Sandayu Oda is the cyberninja boss of the Play It Safe mission in Cyberpunk 2077, and he is the fight that stops a lot of players in the middle of the game. He is fast, he attacks with mantis blades and he can turn almost invisible. Some players find him harder than the final boss. This guide explains how the fight begins, what he can do, and the tools and habits that win it.
The short answer
You beat Oda by controlling distance and breaking his tools. Keep away from his mantis blades, aim for the head to destroy his mask, use an EMP grenade to shut down his camouflage and homing SMG, and find solid cover when he switches to the SMG. Go slowly, because the fight punishes rushed movement.
- Reach the netrunner’s room in the Play It Safe mission and disconnect her.
- Prepare weapons, grenades and healing before you pull the cable.
- Keep your distance from his mantis blades.
- Use an EMP grenade or hack to disable his camouflage.
- Hide behind solid cover when he uses the SMG.
- Shoot his head and finish the fight, then choose to kill or spare him.
When the fight starts
The encounter begins automatically after you pull the cable out of the netrunner during the Play It Safe main mission. The moment you disconnect, Oda appears. The fight is unavoidable, so prepare before you disconnect. It is an Act 2 mission, so you should have time to visit a vendor, craft healing items and load up on grenades. One guide notes that you can end the fight without killing him, and what happens if you spare him is a story choice you can discover yourself.
Why players get stuck
Oda is an extremely agile opponent. He uses deadly mantis blades to deliver fast cuts, and he is dangerous at close range. He can also use a long-range SMG that fires homing missiles, and he has special camouflage that makes him almost invisible. Players describe being hit by a charge from a window and losing their health in seconds. The fight is hard because it changes between close and long range quickly, and you have to respond to both.
His tools and how to counter them
- Mantis blades: he uses them with high precision, so keep the right distance and do not trade at melee range.
- SMG with homing missiles: if you have not damaged the SMG, hide behind a solid shield or cover when he switches to it.
- Oni mask: when he takes damage from an EMP grenade, the mask turns off for a while and he cannot use the homing missiles.
- Camouflage: he can become almost invisible, so use tools that track him, such as camera access from the Friendly Mode quickhack.
- Head: aiming at the head can destroy the mask, which reduces his tricks.
Preparation checklist
- Level: a player who beat him reported being around level 22, so aim for that level or higher.
- EMP grenades: bring several. They are one of the most useful counters.
- Healing: stock up on health items and stamina buffs.
- A solid shield or cover plan: know where you can break line of sight.
- Quickhacks: a guide lists Friendly Mode as useful because it gives you access to cameras and helps you track him when he is cloaked.
The bug to avoid
One guide warns about a one-shot problem that can happen if you use the Legendary version of the Short Circuit combat quickhack or the Epic Cyberware Malfunction Control quickhack during this fight. To avoid it, downgrade Short Circuit to Epic or choose alternative options for the fight. Since patches change behavior over time, treat this as a precaution rather than a certainty, and save before you start.
Step-by-step plan
- Save and prepare. Make sure your loadout is ready before you disconnect the netrunner.
- Move early. As soon as the fight starts, move away from the entrance he uses.
- Break line of sight. A guide notes that if you run away at the start, he may lose you and patrol without going into combat mode, which gives you time to set up.
- Disable his tools. Use EMP and head shots to turn off the mask and the SMG.
- Fight at the right distance. Attack when he is not in blade range.
- Heal in cover. Do not heal in the open.
- Finish and decide. After the fight, choose whether to kill or spare him.
Stealth approach
The mission walkthrough notes that Oda can be defeated with weapons and gadgets or by relying solely on stealth. If your build is stealth-focused, use the time before the fight to position yourself and stay quiet. Be ready to change plans, because he will search for you again if he loses you and will use his camouflage while he looks around.
Rewards
A wiki lists the Jinchu-Maru as the item associated with Oda. Loot can vary, so check what you receive after the fight and keep anything you want to craft or sell.
Common mistakes
- Fighting in melee. His blades are his strength, so avoid trading close up.
- Ignoring the camouflage. If you cannot see him, you cannot dodge him.
- Standing in the open when he uses the SMG. Homing missiles punish bad cover.
- Rushing. A guide suggests taking things slowly.
- Using risky quickhack versions. The one-shot bug can end the run instantly.
If you keep losing
- If he kills you in one combo, improve your armor and increase your distance.
- If you cannot find him, use cameras or tracking tools.
- If the SMG is the problem, break line of sight and use EMP.
- If you are under level, finish side jobs first.
- If it still feels impossible, lower the difficulty for this fight and raise it again later.
Reading the moveset
One reason Oda feels hard is that he has the most varied moveset among the early bosses. He can start with dual melee weapons, switch to the SMG, disappear with camouflage and return from a different angle. Instead of trying to remember every move, remember the categories: close range blades, long range SMG and camouflage. When one of those appears, you already have an answer: distance, cover or EMP.
Using the environment
The fight takes place in a space with windows, rooms and cover. Use that space to your advantage. Break line of sight when you need to heal, and use doors and walls to force him to come to you. When he loses sight of you, he can go back to patrolling, which gives you time to reload and plan your next move. Do not stay in the same spot for too long, because he will search for you and may arrive suddenly.
Build ideas that work
A netrunner build can use Friendly Mode to see him through cameras and use other hacks to control the pace. A gunslinger build can rely on EMP, head shots and a good shield or cover plan. A melee build should use the dodge and counter rhythm and avoid standing in front of him for long. A stealth build should focus on avoiding detection and taking him down in short bursts. Whatever the build, keep your options flexible, because the fight changes quickly.
Difficulty settings
If the fight is ruining your enjoyment, lower the difficulty for this boss and raise it again afterward. Many players report that Oda is one of the biggest difficulty spikes in the story. There is no shame in making the fight easier, and you will still get the story outcome and the loot.
Recap
Oda is a fast, melee-heavy boss with a camouflage and a homing SMG. Prepare before you pull the cable, use EMP, break the mask with headshots, use cover against the SMG and avoid the legendary Short Circuit bug. Patience wins this fight.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you fight Sandayu Oda?
In the Play It Safe main mission, right after you pull the cable from the netrunner.
Can you avoid the Oda fight?
No. The encounter is unavoidable, although you can end it without killing him.
How do I stop his camouflage?
Use an EMP grenade, which can disable his mask for a while and stop the homing missiles. Tools that show cameras can also help you track him.
What level should I be?
One player beat him around level 22, so that is a sensible target.
Is Oda harder than Adam Smasher?
Some players say so, and some guides call him as dangerous as the final boss, but it depends on your build and the version you play.
Should I kill or spare Oda?
It is a story choice. A guide notes that you can end the fight non-lethally, and the outcome of sparing him is something you can discover in your own playthrough.
Why did Oda one-shot me?
One guide links a one-shot problem to using the Legendary version of Short Circuit or the Epic Cyberware Malfunction Control quickhack, and suggests downgrading Short Circuit to Epic. It can also happen if you stand in front of his attacks at close range.