Beppi the Clown is one of the trickier bosses in Cuphead, with multiple challenging phases that test your reaction speed, positioning, and ability to adapt. If you’re struggling to secure that S-rank or simply want to get through the fight with fewer deaths, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

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Best Loadout for the Fight

Before diving into Beppi’s chaotic carnival, it’s important to have the right weapons, super, and charm equipped. Here’s the best setup:

Primary Weapon: Roundabout

• One of the best weapons for this fight, Roundabout functions as an enhanced Peashooter with shots that boomerang back, allowing you to deal damage even while repositioning.
• The EX attack is useful in every phase, making it an all-around powerhouse.

Secondary Weapon: Spread

• Spread is highly effective, particularly in the second and third phases where Beppi is within close range.
• The high damage per second (DPS) is unparalleled, making it a better choice over Twist-Up from the DLC.
• Its EX move can hit multiple targets and clear threats quickly.

Super: Energy Beam (Super I)

• While all Supers have their strengths, Energy Beam provides quick, reliable burst damage.
• Especially useful in the last phase when Beppi spawns penguins, as it can clear them while dealing massive damage.

Charm: Smoke Bomb or Coffee

• Smoke Bomb: Essential for dodging difficult attacks, allowing you to phase through damage that would otherwise be unavoidable.
• Coffee: Increases your EX gauge faster, letting you spam EX moves for heavy damage output.
• Heart Ring is an alternative, but it’s better to master the fight without it.

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Phase 1: Beppi’s Bumper Car & Cardboard Ducks

Beppi begins the fight in a bumper car, slowly moving back and forth while rubber ducks float overhead. He will eventually charge at you, which is the main attack to worry about here.

Strategy:

1. Stay Far Back: Keeping your distance prevents Beppi’s random bumper car movement from catching you off guard.
2. Destroy the Ducks: Some ducks carry light bulbs that drop on you. Stay proactive and shoot them down, ideally using Roundabout.
3. Jump & Dash Over Beppi: When he charges at you, time your jump and dash accordingly. If using Smoke Bomb, dashing through him avoids damage entirely.
4. Parry When Possible: Some ducks are parryable, but don’t stress if you miss them—parrying the roller coaster nose in Phase 2 is much easier.

After Beppi performs about three charge attacks, he will transition to Phase 2.

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Phase 2: Balloon Beppi & Roller Coaster

Beppi inflates into a giant balloon, sending smaller balloon animals your way. The roller coaster also starts appearing at this point, moving across the screen at intervals.

Strategy:

1. Dodge the Roller Coaster: Jump into the empty cart spaces to avoid getting hit. If using Smoke Bomb, you can phase through it more easily.
2. Destroy the Balloon Animals Quickly: Spread’s EX attack shines here, rapidly clearing them out before they become overwhelming.
3. Parry the Roller Coaster’s Nose: The front of the roller coaster has a pink nose that can be parried to build your EX gauge. Since this attack repeats, it’s a reliable way to meet the S-rank parry requirement.
4. Deal Extra Damage When the Coaster is Gone: Without the roller coaster in play, this is your best opportunity to deal uninterrupted damage.

Once you deal enough damage, Beppi moves on to the third phase.

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Phase 3: Beppi’s Charlie Horse

Beppi now rides a carousel horse, either green or yellow, each with a distinct attack pattern. The roller coaster remains a constant threat.

Attack Patterns:

• Yellow Horse: Shoots a row of horseshoes that return with a single opening. Time your movement to get through the gap.
• Green Horse: Fires a set of three horseshoes in a wave pattern, one of which is pink and can be parried.

Strategy:

1. Positioning is Key: Stay under the horse, close enough to deal Spread damage while still being able to react to the horseshoe attacks.
2. Use EX Attacks Frequently: Spread’s EX and Roundabout’s EX are both incredibly effective here.
3. Smoke Bomb for Easier Dodging: The unpredictable combination of roller coaster timing and horseshoes can easily cause mistakes—Smoke Bomb allows you to bypass these threats.
4. Parry the Green Horse’s Horseshoes: If you need more parries, take advantage of the parryable attack from the green horse.

After dealing enough damage, Beppi moves into his final and most chaotic phase.

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Phase 4: Merry-Go-Round & Penguins

Beppi transforms into a massive carousel with platforms moving in circles around him. The roller coaster now moves at high speeds, and Beppi starts spitting out baseball-throwing penguins.

Strategy:

1. Preemptive Damage: Before Beppi fully emerges, shoot Roundabout in his direction to land extra hits.
2. Stay Mobile: The fast-moving roller coaster means you have to keep jumping between platforms while dealing damage.
3. Spam Spread: Position yourself on a platform where you can deal maximum damage with Spread while dodging attacks.
4. Save Your Super for Penguins: When Beppi spits out penguins, they immediately start throwing baseballs, which can quickly overwhelm you. Use Energy Beam to wipe them out while damaging Beppi simultaneously.
5. Find the Best Position to Super: Penguin grouping is somewhat random, so aim for a spot where you can hit multiple at once.
6. Survive the Chaos: Keep moving, stay aware of the roller coaster’s speed increase, and continue dealing as much damage as possible.

Once you have done enough damage, Beppi finally goes down, and victory is yours!

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Final Tips for Success

• Learn the Roller Coaster Patterns: This recurring attack is present in every phase after the first. Mastering its timing is key to avoiding unnecessary hits.
• Prioritize Damage in Downtime: Take advantage of moments when the roller coaster is off-screen to deal uninterrupted damage.
• Use Smoke Bomb to Its Full Potential: If you struggle with dodging, Smoke Bomb is invaluable for avoiding difficult attacks.
• Practice Parrying Early: Getting a parryable duck in Phase 1 makes the rest of the fight easier.
• Don’t Rush—Stay Consistent: Time isn’t a huge factor in this fight, so focus on staying alive and avoiding damage.

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Conclusion

Beppi the Clown is a tough opponent, but with the right strategy, loadout, and practice, you can take him down efficiently. By mastering each phase and optimizing your movement and attacks, you’ll be well on your way to achieving that coveted S-rank. Best of luck, and happy gaming!