Should You Keep Dum Dum Alive in Cyberpunk 2077? A Pragmatic Guide
The choice of whether to keep Dum Dum alive in Cyberpunk 2077 during the “The Pickup” quest is a classic example of the game’s morally grey decision-making. There’s no objectively “right” answer; it’s a matter of weighing the consequences and aligning your actions with your V’s personal narrative. Keeping Dum Dum alive primarily benefits you by potentially acquiring his iconic pistol, Doom Doom, later in the game. However, this requires navigating specific choices regarding the Militech datachip and your relationship with Meredith Stout. If you prioritize maximizing potential loot and aren’t particularly concerned about Stout’s fate, letting Dum Dum live is generally the more rewarding path. Conversely, if you favor a more straightforward approach or have an aversion to working with Maelstrom, killing Royce and, consequentially, Dum Dum isn’t detrimental to your overall experience.
The Devil is in the Details: Exploring the Options
The “Pickup” Quest: A Crossroads of Choices
“The Pickup” is one of Cyberpunk 2077’s earliest and most impactful quests. Your objective is to acquire the Flathead, a powerful Militech combat drone, from the Maelstrom gang. The options for achieving this range from all-out warfare to nuanced negotiation, and your choices have lasting repercussions. The fate of Dum Dum hinges on your approach during this quest.
Letting Dum Dum Live: The Long Game
To keep Dum Dum alive, you need to either:
- Give Royce the Cleaned Militech Datachip: If you successfully remove the malware from the chip Meredith Stout gives you, Royce will accept it, trusting you for the transaction. This leads to a peaceful exchange, and Dum Dum survives.
- Pay for the Flathead with Your Own Money: If you have the eddies, you can simply buy the Flathead, avoiding the need to use the Militech chip and minimizing conflict with Maelstrom.
In either of these scenarios, Dum Dum survives the initial encounter. Later in the game, if you chose to side with Meredith Stout, Dum Dum may reappear, offering you his iconic weapon.
The Price of Survival: Meredith Stout’s Fate
A significant trade-off for keeping Dum Dum alive is often Meredith Stout’s career or even her life. If you clean the chip, Militech will not be able to track the payment to Maelstrom. This usually results in Stout’s demotion or death, with Gilchrist taking her position.
Dum Dum’s Doom Doom: The Iconic Reward
The primary reason to keep Dum Dum alive is the potential reward of his iconic pistol, Doom Doom. This weapon is unique because it fires multiple rounds with each shot, making it incredibly powerful, especially in close-quarters combat. To acquire Doom Doom, you generally need to have:
- Allowed Dum Dum to live during “The Pickup”.
- Sided with Meredith Stout in the quest.
- Successfully extracted yourself from the All Foods plant after dealing with Royce.
- During the quest after Stout, he may offer you the Doom Doom.
The Alternative: Royce’s Death and Its Consequences
If you choose to attack Royce during “The Pickup” (either by giving him the corrupted chip or simply engaging in combat), Dum Dum will likely die in the ensuing firefight. While this might seem like a negative outcome, it simplifies the immediate quest and avoids the longer-term consequences associated with Meredith Stout.
No Right or Wrong: Playing Your V
Ultimately, the decision of whether to keep Dum Dum alive depends on your personal preferences and the role you’re playing. If you prioritize maximizing potential loot and are willing to navigate the complexities of the situation, letting Dum Dum live is a viable option. However, if you prefer a more straightforward approach or have moral objections to working with Maelstrom, killing Royce and Dum Dum won’t significantly impact your overall gaming experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dum Dum and “The Pickup”
1. What happens if I give Royce the laced datachip?
If you give Royce the laced datachip without warning him, it triggers a fight with Maelstrom as Militech attempts to take over the All Foods plant. Dum Dum will die in the ensuing conflict.
2. Can I save both Dum Dum and Meredith Stout?
Saving both Dum Dum and Meredith Stout is very difficult and requires very specific choices and glitches. It may require multiple playthroughs to find the path that preserves both. Most likely the answer is NO.
3. What happens if Dum Dum dies?
If Dum Dum dies, he gets a niche at the Columbarium with the epitaph “He gave you a huff when no one else would,” a reference to the inhaler he offers V. You also miss the opportunity to get his iconic weapon, Doom Doom.
4. Should I take the inhaler from Dum Dum?
Taking the inhaler from Dum Dum is a minor interaction that doesn’t significantly impact the game. Jackie disapproves slightly, but there are no major consequences to either accepting or refusing the inhaler.
5. What happens if I hack the Militech chip?
Hacking the Militech chip allows you to either remove the malware (making Royce trust you) or copy the malware (potentially earning extra credits and using it against Militech later). Successfully removing the malware is crucial for keeping Dum Dum alive.
6. Can I copy the Militech chip and get infinite money?
No, you can’t copy the shard for infinite money. You can learn the “Synapse Burnout” hack from it and download the money that was on it, but you cannot copy the shard itself.
7. How do I leave Maelstrom peacefully?
You can leave Maelstrom peacefully by either cleaning the Militech chip or paying for the Flathead with your own money. Both options avoid a direct conflict with the gang.
8. What happens if I decrypt the chip Meredith gives me?
If you decrypt the chip and give it to Royce, he will trust you, and you can leave peacefully before Militech attacks. This scenario is essential for potentially acquiring Doom Doom from Dum Dum later.
9. Can you romance Meredith if you shoot Royce?
Yes, you can romance Meredith Stout by either shooting Royce or giving him the corrupted chip. Both actions lead to a confrontation with Maelstrom and put you in Meredith’s good graces.
10. Is Gilchrist the mole?
Yes, Anthony Gilchrist is the Militech mole. His career advances if you don’t decrypt the chip, as Stout takes the blame for the failed operation.
11. Can you get Johnny to 70% for the secret ending if you choose to kill Royce?
Yes, your choices in “The Pickup” quest do not affect your ability to reach 70% with Johnny. Focusing on Johnny’s side quests, such as “Chippin’ In” and “Holdin’ On,” is crucial for increasing your relationship percentage.
12. How much money do you get from the Militech Datashard?
By hacking and copying the malware, you can obtain around 10,000 credits from the Militech Datashard, in addition to gaining the malware itself.
13. What is the “Venus in Furs” side job?
“Venus in Furs” is the side job that triggers if you express interest in seeing Meredith Stout again after “The Pickup.” It involves going to the No-Tell Motel and having a one-night stand with her.
14. What iconic weapons can I get if Dum Dum dies?
If Dum Dum dies, you miss out on his iconic pistol, Doom Doom. However, you can still acquire other iconic weapons throughout the game, so it’s not a significant loss in the long run. If you let Dum Dum live, you can loot Chaos from Royce’s body, an Iconic weapon in its own right.
15. Can I contribute to learning more about Cyberpunk 2077 and games in general?
Yes! Consider exploring the work of the Games Learning Society, whose research delves into how games can be powerful tools for learning and social change. Visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.