Werner Werman

Defeat Werner Werman in Cuphead by dodging his tank projectiles and exploiting his weak points. Learn his attack patterns for phase 1 success.

Werner Werman, the pint-sized rodent with a penchant for destruction, presents a unique challenge in his heavily armored tank. This boss fight takes place in a horizontal scrolling arena, demanding constant movement and precise dodging. Success hinges on understanding his attack patterns and exploiting his weaknesses.

Phase 1: The Tank Terror

The initial phase of the fight pits you against Werner Werman piloting a formidable tank. The arena is comprised of several moving platforms that shift horizontally, requiring you to maintain your footing while simultaneously evading incoming projectiles. Your primary objective is to damage the tank itself.

Werner's Tank Attacks:

• Nuts and Bolts Barrage: Werner will periodically fire a volley of nuts and bolts from his tank's cannon. These projectiles travel in a straight line towards the player. The pattern involves a series of rapid-fire shots, often followed by a brief pause before another burst. Pay close attention to the tank's barrel; it will glow briefly before firing, giving you a visual cue.
• Spring-Loaded Boxing Gloves: From the sides of the tank, Werner will launch spring-loaded boxing gloves. These gloves extend outwards with surprising speed and can cover a significant portion of the screen. They are telegraphed by the appearance of the gloves on the tank's chassis, which will then rapidly extend.

Strategy for Phase 1:

Your primary focus in this phase is to chip away at the tank's health while navigating the moving platforms. The Peashooter is a reliable choice for consistent damage from a safe distance. As the platforms move, try to position yourself to get as many shots on the tank as possible without falling into the abyss below. The Smoke Bomb charm is invaluable here. When Werner fires his nuts and bolts or launches the boxing gloves, activating the Smoke Bomb allows you to become temporarily invincible and phase through these projectiles, greatly reducing the risk of taking damage.

Phase 2: The Feline Fury

Once the tank's health is depleted, it will shatter, revealing Werner Werman's true, albeit temporary, ally: a colossal, enraged cat. This phase shifts the focus from the tank to the cat's direct assaults. The moving platforms remain, continuing to influence your positioning.

The Cat's Attacks:

• Paw Swipe: The cat will rear up and swipe its massive paws across the screen. These swipes are wide and can cover a large horizontal area. The cat will often telegraph this attack by raising its paws before the swipe.
• Hairball Hurl: The cat will cough up and then hurl large, green hairballs. These projectiles travel in an arc and can be difficult to predict initially. They often come in sets of two or three, bouncing slightly after landing.

Strategy for Phase 2:

With the tank gone, you can now focus your offensive power directly on the cat's head, which is its weak point. The Spread shot becomes highly effective in this phase, especially if you can get close to the cat. Its wide spread can deal significant damage to the cat's head when fired at close range. Continue to use the Smoke Bomb charm to dodge the cat's paw swipes and the bouncing hairballs. The invincibility frames provided by the Smoke Bomb are crucial for safely navigating the more chaotic attack patterns of this phase. Prioritize dodging over attacking if you find yourself overwhelmed; a few well-timed dodges can save you from taking substantial damage.

Recommended Loadout Synergy:

• Peashooter: Excellent for consistent, long-range damage in Phase 1, allowing you to attack the tank while maintaining a safe distance from its projectiles and the moving platforms.
• Spread: Becomes a powerhouse in Phase 2. Its close-range damage output is ideal for quickly dispatching the cat when you can safely get near its head.
• Smoke Bomb: This charm is arguably the most critical element for this fight. Its ability to grant temporary invincibility through attacks is a lifesaver in both phases, allowing you to bypass the dangerous nuts and bolts, boxing gloves, paw swipes, and hairballs with ease. The synergy lies in its ability to create windows of opportunity for attacking by negating incoming damage.

Rewards:

• Soul Contract: Upon defeating Werner Werman, you will receive his Soul Contract, a key item for progressing through the game.