Cyberpunk 2077 didn't just launch; it exploded, sputtered, and then somehow clawed its way back into the good graces of gamers everywhere. Among the neon-soaked chaos of Night City, few things stick in the brain quite like the Cyberpunk Send in the Clowns quest. It’s short. It’s bizarre. Honestly, it’s a bit of a fever dream involving a man with a nose that isn't really a nose at all.
You’ve probably seen Ozob Bozo wandering around or heard his muffled, heavy breathing through your headset. He’s the guy with a literal live grenade pinned where his septum should be. It’s one of those moments where CD Projekt Red leans hard into the "punk" part of the genre, reminding us that in a world where you can swap your lungs for chrome, some people just want to watch the world—or their own face—blow up.
The Man With the Grenade Nose
Ozob Bozo is more than just a weird NPC; he’s a tribute. If you aren't familiar with the deeper lore, he actually originates from the Brazilian tabletop RPG community, specifically the Nerdcast podcast. Created by Deive Pazos (Azaghal), Ozob became such a cult icon that he was officially integrated into the game. That’s why his design feels so distinct and, frankly, out of place. He doesn't look like a Militech corpo or a Maelstrom ganger. He looks like a circus nightmare.
The Cyberpunk Send in the Clowns mission triggers after you finish "Transmission," which is part of the Voodoo Boys storyline. You get a text from a "Stranger." Most of us ignore random texts in real life, but in Night City, a random text usually means eddies or a gunfight. In this case, it's both.
Ozob needs a driver. He’s sitting in a market in Japantown, just waiting. When you pull up, the visual hits you. It’s not a prosthetic or a mask. It's a fragmentation grenade. He’s calm about it. He talks about it like it’s a mole or a piercing. This is the peak of the game’s "high tech, low life" ethos. Life is so cheap in 2077 that walking around with a detonator inches from your brain is just a Tuesday.
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Navigating the Send in the Clowns Quest
The mission itself is straightforward, but the tension is real. You pick him up, drive to Little China, and wait. The dialogue is gold. Ozob’s voice acting (done by Pazos himself in the Portuguese version) carries this weird, menacing charisma. He’s not a villain, but he’s definitely not "fine."
Once you arrive at the drop-off point, things go sideways. They always do. You end up in a scrap with some Tyger Claws. This is where the Cyberpunk Send in the Clowns quest gets tricky for players who like to throw grenades or use high-explosive quickhacks. If you hit Ozob's nose during the fight? Boom. Quest over. V dies. Ozob dies. It’s a hilarious, frustrating mechanical quirk that forces you to actually care about where you’re aiming your shots.
Varying your combat style is key here. If you’re a Netrunner, stick to Short Circuit or Synapse Burn. If you’re a brawler, maybe don’t swing a hammer near his face. After the dust settles, Ozob pays you. It’s a decent chunk of change for a short drive, but the real reward is the connection. He’s one of the few characters who feels genuinely untethered from the corporate war or the relic plot. He's just a guy with a grenade for a nose trying to get paid.
Why This Quest Matters for Night City Lore
Cyberpunk 2077 is often criticized for its "linear" feel despite being open world. However, quests like Cyberpunk Send in the Clowns provide the texture that makes the city feel alive. Night City is supposed to be a place of infinite absurdity.
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The quest highlights the "Biosculpting" trend in the Cyberpunk universe. While most people go for sleek chrome or tactical hardware, some go for the "Exotics." This includes people who want to look like animals, mythological creatures, or in Ozob's case, a dystopian clown. It’s a form of rebellion. In a world that wants to turn you into a data point or a corporate drone, turning yourself into a walking explosion is the ultimate middle finger to the system.
Interestingly, Ozob reappears later in the "Beat on the Brat" questline. If you track down the Pacifica fight, you’ll find him again. This is where the stakes get even higher. You have to fist-fight a man with a grenade on his face. It is exactly as dangerous as it sounds. If you punch him in the nose too many times, he explodes. Literally. You win the fight, but he’s gone. It’s one of the few moments in the game where "winning" feels like a terrible mistake.
Technical Tips for Finishing the Job
If you're aiming for a 100% completion run or just want to see everything Ozob has to offer, keep these specific points in mind:
- Triggering the Quest: You must complete the Voodoo Boys main questline first. If the text isn't showing up, try skipping time by 24 hours or fast-traveling out of Japantown and back.
- The Drive: Don't drive like a maniac. While you can't actually trigger the grenade by hitting a lamp post, the dialogue is better if you take it slow and listen to his rambling.
- The Reward: You get the "Ozob's Nose" crafting spec if you play your cards right. This allows V to craft legendary grenades that look just like his nose. They are incredibly powerful and have a massive blast radius.
- The Final Fight: During the Pacifica brawl, aim for his stomach. Seriously. If you have the "Gorilla Arms" cyberware, you might accidentally trigger the explosion too early. Keep your hits low and controlled.
The Cultural Impact of the Bozo
The Bozos are a legitimate gang in the Cyberpunk tabletop lore (Cyberpunk 2020 and Cyberpunk Red). They aren't just people in makeup; they are a high-functioning, terrifying collective of pranksters who use lethal traps and psychological warfare. Ozob is a bit of a lone wolf compared to the traditional gang, but he carries their legacy.
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When people search for Cyberpunk Send in the Clowns, they’re usually looking for a walkthrough. But what they find is a piece of community history. The fact that a fan-created character from Brazil made it into a multi-million dollar Polish video game is a testament to how deep the Cyberpunk roots go. It’s a meta-narrative about how the fans own the genre just as much as the creators do.
Moving Forward in Night City
Once you've wrapped up with Ozob, your journey through the side streets of Night City is far from over. This quest is a gateway to the "weirder" side of the game, much like the talking gun (Skippy) or the sentient vending machine (Brendan).
To get the most out of your remaining playtime, prioritize the following:
- Craft Ozob’s Nose: Even if you aren't a grenade build, the crafting spec is a trophy. It requires high Technical Ability to maximize, but the firework-like explosion effect is worth the investment.
- Visit the Pacifica Arena: Don't skip the "Beat on the Brat" finale. Even if you don't like the boxing mechanic, the interaction with Ozob at the end of his rope is a highlight of the game’s dark humor.
- Check the Brazilian Localization: If you're a linguist or just curious, switch your audio to Portuguese for this quest. Hearing the original creator voice the character adds a layer of authenticity that the English dub can't quite replicate.
- Explore the Bozo Lore: Look for shards around the city that mention the Bozo gang. It provides context for why everyone in the market looks at Ozob with such sheer terror when he walks by.
Night City is a place of tragedy and chrome. But sometimes, it's just a place where a guy with a grenade nose needs a ride to the store. Embrace the absurdity.