So, you’ve decided to hang out with Robert Wilson. Big mistake. Honestly, Cyberpunk 2077 Shoot to Thrill is one of those side quests that sounds incredibly simple on paper but ends up being a massive headache because of how the game's physics and hit registration actually work. You get a call from Wilson—the guy who runs 2nd Amendment in your apartment building—and he’s hosting a shooting competition. He sounds desperate. He wants you there. You go because you want that shiny M-10 pistol reward, but then you realize you’re fighting against the game's aiming sensitivity as much as the other contestants.
It’s a weird quest.
Most players stumble into it early in Act 2. You’re just trying to leave Megabuilding H10 to go meet Takemura or maybe grab a Burrito XXL, and Wilson hits you up. If you ignore him for too long, you actually fail the quest. That’s the first trap. The second trap is thinking you can just waltz in with a shotgun and blast your way to first place. You can't. This mission is a test of precision, speed, and knowing exactly how to cheese the mechanics when the targets start moving like they’ve had too many Chrome-flavored energy drinks.
The Rules Wilson Doesn't Explain Well
Wilson tells you to hit the targets. Simple, right? Except the scoring system in Cyberpunk 2077 Shoot to Thrill is based on how many times you hit the targets, not just hitting them once. Each target can be hit multiple times while it’s upright. This is the "secret" that most people miss on their first try. If you hit a target once and wait for the next one, you’re going to lose to some NPC named Rudy who apparently has a Sandevistan hidden in his trigger finger.
You need 40 hits to get first place. There are 100 possible targets that pop up across the lanes.
Wait, let’s be real for a second. The NPCs in this quest are cheating. They shoot at your targets. They steal your points. If you aren't aggressive, you’ll end up in third place getting a "participation trophy" speech from Wilson that feels like a slap in the face. To win, you need a fast-firing handgun. Do not use the Dying Night if you haven't upgraded it. Do not use a revolver like the Overture unless you have god-like reflexes. You need something with a massive magazine and a high rate of fire. The Lexington is basically the gold standard here.
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Your Loadout is Everything
If you show up to Cyberpunk 2077 Shoot to Thrill with a heavy hitter, you've already lost. High damage means nothing. One damage point is the same as a million for this specific quest. You need bullets in the air.
I’ve seen people try to use the Lizzie—the tech pistol you find in Judy’s basement. It’s a great gun, usually. But the charge-up time or the burst fire can actually throw off your rhythm when the targets are swapping lanes. The best move is a standard, base-model Lexington. It’s got a 21-round mag (or more with mods) and shoots as fast as you can pull the trigger.
Pro Tip: Strip any scopes off your gun if they have high magnification. You want a clear field of view. Iron sights or a basic red dot are way better than a 2x zoom that makes the target movement look jittery.
Another thing: Check your settings. If you’re playing on a controller, the "Deadzone" settings in Cyberpunk can make this quest feel like you're aiming through molasses. Lower your deadzone before talking to Wilson. It makes a world of difference when you're trying to micro-adjust between lanes.
Cheating the System (Legally)
You’re a mercenary in Night City. Playing fair is for people who end up in a landfill outside the city limits. While you can’t use grenades or hacks in the range, you can definitely use "biological enhancements."
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Pop some stimulants. Anything that increases your stamina or reload speed helps, though stamina isn't a huge deal for handguns. The real MVP is the Sandevistan. If you have one equipped, use it. Some players argue it's "overkill," but the mission doesn't forbid it. Slowing down time turns those frantic flitting targets into sitting ducks. You can hit a single target four or five times before it even thinks about retracting.
If you don't have a Sandy, just focus on the middle lanes. You don't have to stay in your lane. Wilson says "stick to your targets," but the game doesn't actually penalize you for cross-lane sniping. If a target pops up in the lane next to you and you can hit it faster than the NPC, take the shot. Every hit counts toward that magic number 40.
Why Does This Mission Matter?
Aside from the XP and the street cred, you’re doing this for the M-10AF Lexington. But not just any Lexington—it’s an Iconic version. Or at least, it used to be. In the current 2.0+ versions of the game, the rewards have been tweaked. Mostly, it’s about the loot and the fact that Robert Wilson is one of the few vendors who actually treats V like a human being instead of a walking wallet.
Wilson’s story is actually kind of depressing if you pay attention to the environment. His shop is struggling. Megabuilding H10 is a dump. This competition is his way of trying to drum up business and feel like part of a community. Winning doesn't just get you a gun; it confirms you're the best "iron-slinger" in the block.
But honestly? Most people do it because they're completionists. Seeing that "Side Job" icon stay on the map is a special kind of torture.
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Common Glitches and How to Avoid Them
Cyberpunk wouldn't be Cyberpunk without a few quirks. Sometimes, Cyberpunk 2077 Shoot to Thrill just breaks. I’ve had runs where the targets don't pop up at all, or Wilson just stands there staring at me like I've grown a second head.
- The "No Gun" Bug: Sometimes the game won't let you draw your weapon when the timer starts. If this happens, reload your save before you enter the shooting booth.
- The Scoreboard Freeze: Occasionally, the hits don't register on the UI. Keep shooting anyway. Usually, the backend is still counting, and Wilson will announce the winner correctly even if the screen looks bugged.
- The Dialogue Lock: If you talk to Wilson while another NPC is talking, the quest trigger might hang. Wait for the room to be quiet before you tell him you're ready to start.
The "Participation" Reward
If you fail—meaning you don't get first place—Wilson is disappointed. You don't get the top-tier reward. You get some credits and a "better luck next time." It feels bad. Night City is a place where being second best is just a fancy way of saying you're the first loser.
If you're going for a "Perfect V" run, this is one of those small hurdles that requires more manual dexterity than most of the boss fights in the game. Adam Smasher is a joke compared to trying to hit 40 targets with a controller on default settings.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Run
Ready to actually win this thing? Here is your checklist for the next time Wilson calls your Holo:
- Grab a Lexington: If you don't have one, Wilson literally sells them. Buy one before starting the quest.
- Check your mods: If you have a muzzle brake that reduces recoil, put it on. You want that gun to stay flat.
- Save scum: Drop a quicksave right before you step into the booth. There is no shame in a do-over if the RNG for target placement screws you over.
- Hip fire vs. ADS: Only aim down sights if you’re comfortable with the zoom. Hip firing is actually surprisingly viable if you’re close to the booth rail, as it gives you a wider field of view to see where the next target is spawning.
- Focus on the "Multi-Tap": Stop thinking "one target, one shot." Think "one target, three shots." You’ll hit that 40-mark before the halfway point of the timer.
Once you finish the quest and claim your prize, take a look around the shop. Wilson usually has some decent crafting specs or attachments for sale after the quest concludes. It’s a good habit to check his inventory every few levels, as his stock scales with your progress.
Winning Cyberpunk 2077 Shoot to Thrill is a small victory in a city that’s constantly trying to chew you up, but hey, a win’s a win. Grab your gun, tell Wilson to keep the change, and get back to the real work of taking down Arasaka.