To beat Adam Smasher, focus on exploiting his cyber heart, located on the right side of his chest, after destroying his front plate with Tech weapons. Utilize chemical damage, Frag Grenades, and Quickhacks like Weapon Malfunction and Cyberware Malfunction to disrupt his attacks and deal significant damage across his three phases.
Adam Smasher’s Weaknesses
Adam Smasher, the final boss in Cyberpunk 2077’s main storyline, presents a formidable challenge, but he possesses several key weaknesses that can be exploited. Understanding these vulnerabilities is crucial for altering your damage output and gaining a significant advantage in the fight. His most prominent weak point is his cyber heart, located on the right side of his chest. This cybernetic component is exposed after his front armor plate is destroyed, and targeting it will inflict substantial damage. Tech weapons are particularly effective for breaking through his armor.
Beyond his cyber heart, Smasher is susceptible to chemical damage. Equipping weapons that deal chemical damage will significantly increase your effectiveness against him. Conversely, he exhibits resistance to electrical damage, so it’s advisable to avoid using such weapons. For gun builds, the Relic Perk: Vulnerability Analytics can reveal additional weak points on his limbs, though these may have high health and inconsistent availability. Headshots do not deal increased damage to Adam Smasher.
| Weakness Type | Location/Condition | Benefit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyber Heart | Right side of chest, after front plate destroyed | Inflicts significant damage | Best targeted with Tech weapons |
| Chemical Damage | General | Increased damage output | Avoid electrical damage due to resistance |
| Front Armor Plate | Chest | Can be pierced by Tech weapons | Reveals Cyber Heart; crucial to destroy |
| Limbs | Revealed by Relic Perk: Vulnerability Analytics | Offers additional damage opportunities | High health, inconsistent availability |
Recommended Loadout and Quickhacks
Optimizing your loadout and selecting appropriate quickhacks are critical steps before engaging Adam Smasher. Prioritize weapons that deal chemical damage and Tech weapons, as these offer distinct advantages. Frag Grenades are also highly effective for dealing burst damage and harming his cyberware.
Tech weapons are invaluable because they can pierce through Smasher’s front armor plate, which is otherwise difficult to destroy. This allows you to expose and target his cyber heart. Additionally, Tech weapons can strike targets through cover, making them useful for dealing with any reinforcements that might appear. Chemical-based weapons will consistently deal increased damage due to his specific vulnerability.
For quickhacks, Weapon Malfunction is highly recommended during his first phase to reduce the effectiveness of his “Bullet Storm” attack. Cyberware Malfunction is exceptionally powerful, capable of dealing massive damage and often pushing him into the next phase. However, be aware that Cyberware Malfunction takes time to upload and activate.
| Item Type | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Chemical-based weapons | Exploits Smasher’s chemical damage weakness |
| Weapon | Tech Weapons | Pierces front armor plate, strikes through cover, exposes cyber heart |
| Grenade | Frag Grenades | Deals large amounts of damage, damages cyberware |
| Quickhack | Weapon Malfunction | Reduces effectiveness of “Bullet Storm” attack (Phase 1) |
| Quickhack | Cyberware Malfunction | Deals huge damage, can push Smasher to next phase (takes time to upload) |
Tactical Approach to Smasher’s Phases
Adam Smasher’s boss fight progresses through three distinct phases, each requiring a slightly different tactical approach. Understanding these phases and his attack patterns is key to victory.
Phase 1: Melee and Bullet Storm The initial phase is characterized by Smasher’s aggressive melee combos, jump attacks, and a projectile attack known as the “Bullet Storm.” This is arguably his most formidable phase in terms of direct damage output if you allow him to close the gap. Your primary goal here is to maintain distance. When Smasher charges for a melee combo, immediately begin backing up and repeatedly dodge backward to evade his swings. This technique is similar to the one used against Oda in Act 2’s “Gimme Danger” mission. For his jump attack, sprint away from your current position as soon as he jumps to avoid being knocked down. Take advantage of his kneeling composure after a jump to inflict damage, then quickly retreat from his melee range. The Bullet Storm attack can be mitigated by using the Weapon Malfunction quickhack or by dodging if cover isn’t available.
Phase 2: Cyber Heart Exposure and Reinforcements Once you’ve dealt enough damage, Smasher’s front plate will be significantly damaged or destroyed, exposing his cyber heart on the right side of his chest. This is your primary target. Focus all available firepower, particularly Tech weapons and chemical damage, on this weak point. During this phase, Smasher may also call in reinforcements. Utilize the piercing ability of Tech weapons to eliminate these adds quickly, even through cover. The Cyberware Malfunction quickhack is particularly effective here, as it can deal massive damage to Smasher and often push him into the next phase.
Phase 3: Missile Rain and Continued Assault The final phase often involves Smasher moving to an upper surface and primarily using a rocket launcher on his back, initiating a “missile rain” attack. If you have managed to shoot off his right arm earlier in the fight, it deals significant damage and prevents him from using melee attacks again, forcing him to prioritize his rocket launcher. Continue to target his cyber heart if exposed. Maintaining mobility and finding cover from the incoming missiles will be crucial.
Additional Tips for Victory
Beyond specific weaknesses and loadouts, several tactical considerations can turn the tide against Adam Smasher. Maintaining distance, especially during his melee-heavy first phase, is paramount. His attacks are powerful, and getting caught in a combo can quickly deplete your health. If you have a Smart gun or your own Sandevistan cyberware, you can counter his Sandevistan usage when he runs around, making him targetable. Otherwise, you’ll only be able to hit him when he stops moving.
It’s a good idea to bring three different types of weapons to prevent running out of bullets during the fight. While the Phantom Liberty expansion does not introduce a new Adam Smasher fight, the strategies for defeating him remain consistent across game updates, including Update 2.1. His battle is characterized by three distinct phases, each with unique attack patterns and vulnerabilities.
FAQ
Where is Adam Smasher’s weakest spot? Adam Smasher’s weakest spot is his cyber heart, located on the right side of his chest, which becomes visible after his front armor plate is destroyed.
What damage type is Adam Smasher weak to? Adam Smasher is weak to chemical damage.
What damage type is Adam Smasher resistant to? Adam Smasher is resistant to electrical damage.
Do headshots deal more damage to Adam Smasher? No, headshots do not deal more damage to Adam Smasher. He does not have weak points like other enemies in this regard.
Can I use quickhacks against Adam Smasher? Yes, quickhacks like Weapon Malfunction and Cyberware Malfunction are highly effective against Adam Smasher.
Does the Phantom Liberty expansion change the Adam Smasher fight? No, the Phantom Liberty expansion does not introduce a new Adam Smasher fight, and the strategies for defeating him remain consistent with the base game.