Adam Smasher is the final boss of Cyberpunk 2077, and he is the fight where many players get stuck. He has enormous firepower, he can hit hard in melee, and since patch 2.1 he has been tougher and more mobile than he was at launch. This guide explains when you fight him, what he does in each phase, how to prepare, and the habits that win the fight. Spoilers for the late game follow.
When you fight him
Every ending path leads to Adam Smasher. Depending on the path you chose, the final mission is called Totalimmortal or Belly of the Beast, and the fight takes place in a different room, but his attacks are the same. The board meeting is interrupted by Arasaka elite soldiers, and you must clear them and then face Smasher.
What changed in Update 2.1
The fight against Adam Smasher was updated with patch 2.1. He is tougher, stronger and more mobile, and he no longer simply waits for you to empty your magazines. The safest approach in the current version is to treat the fight as a movement-and-timing encounter, not a stationary damage race. Guides written before 2.1 may not work.
Prepare before the fight
- Three weapon types: bring a revolver, an assault rifle and a sniper rifle, so you do not run out of ammunition. The fight is long enough to drain a single weapon.
- Consumables: your cyberware is partially disabled during the fight, so you are weaker than normal. Load up on healing items, stamina and other buffs.
- Phantom Liberty relic skill: the skill that highlights weak points and increases weak point damage is a big advantage.
- Armor and perks: keep your best armor on and use perks that support survivability and your preferred damage type.
Phase 1: melee and movement
In the first phase Smasher uses mostly melee attacks and charges. He has significant damage up close, so jump to the side to avoid his charges and keep your distance. Use cover to break line of sight when he fires. Trade damage in short windows, then retreat. Your aim here is to chip his health down while staying alive.
Phase 2: reinforcements and new moves
When his health falls below about 60 percent, he loses his right hand and gains new moves. He also calls for reinforcements, and turrets and other enemies appear in the area. Use this time to get away from him, because he still attacks. Smasher frequently switches positions and may try to run. Kill the adds first if they are pressuring you, then return to him. Three new moves need your attention, so watch for tells and keep dodging.
Phase 3: the easy part
The third phase is the easiest. He is badly damaged and his body is failing. Stay mobile and finish him with your best weapon. When he falls, you choose what happens to him, and your decision has no additional consequences.
Can you use stealth?
Older guides say yes: Adam Smasher can be killed with stealth tactics like other bosses. After the second phase starts, turrets and extra opponents make stealth harder, so it is not a reliable path in the current version.
Build-specific tips
- Gunslinger: use cover and burst damage, and switch weapons when you run low.
- Netrunner: hack from range and keep moving. A Blackwall netrunner build has been used to beat him.
- Melee: blades are risky because of his melee damage. Use dashes and dodge, and only strike during recovery windows.
Common mistakes
- Standing still and trading damage.
- Using only one weapon and running out of ammunition.
- Ignoring the reinforcements in phase two.
- Entering the fight without healing items.
- Following a guide written before Update 2.1.
How to read the fight
Smasher uses distinct moves that you can read. In the first phase he leads with charges and melee swings that you can sidestep. When he fires, put cover between you and him. In the second phase, new moves appear, and the reinforcements are the main source of pressure, so prioritize them. In the final phase, he is mobile and wounded, and a few clean bursts end the fight. Keeping your healing items ready and not wasting them in the early part of the fight is the key to winning the long second phase.
Settings and difficulty
If you are stuck at the final boss, you can lower the difficulty in the settings and return to the fight. There is no penalty for doing so, and it lets you finish the story. If you want a challenge, practice on a higher difficulty only after you understand the phases. Save before the mission so you can retry from the start of the encounter.
The weapon rotation
With three weapon types, a good rotation is to use the sniper rifle for weak points at distance, the assault rifle for sustained damage and the revolver for burst. Switching when a magazine is nearly empty prevents long reloads in the middle of a charge. If your revolver is a big hitter, save it for the moments when Smasher is staggered.
If you keep losing the fight: quick diagnosis
- You run out of ammunition: carry three weapon types.
- He kills you in melee: dodge to the side when he charges and keep your distance.
- Reinforcements overwhelm you: clear the adds before returning to him.
- You feel weak: your cyberware is partly disabled, so rely on consumables and cover.
- Nothing works: check your guide is for patch 2.1 or later.
Pre-fight checklist
- Revolver, assault rifle and sniper rifle.
- Healing items and buffs.
- Best armor and perks.
- Phantom Liberty relic skill if you own it.
- A save before the mission.
Quick recap
- Fought at the end of Totalimmortal or Belly of the Beast.
- Three phases, the last one the easiest.
- Update 2.1 made him tougher and more mobile.
Frequently asked questions
When do you fight Adam Smasher?
At the end of Totalimmortal or Belly of the Beast, depending on your ending path.
How many phases does the fight have?
Three. The third is the easiest.
Is my cyberware disabled?
It is partially disabled during the fight, so bring healing and buffs.
What weapons should I bring?
A revolver, an assault rifle and a sniper rifle.
Did Update 2.1 change the fight?
Yes. He is tougher, stronger and more mobile.
Can I skip the fight?
No. Every ending leads to Adam Smasher.
Does stealth work?
Older guides say yes, but in the later phases turrets and reinforcements make it unreliable.
What happens after I win?
You decide his fate, and the decision has no further consequences.
Should I lower the difficulty?
You can, with no penalty, if you want to finish the story.
Which build is easiest?
A ranged build that keeps distance and uses cover is the most forgiving, and a Blackwall netrunner build has also worked.
Before the mission, make a hard save and a separate manual save so you can retry the encounter quickly if you lose.