty of room to get your parrys off the first two phases, and the screen is often open in the final phase letting you maneuver and aim easily.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 4
- DPS: 30
- EX Damage: 8.33 per hit, MAX 25
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- Fast takedown of the first two phases
- Enough wiggle room to get in 3 parrys before phase 3
- No complicated methods are needed
How to Get it
- Given automatically at the beginning by Elder Kettle
2) Goopy Le Grande (Roundabout)
The consistency of the Roundabout shot is a huge advantage when it comes to fighting Goopy Le Grande, considering that in order to dodge his bouncing attacks you’ll need to dash underneath him to avoid his deadly bounces Distance is key with this boss, and Roundabout offers the widest range of any other shot with minimal aiming so you can avoid being crushed, bashed or smashed while still giving maximum damage. With this weapon in your arsenal you’ll show this boss that you can pack quite a punch.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 8.5
- DPS: 31.875
- EX Damage: 5 per hit, MAX 35
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- He’s hard to aim at and this shot almost always guarantees a hit
- Lets you keep a safe distance from him as he bounces
- Running away from his final phase keeps you safer & gets hits in
How to Get It
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
3) Ribby and Croaks (Chaser)
When you head over to the wrong side of the lily pad to get the contract from Ribby and Croaks you might want to consider bringing the Chaser with you. Not only can it take out the fireflies spit at you without having to jump or aim, you’ll also do consistent damage to the frog brothers through all three forms, no matter how you have to move or dodge. This shot comes in particularly handy in the third phase where aiming is extremely difficult, giving these two boss brothers a real run for their money.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 2.5
- DPS: 15.60
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- Takes out the fireflies fast while still hitting the bosses
- Leaves plenty of room to gather up 3 parrys
- The final phase will get constant hits while you focus on dodging
How to Get It
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
4) Cagney Carnation (Roundabout)
As the final boss on Isle 1, Cagney Carnation is no pushover, spawning several different kinds of minions and projectiles that keep you bouncing around the screen. Because of this the Roundabout shot is the best pick, letting you to focus on dodging and gathering parrys while consistently doing damage and taking out his minions. This boomerang bullet will get you past this boss and to the next Isle with top marks and in record time.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 8.5
- DPS: 31.875
- EX Damage: 5 per hit, MAX 35
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- Takes out all of his minions while dealing damage
- There is a lot of dodging so the screen will be covered in shots
- Does decent damage so time isn’t an issue
How to Get It
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
5) Baroness Von Bon Bon (Roundabout)
Baroness Von Bon Bon Fight
Now on Isle 2, you’re met with Baroness Von Bon Bon, the sugar queen who sends a barrage of minions after you before chasing you down in her candy castle. Because of all this running and chasing, the Roundabout is the best weapon to make quick work of this boss, giving you plenty of coverage no matter which minions she sends after you and more time to focus on avoiding the head she throws at you during her final phase. If you keep your dodges up and the bullets raining you’ll be collecting her candy-coated contract before you know it.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 8.5
- DPS: 31.875
- EX Damage: 5 per hit, MAX 35
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- The backwards aim makes for easy dodging her and her minions
- The aim is too high to take out the jelly bean guards, letting you get in parrys
- Takes out 1-hit minions quickly
How to Get It
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
6) Beppi the Clown (Spread)
Beppi the Clown Fight
Beppi the Clown, one of the sillier bosses, has the time of his life in battle, and there’s no better way to rain on his parade than with the Spread Shot. The Spread Shot’s massive damage comes in handy due to the fact that Beppi’s second and final forms both are in the center of the screen, which means he’s never too far away for the limited range and gives maximum damage possible. Add being able to camp underneath his charlie horse, making this phase one of the quickest in the game and that clown won’t be laughing for long.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 6.2 if all arrows hit
- DPS: 41.33
- EX Damage: 5 per arrow, MAX 40 if they all hit
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- Very often in the center of the screen so the small range works well
- Gets rid of his dog balloons and penguins very fast
- Can easily take down his third phase while avoiding attacks
How to Get It
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
7) Grim Matchstick (Lobber)
Known to be one of the harder bosses in Cuphead, Grim Matchstick’s battle takes place in the clouds, jumping from cloud to cloud to keep up with the ferocious fire breathing dragon. The Lobber is the way to go with this fight, making quick work of his first two phases with enough time to get in all three parrys needed for a top score. His last phase is a bit trickier, but if you stay up high and don’t hit the exploding fireballs he spits at you then you’ll have this hydra feeling the heat.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 11.6
- DPS: 33.14
- EX Damage: 28
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- Takes him down quick while allowing a good distance
- The Lobber falls on a curve instead of shooting forward, perfect for his second phase
- Easier to avoid his fireballs at the end to keep them from exploding
How to Get It
- Buy one other weapon to unlock
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
8) Rumor Honeybottoms (Lobber)
Notorious for being one of the most difficult bosses in Cuphead, Rumor Honeybottoms is the first boss to greet you to Isle 3, and what a greeting it is. Climbing the endless platforms upward can make it hard to aim, but it’s up high where the Lobber shines, raining down on Rumor and her security. There is no better weapon for this fight, even more so in her final phase where she takes up the entire bottom of the screen, and an easy way to taste sweet victory from this especially challenging boss.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 11.6
- DPS: 33.14
- EX Damage: 28
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- Constantly moving upwards is good for the Lobber
- Takes her out quickly without having to worry about parrys
- Her final phase is completely on the bottom of the screen
How to Get It
- But one other weapon to unlock
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
9) Captain Brineybeard (Charge)
Captain Brineybeard may very well have the hardest hitbox to reach out of any of the bosses, making the Charge shot an easy choice for this fight. The Charge shot allows you to maintain distance, which comes in handy as the fight goes on, and do massive damage every time you jump up to hit him. Not having to worry about constantly hitting him while dodging his crew of minions yet still doing massive damage, you’ll have this pirate’s treasured contract in no time.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 6 (uncharged)/52 (charged)
- DPS: 22.50 (uncharged)/40 (charged with perfect timing)
- EX Damage: 27
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- Deals massive blows to a hard to reach hit box
- You don’t have to worry about how much damage you’re doing while dodging
- Takes out his killable minions in 1-2 shots
How to Get It
- Buy two other weapons to unlock
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
10) Werner Werman (Charge)
Werner Werman doesn’t go down easy, coming after you with heavy fire from his own self-made machines, so in this case it’s time to fight fire with fire. The Charge shot is particularly useful here because controlling the rate of fire allows you to build up parrys in his first phase while also taking him and his ghostly minions from his final phase out quickly. Show him your superior firepower and you’ll have Werner waving the white flag in no time.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 6 (uncharged)/52 (charged)
- DPS: 22.50 (uncharged)/40 (charged with perfect timing)
- EX Damage: 27
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- Easy for pacing out parrys
- Takes down the ghostly mice quickly in phase 3
- Less projectiles so aiming is easier
How to Get It
- Buy two other weapons to unlock
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
11) Sally Stageplay (Chaser)
The starlet of the stage, Sally Stageplay is all over the screen and isn’t about to let you steal her contract or the limelight, and the best way to chase her down is with the Chaser. This shot allows for a lot of focus to go to avoiding obstacles, which is especially useful for her second and third stages, as well as giving you an opportunity for you to farm for parrys in the first phase as there aren’t many opportunities afterwards. It may do lower damage than the others, but its accuracy will see this play ending right on schedule.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 2.5
- DPS: 15.60
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- Lower damage means more time in the beginning to get parrys
- No aiming means you can focus on dodging her flurry of attacks
- Good for taking out her final phase due to her being up high and you having to dodge
How to Get It
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
12) Phantom Express (Roundabout)
If you take a ride on the Phantom Express you need to be prepared to face all sorts of ghouls and ghosts, and there’s nothing better for the job than the Roundabout. Being able to take out any of the bosses from any distance, it is also a wonder at getting rid of tiny minions such as floating eyes, tiny ghosts or the flying pumpkins trying to move you across the screen. Because parrys are so abundant in this fight your main focus can stay on making sure the bosses get hit, bringing you to the other side of the tracks, contracts in hand, to Inkwell Hell.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 8.5
- DPS: 31.875
- EX Damage: 5 per hit, MAX 35
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- Easy to take down the flying pumpkins from a distance so they don’t move you
- Easy to hit every boss no matter how close or far is required
- Allows you to hit both bosses at once in phase 3
How to Get It
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
13) King Dice (Roundabout)
Before moving on to the final boss first you have to get past his right hand man, and this boss is extremely unique, letting you choose randomly between nine mini-bosses and fighting your way to King Dice himself. You can’t switch weapons in between mini-bosses so all of their battles counted as one make up the best shot, and that title goes to the Roundabout. Most of these mini-bosses require there to be some distance between you and the boss, including the final fight with King Dice at the end, so taking the Roundabout with you will have you rolling sixes on this fight
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 8.5
- DPS: 31.875
- EX Damage: 5 per hit, MAX 35
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- Overall does the best against most of the fights
- Lets you hit behind you when running from the Tipsy Troup and Pirouletta
- Dodging attacks is easier while still doing damage with Pip and Dot
How to Get It
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
Best Weapons for Mini-Bosses
- Tipsy Troup (Peashooter)
- Chips Bettigan (Charge)
- Mr. Wheezy (Peashooter)
- Pip and Dot (Roundabout)
- Hopus Pocus (Charge)
- Pirouletta (Roundabout)
- Mangosteen (Spread)
14) The Devil (Spread)
You finally made it to the head honcho, the big cheese, the ruler of hell itself and the final boss of Cuphead, The Devil. The Spread shot is the best fit to bring down this tyrant, since he is always in the middle of the screen and from his second phase on his hitbox is huge, allowing for an absolute maximum of damage. Easily taking out the minions to his sides and above and making quick work of his final phase, this weapon will help you show the king who’s really the boss.
Weapon Stats
- Damage: 6.2 if all arrows hit
- DPS: 41.33
- EX Damage: 5 per arrow, MAX 40 if they all hit
Why It’s Good Against this Boss
- Always in the center so you never have to worry about the range
- Easily gets rid of minions, very useful for the ones that spit skulls at you
- Having the strongest DPS it’ll take down his massive health faster
How to Get It
- Buy for 4 coins at Porkrind’s Emporium
What do you think about our list, what do you agree or disagree with? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think. Also let us know your favorite boss and which weapon you like to use against them.
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