How to Beat Rumor Honeybottoms: Buzzing Battle

Beat Rumor Honeybottoms in Cuphead's 'Honeycomb Herald.' This boss guide focuses on vertical movement and precise targeting against the Queen Bee.

Rumor Honeybottoms, the formidable Queen Bee of Inkwell Isle III, presents a unique aerial challenge in her boss fight, 'Honeycomb Herald.' This battle requires players to master vertical movement and precise targeting amidst a swarm of buzzing adversaries. Successfully navigating her honey-filled arena and understanding her attack patterns are key to emerging victorious from this sticky situation.

The fight begins with Rumor Honeybottoms hovering in the air, initiating her assault. Her primary attacks involve firing projectiles, summoning waves of smaller bees, and utilizing her stinger. The arena itself is a vertical scrolling environment, meaning you'll constantly be adjusting your position to avoid incoming threats and maintain optimal firing range.

Phase 1: The Queen's Court

• Summoning Bees: Rumor will periodically summon smaller bees that fly directly towards you. These can quickly overwhelm if not dealt with. Weapons like the Spread shot are excellent for clearing these swarms due to their wide coverage. The Lobber can also be effective if you can time its arcing projectiles to hit groups.
• Projectile Barrage: She fires various projectiles, including homing stingers and rapid-fire shots. Pay close attention to her tells; stingers often glow before launching, giving you a brief window to dodge. The Smoke Bomb charm is invaluable here, allowing you to dash through projectiles and reposition safely.

Phase 2: Honeycomb Hazards

• Rumor's attacks become more aggressive, and the arena may introduce environmental hazards like dripping honey, which can slow your movement. Continue to prioritize eliminating the smaller bees and dodging her projectiles. Using the Coffee charm can help you build your Super Meter faster, allowing for more frequent use of EX attacks or Super Arts to deal burst damage or clear the screen.

Phase 3: Enraged Queen

• In her final phase, Rumor Honeybottoms becomes enraged. Her attacks are faster and more relentless. The arena might become even more hazardous. The key here is to stay calm, focus on evasion, and continue to apply consistent damage. If you have a full Super Meter, now is the time to unleash your most powerful Super Arts to finish her off quickly.

Recommended Loadout:

• Weapon: Spread (for swarms) and Charge (for high damage on Rumor).
• Charm: Smoke Bomb (for evasion) or Coffee (for faster Super Meter).
• Super Art: Invincibility (Super Art I) for crucial moments of survival.

Phase	Key Attacks	Recommended Strategy
Phase 1	Summoned Bees, Homing Stingers, Rapid Shots	Clear bees with Spread, use Smoke Bomb to dodge.
Phase 2	Aggressive projectiles, Honey drips	Maintain consistent damage, use Coffee for meter.
Phase 3	Intensified attacks, faster projectiles	Focus on evasion, use Super Arts to finish.