Cyberpunk 2077 Guide#
Night City is a dreamer’s paradise and a weakling’s hell. Pick your lifepath — Nomad, Streetkid, or Corpo — and carve a path through a dark future of corruption, violence, and bleeding-edge cyberware. Whether you’re chasing every ending, the highest-difficulty challenge, or full completion, this guide covers it all.
Game Information#
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | CD Projekt Red |
| Publisher | CD Projekt |
| Genre | Open-world first-person RPG |
| Endings | 5 (6 with the Phantom Liberty DLC) |
| Iconic Weapons | 50+ |
| Legendary Cyberware | 30+ |
| DLC | Phantom Liberty — the new Dogtown district and a spy-thriller story |
| Release Date | December 10, 2020 |
| Platforms | PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X |
Core Features#
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Lifepath choices | Nomad, Streetkid, or Corpo — unique prologues and exclusive dialogue options |
| Attributes and perks | 5 attributes with roughly 40 perks each — over 200 perks to shape your build |
| Operating systems | Cyberdeck, Sandevistan, or Berserk — each defines your combat style |
| Quickhacking | Netrunner skills — remotely breach, control, or kill enemies |
| Iconic weapons | 50+ uniquely named legendary weapons, each with its own special effect |
| Cyberware system | 15+ implant slots across the body — customize your combat capabilities |
| Night City | 7 districts — a fully open cyberpunk metropolis |
| Phantom Liberty DLC | Spy-thriller story, the new Dogtown district, and a new ending route |
Early-Game Tips#
| # | Tip | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pick an operating system early | Decide before “The Heist” whether you’re a netrunner (cyberdeck), a time-dilation specialist (Sandevistan), or a berserker (Berserk). |
| 2 | Don’t spread attributes evenly | Focus on one or two main attributes to 20 before branching out — jack of all trades, master of none. |
| 3 | Clear every NCPD contract | The blue bounty contracts in each district are not just XP — they also drop legendary crafting specs. |
| 4 | See Viktor for cyberware | Viktor, the ripperdoc in Watson, can install powerful chrome very early. |
| 5 | Never scrap iconics | Iconic weapons have unique effects and can be upgraded to legendary quality — don’t dismantle or sell them. |
| 6 | Mind the point of no return | The “Nocturne” main job triggers the endgame — finish every side job before you meet Hanako. |
| 7 | Scan constantly | TAB tags enemies, reveals weaknesses, steals weapons, and hacks devices. |
| 8 | Run the Panam, Judy, Kerry, and Rogue arcs | These side jobs are story highlights in their own right and directly shape your ending options. |
| 9 | Buy every crafting spec | Once you’ve bought all vendor specs, you can craft legendary weapons from home. |
| 10 | Enter Phantom Liberty at level 30+ | The DLC is punishing — recommended once the main story is well underway. |
Build Cheat Sheet#
| Build | Core Attributes | Operating System | Weapons | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netrunner | Intelligence 20 → Technical 20 → Reflexes 15 | Cyberdeck | Smart weapons + monowire | ★★★★★ |
| Time-Stop Ninja | Reflexes 20 → Technical 20 → Body 15 | Sandevistan | Katanas + tech pistols | ★★★★★ |
| Berserker Tank | Body 20 → Technical 20 → Reflexes 15 | Berserk | Sledgehammers + shotguns | ★★★★☆ |
| Tech Sniper | Technical 20 → Reflexes 20 → Cool 15 | Sandevistan | Tech sniper rifles + SMGs | ★★★★☆ |
| Cold-Blooded Assassin | Cool 20 → Reflexes 20 → Technical 15 | Any | Silenced pistols + knives | ★★★☆☆ |
| Lone Wolf | Body 18 → Reflexes 18 → Technical 18 → Cool 10 | Berserk | Assault rifles + shotguns | ★★★★☆ |
Version History#
| Version | Date | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Launch | 2020.12.10 | Full release — plagued by performance issues and bugs |
| 1.2 Major Update | 2021.03.29 | Extensive bug fixes, police system improvements, driving polish |
| 1.3 Update | 2021.08.17 | New DLC content and free cosmetic drops |
| 1.5 Next-Gen | 2022.02.15 | Native PS5/Xbox Series X |
| 1.6 Edgerunners Update | 2022.09.06 | Tie-in with the Edgerunners anime — new weapons, clothing, and quests |
| 2.0 Complete Overhaul | 2023.09.21 | Skill trees, perks, and cyberware fully rebuilt — new police system — vehicle combat |
| Phantom Liberty | 2023.09.26 | The Dogtown district — spy-thriller story — new ending route |
| 2.1 Update | 2023.12.05 | Metro system — repeatable street races — buffed bosses |
| 2.2 Update | 2024.12.10 | Enhanced photo mode — new vehicles — final major content update |
Top 10 Iconic Weapons#
| Rank | Weapon | Type | Location | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yinglong | Smart SMG | Tyger Claws side job | Ricochet + EMP blast |
| 2 | Amnesty | Tech revolver | River Ward side job | Charged shots pierce walls, brutal headshots |
| 3 | Black Unicorn | Katana | Apartment donation box | High crit chance, bleed effect |
| 4 | Overwatch | Sniper rifle | Panam side job | Silenced with a high-zoom scope — the stealth-sniper endgame |
| 5 | Buzzsaw | Shotgun | Warzone | Full-auto sweep — tears everything apart up close |
| 6 | Last Resort | Tech rifle | Badlands NCPD | Charged shots pierce — one shot, multiple kills |
| 7 | Comrade’s Hammer | Tech revolver | Watson NCPD | Single-round magazine with explosive AoE |
| 8 | Blaze | Smart shotgun | Tyger Claws drop | Smart tracking + explosion — the strongest smart weapon |
| 9 | Unpredictable | Smart pistol | Badlands roadside | Auto-locks to the head — an early-game godsend |
| 10 | Whitecap | Smart assault rifle | Dogtown airdrop | Very high fire rate with smart tracking |
Night City Districts#
| District | Affiliation | Danger Level | Highlights | Key Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watson | Starting district | ★★☆☆☆ | Industrial sprawl and Japantown — home of V’s apartment | Viktor’s ripperdoc clinic, the Afterlife |
| Westbrook | Affluent district | ★★☆☆☆ | Japantown and North Oak — towers of corporate glass | Arasaka Tower, Clouds |
| Heywood | Valentinos turf | ★★★☆☆ | Latino heart of the city with a strong street pulse | El Capitan’s garage, Coronado Farm |
| Santo Domingo | Industrial district | ★★★☆☆ | Factories and logistics hubs — 6th Street territory | Arasaka Industrial Park, Wild Wolves Esports |
| Pacifica | Abandoned district | ★★★★☆ | An unfinished resort crawling with Scavengers and Animals | Dogtown entrance, the stadium |
| The Badlands | Nomad territory | ★★★☆☆ | Desert beyond the city walls — homeland of the Nomad clans | Panam’s camp, biomonster nest |
| Dogtown | DLC district | ★★★★★ | Phantom Liberty’s new district — a militarized exclusion zone | Stadium market, black market, airdrops |
Attributes at a Glance#
| Attribute | Core Mechanic | Recommended Build | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body | Melee damage, health regen, Gorilla Arms | Berserker Tank | Frenzy, Unbreakable, Adrenaline Rush |
| Reflexes | Crit chance, dodging, katanas and SMGs | Time-Stop Ninja | Time-slow boosts, Crit Flow, Air Dash |
| Technical Ability | Armor, cyberware capacity, tech weapons | All-purpose | Cybersurgeon, Killer Instinct, Tech Weapon Mastery |
| Intelligence | Hacking, quickhacks, smart weapons | Netrunner | Queue Hack, Contagion, System Collapse |
| Cool | Stealth damage, headshot multiplier, Cold Blood stacking | Cold-Blooded Assassin | Cold Blood stacks, stealth crits, headshot bonus |
FAQ#
What changed between update 2.0 and 1.6?#
Update 2.0 completely rebuilt the skill tree and cyberware system, so perks from old saves are wiped and must be re-spent; it also added vehicle combat.
When should I start Phantom Liberty?#
Wait until around level 30 and pick up the job that leads into Dogtown. Head in earlier and Dogtown’s gunners will wipe the floor with you.
Which lifepath has the best story?#
Streetkid ties most tightly into Night City’s underbelly, Corpo opens with a unique corporate-office scene, and Nomad has the most emotional prologue.
How do I unlock the secret ending?#
Get Johnny Silverhand’s affinity to 70% or higher, then at the final choice select no dialogue option and simply wait five minutes.
Is Sandevistan stronger than netrunning?#
Both are top-tier in 2.0 — Sandevistan is a blast to play, while netrunning lets you clear rooms remotely without firing a shot.
Does Night City have fast travel?#
Yes — multiple fast-travel terminals dot the map, though you have to discover and unlock them manually at first.
How hard is full completion?#
Roughly hard. The toughest achievements are clearing Arasaka Tower solo and the collector achievement for tracking down every iconic weapon.
What carries over to New Game Plus?#
Since 2.0, a new game only carries over your level and perks — keep a manual save from before the finale if you want to keep exploring.
Where is the fastest place to level up?#
Grind NCPD contracts and Tyger Claws or Valentinos gang hotspots, ideally with an XP-boost cyberware chip installed.
How does crafting work?#
Since 2.0, crafting no longer requires the Technical Ability attribute — you only need specs and materials, and you get materials by dismantling gear you don’t need.
Where do I buy vehicles?#
Complete El Capitan’s vehicle contracts in Santo Domingo to unlock purchases; newer versions also let you buy straight from vending machines.
How do I make eddies fast?#
Run NCPD contracts, steal and flip cars, and craft legendary weapons to sell — but never dismantle an iconic.
Are there limits on healing items in combat?#
Yes, they have a cooldown, and they work best when your health is low. Higher-quality items restore more health.
Is Dogtown free?#
No — Phantom Liberty is a paid DLC that includes the new Dogtown map, a brand-new story, and an additional ending.
How do I raise cyberware capacity?#
Level up Technical Ability, install cyberware-capacity shards, and pick specific perks — capacity determines how much chrome you can wear.
Should I play Phantom Liberty before or after the main story?#
Aim for mid-story, around level 30-40. The DLC stands on its own, but it feeds extra options into the final mission.
Beginner Quick-Start#
Cyberpunk 2077 has a gentle on-ramp, but its deep build system rewards careful study. Here is an efficient path for new players:
- Push the main story first — main jobs unlock cyberware slots, gear tiers, and the core systems, so prioritize them.
- Clear NCPD contracts as you go — every blue marker on the map grants XP and gear specs.
- Scan constantly — TAB tags enemies, reveals weaknesses, steals weapons, and hacks devices.
- Upgrade cyberware regularly — chrome is the core of your power, so visit your ripperdoc on schedule.
- Plan your build — settle on a main attribute direction before spending perks to avoid wasting points.
Common rookie mistakes: don’t sink cash into expensive gear early when exploration drops pay off better; don’t skip side jobs — endgame gear and ending unlocks depend on them; and stay out of Night City’s most dangerous districts until later, focusing on main-story areas first. Nail these basics and you’ll glide through the learning curve into the full Night City experience.
Starting Decisions and Resource Planning#
| Decision Point | Recommended Pick | Payoff | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifepath background | Nomad | Start with a vehicle and faster map exploration | Streetkid has richer dialogue options; Corpo begins with better gear |
| Initial attribute points | Body + Reflexes | Balanced melee and dodge survivability | Early enemies favor melee — Body adds health and melee damage |
| First gun | The “Unity” pistol | Reliable headshot damage, easy ammo | Don’t mod it early — levels come fast and materials are precious |
| First cyberware | Optical Camo | A stealth lifesaver for tricky sections | Long cooldown — save it for key moments |
Early XP and Eddie Farming#
- Once the main-story job “The Ripperdoc” is done, the map opens up with gigs and blue events — clear every blue dot (NCPD activity) first; each one pays roughly 200-500 XP plus eddies and components.
- Eddie farming: the Scavenger den in northern Watson respawns quickly — a full sweep takes about 3 minutes for 6-8 enemies, and selling their weapons to a vendor nets roughly €2,500. Twenty minutes of loops funds your first motorcycle.
- XP efficiency: complete every cyberpsycho event in Little China — each one pays roughly 1,500 XP and unlocks exclusive cyberware components.
Skill Growth Priority#
| Game Stage | Priority Branches | Key Perks | Practical Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1-10 | Stealth + Engineering | “Silent Killer” + “Electronic Engineering” | Stealth kills don’t trigger alarms; engineering boosts quickhack damage |
| Level 11-20 | Cold Blood + Pistols | “Cold Blood Charge” + “Bullet Time” | Stacked damage and crit after kills; all-around pistol buffs |
| Level 21-30 | Crafting + Intelligence | “Blueprint Optimization” + “Quickhack Boost” | Better crafted gear; quickhacks can chain across 3 targets |
| Level 31+ | Reflexes + Street Cred | “Dodge Master” + “Street Legend” | Extended dodge i-frames; top-tier cyberware unlocked in shops |
Weapon Mods and Attachments#
- Assault rifles: the smart rifle is the mid-to-late-game favorite — pair a “Crit Chance +30%” chip with a “Penetration Scan” scope and combine it with Bullet Time for automatic headshots.
- Pistols: keep the Unity until level 20, modding it with a silencer and a “+15% damage” barrel, then swap to the Asura (high fire rate, auto-locks to weak points while aiming).
- Melee: buy the Kojiro katana from the hidden merchant at Kabuki Market, pair it with a lifesteal mod and Charged Slash, and you can stay at full health through most boss fights.
- Snipers: grab the O’Five (from the “Sacrum Profanum” job), mod it with armor penetration and +40% headshot damage, and one shot deletes most regular enemies.
Quickhacking and Stealth Tips#
- Quickhack order: open with Contagion on a lone enemy (it spreads to nearby targets), follow up with Short Circuit to finish high-health enemies, and finish with an EMP to disable turrets and cameras.
- Stealth routes: inside any mission building, look for ventilation duct entrances (marked yellow on the map) to bypass roughly 90% of patrol routes.
- Cameras: don’t destroy cameras (that trips alarms) — use Rewrite Systems to flip them to your side and tag every enemy’s position.
- Before boss fights: upload System Reset from a network access point before entering the boss room; each boss attack will briefly stun it for 2 seconds, dramatically lowering the difficulty.
Cyberware by Budget#
| Budget | Recommended Cyberware | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Under €5,000 | Reinforced Tendons (jump) + Biomonitor + Nanocoating | High jumps for escapes, auto-heal at low health, less flinch when hit |
| Around €15,000 | Micro-Rotors + Optical Camo + Neural Accelerator | +20% attack speed, no movement penalty while sneaking, halved bullet-time cooldown |
| Over €30,000 | Titan Bones + Subdermal Armor + Synaptic Accelerator | +50 carry weight, 30% less damage taken, 40% faster quickhacking |
Ending Requirements#
- The Sun ending: during “Nocturne”, choose to head for the space station, and complete the Nomad side job (finish the conversation and nod before the finale).
- The Temperance ending: during “Nocturne”, choose to stay in the body, and complete all of Johnny Silverhand’s side conversations.
- The Devil ending: choose to turn to Arasaka, which requires accepting Saburo Arasaka’s relic chip in the earlier mission.
- The Star ending: choose to leave with the Nomads, which requires completing all of Panam’s side jobs and reaching 40+ street cred.
- The secret ending: during “Nocturne”, choose to do nothing and wait five minutes to trigger it automatically — have Johnny’s pistol equipped and all related conversations finished.
Common Stuck Points#
- The Scavenger factory in “The Pickup”: the enemies are numerous and tightly packed — don’t fight head-on. Enter through the second-floor vent, shut down the alarm system, chain Contagion through the group, and pick them off one by one.
- The “Mantis Samurai” boss in “The Hunt”: this boss has huge leap attacks — keep at least 10 meters away, output damage with a smart rifle, and keep throwing grenades to interrupt its charges.
- The Arasaka Tower infiltration: you must stay in stealth the whole way — use Optical Camo and crouch movement, hack drones to “disabled” before slipping past, and never open fire.
- The final boss, Adam Smasher: in phase one, suppress him from range with a missile launcher; in phase two, duck into cover, wait for him to swing his gravity hammer, then counter immediately while accelerating System Reset with a Synaptic Accelerator.
Mid-Game Respec#
Once you hit level 25 and finish the “The Ripperdoc” side job, visit any ripperdoc to respec your perks for roughly €10,000 — the standard route for switching builds mid-game.
Related Games#
- Dragon’s Dogma 2 — an open-world action RPG with a distinctive pawn system
- Ghost of Tsushima — a samurai-themed open-world action RPG
- Starfield — a space-fantasy open-world RPG
- God of War (2018) — a Norse-mythology action RPG
- Horizon Forbidden West — the sci-fi open-world action RPG sequel
Full Guides#
In-depth sub-guides — main story and side jobs, lifepaths, builds, cyberware and weapons, every ending, and the full Phantom Liberty DLC — are available in Chinese on NTGame’s Cyberpunk 2077 section.
Related Rankings#
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