In the neon-drenched, chrome-plated streets of Night City, where life is cheap and loyalty is a rare commodity, the bond between V and Jackie Welles stood as a beacon of genuine connection. Jackie, your ride-or-die choom, was more than just a partner in crime; he was a true friend, a man of principle with a big heart who always wanted to do the right thing. His sudden, tragic passing leaves a void that Night City's chaos can barely fill, culminating in one of the most poignant and emotionally charged moments in Cyberpunk 2077: Jackie's ofrenda. This traditional ceremony, a heartfelt tribute to the deceased, becomes a pivotal point in V's journey, offering a chance to honor a fallen comrade and reflect on the legacy of a man who stood by his morals until the very end.
The "Heroes" side job in Cyberpunk 2077 isn't just another quest for eddies or reputation; it's a deeply personal narrative experience that forces players to confront grief, memory, and the enduring impact of a character who defined the early hours of the game. Attending Jackie's ofrenda is an opportunity for V, and by extension, the player, to say a final, meaningful goodbye. But what do you place on the altar? What item truly encapsulates the essence of Jackie Welles, the protector, the dreamer, the loyal friend? This guide delves into the nuances of this emotional mission, helping you navigate the choices and understand the profound significance behind each potential offering for Jackie's ofrenda.
The Weight of Heroes: Understanding Jackie's Ofrenda in Cyberpunk 2077
The "Heroes" side job is a critical emotional beat in Cyberpunk 2077, activating shortly after the devastating events of "The Heist" and the completion of "Playing for Time." To unlock this mission, players must make a specific choice during "The Heist": sending Jackie Welles's body back to his family. This decision, seemingly minor at the time, paves the way for a profound narrative experience that explores grief, family, and remembrance in the unforgiving world of Night City. An ofrenda, in the context of Cyberpunk 2077, is a ritual or ceremony honoring the deceased, a traditional practice deeply rooted in culture, providing a space for mourning and celebration of a life lived.
For Jackie, this ceremony is held at El Coyote Cojo, his family's bar, transformed into a solemn yet loving space for his memory. The quest begins in Act 2, when V receives a call from Jackie's mother, Guadalupe Alejandra Welles, inviting them to the ofrenda. This invitation isn't just a quest marker; it's a call to a personal obligation, a chance for V to process their own loss and support Jackie's grieving family. The entire mission serves as an exploration of Jackie's character, revealing layers that V, despite their close bond, might not have fully understood. It's a brutal revelation of just how little we knew about our best friend before he died, making the choice of what to offer for Jackie's ofrenda all the more impactful.
Jackie Welles: A Man of Principle and Heart
Jackie Welles was a force of nature in Night City – ambitious, loyal, and fiercely protective. He was a man of principle, someone that wouldn’t stand by while someone bullied a person close to him. In a city where everyone is out for themselves, Jackie stood out as a beacon of genuine camaraderie and moral conviction. He was just a big guy with a big heart, that wanted to do the right thing, someone that stands by his morals, and if he decides he’ll do something then there’s no stopping him.
His bond with V was immediate and profound, forged in the crucible of Night City's unforgiving streets. From their early gigs to the fateful heist, Jackie was V's constant companion, their rock, and their most trusted friend. He was a protector through and through, always looking out for V, even when it meant putting himself in harm's way. His dreams were big, his loyalty unwavering, and his presence made the grim reality of Night City a little brighter. Understanding these core aspects of his personality is crucial when considering the best thing for Jackie's ofrenda.
Jackie's Defining Moments: Fearless and Confident
One of the most revealing insights into Jackie's character comes from the story behind a particular item found in his garage – a belt. This belt signified Jackie's transformation and the moment he truly became the man he wanted to be. It was the first time Jackie said no and decided to stop his father from bullying him and his mother. The day Jackie did so, he became fearless and confident, which made him the person he really wanted to be. This act of defiance, standing up for his family against an aggressor, cemented his identity as a protector and a man of unwavering principles. He knows that family is the most important thing in everyone's life, and at this point, the belt represents him the best. This personal history adds immense weight to the choices presented during the ofrenda, as each item can symbolize a different facet of his complex and endearing personality.
Navigating the Heroes Quest: Unlocking the Ofrenda
The "Heroes" side job is one of Cyberpunk 2077's most memorable and emotionally resonant quests. To get the Heroes side job in Cyberpunk 2077, you must choose to send Jackie’s body back to his family during "The Heist" and complete "Playing for Time." Once you finish this job, you will receive a call from Jackie's mother, Guadalupe Alejandra Welles, inviting you to the ofrenda. This call marks the official start of the mission, prompting V to visit El Coyote Cojo.
Before heading out, V can choose to convince Misty to come to the ofrenda or not. Convincing Misty to come with you to El Coyote Cojo to attend the ofrenda is highly recommended for the best outcome of this quest. Her presence adds another layer of emotional depth and provides unique dialogue options, especially during and after the ceremony. Misty, Jackie's girlfriend, shares a deep connection with him, and her perspective offers valuable insights into his character, making the entire experience more complete and poignant. Her presence, or lack thereof, can subtly shift the dynamics of the interactions at the ofrenda, particularly with Mama Welles.
Exploring Jackie's Garage: A Glimpse into His Soul
Before the formal ceremony at El Coyote Cojo, V is given the opportunity to explore Jackie's garage. This segment of the "Heroes" quest is an optional but incredibly rewarding objective: (optional) scan and search the garage. The whole garage is an exploration of Jackie's character as well as a somewhat brutal revelation of just how little we knew about our best friend before he died. It's a chance to delve into his personal space, filled with mementos and objects that tell stories about his life, his aspirations, and his past.
During the scan and search the garage objective, try opening the room to your right to receive another objective for unlocking it. Grab the key on the nearby table and use it on the door. Inside the room are more objects that you can scan to complete the optional objective in this side job. These additional objects provide further context and deepen the player's understanding of Jackie, adding layers to his character beyond what was shown during the main story. This exploration is vital for making an informed and emotionally resonant choice for Jackie's ofrenda.
Hidden Depths: Objects in Jackie's Room
Within Jackie's garage, particularly in his hidden room, you'll find various items that serve as potential offerings for the ofrenda. These objects are not just random clutter; each holds a piece of Jackie's story, representing different facets of his personality and journey. The game prompts you to "Choose an offering for the ofrenda" from your inventory once at the altar, but the items themselves are found in the garage. Offerings for the ofrenda in the garage and offerings for the ofrenda in Jackie's room include a basketball, his belt, and a copy of the book "For Whom the Bell Tolls." The choice you make here is deeply personal and reflects V's understanding and remembrance of Jackie.
The Ofrenda Offerings: What to Place on Jackie's Altar
Once at the ofrenda in El Coyote Cojo, you can choose which items to place on the altar from your inventory. This is the core decision point of the "Heroes" quest regarding the tribute to Jackie. Does it matter what offering I choose for Jackie? In terms of direct gameplay consequences, don’t worry, the choice won’t affect V getting Jackie’s bike or not. The bike is a separate reward tied to completing the quest itself, not the specific offering. However, the choice profoundly impacts the emotional narrative and V's personal connection to Jackie's memory.
Players have noted that you can actually pick up all four items (the three main choices plus a fourth, often implied to be related to the bike or another minor item), and carry the three you don’t choose with you throughout the rest of the game. However, the explicit choices for the altar itself typically revolve around three key items found in Jackie's garage: the basketball, his belt, and his copy of the book "For Whom the Bell Tolls." I’ve done this mission three times so far, and I’ve chosen the book, the basketball, and the belt, each time experiencing a slightly different emotional resonance.
The Significance of Each Item
Each item available for Jackie's ofrenda carries a unique symbolic weight, representing different aspects of his life and character:
- The Belt: As previously discussed, this belt is deeply personal to Jackie. It represents the moment he became fearless and confident, standing up to his father to protect his mother. It signifies his growth into a protector through and through, a man who would stand by his family and his principles. For some, this is the most powerful symbol of Jackie's true self, his courage, and his unwavering loyalty to family. However, some players, like the sentiment "The belt feels kinda wrong imo, Jackie didn’t feel like he was defined by a traumatized childhood," feel that while significant to his past, it might not be the best thing to remember him by, especially for V, who knew him as a confident, capable choom. "Even if he was that’s the last thing I want anybody to remember about him, especially V." This highlights the subjective nature of the "best" offering.
- The Basketball: This item often represents Jackie's youth, his more carefree days, and perhaps a simpler ambition before the allure of Night City's criminal underworld fully consumed him. It could symbolize his physical prowess, his competitive spirit, or even a connection to his community through sport. Choosing the basketball might be a way to remember Jackie's vibrant energy and the joy he brought to V's life, rather than the darker, more complex aspects of his past. It's a reminder of the man before the fixer life truly took hold.
- The Book ("For Whom the Bell Tolls"): This choice is often seen as representing Jackie's intellectual side, his deeper thoughts, and his aspirations beyond the superficial. "I went the his copy of For Whom the Bell." This book, a classic about war, sacrifice, and idealism, means intelligence, an open mind, viewing things from a broader perspective, rather than the simple things like money and power. It suggests Jackie was not just a street thug or a mercenary, but someone with a philosophical bent, someone who thought about larger concepts like fate, legacy, and the meaning of life and death. Choosing the book for Jackie's ofrenda might signify V's recognition of Jackie's hidden depths and his yearning for something more profound than just eddies and chrome. "I picked the book because it’s the most unusual thing together with the belt."
The "Best" Choice: A Personal Reflection
Ultimately, there is no single "best thing for Jackie's ofrenda." The most meaningful choice is the one that resonates most deeply with you, the player, and your interpretation of V's relationship with Jackie. The game allows for this personal connection, understanding that grief and remembrance are subjective experiences. Some players might choose the belt because it signifies his transformation into a protector, the core of his loyalty. Others might opt for the basketball, remembering his simpler, more joyful side. Many find the book to be the most compelling, as it speaks to Jackie's often-unseen intellectual curiosity and his desire for a life beyond the grind.
The beauty of this choice lies in its subjectivity. It's about what *you* want to remember about Jackie, and what aspect of his character you feel deserves the most prominent place on his altar. The game acknowledges this by ensuring your choice doesn't impact major gameplay outcomes, allowing the emotional weight to be the primary focus. This freedom allows players to truly personalize their final farewell to one of Cyberpunk 2077's most beloved characters.
Beyond the Offering: Interactions at El Coyote Cojo
The ofrenda is not just about placing an item; it's also about the interactions that unfold around it. Once at the ofrenda, after the Cyberpunk ofrenda offering ends, speak to Mama Welles. This conversation is crucial, as it provides further insights into Jackie's family life and Mama Welles's grief. During this interaction, you can even choose at the ofrenda to stand up for Misty against Mama Welles after speaking (or not) during the ceremony. This moment highlights the complex dynamics within Jackie's family and V's role as an outsider who became family.
The optional objective to talk to the bartender also adds flavor to the scene, providing additional dialogue and perspectives on Jackie. These interactions, combined with the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony, reinforce the emotional weight of the mission. The ofrenda itself is a powerful visual and auditory experience, a moment of quiet reflection amidst Night City's relentless pace. It's a rare chance for V to truly mourn and for players to feel the impact of Jackie's absence.
The Lingering Impact of Jackie's Legacy
Even after the "Heroes" side job concludes, Jackie Welles's legacy continues to reverberate throughout Cyberpunk 2077. His influence on V is profound and lasting, shaping their choices, their outlook, and their determination to survive. Jackie was a protector through and through, a loyal friend, and a man who lived by his own code. These traits become part of V's own journey, a constant reminder of the friend they lost and the principles he embodied.
The game subtly reminds players of Jackie's presence, even in his absence. Like that scene before meeting Dex, having drinks with Jackie in Afterlife. In my mind, they did that kind of thing a lot after gigs, just not in quite such prestigious bars. So every time I pick up the bottle, in my mind V flashes back to all those drinking nights with Jackie, celebrating surviving another day, except this time Jackie didn't. This emotional echo ensures that Jackie is never truly forgotten, his spirit living on through V's memories and actions. The ofrenda solidifies this connection, providing a formal closure that allows V to carry Jackie's memory forward, not as a burden, but as a source of strength and inspiration.
Conclusion
The "Heroes" side job and Jackie's ofrenda represent one of Cyberpunk 2077's most poignant and expertly crafted narrative moments. It's a powerful exploration of grief, remembrance, and the enduring impact of a truly great character. While the choice of the best thing for Jackie's ofrenda — be it the belt, the basketball, or the book — doesn't alter major gameplay outcomes, it offers a deeply personal opportunity for players to reflect on Jackie's life and the bond he shared with V. Each item tells a story, and your selection becomes a silent testament to what you cherish most about Night City's big guy with a big heart.
Ultimately, the "best" offering is the one that speaks to you, the player, and your personal connection to Jackie's memory. It's a moment to honor a man who stood by his morals, a true choom who deserved every bit of respect. What did you choose for Jackie's ofrenda, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's keep Jackie's memory alive in Night City. If you found this guide helpful, consider exploring our other Cyberpunk 2077 content for more insights into the game's rich lore and complex characters.
