Progressing through Cuphead, players will come across Super Arts. These are extremely powerful attacks that can be unlocked upon the rescue of the Legendary Chalice found in each Mausoleum. The players, Cuphead, Mugman, and Ms. Chalice, can use these Super Arts when the Super Meter is filled with 5 cards, to unleash devastating moves. However, some are more powerful than others.
7 Energy Beam
The first Super Art that players can obtain is the Energy Beam. This ability allows the player to create a devastating horizontal attack, in which the contents of the liquid from the player’s head are spilled in a ferocious stream. It deals great damage and can be used whilst on the ground or in the air.
It requires the player to stay still, and commencing the attack will only target what is in front of the player, and not around them. Obtaining it is fairly simple, as players will just need to destroy pink ghosts at the first Mausoleum by parrying and jumping on them.
6 Spiral Pillar
In the DLC The Delicious Last Course, players can unlock the Spiral Pillar. It works almost identically to the Energy Beam, except this is a Super Art exclusive to Ms. Chalice. The other difference to be found with Spiral Pillar is that it shoots vertically, rather than horizontally.
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Shooting directly upwards can be useful for enemies positioned above the player, but most of the time enemies will be facing in front of the player. Therefore, both the Spiral Pillar and the Energy Beam are good Super Arts to have, but not the greatest that can be obtained throughout the game. They are great starting choices though.
5 Bomb Morph
In the levels where the player is flying a plane, the Super Art available to the player is Bomb Morph. This transforms the character into a giant bomb, which can explode upon the impact of hitting an enemy, or if the timer runs out. Another great bonus of this ability is the three seconds of invincibility the player receives.
Bomb Morph is good, but since it is restrictive on its usage, it isn’t the best. It’s only used for Aeroplane levels, but the fun animation never gets boring. It also further adds to the great charm of the 1930s animation of smooth, animated limbs and big eyes.
4 Ghostly Barrage
Another exclusive Super Art to Ms. Chalice, the Ghostly Barrage unleashes a devastating horizontal attack that wipes across the entire screen. Like most of Cuphead’s animations, it is beautiful to watch. When using this attack, Ms. Chalice wears a golden Greek Goddess outfit and sends forth a volley of ghosts.
In this ancient form, Ms. Chalice launches a spectral volley of ghosts into a deadly barrage. Each ghost has a different design, and it is fun to watch each one speed across the screen and collide with a target. It’s a great Super Art to use use against powerful bosses, as the attack lasts for more than a few seconds, and deals a decent amount of damage.
3 Giant Ghost
Another Super Art from the base game is the Giant Ghost ability. This shows a fun animation of Cuphead or Mugman receiving a halo floating above their head, which is in the material of their straw. They also gain muscles and combine strength with their heart.
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This Super Art allows for the player to maneuver their spirit and body into one, combining them for maximum damage. It’s hard to use, but great for different and difficult situations. The Super Art has the muscular ghost spin like a tornado, colliding fists with enemies.
2 Shield Pal
For games that can be as difficult as Cuphead, players will often want the most health and defense that they can have. Nothing is worse than progressing far into a level and defeating all adversaries in the way, only to die at the hands of a stronger foe. Shield Pal seeks to fix that.
Through the Delicious Last Course DLC, Ms. Chalice can use Shield Pal as a Super Art. This gives her a familiar which can take one extra hit. It’s an extra heart that will willingly sacrifice itself for the player. This can be essential for those difficult boss fights, where players will win by the skin of their teeth.
1 Invincibility
What better Super Art could there be than literal God Mode? Invincibility does exactly what it says on the tin, and allows players to be invulnerable to damage for a short time. Players will enter the astral plane to become immune to all damage and become a glowing version of their chosen character.
During this moment of invincibility, players are still able to shoot their weapons, and get up close and personal with their target. It’s great for this run and gun game. Bosses won’t stand a chance with players constantly building up their Super Art, to then charge directly into them with full immunity. Pairing this ability with Spread Shot maximizes the potential damage, and ensures that the enemy isn’t getting out of the fight in one piece.
Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course is available now, for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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