# When is a JSON 6902 patch a better choice than a strategic merge patch?

Kustomize, Medium (Advanced), Mutation. https://k8wiz.com/uquiz/when-is-a-json-6902-patch-a-better-choice-than-a-strategic-merge-patch

- A. When strategic merge can't express it, like removing one string from a list
- B. Whenever a single patch has to change more than one resource at the same time
- C. Only for custom resources, since built-in kinds reject JSON patches
- D. Only when the base was rendered from a Helm chart with helmCharts

**Answer:** When strategic merge can't express it, like removing one string from a list

**Explanation:** JSON 6902 patches use explicit operations such as add, remove and replace at a path like /spec/template/spec/containers/0/args/1. They're precise but depend on list positions. Custom resources often need them too, because strategic merge has no merge keys for their lists.