To beat Adam Smasher in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0, focus on exploiting his cybernetic heart weakness with Tech weapons and chemical damage, while consistently dodging his powerful melee and ranged attacks across three distinct phases. Maintaining distance and utilizing quickhacks like Weapon Malfunction are key to managing the fight effectively.
Adam Smasher Overview
Adam Smasher serves as the final boss in Cyberpunk 2077’s main storyline, encountered during the infiltration of Arasaka Tower. This heavily modified mercenary is known for his immense strength and aggressive combat style, notably for having defeated Johnny Silverhand. The battle against Smasher is a multi-phase engagement that demands strategic preparation and execution. His combat style evolves throughout the fight, moving from intense melee assaults to projectile barrages, requiring players to adapt their tactics.
Exploit His Weaknesses
Adam Smasher, despite his formidable appearance, possesses several critical weaknesses that can be exploited to significantly increase damage output. Understanding these vulnerabilities before the fight is crucial for an easier victory.
| Weakness | Description | Recommended Tactic |
|---|---|---|
| Cyber Heart | Located on the right side of his chest, it’s his weakest spot. | Destroy his front plate with Tech weapons to expose it, then target directly. |
| Chemical Damage | Takes increased damage from chemical-based attacks. | Equip weapons or grenades that deal chemical damage. |
| Tech Weapons | Can pierce his front armor plate and hit targets through cover. | Utilize for consistent damage and to bypass his defenses. |
| Frag Grenades | Effective for dealing large amounts of damage and damaging his cyberware. | Throw to inflict burst damage, especially when he’s stationary or grouped with adds. |
| Quickhacks | Specific quickhacks can disrupt his attacks and inflict significant damage. | Use Weapon Malfunction to reduce bullet storm efficiency, Cyberware Malfunction for burst damage. |
His cybernetic heart is a prime target, but it’s initially protected by his front armor plate. Tech weapons are particularly effective here, as they can penetrate this plating, allowing you to deal direct damage to his core weakness. Additionally, Smasher shows a vulnerability to chemical damage, so incorporating weapons or grenades with this damage type into your loadout will prove beneficial. Conversely, he exhibits resistance to electrical damage, making weapons with this attribute less effective.
Phase-by-Phase Strategy
The fight against Adam Smasher is divided into three distinct phases, each presenting different challenges and requiring specific responses. Adapting your strategy to each phase is essential for success.
Phase 1: Melee Onslaught
Adam Smasher begins the battle with a strong focus on melee attacks, including powerful combos, jump attacks, and a projectile attack known as the Bullet Storm. During this phase, he is at his most aggressive, and getting caught in his melee range can result in significant damage. The primary strategy here is to maintain distance. When Smasher charges, immediately begin backing away and spam the dodge button as he swings his arms. This technique is similar to dodging Oda’s attacks in Act 2’s “Gimme Danger” quest. For his jump attack, simply sprint away from your current position as soon as you see him initiate the jump. Using the Weapon Malfunction quickhack can reduce the efficiency of his Bullet Storm, making it easier to manage.
Phase 2: Rocket Barrage and Reinforcements
Midway through the fight, Smasher will often move to an elevated position, prioritizing his rocket launcher. He will launch a barrage of rockets, making standing still a dangerous proposition. During this phase, he also summons four agents as reinforcements. These agents are standard enemies and should not pose a significant threat individually, but they add to the chaos. Your priority should be to damage Smasher’s rocket launcher to disable it. While he’s launching rockets, continuously move to dodge them. Standing directly under platforms can provide cover from the rocket shower. The Cyberware Malfunction quickhack can be incredibly effective here, as it can stop him from using his rocket launcher and temporarily immobilize him, often transitioning the fight to the next phase rapidly.
Phase 3: Final Push
Details on the specific attacks and strategies for Adam Smasher’s third phase are not explicitly detailed in the provided sources. However, as with most multi-phase boss battles, it’s generally advisable to continue exploiting his known weaknesses, such as his cyber heart and chemical damage vulnerability. Maintain vigilance for any new attack patterns or increased aggression. If he continues to summon reinforcements, prioritize eliminating them quickly to avoid being overwhelmed while focusing fire on Smasher.
Recommended Gear and Quickhacks
Optimal preparation involves selecting the right weapons, grenades, and quickhacks to counter Adam Smasher’s strengths and exploit his weaknesses.
| Category | Item/Type | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Weapons | Tech Weapons | Essential for piercing his front armor and hitting his cyber heart; can also hit through cover. |
| Chemical Damage | Weapons or mods that inflict chemical damage will bypass his resistances and deal increased damage. | |
| Variety of Weapons | Bring at least three different weapon types to ensure you don’t run out of ammunition during the fight. | |
| Grenades | Frag Grenades | Excellent for burst damage and damaging his cyberware, especially when he’s stationary or grouped with adds. |
| Quickhacks | Weapon Malfunction | Reduces the effectiveness of his Bullet Storm attack in Phase 1, making it easier to avoid damage. |
| Cyberware Malf. | Causes significant damage and can rapidly advance the fight to the next phase; stops rocket launcher. |
Before the battle, it’s highly recommended to adjust your loadout to include these items. Tech weapons are paramount due to their armor-piercing capabilities, directly targeting Smasher’s cyber heart. Frag grenades provide reliable area-of-effect damage, which is useful against Smasher and any summoned agents. For quickhacks, Weapon Malfunction is a strong defensive choice, while Cyberware Malfunction offers a potent offensive disruption. Ensure your inventory has a diverse set of weapons to prevent running out of ammo, as the fight can be prolonged.
FAQ
What are Adam Smasher’s main weaknesses? Adam Smasher is primarily weak to chemical damage and his cybernetic heart, located on the right side of his chest. Tech weapons are highly effective against him as they can pierce his armor to hit this weak spot.
What quickhacks are best against Adam Smasher? The Weapon Malfunction quickhack is excellent for mitigating his Bullet Storm attack in the first phase. Cyberware Malfunction is also very effective, dealing significant damage and potentially forcing him into the next phase by disabling his systems, including his rocket launcher.
How do I avoid Adam Smasher’s melee attacks? During his melee-focused first phase, maintain distance. When he charges or swings, continuously back up and spam the dodge button. For his jump attack, simply sprint away from your current location.
Does Adam Smasher summon allies? Yes, midway through the fight, Adam Smasher will summon four agents to assist him. These are standard enemies and should be dealt with to avoid being overwhelmed while focusing on Smasher.
Can I destroy Adam Smasher’s rocket launcher? Yes, it is possible to prioritize damaging his rocket launcher to disable its use, especially during the phase where he relies heavily on it from an elevated position.