Is It Worth Losing to Razor in Cyberpunk 2077? A Deep Dive into the “Beat on the Brat” Dilemma

In the gritty world of Cyberpunk 2077, choices matter, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the “Beat on the Brat” side quests. Specifically, the final showdown against Razor Hughes presents a unique dilemma: is it better to win or lose? The straightforward answer is: it depends on your priorities. If you’re hurting for Eurodollars (eddies) and don’t mind sacrificing some Street Cred, throwing the fight is the more lucrative option. However, if you’re aiming for Street Cred and can afford to forgo the extra cash, winning the fight is the way to go. There’s no ultimate “right” or “wrong” choice, and no special story-altering reward either way. It boils down to what you need most at that particular point in your Cyberpunk 2077 journey.

Understanding the Razor Hughes Fight and Its Rewards

The “Beat on the Brat” quest line culminates in a showdown with Razor Hughes, a formidable opponent enhanced with cyberware. This fight isn’t just about bragging rights; it’s about resources. Let’s break down the rewards for each outcome:

• Winning the Fight: You become the new champion, earning a decent chunk of eddies (around 3000) and a substantial boost to your Street Cred. This option is ideal if you’re looking to unlock new quests, vendors, and items that require a higher Street Cred level.

• Losing the Fight (Throwing): You’ll receive significantly more eddies than if you win. However, you’ll receive far less Street Cred. This is a good option if you need to quickly acquire some gear, upgrade your cyberware, or simply pad your bank account.

Deciding Based on Your Current Needs

The key to making the right decision lies in assessing your current situation. Are you constantly scraping by, unable to afford essential upgrades? Throwing the fight for the extra cash might be the best option. Are you finding that vendors are out of your league and missions are locked behind Street Cred requirements? Then winning is the priority.

Consider your playstyle, too. If you’re roleplaying a mercenary who’s primarily in it for the money, losing could be narratively fitting. If you’re trying to build a reputation and become a legend in Night City, winning is the more appropriate choice.

Essential Strategies for the Razor Hughes Fight

Regardless of whether you plan to win or lose, understanding Razor’s fighting style is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of his tactics and effective countermeasures:

• Razor’s Lunge Attack: His signature move is a fast lunge culminating in a powerful “superman punch.” This is your primary opportunity to strike.

• The Dodge and Counter Strategy: The most common strategy is to maintain distance, bait his lunge, dodge to the right, and then follow up with a strong attack and a short combo to his back or midsection.

• Cyberware Assistance: Cyberware such as Gorilla Arms can significantly enhance your damage output and make the fight easier, even if you intend to throw it in the end (to ensure you get close enough for a cinematic loss).

Exploiting Vik’s Intel: Focus on the Abdomen

Viktor Vektor, your friendly neighborhood Ripperdoc, provides valuable intel: Razor recently had abdominal muscle implants, making his midsection a vulnerable target. Focusing your attacks on this area can yield quicker results.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into the “Beat on the Brat” Mechanics

Here are some frequently asked questions about the “Beat on the Brat” questline and combat mechanics in Cyberpunk 2077:

1. Can I use Monowire in “Beat on the Brat” fights?

Technically, no, you cannot directly equip and use the Monowire in “Beat on the Brat” fights. These fights are restricted to melee combat, typically fists, Gorilla Arms, or other blunt weapon-type cyberware. However, certain perks that affect blunt weapons may indirectly impact your unarmed combat.

2. Are Gorilla Arms effective in “Beat on the Brat” missions?

Yes, Gorilla Arms are incredibly effective. Equipping legendary or epic Gorilla Arms will drastically simplify the fights, including the one against Razor Hughes. They provide a significant damage boost and make it easier to stagger opponents.

3. Do bare fists count as blunt weapons in Cyberpunk 2077?

Yes. The Street Brawler skill tree, which buffs “blunt weapons,” applies to both your bare fists and Gorilla Arms. Investing in perks from this tree will greatly enhance your fighting prowess in the “Beat on the Brat” questline.

4. Can I use Mantis Blades in fist fights?

Yes, Mantis Blades can be equipped and used in place of fists in open-world combat, but they are not allowed in Beat on the Brat fights.

5. Is there a “best” Ripperdoc in Cyberpunk 2077 for getting the best cyberware?

No. After certain updates to Cyberpunk 2077, all Ripperdocs carry the same inventory of cyberware. This means you can visit any Ripperdoc and find the same enhancements, making the choice purely based on location and convenience.

6. Do non-lethal options affect the story in Cyberpunk 2077?

Generally, no. While some quests might suggest non-lethal takedowns, the primary consequence of using non-lethal methods is usually a change in the reward amount. The main storyline isn’t significantly impacted by your choice of lethal or non-lethal approaches.

7. Are Gorilla Arms considered non-lethal?

Yes, Gorilla Arms deliver non-lethal damage, allowing you to subdue enemies without killing them.

8. Should I always sell junk in Cyberpunk 2077?

No, you should generally dismantle junk for crafting components. Acquiring the Scrapper perk in the Crafting tree will automate this process, making it a convenient way to gather materials for crafting and upgrading your gear.

9. Is it a bad idea to punch Fingers in Cyberpunk 2077?

Yes, punching Fingers is generally considered a bad idea. Doing so will prevent you from using him as a Ripperdoc, cutting off access to his cyberware offerings.

10. What is the “razor and blades” business model?

The “razor and blades” business model is a strategy where one item is sold cheaply (or given away) to drive sales of a complementary, often consumable, product. It’s named after the practice of selling razors at a low price to encourage the purchase of replacement blades. While not directly related to the Razor Hughes fight, it’s an interesting business concept.

11. Are legendary Gorilla Arms worth getting in Cyberpunk 2077?

Absolutely. Legendary Gorilla Arms are among the most powerful cyberware upgrades in the game. They provide a massive boost to melee damage, making them invaluable for close-quarters combat and for completing the “Beat on the Brat” challenges.

12. What happens if you let Razor win in Cyberpunk?

If you choose to throw the final fight against Razor Hughes, V’s pockets will receive more eddies than if you won. Understandably, if you choose to purposely lose the fight, you won’t earn anywhere near as much Street Cred. If you want more cash, this is the way to go.

13. How much Eurodollars will you receive if you win in the fight against Razor Hughes?

Winning the fight means that V is the new champion. You’ll receive over 3000 Eurodollars and a healthy bump to your Street Cred rating.

14. What is the best strategy to beat Razor Hughes?

Keep your distance the entire fight so you can bait his lunge attack where he flashes forward to you and does the jumping superman punch. When he does this dodge to your right, and then follow up with a strong attack and 2 to 3 regular combo to his back midsection.

15. What is the concept of razor?

A razor is a bladed tool primarily used in the removal of body hair through the act of shaving. Kinds of razors include straight razors, safety razors, disposable razors, and electric razors.

Conclusion: Choose Wisely, Cyberpunk

Ultimately, the decision of whether to win or lose against Razor Hughes is a personal one. Weigh your need for eddies against your desire for Street Cred, consider your roleplaying preferences, and choose the option that best aligns with your overall goals in Night City. There’s no “wrong” answer – only the path that suits your V the most. Don’t forget to check out the Games Learning Society for more on the educational aspects of gaming and how games can be used for learning at GamesLearningSociety.org.