Should You Keep the Car in Cyberpunk 2077’s “Beat on the Brat” Side Job?
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The short answer is: yes, absolutely keep the car. The choice presented in the “Beat on the Brat” side job, specifically with El Cesar, is a deceptive one. You’re offered a choice between taking the car and the money, just the car, just the money, or neither. However, it’s crucial to understand that your choice has zero impact on anything beyond this specific interaction. There are no long-term consequences, no hidden stat boosts, or secret endings tied to this decision. So, if you like the car, and also want the money, take them. It’s a freebie in the world of Night City.
Understanding the “Beat on the Brat” Context
The “Beat on the Brat” questline is a series of fist-fighting challenges where you battle various opponents across Night City. While these fights affect your Street Cred and Eddies (money) reward, the situation with El Cesar’s car is a separate, self-contained event within one of the side jobs associated with the questline. It serves as a small detour and an opportunity to obtain a vehicle without any cost or penalty.
El Cesar’s Offer and the Illusory Choice
El Cesar presents you with a seemingly important dilemma, making you believe your choice has ramifications. However, this is a common narrative device in Cyberpunk 2077 that adds depth and immersion without affecting the core gameplay mechanics.
Here’s a breakdown of your choices:
- Take the car and the money: This is the optimal choice. You get a vehicle added to your collection and some cash.
- Take just the car: You get a vehicle but no extra cash.
- Take just the money: You receive some cash, but no vehicle.
- Take neither the car nor the money: You leave empty-handed, making no gains from the situation.
No matter which option you pick, there is no difference to the subsequent conversation with Ruiz and Micaela; as long as you did not take both the car and money, their reactions are the same. The takeaway is simple: there’s no downside to taking the free car and cash. Always take both if they are offered in this specific side job.
Why Take the Car?
- Free Vehicle: Cars in Cyberpunk 2077 can be expensive. This is an opportunity to get a free car early in the game, saving you money that can be used for cyberware upgrades or weapons.
- No Negative Consequences: As mentioned, the choice doesn’t affect anything beyond this encounter. You won’t miss out on any story content, character progression, or future quests.
- Collection Purposes: If you are a collector or enjoy variety in your vehicle inventory, this car will add another option to your garage.
Additional Tips for “Beat on the Brat”
While the El Cesar car decision is straightforward, the overall “Beat on the Brat” questline involves more strategic considerations:
Focus on Street Cred and Eddies
The fights in this quest line affect your rewards based on whether you win or lose:
- Winning: Earns you less eddies but provides a significant boost to your Street Cred.
- Losing: Results in more eddies but less Street Cred.
Choose based on your needs. If you’re trying to level up quickly and unlock new cyberware, prioritize Street Cred. If you need cash for upgrades, consider throwing a fight.
Utilizing Cyberware
- Gorilla Arms: If you have access to them, Gorilla Arms, especially legendary or epic versions, are invaluable in these fights. They significantly increase your melee damage.
- Parrying: Learning to parry is crucial, particularly against Razor Hughes. Razor’s most powerful attack can be turned against him with a well-timed parry.
The Final Boss: Razor Hughes
The championship fight against Razor Hughes marks the end of the “Beat on the Brat” questline. Before the fight, Coach Fred will offer you double the eddies to throw the fight. If you accept and throw the fight you get extra eddies but less street cred. Either way, you are only deciding between two different types of rewards and not the ability to defeat Razor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you lose “Beat on the Brat” fights?
Yes, you can lose the “Beat on the Brat” fights. Losing results in more eddies but less Street Cred.
2. Does losing to Razor Hughes affect the story?
No, losing or winning against Razor Hughes does not affect the story. The only difference is the amount of Street Cred and Eddies you receive.
3. Are Gorilla Arms necessary for “Beat on the Brat”?
No, they are not necessary, but they are highly recommended. Especially legendary or epic Gorilla Arms make the fights significantly easier.
4. Where can I get legendary Gorilla Arms?
Legendary Gorilla Arms are available from specific ripperdocs in the city center after reaching 45 Street Cred and having 100,000 Eurodollars. You can also get a free pair by finishing the game.
5. Is there a better Ripperdoc to buy Cyberware from?
The Downtown ripperdoc, often referred to as Doc Ryder, is considered the best in the game due to his selection and exclusivity.
6. What happens if you throw the fight with Razor Hughes?
If you throw the fight against Razor Hughes, you earn less Street Cred but more Eddies.
7. Is it possible to beat Razor Hughes?
Yes, it is possible to beat Razor Hughes, however, you may be unable to do so until you have a better grasp on combat mechanics and proper stat distribution. The idea is to use parrying to counter his powerful charge attack.
8. Can you get a free car in “Beat on the Brat”?
Yes, you can get a free car from El Cesar, you just have to make sure to choose to take the car, whether you want the money with it or not.
9. What is the best ending in Cyberpunk 2077?
The Hidden Ending, where V works with Mr. Blue Eyes, is often considered one of the best outcomes, though it’s highly subjective and many players value other endings more.
10. What is the max level in Cyberpunk 2077?
The max level in Cyberpunk 2077 is now 60.
11. How do I maximize my cyberware capacity?
Cyberware Capacity Shards, obtained from looting bodies and containers, permanently increase your cyberware capacity.
12. Should I sell all my junk in Cyberpunk 2077?
No, you should dismantle all your junk to obtain crafting components. Use the Scrapper perk to automate this process.
13. What happens if my car gets destroyed in Cyberpunk 2077?
Your car respawns in pristine condition. Simply wait, fast travel or move away from its location and you will be able to call it back.
14. Can I keep cars that I steal?
Yes, you can keep any car you steal.
15. Should I give Skippy to Regina?
Giving Skippy to Regina rewards 7,000 eddies. However, Skippy can be very powerful in Stone Cold Killer mode, so it’s often beneficial to keep it.
Conclusion
In the end, the decision of whether to take the car from El Cesar is a simple one. Always take the car and the cash. There are no downsides. The key takeaway is that, while Cyberpunk 2077 presents you with seemingly impactful choices, sometimes, the reward is simpler and more straightforward than it seems. Enjoy your new free vehicle, and keep on fighting in Night City!