Cuphead Moonshine Mob: Boss Fight Guide

The Moonshine Mob is one of the first two bosses that you can face in the DLC, as it is located in the cave below the main plaza. The boss in question is actually an entire gang of bugs ready to crush you. From spiders to anteaters, there’s quite literally an entire mob that you’ll have to go against.

Before reading further, consider reading our Cuphead Beginners tips guide.

Therefore, let’s dive in and explore every phase of the Moonshine Mob in Cuphead.

Here’s a summarized look at the Moonshine Mob Boss in Cuphead:

Recommended Load Out For The Moonshine Mob

For an effective loadout against the Moonshine Mob boss fight in Cuphead:

1. Primary Weapon: Equip a hard-hitting weapon like the Charge Shot for maximum damage per shot. Kablooey or Roundabout are alternatives if you’re comfortable with them.
2. Secondary Weapon: Consider using a secondary weapon like the Converge shot to counter incoming projectiles. The Crackshot can also be effective.
3. Charm: The Smoke Bomb charm can be helpful, especially in the second phase. Alternatively, consider the Heart Charm for extra health as you’ll have opportunities to parry attacks.

This loadout will provide you with both high damage output and defensive capabilities to tackle the different phases of the Moonshine Mob boss fight effectively. Good luck!

First Phase Of The Moonshine Mob

In the first phase, you will be going against a giant spider that tends to walk funny as he moves across from one end to the other of the screen.

• You face a giant spider moving across three platforms, changing direction unpredictably.
• His off-screen exit determines his return side, possibly at different heights.
• He may carry a phone, calling for backup when off-screen. Pink shots from the backup can be parried.
• If he exits without a phone, he drops explosive bags with spider webs. Approach, then move away to clear them.
• Watch out for flies that spawn in multiples, easily taken down with one shot or crowd control.
• The spider kicks a caterpillar your way; use a powerful weapon like your Charge Shot.

To succeed, stay attentive, avoid 4-5 different enemies, and focus on dealing high damage to the main spider boss, using a powerful single-shot weapon due to limited opportunities to hit.

Second Phase Of The Moonshine Mob

After you defeat the spider, it’ll eventually fall off the screen. But using its web, it will call in the Tap-Dancing Lady Bug, which is part of the second phase of the Moonshine Mob boss fight in Cuphead. 

• After defeating the spider, it calls in the Tap-Dancing Lady Bug using its web.
• Three main elements to watch out for: the Gramophone, the tap-dancing lady, and her minions.
• The Gramophone is tricky. It emits sound waves in two sets, one moving counterclockwise and the other clockwise. Avoid them when they turn yellow to prevent damage. The Smoke Bomb charm can help you dodge through the waves.
• The Tap-Dancing Lady stays on the middle platform and moves quickly from end to end. Avoid her kicks while dodging other challenges. Attack her from above or below if needed.
• When she’s defeated, be cautious, as she can launch one final attack while falling below the screen.
• Watch out for the lady’s minions, a police ant with a baton and a TNT barrel with legs. Deal with them with one shot, and parry the pink barrel if it appears.

Stay agile and time your movements to navigate this phase effectively.

Third Phase Of The Moonshine Mob

In the third phase of the Cuphead Moonshine Mob boss battle:

• You face an Anteater that removes the middle and top platforms upon entering, leaving you mainly on the bottom platform and the edges of the middle and top platforms.
• As the Anteater enters, it reveals the Snail Boss underneath, providing an opportunity to land shots.
• Move to the right side as the first attack always comes from the left side of the screen.
• The Anteater’s nose appears on one side, with its tongue sticking out. Crouch to avoid the tongue. While the tongue is pink and can be parried, it’s risky due to its speed. Focus on hitting the nose for maximum damage.
• To hit the nose directly, charge up a shot and fire just as the Anteater’s nose leaves the screen, aiming to land one shot and dodge the tongue.
• When you dodge the tongue, drop to the lower level as the Anteater releases a ball of insects, which can be eliminated with a charged shot. There can’t be more than two of these enemies on the screen at once.
• Move to the other side of the arena as the Anteater switches sides when using its tongue, and repeat the strategy of getting ready to shoot the nose, ducking to dodge the tongue, and continue this pattern until you defeat the Anteater.

Fourth Phase Of The Moonshine Mob

The fourth phase is not exactly a fully fleshed-out per se, but many players get confused about it, so it’s worth giving it its own section. After you defeat the Anteater, there will be a false knock-out screen that will try to trick you into believing that the Moonshine Mob boss fight is over in Cuphead. But in fact, there is still one enemy that you need to deal with, and that is the Snail.

It will try to land a sneaky attack on you by using its loudspeaker. But if you’re expecting the attack, it can be easy to dodge and finish him off with a simple charged shot.

Moonshine Mob Using Ms. Chalice

If you are trying to defeat the Cuphead Moonshine Mob using Ms. Chalice, there is one thing that you’ll have to keep in mind.

Ms. Chalice’s jump is not as high as the other characters. That is why when you’re trying to jump between the platforms, you need to double jump rather than single-jump. Although it might seem tedious, it can actually work in your favor. In the first phase, you can use her single jump to trigger the bomb bags on the platform above you. Then you’ll fall back down immediately, whereas the bomb will explode, dealing 0 damage to you.

Additionally, she can be helpful in the second phase. You can use her roll the same way that you would use the Smoke Bomb and avoid the deadly musical beams. Just make sure you’re pressing the dodge button while crouching to get the invincible roll.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use her parry to avoid the Anteater’s tongue in the last phase. But you can chase down the pink pesticide clouds and tap-dancing moonshine barrels using her dash. So, in short, you can easily take out the boss even with Ms. Chalice.

With that, you know everything about the Cuphead Moonshine Mob boss fight. It can be tiring dealing with all the different enemies and especially the widely diverse phases. But hang in there, as when you complete the fight, you will be awarded the Distillery Dough, which ties in with the main story of the DLC.