Cuphead Best Loadout for Each Boss
Cuphead is a game where skill matters, but your loadout choice can completely change how hard a boss feels. Using the right weapon and charm does not make the game easy, but it makes fights more manageable and less frustrating. Since every boss attacks differently, a single loadout never works perfectly for all encounters.
This guide explains the best loadouts for each major Cuphead boss, why they work, and how they help you survive longer and deal damage more efficiently.
What are Loadouts in Cuphead?
A loadout in Cuphead consists of:
- Two weapons
- One charm
- Super Art (optional but important)
Weapons decide how you deal damage, while charms affect movement, survivability, or Super Meter gain. The goal is to match your gear to the boss’s attack style, not just raw damage.
Read Cuphead Bosses List and How to Beat Them
Cuphead Best Loadout for Each Boss (Quick Overview)
| Boss Name | Best Primary Weapon | Secondary Weapon | Recommended Charm |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Root Pack | Peashooter | Spread Shot | Smoke Bomb |
| Goopy Le Grande | Roundabout | Spread Shot | Coffee |
| Ribby and Croaks | Chaser | Roundabout | P. Sugar |
| Cagney Carnation | Roundabout | Peashooter | P. Sugar |
| Baroness Von Bon Bon | Roundabout | Chaser | Smoke Bomb |
| Beppi the Clown | Spread Shot | Chaser | Coffee |
| Grim Matchstick | Lobber | Roundabout | Coffee |
| Rumor Honeybottoms | Lobber | Chaser | P. Sugar |
| Captain Brineybeard | Charge Shot | Roundabout | Smoke Bomb |
| Werner Werman | Charge Shot | Spread Shot | Smoke Bomb |
| Sally Stageplay | Chaser | Roundabout | Smoke Bomb |
| Phantom Express | Roundabout | Chaser | Coffee |
| King Dice | Roundabout | Charge Shot | Smoke Bomb |
| The Devil | Spread Shot | Roundabout | Coffee |
The Root Pack
This early boss introduces multiple attack styles in one fight. Simple, reliable weapons are best here.
Recommended Loadout
- Peashooter for steady, accurate damage
- Spread Shot for close-range phases
- Smoke Bomb for safe dashes
Why it works: The fight is slow enough to learn patterns, and Spread Shot finishes phases quickly when enemies move closer.
Goopy Le Grande
Goopy constantly jumps and moves across the screen, making aiming difficult.
Recommended Loadout
- Roundabout for consistent hits
- Spread Shot for burst damage
- Coffee Charm to build Super faster
Why it works: Roundabout hits Goopy even when he jumps away, while Spread Shot deals heavy damage during pauses.
Ribby and Croaks
This fight has many projectiles and quick transitions between phases.
Recommended Loadout
- Chaser for automatic targeting
- Roundabout for flexibility
- P. Sugar for easier parries
Why it works: Chaser lets you focus more on dodging, while Roundabout handles wider screen control.
Cagney Carnation
Cagney floods the screen with seeds, platforms, and enemies.
Recommended Loadout
- Roundabout for wide coverage
- Peashooter for accuracy
- P. Sugar for safer parries
Why it works: Roundabout clears obstacles while Peashooter allows focused damage during calm moments.
Baroness Von Bon Bon
This boss throws waves of mini-enemies before the final phase.
Recommended Loadout
- Roundabout for crowd control
- Chaser for fast enemies
- Smoke Bomb for dodging
Why it works: The fight is chaotic, and Smoke Bomb helps escape tight spaces while Chaser keeps damage steady.
Beppi the Clown
Beppi has fast phases with moving hazards and unpredictable attacks.
Recommended Loadout
- Spread Shot for high damage
- Chaser for tracking targets
- Coffee Charm for faster Supers
Why it works: Spread Shot melts early phases, while Chaser keeps pressure on Beppi during movement-heavy stages.
Grim Matchstick
This dragon boss uses vertical attacks and platform-based combat.
Recommended Loadout
- Lobber for downward attacks
- Roundabout for horizontal damage
- Coffee Charm for Super usage
Why it works: Lobber hits Grim from below, which is essential in later phases where aiming upward is risky.
Rumor Honeybottoms
This fight includes tight platforms, police bees, and heavy screen clutter.
Recommended Loadout
- Lobber for precise damage
- Chaser for moving targets
- P. Sugar for platform parries
Why it works: Lobber works perfectly against the queen’s position, while Chaser helps during chaotic sections.
Read: Is Ms. Chalice Better Than Cuphead?
Captain Brineybeard
This pirate boss mixes screen hazards with platform movement.
Recommended Loadout
- Charge Shot for strong hits
- Roundabout for coverage
- Smoke Bomb for escape
Why it works: Charge Shot allows powerful attacks without constant firing, reducing risk during hazards.
Werner Werman
Werner stays aggressive and summons enemies frequently.
Recommended Loadout
- Charge Shot for safe damage
- Spread Shot for close combat
- Smoke Bomb for dodging
Why it works: The Charge Shot keeps distance, while Spread Shot handles crowded moments.
Sally Stageplay
This boss requires movement awareness and timing.
Recommended Loadout
- Chaser for consistent hits
- Roundabout for screen control
- Smoke Bomb for tight dodges
Why it works: Chaser allows damage while focusing on stage hazards rather than aiming.
Phantom Express
A multi-phase boss with shifting platforms and enemies.
Recommended Loadout
- Roundabout for large targets
- Chaser for smaller enemies
- Coffee Charm for frequent Supers
Why it works: This fight rewards Super usage, and Coffee helps you activate them more often.
King Dice
King Dice forces you to fight several mini-bosses in one run.
Recommended Loadout
- Roundabout for versatility
- Charge Shot for tough enemies
- Smoke Bomb for survival
Why it works: You never know which mini-boss you’ll face, so flexibility is key.
The Devil
The final boss combines everything you’ve learned.
Recommended Loadout
- Spread Shot for massive damage
- Roundabout for safe phases
- Coffee Charm for Super attacks
Why it works: Spread Shot ends phases quickly, while Roundabout helps when dodging becomes more important than damage.
General Loadout Tips
- Smoke Bomb is the safest charm for beginners
- Roundabout is the most versatile weapon in the game
- Chaser is great for learning boss patterns
- Spread Shot is best for speed and S-Rank attempts
Best Loadout for Beginners
If you are just starting in Cuphead, a simple and safe loadout can make a big difference. A combination of Chaser, Roundabout, and Smoke Bomb works well for most early and mid-game fights. Chaser helps you deal steady damage without focusing too much on aiming, which lets you pay more attention to dodging enemy attacks. Roundabout adds flexibility by hitting enemies from different angles, especially when they move across the screen. Smoke Bomb makes your dash safer and allows you to escape tight situations without taking damage. This setup is not the strongest in terms of raw damage, but it gives you more control and helps you survive longer while learning boss patterns.
Final Thoughts
Cuphead is not just about reflexes it’s about preparation. Choosing the right loadout can turn an impossible boss into a manageable challenge. While skill still matters, the right weapons and charms let you focus on learning patterns instead of surviving chaos.
Experiment with these loadouts, adjust them to your playstyle, and remember: every failure is progress in Cuphead.
