S-Ranking Every Boss

Achieve S-Ranks in Cuphead. Learn strategies for speed, minimal damage, parries, weapon choice, and the Smoke Bomb charm for every boss.

Achieving an 'S' rank on every boss in Cuphead is the ultimate test of skill, demanding near-perfect execution, speed, and precision. This requires a deep understanding of each boss's mechanics, optimal weapon choices, and flawless execution of advanced strategies.

Understanding 'S' Rank Requirements

To achieve an 'S' rank, you generally need to meet the following criteria on Regular or Expert difficulty:

• Time: Complete the boss fight significantly faster than the average time.
• HP Remaining: Take minimal to no damage throughout the fight.
• Parries: Perform a high number of parries.
• Super Meter Usage: Utilize your Super Meter effectively for EX attacks and Supers.

The exact thresholds vary per boss, but the general principle is speed, near-perfect defense, and active offense.

Essential Strategies for S-Ranks

1. Master Boss Patterns: This is non-negotiable. You need to know every phase, every attack, and every tell of each boss by heart.
2. Optimize Weapon Loadouts: Choose weapons that deal high damage quickly. Common choices include 'Charge' for its burst damage and 'Spread' for close-range effectiveness. 'Chaser' can be useful for maintaining damage while focusing on evasion, but its lower damage might make 'S' ranks harder.
3. Utilize the 'Smoke Bomb' Charm: This charm is almost essential for 'S' ranks. Its invincible dash allows you to phase through attacks, maintain aggressive positioning, and save precious time.
4. Prioritize Speed: Always look for ways to end the fight faster. This means identifying and exploiting every damage window.
5. Minimize Damage Taken: Aim for 'A+' or 'S' rank on HP. This often means learning to dodge attacks perfectly rather than relying on the 'Heart' charm, which slows you down.
6. Consistent Parrying: Actively seek out opportunities to parry pink objects. This builds your Super Meter faster, allowing for more EX attacks and Supers, which contribute to both damage and score.
7. Effective Super Meter Usage: Use your Super Meter wisely. EX attacks can often deal significant damage or provide utility (like a brief shield). Supers can be game-changers for quickly clearing phases.
8. Learn Phase Transitions: Understand how to trigger phase transitions quickly and efficiently. Sometimes, dealing a burst of damage can skip a minor animation or transition.

DLC Considerations ('S+' Rank)

The Delicious Last Course DLC introduces the 'S+' rank, which requires completing a boss on Expert difficulty with no damage taken and within a very strict time limit. This is the pinnacle of Cuphead mastery and requires near-flawless execution.

Example: Grim Matchstick S-Rank Strategy

To S-rank Grim Matchstick:

• Weapons: Charge (primary), Spread (secondary).
• Charm: Smoke Bomb.
• Strategy: Focus on dodging his flame attacks with Smoke Bomb dashes. Use Charge shot to hit his head during his vulnerable moments. Parry his pink flames to build meter for EX shots. Aim to defeat him before he enters his final phase, if possible, or quickly dispatch him in it.

Practice and Patience

'S' ranking every boss is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires immense patience, dedication, and countless hours of practice. Don't get discouraged by failures; learn from them and keep pushing.

Key Takeaways for S-Ranks

• Mastery of boss patterns is essential.
• Prioritize speed and minimal damage.
• Smoke Bomb is highly recommended.
• Consistent parrying and Super Meter usage are key.
• Practice, practice, practice!