How to Use the Broken Relic in Cuphead DLC: The Delicious Last Course

Cuphead may seem like a simple run ‘n gun game on the surface, but it’s got some surprising hidden depths. Many levels and bosses have back routes to beating them, and the overworld is packed with subtle puzzles. If you’ve got the DLC, The Delicious Last Course, then there’s another mystery to solve. Here’s how to use the Broken Relic in Cuphead DLC: The Delicious Last Course.

How to Use the Broken Relic in Cuphead DLC: The Delicious Last Course

If you visit Porkrind’s Emporium on DLC Isle, you’ll see a new charm for sale called the Broken Relic. It costs only one coin, but it doesn’t seem to have any discernable effect when equipped. So what are you supposed to do with it? In truth, it’s actually a component in an overworld puzzle that leads to a secret boss fight.

First, you need to buy the Broken Relic and equip it. Next, you need to speak with the three pieces of climbing gear on the podiums next to Porkrind’s Emporium. Write down what they say, as you’ll need to know it verbatim in a minute. Thirdly, you need to get down to the graveyard on the south side of the island. Technically, you’re supposed to get over there by beating the Bootlegger Boogie and High-Noon Hoopla levels, but if you’re in a rush, there’s actually a shortcut behind Porkrind’s Emporium. Just walk around the back and follow the path south. You can also walk all the way to the left for a free coin if you need one for the Broken Relic.

When you get to the graveyard, you’ll see three rows of headstones. Equip the Broken Relic, and you’ll be able to see ghosts pop up when you interact with the headstones. Now, here’s the tricky part: you need to interact with the headstones in a particular sequence to solve the puzzle. The sequence is indicated by the dialogue from the climbing equipment on the podiums. The only catch is that this dialogue changes for every playthrough, which means there’s no iron-clad solution.

For the sake of example, here’s what the climbing gear said to me on my playthrough:

• The lantern said “As a winner, I never gave up! Left ’em looking foolish!”
• The shovel said “Second place just ain’t right! Down one place from last year.”
• The pickaxe said “Third place? I guess things can only go up from here!”

See the pattern? My solution for the graveyard was the top-left headstone, followed by the bottom-right headstone, and finished with the middle-up headstone. Again, your solution will probably be different, so write down what the equipment says!

Related: How to Activate Game Djimmi in Cuphead

When you enter the correct code, a blue light will appear in the middle of the graveyard. Interact with it, and you’ll be whisked away to a secret boss fight! If you can beat this tough fight, your Broken Relic will be transformed into a Cursed Relic, which reduces your HP to 1 and randomly shuffles your weapons when equipped. Yay?