To defeat Adam Smasher phase by phase on Very Hard, focus on exploiting his cybernetic heart with Tech weapons and chemical damage, while consistently using Frag Grenades and the Weapon Malfunction quickhack to mitigate his most dangerous attacks. Prioritize dodging melee combos and jump attacks in Phase 1, clearing reinforcements and avoiding missile barrages in Phase 2, and finishing him quickly in the simplified Phase 3.
Adam Smasher Overview and Weaknesses
Adam Smasher is the final boss of Cyberpunk 2077’s main storyline, encountered during the “Totalimmortal” main job in Arasaka Tower. He is a heavily modified mercenary with immense firepower and strong melee capabilities, making him the most dangerous opponent in the game. The fight is divided into three distinct phases, each requiring specific tactical adjustments.
Adam Smasher has several critical weaknesses that can be exploited to significantly increase your damage output and simplify the encounter, especially on Very Hard difficulty.
| Weakness | Description | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Cybernetic Heart | Located on the right side of his chest, this is his most vulnerable spot. | Destroy his front plate with Tech weapons, then target it directly. |
| Chemical Damage | Smasher is susceptible to chemical-based attacks. | Equip weapons that deal chemical damage. |
| Tech Weapons | Can pierce his front armor plate and hit targets through cover. | Essential for destroying the chest plate and hitting reinforcements. |
| Frag Grenades | Inflict high damage to Smasher and his cyberware. | Use consistently throughout all phases. |
| Weapon Malfunction | Reduces the effectiveness of his bullet storm attack. | Crucial for mitigating damage in Phase 1. |
| Cyberware Malfunction | Deals significant damage and can rapidly advance phases. | Use if you can manage the upload time, especially for stealth. |
| Susceptibility to Electricity | Smasher, being an android, takes more damage from electrical attacks. | Consider electrical damage if chemical weapons are unavailable. |
| Bladerunner Perk | If unlocked, this perk increases damage against androids. | Highly beneficial for this fight. |
It’s important to note that Smasher is resistant to electrical damage, despite being an android susceptible to electricity. This means while electrical attacks might deal some damage due to his android nature, they are not as effective as chemical damage. Prioritize equipping Frag Grenades, Tech Weapons, and chemical-based weapons before the battle begins.
Phase 1: Melee Combos and Bullet Storm
The first phase of the Adam Smasher fight is arguably the most challenging, as he utilizes his full arsenal. He primarily focuses on aggressive melee combos, jump attacks, and a powerful projectile attack known as the “Bullet Storm.” Maintaining distance is paramount in this phase, as his melee attacks deal substantial damage.
His primary weak point, the cybernetic heart, is hidden behind a front plate on the right side of his chest. Your immediate goal should be to destroy this plate using Tech weapons. Once exposed, targeting the heart will result in significantly increased damage.
| Attack Type | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Melee Combos | Continuously backpedal and spam the dodge button as he charges and swings. This technique is similar to dodging Oda’s attacks. |
| Jump Attack | When you see him jump, immediately sprint away from his intended landing spot. He will be momentarily vulnerable (kneeling) after landing, providing an opening for attacks. |
| Bullet Storm | Utilize the “Weapon Malfunction” quickhack to reduce its effectiveness. If you notice him preparing to use the cannon in his right hand, quickly take cover behind curtains or other environmental elements. |
Aggressively use Frag Grenades when Smasher is momentarily vulnerable or when he’s closing the distance. The “Weapon Malfunction” quickhack is highly effective here, as it directly counters one of his most dangerous ranged attacks. If you’re attempting a stealth approach, a successful “Cyberware Malfunction” quickhack can skip a significant portion of this phase, moving you directly to Phase 2. Remember, if you use stealth, you must break line of sight, reboot his optics, or distract him to exit combat mode before attempting to sneak up and knock him out. A successful stealth knockout will deplete 40% of his health.
Phase 2: Missile Rain and Reinforcements
Phase 2 begins when Adam Smasher’s health drops below 60%. At this point, he will lose his right hand and call for reinforcements, which typically include turrets and other weaker opponents. Your first priority in this phase should be to neutralize these additional threats to prevent them from overwhelming you or distracting you from Smasher. Tech weapons are particularly useful here as they can pierce through cover and hit targets.
Smasher’s primary new attack in this phase is a “Missile Rain” from the rocket launcher over his left shoulder.
| Attack Type | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Missile Rain | When Smasher kneels and leans forward, he is about to launch missiles. Look for red circles on the ground indicating impact zones and immediately move out of them. |
| Reinforcements | Prioritize eliminating turrets and other adds as soon as they appear. Use Tech weapons to hit them through cover if necessary. |
| Smasher’s Movement | He will frequently switch positions and attempt to run away. Use these moments when his back is turned to land several shots. |
Continue to exploit his cybernetic heart with Tech weapons and chemical damage. Frag Grenades remain effective for dealing burst damage and damaging his cyberware. Keep an eye on your quickhack cooldowns for “Weapon Malfunction” if it’s available, though his ranged threat shifts more towards missiles in this phase. The key is to manage the adds quickly so you can refocus on Smasher and continue chipping away at his health. If you successfully managed a stealth knockout in Phase 1, another stealth takedown after clearing reinforcements can move you to the final phase.
Phase 3: Final Stand
The third and final phase of the fight begins when Adam Smasher’s health falls below 15%. This phase is considerably easier than the previous two. Smasher is severely weakened and deprived of his main weapons, posing significantly less threat.
At this point, continue to focus all your available firepower on him. Use any remaining Frag Grenades, Tech weapon shots, and chemical-damaging attacks. There are no new complex mechanics or attacks to worry about. Simply maintain consistent damage output until his health bar is fully depleted.
After the fight, you will be presented with a choice regarding Adam Smasher’s fate. This decision, whether to spare or kill him, has no additional consequences on the game’s storyline or ending.
FAQ
What are Adam Smasher’s main weaknesses? Adam Smasher’s primary weaknesses are his cybernetic heart (located on the right side of his chest, exposed after destroying its front plate), susceptibility to chemical damage, and vulnerability to Tech weapons and Frag Grenades. He is also affected by the Weapon Malfunction and Cyberware Malfunction quickhacks.
Which quickhacks are best against Adam Smasher? The “Weapon Malfunction” quickhack is highly effective in Phase 1 for reducing the effectiveness of his bullet storm. “Cyberware Malfunction” can deal significant damage and potentially skip phases, but has a longer upload time.
Can I defeat Adam Smasher using stealth? Yes, it is possible to use stealth tactics. If you manage to make him lose sight of you (by hiding, rebooting optics, or distracting with cameras), you can exit combat mode, sneak up, and perform a stealth knockout. This will deplete 40% of his health in Phase 1 and can be repeated in Phase 2 after clearing reinforcements.
What weapons should I use against Adam Smasher? Tech weapons are highly recommended due to their ability to pierce his armor plate and hit his cybernetic heart, as well as target reinforcements through cover. Chemical-damage weapons are also very effective due to his specific weakness. Frag Grenades are essential for burst damage and damaging his cyberware.
How do I avoid Adam Smasher’s melee attacks in Phase 1? To avoid his melee combos, continuously backpedal and spam the dodge button as he charges. For his jump attack, sprint away from his landing zone immediately when you see him jump. He will be vulnerable for a short period after landing.