Cuphead DLC Cursed Relic: What does it do & how to get Paladin achievement

Complete guide to obtaining the Cursed Relic and mastering its challenges for the Paladin achievement

Introduction to the Cursed Relic Challenge

Seeking to conquer the formidable Paladin achievement and unravel the mysteries of the Cursed Relic in Cuphead’s expansion? This comprehensive guide provides the essential strategies you need.

The Delicious Last Course DLC introduces the enigmatic Cursed Relic, an evolution of the Broken Relic that serves as the key to unlocking Cuphead’s prestigious Paladin achievement through intense challenge.

Following extensive development, StudioMDHR launched Cuphead’s The Delicious Last Course expansion on June 30, 2022, introducing numerous hidden secrets that have captivated the player community.

Dedicated Cuphead enthusiasts have discovered that the initially mysterious Broken Relic undergoes transformation into the Cursed Relic, creating a direct pathway to the challenging Paladin achievement/trophy.

This detailed guide explores the complete functionality of the Cursed Relic within Cuphead’s DLC while providing proven methods for achieving the Paladin accomplishment.

Acquiring and Transforming the Broken Relic

To initially obtain the Broken Relic, visit Porkrind’s establishment and purchase it for one gold coin. The game provides minimal explanation regarding its functionality or intended purpose.

Follow this comprehensive progression path to successfully complete the transformation process:

  • Acquire the ‘Broken Relic’ from ‘Porkrind’s Shop’ for a single gold coin investment.
  • Successfully solve the intricate Graveyard Puzzle — comprehensive solutions available through dedicated puzzle guides.
  • Ensure the Broken Relic is equipped before initiating the concealed boss encounter and achieve victory against this hidden adversary.
  • Upon successful completion, the relic transforms into the formidable ‘Cursed Relic’, marking your progression to the next challenge phase.
  • Pro Tip: Before attempting the secret boss fight, practice the battle pattern without the relic equipped to master enemy attack sequences. The Graveyard Puzzle requires interacting with specific tombstones in precise order—failure to follow the sequence correctly will prevent progression.

    Understanding Cursed Relic Mechanics

    With the Cursed Relic now in your inventory, what extraordinary capabilities does it actually provide? These significant modifiers activate upon equipment:

  • It reduces your maximum health to a single hit point, eliminating any margin for error.
  • It randomly cycles through weapon configurations and charm effects during specific actions: EX attacks, stop attacks, and dash maneuvers.
  • A distinctive purple aura envelops your character, indicating the relic’s active status.
  • Fundamentally, the Cursed Relic delivers precisely what its designation implies—it imposes genuine curses rather than providing assistance.

    However, StudioMDHR implemented balancing mechanics, allowing skilled players to earn significant rewards through strategic application during intense combat scenarios.

    Advanced Strategy: The randomization follows specific patterns—dashing typically cycles charms, while EX attacks rotate weapons. Master players learn to anticipate these shifts and adapt their positioning accordingly. Common mistakes include forgetting the one-hit vulnerability and attempting complex maneuvers without understanding the randomization timing.

    Optimization approach: Focus on mastering boss patterns first without the relic, then incorporate the cursed mechanics gradually. The smoke bomb charm becomes exceptionally valuable for its invincibility frames during dashes, potentially saving you from inevitable mistakes.

    Earning the Paladin Achievement

    The Delicious Last Course DLC features an achievement/trophy titled ‘Paladin’ with the enigmatic description: “Obtain great power.” Without explicit guidance, this objective proves challenging to interpret, but the requirement involves equipping the Cursed Relic and defeating all DLC bosses while maintaining this equipped status.

    Substantial effort proves necessary to accomplish this feat since the unpredictable characteristics of the Cursed Relic frequently manifest as hindrances rather than advantages!

    Boss Progression Strategy: Begin with the easiest DLC bosses to build confidence with the relic’s mechanics. Chef Saltbaker typically proves most challenging—save this encounter for last. The achievement unlocks after defeating the final DLC boss, not necessarily in a single session. You can practice individual bosses without the relic, then replay with it equipped once patterns are mastered.

    The Paladin achievement represents one of Cuphead’s most demanding challenges, testing both mechanical skill and adaptability under extreme conditions. Successful completion demonstrates mastery over the game’s most punishing mechanics.

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