The Mox from Cyberpunk 2077 are a group that is significantly smaller than competing gangs in Night City. Yet, they are not afraid to confront them when it comes to protecting their own. But how did this courage come about?
In Cyberpunk 2077, various gangs control the streets of Night City alongside the megacorporations. Between the proud Valentinos in Heywood, the ruthless Maelstrom in Watson, and the violent Tyger Claws in Westbrook, one gang does not possess any real territory, only a nightclub in the poor Kabuki that they call their headquarters.
We are talking about the Mox, which with just 200 to 250 members is the smallest gang in Night City but should not be underestimated.
The Mox are a group made up mostly of sex workers, anarchists, and sexual minorities – precisely the people for whom the gang advocates.
They can be quickly recognized by their bright colors, shining in a glaring pink and blue that suits their day, by their visible cyberware, and a synthetic skin that makes them almost look like plastic dolls. Their clothing is an equally extravagant mix of punk aesthetics mixed with the attire of their profession. While it may be revealing, it does not restrict their freedom of movement. Together with their outfits as a uniform, a lot of tattoos, jewelry, and combat cyberware, the Mox are not just prostitutes but protectors.
The Mox make their name a program
The name Mox comes from the slang term “Moxie”, which means “guts” and “courage”. And with this courage, the members of the gang have been living since their founding in 2067 without letting anyone suppress them.
In that year, a conflict escalated between the dangerous Tyger Claws and a former sex worker and strip club owner, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Borden.
Lizzie was regarded as a boss who cared for her women, treated them fairly, and protected them from any dangers such as aggressive clients.
One day, when one of her protégés was severely beaten by the Tyger Claws, Lizzie took revenge on the perpetrators. She dismembered the gang members with her axe and distributed the remains as a warning outside her club – because anyone who laid a hand on her women would suffer the same fate.
However, the Tyger Claws did not let this go unanswered and trashed Lizzie’s club the following night, also taking her life in revenge.
A gang is born from an uprising
After the attack on Lizzie and her club, there were intense, multi-day uprisings throughout Night City, where the anger of Lizzie’s women, as well as others from the scene, targeted the Tyger Claws and their businesses.
Lizzie became a symbol of courage, anger, and resistance, which continues to be the ideology of the Mox up until the year 2077.
Tyger Claws killed one girl too many, so people took matters into their own hands …
– Judy Álvarez, part of the Mox and Braindance editor in Cyberpunk 2077
Their successors rebuilt the club, named it “Lizzie’s Bar,” and founded a gang for all those who feel oppressed and threatened, especially for sex workers and other minorities. In the meantime, the nightclub has become an exclusive Braindance club where customers can experience home-produced digital experiences in provided booths.
Despite noble purpose, the Mox are no saints
Although the Mox do not feel the urge to claim a district of Night City for themselves and concentrate on protecting their facilities and people, they remain a gang and not a charity for lost souls. To ensure their protection and finance themselves, they own several brothels, where they keep a watchful eye on their protégés but also demand a part of their earnings.
The places may be safer for sex workers than other establishments, yet the Mox still benefit from prostitution and the greed of the people living in Night City. Together with Lizzie’s Bar, sex work is their main source of income, which cannot be eliminated.
Those cruising through the streets of Night City are unlikely to encounter criminal activities by the Mox. Rather, other gangs like the rival Tyger Claws with their over 2,000 members can be found negotiating deals, raking in money, or confronting other groups.
As long as one does not interfere in the Mox’s business, they will not seek confrontation or escalation. Judy, the Braindance editor and possible ally of V, is also part of the Mox. MeinMMO author Johanna also met Judy in Cyberpunk 2077, but fate had other plans than a happy ending: Judy in Cyberpunk 2077 breaks my heart – and I want more of that [MeinMMO Classic]
