The Pawns: Strategy Guide

Master Cuphead's "Pawns" in Inkwell Hell. Learn strategies for King Dice's associates, including attack patterns and effective loadouts.

Face the formidable "Pawns" in Inkwell Hell with this dedicated strategy guide. Learn how to counter their unique attacks and navigate the challenges presented by King Dice's associates to progress towards the final confrontation.

The Pawns: Strategy Guide

Within Inkwell Hell, the path to The Devil is guarded by King Dice and his various "associates," often referred to as "Pawns." These are the mini-bosses you encounter when spinning the wheel. Each Pawn has a distinct attack pattern that must be learned to progress efficiently. This guide focuses on strategies for overcoming these unique challenges.

Understanding King Dice's Game

King Dice's fight is a board game where you spin a wheel to determine your opponent. The goal is to reach the final space without running out of HP. Landing on specific numbers on the wheel dictates which Pawn you face.

• The Wheel Strategy: Aim to land on spaces with lower numbers (2 or 3) to face easier opponents and avoid King Dice's direct attacks. Landing on "1" or "4" can lead to more difficult encounters or direct damage from King Dice.
• General Strategy for Pawns: For most Pawns, a combination of the Peashooter or Spread weapon, coupled with the Smoke Bomb charm, is highly effective. The Smoke Bomb allows you to dash through attacks, providing crucial survivability.

Key Pawns and Strategies

Here are strategies for some of the more common or challenging Pawns:

• Chips Bettigan (Poker Chips): He throws poker chips in various patterns. Dodge them by moving and jumping. The Spread weapon is effective here if you can get close.
• Mr. Wheezy (Cigar Smoker): He blows smoke rings and shoots cigars. The smoke rings can be parried. Keep your distance and use the Peashooter or Spread.
• Hopus Pocus (Magician): He summons cards that fly towards you. These can be dodged or shot down. His magic hat can also be a hazard.
• Phear Lap (Horse): He charges across the screen. Jump over him or use the Smoke Bomb dash to pass through him.
• Pirouletta (Roulette Wheel): She spins and shoots projectiles. Find the safe spots between her attacks and projectiles.
• Mangosteen (Billiard Ball): He rolls around and shoots billiard balls. Time your jumps and dashes to avoid him and his projectiles.
• Mr. Chimes (Bell): He summons bouncing bells. These bells can be destroyed or dodged. The pink bells are parryable.

Tips for Success

• Prioritize Survival: Your primary goal is to reach the end of King Dice's game. Focus on dodging and avoiding damage above all else.
• Learn Attack Patterns: Each Pawn has a predictable set of attacks. Observe and learn these patterns to anticipate their moves.
• Utilize the Smoke Bomb: The Smoke Bomb charm is invaluable for its ability to grant invincibility during dashes, allowing you to safely navigate through enemy projectiles and attacks.
• Build Meter: If you encounter pink parryable objects (like Mr. Chimes' bells), parry them to build your Super Meter. This can be used for EX attacks if you find yourself in a tight spot.
• Weapon Choice: While Spread and Peashooter are generally good, experiment with other weapons if you find a particular Pawn difficult. Charge Shot can be effective for high burst damage if you have openings.

By understanding these strategies and practicing against each Pawn, you'll be well-equipped to overcome King Dice's gauntlet and face The Devil.