Sasquatch, also known as Matilda K. Rose, is the leader of the Animals gang and one of the first big boss fights in Cyberpunk 2077. She hits hard with a hammer, she regenerates her health, and she can throw up barriers that stop your bullets. Many players hit a wall here, especially if they arrive under-leveled. This guide explains when the fight happens, how her tricks work, and the options you have for beating her or skipping the fight.
The short answer
You beat Sasquatch by removing her healing, keeping your distance and using her weakness. Disable or destroy the device that lets her recover, avoid her melee attacks, use fire or explosive objects in the mall, and aim for the head. If you prefer, you can use stealth to hit her first or avoid the encounter by slipping into the cinema unseen.
- Reach the fight in the mission I Walk the Line, which starts in Pacifica.
- Scan Sasquatch to see her weaknesses and resistances.
- Decide whether to fight, sneak attack or avoid her.
- Disable the healing device on her back.
- Dodge her hammer attacks and keep your distance.
- Finish her with headshots or fire damage and loot the reward.
When you fight her
You face Sasquatch during the I Walk the Line mission. You start it in the Pacifica district after you have started cooperating with the Voodoo Boys gang. You must pass through the Animals’ territory first, and the fight takes place in the mall area. One guide recommends being around level 25, and another player reports beating her at about that level, so if you are far below it, expect a hard fight.
Why players get stuck
The first reason is her damage. She uses a large hammer and powerful melee attacks, and if she lands them you lose a lot of health. The second reason is regeneration. She heals during the fight, so spreading your damage over a long time makes it feel impossible. The third reason is the barrier ability, where she creates walls that can block your bullets, especially in the early part of the fight. The encounter was reworked in the 2.0 update and made more entertaining and more challenging, so older advice may not match the current fight.
Her tools and weaknesses
- Hammer: a large hammer inflicts heavy melee damage. You can pick up the hammer from the room whenever she is not holding it, which can be useful.
- Regeneration: she recovers health, so shut down the device that supports it.
- Barriers: she can create barriers that stop bullets, mainly in the first part of the fight.
- Thermal weakness: a wiki entry lists a 20 percent weakness to thermal damage and a resistance to electrical damage, so fire is a smart choice.
- Stagger window: one guide notes that one of her attacks leaves her staggered for about three to four seconds, which is your chance to hit her.
Preparation checklist
- Level and gear: aim for around level 25 and bring your best weapons and armor.
- Healing items: stock up so you can recover when you are caught.
- Fire or explosives: the mall has dangerous objects like explosive barrels, and fire weakens her.
- A ranged weapon: a sniper rifle works well for the stealth approach.
- Quickhacks: Short Circuit can disable the device on her back.
Option 1: the open fight
- Start at range. Attack her from a distance, because she is strongest in melee.
- Disable the healing device. Destroying it stops the regeneration and makes the fight much easier.
- Dodge, do not trade. When she swings the hammer, move out of range, then attack when she recovers.
- Aim for the head. Headshots drain her health quickly.
- Use the arena. Fire and explosive barrels can deal extra damage.
- Heal from a distance. If you are hurt, retreat first, then heal.
Option 2: the stealth approach
You can sneak up on Sasquatch while she is busy and strike first. Several guides recommend approaching her from behind while she is on the phone, then using a quickhack like Short Circuit to disable the device on her back. Another guide suggests sabotaging the purple container behind her to shorten the fight. Once the healing is gone, the rest of the fight is mostly about avoiding the hammer. Stealth is not guaranteed, because once she notices you, the exit from the arena closes until she is defeated.
Option 3: skip the fight
If you do not want to fight her, you can avoid the encounter. One guide says that if you spot her outside the cinema, you can slip into the cinema without being seen, and a distraction quickhack can help. That is a valid choice, but you will miss the loot she drops, which can include the iconic M-10AF Lexington pistol and a good amount of credits.
Common mistakes
- Fighting in melee range. She is a melee powerhouse, so distance is your friend.
- Ignoring the healing device. Without disabling it, your damage keeps getting undone.
- Skipping the scan. The scan tells you her weaknesses before the fight begins.
- Being under-leveled. Around level 25 is the suggested point for a smooth fight.
- Relying on old guides. The fight changed in updates 2.0 and 2.1.
If you keep losing
- If she kills you in two hits, improve your armor and avoid her range.
- If she heals too often, focus on the device before you spend more ammunition.
- If bullets bounce off, wait for the barriers to drop or use other damage.
- If your build is stealth-based, use the sneak attack and keep the fight short.
- If it still feels unfair, level up, do side jobs and come back.
Understanding the scan
Before you start any boss fight in Cyberpunk 2077, scan the enemy. The scan shows what the boss is strong or weak against, and with Sasquatch it confirms the thermal weakness and the electrical resistance. It also helps you decide which weapon or quickhack to use. Scanning takes a few seconds and can save you several attempts, so make it a habit before you commit to the fight.
Using the mall to your advantage
The fight happens in a mall full of objects. Explosive barrels and other hazards can deal damage to Sasquatch, and because she is weak to fire, a well-timed explosion can take a large chunk of her health. Learn where the barrels are before you start. Use pillars and walls to break line of sight when she charges, and do not corner yourself in a narrow area where her hammer can reach you.
Choosing a build-friendly approach
The best way to beat her depends on your character. A netrunner can use quickhacks to disable her device and keep her at a distance. A gunslinger can rely on headshots and dodging. A melee build needs to be careful, because she is stronger up close, so use the stagger window to strike and then back away. A stealth build can use the sneak attack and avoid a long fight entirely. There is no single right answer, so use the strengths of your own build.
Staying calm in the rhythm
Once you are in the rhythm of dodging and shooting, the fight becomes manageable. Do not let Sasquatch corner you, and keep dealing damage until she goes down. The most common reason players lose is panic: they stop moving and trade hits. Move first, shoot second, heal third, and the fight will feel much fairer.
Mind the rewards
It is worth beating her instead of skipping the fight if your build can handle it. The loot includes strong weapons and a good amount of credits, and the fight is a good test of your build before harder bosses later in the game. If you do skip her, you can always come back to other Animals content when you are stronger.
Recap
Sasquatch is a melee boss with healing and barriers. Disable her healing, stay mobile, use fire and explosives, aim for the head and consider stealth or skipping the fight. The reward is worth it, especially if you want the iconic pistol she drops.
Frequently asked questions
When do you fight Sasquatch?
In the I Walk the Line mission, which begins in Pacifica after you start working with the Voodoo Boys.
What level should I be?
Guides suggest around level 25, so a lower level means a harder fight.
What is Sasquatch weak to?
A wiki entry lists a 20 percent thermal damage weakness, and a guide says fire weakens her, so burning and explosions help.
Can I skip the Sasquatch fight?
Yes. One guide says you can slip into the cinema without being seen, and a distraction hack can help.
What does Sasquatch drop?
One guide lists high-level weapons including the upgradeable M-10AF Lexington pistol and a substantial amount of credits.
Is the Sasquatch fight different after the 2.0 update?
Yes. The encounter was reworked in update 2.0 to be more entertaining and more challenging, and she was enhanced again in 2.1, so older guides may not match the current fight.
Can I pick up Sasquatch’s hammer?
Yes. A guide says you can find the hammer in the room where you fight her and pick it up whenever she is not holding it, including before the fight starts.