Cyberpunk 2077's Most Formidable Very Hard Difficulty Bosses in 2026

More than five years after its initial release, Cyberpunk 2077 has solidified its status as a landmark anti-hero RPG, renowned for its sprawling, futuristic Night City, breathtaking visuals, and deeply engaging narrative. The game's journey has been transformative, evolving from a troubled launch to a polished and expansive experience, especially with the integration of the Phantom Liberty expansion. For players seeking the ultimate challenge, the Very Hard difficulty setting remains the definitive test of skill and build optimization. This setting transforms Night City's already dangerous inhabitants into near-insurmountable obstacles, demanding perfect strategy and execution. In 2026, with the game's meta fully explored, certain boss encounters stand out as the pinnacle of this brutal difficulty.

Oswald Forrest (Woodman): The Deceptively Simple Gatekeeper

While often considered a minor antagonist in Night City's vast criminal underworld, Oswald "Woodman" Forrest presents a unique early-game hurdle on Very Hard. As the ruthless manager of the Clouds doll club, his connections to the Tyger Claws grant him a false sense of invincibility. The encounter occurs during the critical mission to find Evelyn Parker. The challenge here is less about raw combat prowess and more about resource management and decision-making under pressure at a low level.

Players must navigate a tense conversation where a wrong choice can trigger a fight against Woodman and his guards in the confined space of his office. On Very Hard, his health pool and damage output are significantly buffed, making him far more dangerous than his D-list villain status suggests. A few missteps can lead to a quick reload. His fight teaches players valuable lessons about preparation and the importance of cyberware and consumables, even in seemingly non-combat scenarios.

Matilda K. Rose (Sasquatch): The Maelstrom Powerhouse

Encountered during the main storyline involving the Voodoo Boys and NetWatch, Sasquatch is a brutal wake-up call. A lieutenant of the Maelstrom gang, she is famed for her gargantuan strength and surprising agility. The boss arena is a multi-level industrial space, and on Very Hard, her fight mechanics become exponentially more punishing.

Her massive hammer swings, which can flatten V in one or two hits, are fast and have wide area-of-effect. She combines this with aggressive lunges and a berserk mode that requires perfect dodging and environmental awareness. The key to victory lies in:

• Constant movement to avoid her shockwave attacks.

• Using the environment for cover and elevation.

• Targeting her weakness (often a specific type of damage revealed via scanning) to stagger her.

Defeating her is a rite of passage, proving a player's build can handle the raw, unbridled aggression that Night City's heavy hitters possess.

Simon "Royce" Randall: The Early-Game Wall

Royce represents the first major combat skill check for players on Very Hard. As the volatile leader of the Maelstrom gang encountered during the "The Pickup" mission, he appears when V is at their most vulnerable, with minimal perks, cyberware, or high-quality gear. The entire All Foods plant becomes a deadly gauntlet leading to him.

His difficulty stems from the context:

• Low-Level Stats: V has minimal health, stamina, and armor.

• Dangerous Arena: The fight occurs in a small room with explosive canisters, which Royce can use to his advantage.

• Aggressive AI: On Very Hard, he uses grenades frequently, has high-accuracy suppressive fire, and his melee charges are deadly.

Players must master the basics of combat—dodging, positioning, and smart use of quickhacks like Reboot Optics or Short Circuit—to survive. Successfully beating Royce on this difficulty validates a player's foundational skills.

Sandayu Oda: The Cyber-Ninja Assassin

The personal bodyguard of Hanako Arasaka is a masterclass in high-speed, high-stakes dueling. Sandayu Oda is not just a boss; he is an elegant and lethal force of nature. His character design, complete with iconic red Mantis Blades, is matched only by his ferocity in combat. The fight takes place in the confined, multi-tiered space of Arasaka's parade float, limiting escape options.

On Very Hard, Oda's attributes are terrifying:

• Blinding Speed: He closes distances instantly, making kiting strategies nearly impossible.

• Combo Attacks: He chains melee swipes with projectile throws and optical camouflage.

• Adaptive Tactics: He will parry and counter standard attacks with ease.

To triumph, players need a highly specialized build. Effective strategies include using tech weapons to shoot through cover, employing cyberware like Kerenzikov to slow time during dodges, or utilizing System Reset quickhacks for a brief reprieve. He is a DPS race where survival hinges on perfect timing and exploiting every tiny opening.

The Twins: The Ultimate Brawling Challenge

While not a story boss, The Twins from the "Beat on the Brat: Pacifica" side quest represent one of the most mechanically demanding fights in the entire game, especially on Very Hard. This unarmed combat challenge pits V against two opponents controlled by a single mind, creating a relentless and unpredictable assault.

The difficulty is multifaceted:

1. Dual Aggression: You are constantly flanked and attacked from two angles.

2. Stamina Management: Blocking and dodging two attackers drains stamina rapidly.

3. Minimal Room for Error: A single stun can lead to a combo that depletes your entire health bar.

Recommended tools for this fight include:

• Gorilla Arms Cyberware: For increased damage and stagger chance.

• Specific Perks: From the Street Brawler tree, such as ones that increase heavy attack damage or regenerate health on successful hits.

• Consumables: Boosts for health, stamina, and melee damage are essential.

Victory requires patience, impeccable rhythm, and treating the fight like a deadly dance.

Adam Smasher: The Icon of Terror

The culmination of Cyberpunk 2077's narrative threat, Adam Smasher, is a legendary figure whose difficulty on Very Hard is matched by his imposing lore. As Arasaka's fully-cyborged enforcer and Johnny Silverhand's nemesis, he is the final obstacle for many playthroughs. His boss arena is large, but he dominates every inch of it.

His enhanced Very Hard mechanics make him a true raid boss:

• Phased Arsenal: He cycles through ranged missiles, a devastating shotgun, and deadly melee slams.

• Armored Plating: He has significant damage resistance to most attack types, requiring targeted weak point strikes.

• Aggressive Pursuit: His charge attacks are nearly instantaneous and can one-shot unprepared players.

Beyond the raw mechanics, the fight carries psychological weight. His sheer size, distorted voice, and relentless advance create an atmosphere of dread. Beating Adam Smasher on Very Hard is the ultimate badge of honor, proving that V can overcome Night City's most iconic symbol of corporate, cybernetic tyranny. It demands a fully realized build, mastery of all combat systems, and nerves of steel. 🏆