Key Takeaways
Pozhar is a Power shotgun whose identity comes from close-range pellet damage and the Power weapon system rather than a separate Smart-targeting or Tech-charge mechanic. Its usefulness depends on the weapon’s current Tier and the player’s ability to manage shotgun range and handling.
Power shotgun profile
Pozhar uses the Power weapon technology and is intended for close-range engagements, where its shotgun spread can cover multiple pellets against a target.
Tier-sensitive performance
Its displayed combat values should be read at the weapon’s current Tier and any applicable Plus state; a tierless damage claim is not a reliable description of Pozhar’s performance.
Power-system behaviour
Unlike Tech and Smart weapons, Pozhar does not depend on charging a shot or Smart-targeting cyberware. Its handling and any Power-weapon interactions are central to using it effectively.
Close-range trade-off
Pozhar can pressure enemies at short range, but shotgun spread and firearm handling make it a less dependable choice when engagements demand precision or sustained long-range fire.
Related X-MOD2 variant
The Pozhar X-MOD2 is a distinct Iconic variant rather than a cosmetic rename, so its acquisition and modification rules should be checked separately from the standard Pozhar.
Compare within its role
The most useful comparisons are other Power shotguns and close-range alternatives, with technology, Tier, handling and unique effects kept separate rather than reduced to a single damage ranking.
Overview
Pozhar is a standard Tech shotgun in Cyberpunk 2077. It trades the straightforward blast pattern of Power shotguns for a charge-based weapon system that can reward deliberate firing and attacks through cover.
The Pozhar belongs to Cyberpunk 2077’s shotgun roster and uses the Tech weapon category rather than the Power category. That distinction defines its role more than any single displayed damage value: Tech weapons are built around charging their shots, giving the Pozhar a more deliberate handling profile than a shotgun intended only for immediate close-range fire.
In practical use, the Pozhar suits engagements where V can create a brief opening to charge before firing. A charged Tech shot can interact with cover differently from a conventional Power shotgun blast, so the weapon can remain useful when an enemy is not fully exposed. It still occupies a close-range weapon role, but its technology gives it a more tactical option than a purely direct-impact alternative.
The ordinary Pozhar is a standard weapon rather than an Iconic reward, so it should be understood as part of the broader tiered weapon progression rather than as a unique quest possession. Its effectiveness therefore depends on the version and tier being considered. The related Pozhar X-MOD2 is a separate Iconic variant from the Phantom Liberty-era weapon set and should not be treated as the same item.
Pozhar is most relevant to players who want shotgun impact without giving up the Tech system’s charge and cover-interaction advantages. A Power shotgun is the simpler comparison for immediate, uncharged close-range use, while a Smart shotgun follows a different targeting model altogether. The Pozhar’s appeal is consequently its middle ground: heavy close-range fire combined with a more deliberate Tech weapon rhythm.
How to Obtain
- Cyberpunk 2077’s post-2.0 weapon system; the exact level or tier threshold for vendor availability is not stated here.
- No specific Phantom Liberty, NG+, one-per-playthrough, or missability requirement is established for the standard Pozhar.
- 01Purchase the standard Pozhar from a weapon vendor when it appears in the vendor’s inventory. Its availability and tier depend on the current post-2.0 progression and vendor stock; no single guaranteed vendor, fixed location, or mission reward can be established reliably here.
- 02If the Pozhar is absent, check other weapon vendors after progression or vendor-stock refreshes. The standard weapon should not be confused with the separate Pozhar X-MOD2 Iconic variant, which has its own Phantom Liberty acquisition route.
Availability
Base game, post-2.0 weapon system
Availability and price can vary by vendor inventory and weapon tier. This entry does not apply to the distinct Pozhar X-MOD2 variant.
- Requires
- No separate Phantom Liberty or proficiency requirement for the standard Pozhar
Mechanics and Handling
Pozhar is a Power light machine gun intended for sustained automatic fire rather than carefully timed single shots. Its handling is governed by the usual LMG trade-off: holding the trigger keeps pressure on a target, but prolonged fire makes spread and recoil more difficult to manage. Short bursts are therefore more dependable against distant or exposed targets, while continuous fire is most useful when suppressing enemies at close or medium range.
Sustained fire and recoil control
The Pozhar's automatic pattern rewards keeping the weapon trained on a target instead of repeatedly interrupting fire. Use controlled bursts when precision matters, particularly against small targets or enemies outside comfortable LMG range. At closer distances, the larger ammunition reserve and sustained output let it maintain pressure while the player repositions or waits for an opening. The weapon is less suited to discreet, precision-first engagements than to forcing enemies out of cover.
Power-weapon behaviour
As a Power weapon, Pozhar belongs to the firearm technology group associated with ricochet-capable ammunition. Ricochet use is situational rather than a replacement for direct aim: it depends on suitable surfaces, positioning, and the character's current cyberware or perk support. When those conditions are not available, treat the Pozhar as a conventional automatic LMG and prioritize direct lines of fire.
Reload rhythm and ammunition use
The weapon's sustained-fire role makes ammunition management part of its handling. Avoid emptying the magazine simply to finish already weakened targets; release the trigger, secure the immediate area, and reload before committing to the next exchange. Because the Pozhar is most effective while maintaining pressure, reload during cover, after a kill, or while changing position rather than waiting until the magazine is exhausted in the open. The standard weapon has no charge-up, thrown-weapon recovery, or melee blocking sequence to manage.
Upgrades and Variants
Strengths, Weaknesses and Best Uses
Strengths
- Its shotgun pattern delivers strong close-range burst across multiple pellets, making the Pozhar effective when several hostile targets are inside the same room or corridor.
- As a Power weapon, it fits shotgun-focused builds and can benefit from the Power-weapon interactions provided by relevant cyberware and perks.
- The spread makes it more forgiving than a precision firearm when an enemy is moving laterally or several targets are clustered together.
Weaknesses
- Pellet spread reduces consistency as distance increases, so the Pozhar is a poor substitute for a rifle or precision shotgun in open areas.
- Its short-range role requires closing distance, which exposes the user to return fire and makes disciplined positioning important.
- It does not provide Smart weapons' guided targeting or Tech weapons' charged penetration behavior, limiting its utility against distant or heavily covered targets.
Best uses
- Room clearing, corridor fights, and other close-quarters encounters where multiple pellets can connect reliably.
- Shotgun or Body-focused builds that already invest in close-range durability and shotgun handling.
- Situations where immediate close-range pressure matters more than sustained precision at medium or long range.
Compared With Similar Weapons
| Attribute | Pozhar | L-69 Zhuo |  Ba Xing Chong |  Hercules 3AX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and class | Smart-shotgun baseline for close-range builds | General-purpose smart shotgun alternative | Explosive-area-damage alternative | High-end smart-shotgun alternative |
| Primary comparison role | Evaluate its current tier, projectile behavior, and available weapon perks rather than comparing raw values across tiers. | Its smart-targeting behavior makes it a practical comparison for players who value target acquisition and multi-target handling. | Its explosive ammunition gives it a different crowd-control role from a conventional smart-shotgun setup. | A relevant comparison for a Smart Weapons build when comparing unique effects, tier availability, and close-range handling. |
| Distinctive consideration | — | — | — | — |
