Cuphead Chef Saltbaker: Final Boss Fight Guide

Learn How To Defeat The Final Boss Of The Cuphead DLC; The Chef Saltbaker!

Cuphead’s latest DLC, The Delicious Last Course, has your two protagonists team up with Ms. Chalice and Saltbaker to create the Wondertart. But things take a twist near the end, and if you’re on the final fight, then worry not, as I’ll guide you through the Cuphead Chef Saltbaker fight!

Key Takeaways
  • Phase 1: Use Chaser or Crackshot for excellent EX abilities and mobility.
  • Phase 2: Opt for high firepower with a Charge shot.
  • Charms: Heart Ring boosts HP on specific parries, and Smoke Bomb provides invincibility for easier dodging.
  • Chef Saltbaker’s first phase is the longest and toughest, featuring projectiles like Flame, Sugar Cubes, Lime Wedges, Strawberries, and Animal Crackers.
  • Projectiles vary in difficulty; Flame is slow and unpredictable, while sugar cubes and animal crackers are more manageable.
  • Strategy: Maintain distance from Flame, shoot down animal crackers, and predict sugar cube motion to handle all projectiles effectively.

Here’s a complete overview of Chef Saltbaker’s boss fight from Cuphead:

WeaponsCharmsMovesetsPhase 1 ProjectilesPhase 2 ProjectilesPhase 3 & 4
Phase 1: The Chaser or the Crackshot
Phase 2: Charge shot
Heart Ring
Smoke Bomb
Sugar Cubes
Lime Slice
Berry Barrage
Flame, Sugar Cubes, Lime
Wedges, Strawberries,
Animal Crackers
Flame
Peppercorns
Herb Leaves
None

Loadout For Chef Saltbaker Boss Fight In Cuphead

The Cuphead Chef Saltbaker Boss Fight is the final fight of the game. So, you should be mentally prepared for a challenge before even stepping into the arena. But as this is right near the end of the game, you’ll have a solid chance of gearing up as much as you can.

All the phases of Chef Saltbaker’s fight are equally challenging and will test various aspects such as dodging, aiming, and looking for opportunities. That’s why you need to pick a loadout that will allow you to deal with such challenges.

Weapons

For the initial phase, dodge plentiful projectiles by selecting mobile weapons such as Chaser or Crackshot, both equipped with excellent EX abilities.

In the subsequent phase, prioritize firepower over precision. Opt for a high-impact secondary weapon like a Charge Shot to maximize damage output.

Charms

If playing as Ms. Chalice, the Cookie is the default choice. However, for an added advantage, consider the Heart Ring. It grants +1HP on the first, third, and sixth parry, allowing a total gain of +3HP.

Another valuable charm, especially for achieving an S rank, is the Smoke Bomb. Its invincibility effect simplifies dodging, making the initial phase feel effortless.

First Phase Of Chef Saltbaker

Cuphead Chef Saltbaker Phase 1
Chef Saltbaker First Phase

The initial phase of Chef Saltbaker in Cuphead stands out as the most challenging. Its length and the overwhelming on-screen activity make it particularly demanding. However, understanding the distinct attributes of each projectile can significantly ease the difficulty.

This phase revolves around five different projectiles, each sourced from the ingredients obtained throughout the DLC for the Wondertart recipe, and are listed below:

  • Flame: A persistent projectile primarily positioned at the top of the screen, occasionally descending towards the player. Dodging is essential.
  • Sugar Cubes: Tossed across the screen, moving up and down. A pink cube can be parried.
  • Lime Wedges: Boomerang-like projectiles, requiring crouching or jumping to avoid. Quick and glittery, they bounce back after being thrown.
  • Strawberries: Sharp-shaped strawberries rain diagonally from above, posing a significant threat.
  • Animal Crackers: Hopping across the screen, these can be defeated with your weapon.

The necessary tactics are listed below too:

  • The slow-moving and unpredictable Flame requires distancing when descending, allowing it to rise again.
  • Sugar cubes and animal crackers are relatively easier, with predictable linear motions.
  • Positioning yourself correctly can mitigate the threat of strawberries and Lime Wedges.
  • Remaining in the center during the entry of boomerang limes prevents immediate exposure.

A key strategy is to closely observe Chef Saltbaker throughout the fight. His animations telegraph the upcoming projectile, providing valuable hints. Recognize the ingredient preparation to anticipate and prepare for each incoming attack.

If you’re struggling so far, you can try getting 9HP using the Djimmi and various other methods that are discussed here: Cuphead Hearty Achievement: All Methods.

Second Phase Of Chef Saltbaker

Chef Saltbaker Phase 2 Cuphead
Chef Saltbaker Second Phase

Following the defeat of the first phase, Chef Saltbaker thrusts you off the table, and his hand becomes your platform. In this stage, your focus shifts to Pepper shakers in all four corners of the arena. Shooting Chef Saltbaker is not an option; your target is the Pepper shakers, but additional projectiles require attention.

The projectiles and recommended strategies for them are listed below:

  1. Flame: Similar to the first phase but now on the ground. Moves slowly and hops up for an attack. Counter by running underneath during its attack animation.
    • Strategy: Time your movement to dodge the Flame as it hops up. Counter during its attack animation.
  2. Peppercorns: Emitted by Pepper Shakers. Slow-moving with a straightforward path, occasional pink Peppercorns for parrying.
    • Strategy: Dodge the slow-moving Peppercorns, ensuring you avoid them once. Parry the pink ones when they appear.
  3. Herb Leaves: Similar to the strawberries in the previous phase, they float down, initially spaced out, but increase in number over time.
    • Strategy: Navigate between initially spaced-out leaves. As their numbers increase, find openings or aim to complete the fight quickly.

Use The Charged Shot

The previously suggested Charge Shot becomes crucial in this phase.

Employ it to your advantage:

  • Damage Strategy: Focus on the bottom left and right Pepper Shakers in line with your shots. Use the Charge Shot’s ability to deal significant damage.
  • Execution: Employ a fully charged shot followed by an uncharged one. This damages the Pepper Shaker enough to send it flying.
  • Repetition: Repeat the strategy of shooting two shots at one Pepper Shaker, avoiding projectiles, then switching to the other side. Continue until the phase concludes.

Third Phase Of Chef Saltbaker

3rd phase of final fight
Chef Saltbaker Third Phase

The third phase of Chef Saltbaker’s fight in Cuphead is more concise, with fewer attacks as the boss transforms into a salt statue. As the salt statue bounces around and crashes down, players should anticipate its movements and execute timely dodges to avoid splash damage.

While the statue is in the arena, staying underneath and consistently shooting, particularly with three fully charged shots, is an effective strategy to progress through this phase. The only additional threat is a dough cutter moving linearly along the ground, which can be evaded by jumping above it. Overall, this phase streamlines the challenges, emphasizing precise dodges and consistent shooting to navigate efficiently.

Fourth Phase Of Chef Saltbaker

Cuphead Chef Saltbaker Final Phase
Chef Saltbaker Fourth and Final Phase

The fourth and final phase of the Chef Saltbaker boss fight in Cuphead’s DLC is also short but can get confusing because of the platforms. The platforms will continue to fall, and you need to keep climbing the newer ones to avoid taking any damage.

Furthermore, during the final phase, the boss will be in a heart shape, and you can continue to shoot it or even parry it to deal damage. The boss is relatively weaker in this phase, and you’ll be able to complete it as long as you don’t fall off the screen.

An additional tip is that you can actually use the heart-shaped boss to stay airborne by parrying him. It can be helpful if there are no immediate platforms to land on.

With that, you know everything about defeating Chef Saltbaker in Cuphead’s DLC! The twist was certainly interesting, and the fight was equally hard. But once you defeat the boss, you’ll also unlock the “Compliments to the Chef” trophy, which you can learn more about here: How To 100% Cuphead Trophies & Achievements.

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Atik Younas is a Junior Guides Writer on eXputer with decent experience writing about games. He’s an avid 3D designer and a coding wizard who gets fascinated by the technical aspects of the latest games. He’s got a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and loves enjoying well-written stories and combat mechanics in games. Atik has been playing games for more than 10+ years now. Most notably he has spent 1,000+ hours on GTA V Online and Minecraft! Feel free to get in touch with Atik on his gaming profile at Xbox and PSN. Experience: 2+ Years || Education: Bachelor's in Computer Science || Written 200+ Guides || Mainly Covers Game Strategy Guides on eXputer

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