Cyberpunk 2077 Beat on the Brat Guide: Street Samurai Build for Easy Wins (PC) The "Beat on the Brat" quest line in Cyberpunk 2077 throws you into the gritty world of underground bare-knuckle boxing in Night City.

The "Beat on the Brat" quest line in Cyberpunk 2077 throws you into the gritty world of underground bare-knuckle boxing in Night City. Located primarily in the Watson district, specifically Kabuki, this series of fights tests your melee combat skills against increasingly challenging opponents. Completion of these fights rewards you with eddies and experience, but more importantly, bragging rights and a deeper understanding of Cyberpunk 2077's combat mechanics. Losing, however, results in a loss of eddies (your wager) and the need to retry, potentially damaging your reputation (though the mechanical impact is minimal). What starts as a relatively simple brawl quickly escalates, demanding a specialized build to overcome the later opponents. This guide will walk you through building the ultimate "Street Samurai" for dominating "Beat on the Brat," focusing on maximizing melee damage output and survivability, tailored for PC players.

Street Samurai: Building the Ultimate Melee Machine

This build focuses on turning V into a close-quarters combat specialist, using a combination of raw strength, blade proficiency, and cutting-edge cyberware to obliterate anyone foolish enough to step into the ring. We’ll leverage the strengths of the katana, combined with the brutality of bare fists when necessary. Prioritize the attributes below to make the fights much more manageable.

Stat Allocation

Focus on these stats early for maximum effectiveness:

• Body (20): This is your bread and butter. 20 Body unlocks crucial perks in the Athletics tree and allows you to equip the best cyberware. It massively increases your health and stamina, essential for prolonged brawls.
• Reflexes (16): Essential for katana builds, but also valuable for bare-knuckle fighting. 16 Reflexes allows you to grab powerful perks in the Blades tree, improving your attack speed, critical hit chance, and overall damage output.
• Technical Ability (14): Opens up crafting options and allows you to equip higher-tier cyberware. 14 Technical Ability provides enough points to craft and utilize powerful mods for your weapons and cyberware, giving you a significant edge in combat.

Image of V's character screen showcasing the recommended stat allocation with focus on the Athletics and Blades trees.

Perk Selection

Choose these perks to become a nigh-unstoppable force:

• Athletics:
  • Regeneration: Passive health regeneration during combat. A must-have for any melee build.
  • Marathoner: Reduces stamina cost for sprinting and dodging. Essential for staying mobile during fights.
  • Tenacity: Increases armor and resistances while blocking. Enhances survivability significantly.
• Blades:
  • Bloodlust: Restores health after killing an enemy with a blade. Synergizes incredibly well with the katana.
  • Flight of the Sparrow: Increases attack speed and movement speed after a successful attack. Allows you to chain attacks and maintain pressure on your opponents.
  • Offensive Defense: Increases armor and resistances when attacking. Further enhances survivability while dealing damage.

Cyberware

These cyberware implants will transform you into a true melee combatant:

• Gorilla Arms (Tier 4 or 5): These are a game-changer for "Beat on the Brat." The raw damage they provide is unmatched, especially when combined with the right mods. Look for the electrical mod to add extra shock damage to your punches. You can acquire these from Fingers MD (though be prepared for the moral implications) or other ripperdocs throughout Night City.
• Kerenzikov: This cyberware allows you to slow down time when dodging, giving you a massive advantage in timing your blocks, dodges, and counter-attacks. Essential for the faster opponents in the quest line.
• Subdermal Armor: Provides a flat increase to your armor. A simple but effective way to boost your overall survivability.
• Second Heart: Automatically revives you when your health reaches zero. Provides a safety net for those tough fights.

Image of V's cyberware loadout in the ripperdoc menu, highlighting Gorilla Arms (with the electrical mod), Kerenzikov, and Subdermal Armor.

Beat on the Brat: Fight Breakdown

Now, let's break down each fight in the "Beat on the Brat" quest line and how to approach them with your Street Samurai build.

Kabuki

Your first opponent is relatively straightforward. He relies on basic punches and telegraphs his attacks.

• Strategy: Focus on quick dodges to evade his punches, then unleash heavy attacks with your Gorilla Arms to stagger him. Maintaining stamina is key; don't spam attacks. A katana is not required.

Arroyo

This fight requires a bit more finesse. Your opponent is faster and more aggressive.

• Strategy: Focus on timing your blocks and quick counters. Use the environment to your advantage by backing him into the wall, limiting his movement and creating opportunities for powerful strikes.

Glen

This opponent emphasizes speed and exploiting openings.

• Strategy: Learn his attack pattern and the optimal timing for counters. Use quick dodges to create space and then punish him with swift strikes.

Rancho Coronado

This is where the fights start to get serious. This opponent is significantly tougher, requiring precise timing and stamina management.

• Strategy: Use quick dodges to avoid his powerful attacks and counter-attack with heavy blows. Don't get greedy; focus on landing a few solid hits and then backing off to replenish your stamina.

The Twins (Pacifica)

This fight is a significant difficulty spike, as you're facing two opponents simultaneously.

• Strategy: The Twins are synchronized fighters. Focus on one twin at a time to quickly reduce the overall damage output. The Kerenzikov is highly recommended here, as it allows you to slow down time and effectively manage both opponents.

Razor Hugh (Final Fight)

Razor Hugh is the ultimate test of your melee combat skills. He's relentless, aggressive, and hits like a truck.

• Strategy: This fight will likely require multiple attempts. Utilize the Kerenzikov to dodge his attacks and counter-attack effectively. The key is patience and exploiting small openings. Consumables like Bounce Back and MaxDoc injectors are essential for healing and stamina regeneration. Don't be afraid to use them liberally.

Image showcasing V performing a counter-attack with the Gorilla Arms.

Tips and Tricks for Mastering Melee Combat

• Practice: Use the game's training mode to hone your dodging, blocking, and counter-attacking skills. Familiarize yourself with the timing of your attacks and dodges.
• Consumables: Stock up on Bounce Back and MaxDoc injectors. These consumables can be the difference between victory and defeat.
• Crowd Control: Use quick dodges and movement to create space and avoid being cornered. Especially important against multiple opponents.
• Exploiting Weaknesses: Each opponent has weaknesses. Identify and exploit them, whether it's their vulnerability to heavy attacks or their predictable attack patterns.

PC-Specific Advantages

Playing on PC offers several advantages for tackling "Beat on the Brat."

Console Commands

If you're finding the fights particularly challenging or want to experiment with different builds, you can use console commands to grant yourself eddies for buying cyberware or to reset your skill points. Note: Using console commands may disable achievements.

Modding

The Cyberpunk 2077 modding community is thriving, offering a plethora of mods that can enhance your melee combat experience. Mods like "Better Combat" or "Cyberware EX" can add new cyberware options, improve enemy AI, and rebalance combat mechanics. Nexus Mods is your go-to source for Cyberpunk 2077 mods.

Image of the Nexus Mods website showcasing a combat mod for Cyberpunk 2077.

Performance Tweaks

If you're experiencing frame rate issues during the intense fights, consider lowering your graphics settings. Reducing crowd density, shadow quality (especially cascade shadow range and contact shadows) and ambient occlusion can significantly improve performance. Disabling Ray Tracing can also provide a substantial boost.

Image of the game's graphics settings menu, highlighting recommended settings for improving frame rates.

Beat on the Brat: Common Challenges & Solutions

Opponent Too Strong

• Issue: Consistently getting knocked out by a specific opponent.
• Solution: Respec your skills to better focus on Athletics and Blades. Farm eddies and upgrade your cyberware. Consider using console commands (PC only) to get a temporary boost.

Stamina Depletion

• Issue: Running out of stamina during fights.
• Solution: Invest in Athletics perks that reduce stamina costs. Use consumables like Bounce Back to regenerate stamina. Practice managing your attacks and dodges to conserve stamina.

Dodging and Blocking Timing

• Issue: Difficulty timing dodges and blocks effectively.
• Solution: Use the game's training mode to practice. Install the Kerenzikov cyberware to slow down time. Watch videos of other players completing the fights to learn their strategies.

Lack of Eddies for Cyberware

• Issue: Not enough money to afford the recommended cyberware.
• Solution: Complete side gigs and NCPD scanner hustles to earn eddies. Sell unwanted items to vendors. Use console commands (PC only) to grant yourself eddies. Here is a guide for making money: Cyberpunk 2077 Money Making Guide

FAQ: Beat on the Brat

What are the rewards for completing "Beat on the Brat"?

You earn eddies (money) for winning each fight, and experience points. More importantly, you improve V's street cred and gain valuable combat skills.

What happens if I lose a "Beat on the Brat" fight?

You lose your initial wager (eddies). You can retry the fight as many times as you need. There are no significant long-term consequences.

Can you lose Wakako's trust by losing "Beat on the Brat"?

No, losing the fights doesn't impact your relationship with Wakako or any other fixer.

What level should I be before attempting "Beat on the Brat"?

While you can technically start the quest line early, it's recommended to be at least level 15-20 to have enough attribute points and perks to create a viable build.

What is the best weapon for "Beat on the Brat" Cyberpunk?

While you can use a katana in some fights (before the official bout starts, during the setup), the core requirement is to fight with your fists (or Gorilla Arms). Therefore, focusing on perks and cyberware that enhance unarmed combat is essential.

Image of V mid-fight with Razor Hugh, illustrating the intensity.

Understanding Status Effects and Damage Types

The Beat on the Brat fights are difficult and understanding status effects and damage types helps make combat easier. Understanding which damage type to use against which opponents is important for any quest. Here is a guide to help: Cyberpunk 2077 Game Mechanics

Crafting a Street Samurai Build Early Game

Even in the early game, you can start specializing to make these fights easier.

Early Cyberware Investments

Even if you are at a low level, you can invest in these Cyberware items:

• Optical Camo: This cyberware allows V to become invisible for a short period of time.
• Microgenerator: This implant causes a damaging EMP blast when V's health drops below 15%.

Screenshot of gameplay early in Cyberpunk 2077 showing side quests.

Cyberpunk 2077 Bare Fists Guide

Because the game eventually devolves into your fists, it is imperative to be ready for all "Beat on the Brat" fights. Here is the perfect guide: Cyberpunk 2077 Fists Guide

Understanding Accessibility in Combat

Not every player wants the most aggressive build. What about more accessibility in combat? Here is an accessibility guide: Cyberpunk 2077 Accessibility

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Content

This guide can also be used for Cyberpunk 2077 DLC Phantom Liberty. If you do not have the DLC, disregard.

Gameplay screenshot of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty.

How To Respec

Did you choose the wrong skills? You can respec your skills. Here is the perfect guide: Cyberpunk 2077 Respec Guide

Other Builds for the Game

Need more build ideas? Here are some great builds: Cyberpunk 2077 Builds

More Help In Night City

Here is a guide to help with quests in Night City: Cyberpunk 2077 Quest Guide

Cyberpunk 2077 Beat on the Brat Glitches

Glitches can either ruin or boost your game. Here are some things to watch out for.

Disappearing Boxer Glitch

Sometimes, boxers will just disappear. Either reload the save or run away and come back.

Screenshot of Cyberpunk 2077 with potential in-game glitches.

Advanced Strategies for Beat on the Brat

To become an even stronger fighter, look at these more advanced tips:

• Mastering Parry Mechanics: Learn how to parry enemy attacks to stun them, creating opportunities for counter-attacks.
• Understanding Enemy Weaknesses: Learn each enemy to discover their attack patterns.
• Using Environment Interactions: Use the enviroment to stun opponents.

Advanced strategy in-game screenshot of Cyberpunk 2077.

Conclusion: Mastering Melee Combat in Night City

By following this guide and building your V into a formidable Street Samurai, you'll be well-equipped to conquer the "Beat on the Brat" quest line and emerge victorious. You'll not only earn eddies and experience but also gain a newfound appreciation for Cyberpunk 2077's intricate melee combat system. This improved build won't just help you in the ring; it will make you a force to be reckoned with in any close-quarters engagement throughout Night City. Now get out there, choomba, and show them what you're made of!