Cyberpunk 2077: Netrunner best build

One of the viable builds in Cyberpunk 2077 is the so-called netrunner. Our hacker build can help you in playing as a character who hacks enemies and elements of the environment, while sneaking around and avoiding open combat. In the guide you will find tips on how to spend attribute points, what operating system and cyberware to choose, which hacks are best to use, and which perks are most helpful.

• The most important assumptions of the hacker build
• Character creation
• Key attributes
• Key perks
• Operation system and cyberware
• Best hacks
• Recommended weapons for a hacker
• How to play as a hacker/netrunner? - general tips

The most important assumptions of the hacker build

This build emphasizes hacking enemies and the environment while hiding and avoiding direct combat. Netrunner uses various hacks for this purpose, which can additionally be queued and then automatically activated one by one. If you distribute the attribute points correctly, including specific perks and mods, you will become an elusive, deadly netrunner. In many situations, you can get rid of all or most of the enemies before they track down V and start hunting you.

The disadvantages of playing as a netrunner include the fact that you may have problems during forced boss fights and other strong opponents. Then you have to dodge enemy attacks and wait for the opportunity to use hacks, while using your main weapon (recommended weapons for a hacker can be found further down the page). It's also not a build for quickly going through locations. Instead, it focuses on methodically dealing with the threats.

Character creation

When creating your own character in Cyberpunk 2077, you get 7 points which can be distributed among 5 attributes. It's important to note here that you can't assign them all to one attribute, because the limit of each attribute in the character creator has been set to 6. We suggest spending the attribute points as follows:

1. Intelligence - 6 points
2. Technical Ability - 6 points
3. Reflexes - 4 points

Key attributes

Attributes associated with the hacker build are:

1. Intelligence: this attribute affects the level of the netrunner's abilities and the hacking of security access points. Additionally, it provides more cyberdeck memory and better support for smart weapons.
2. Technical Ability: this attribute primarily improves the effectiveness of the cyberware you use, and also makes it easier to open locks and take control of devices. In addition, you get more armor points and greater proficiency with Tech weapons.

The absolute priority is to develop Intelligence to the maximum 20 points. Develop Reflexes and Technical Ability to at least 16 points. Focus on Body last, although the extra health points from this attribute can come in handy in tricky situations.

Key perks

We recommend spending the most development points on various perks from the Intelligence tree, because they are the basis of playing as a hacker. The most important are:

1. Eye in the Sky - access points and cameras are automatically marked, as well as lower RAM consumption and longer operation of selected hacks.
2. Optimization - faster RAM renewal.
3. Carhacker - ability to hack vehicles.
4. Quickhack Queue, Queue Acceleration and Queue Mastery - the most important feature is the ability to queue quickhacks so that they can activate themselves one by one.
5. Overclock - the perk allows you to activate a mode in which the you can use your health points to activate hacks when you run out of the cyberdeck memory.
6. Blood Daemon - the ability to recover health points thanks to hacks in the queue.
7. Acquisition Specialist and Target Lock Transfer - these are perks for using smart weapons, which should become V's main weapon in situations where you are attacked.

On the Technical Ability tree, we primarily recommend 2 perks. All Things Cyber and License to Chrome are bonuses to additional cyberware stats, reduced cost of installing certain cyberware, as well as an additional skeleton cyberware slot and bonuses to cyberware stats in this category.

On the Cool tree, you can find a more interesting perk called the Ninjutsu, which, when fully developed, allows you to sprint while crouching. This is a very helpful ability for staying hidden and quickly changing hiding places, for example, when an enemy is approaching you.

Operation system and cyberware

Our recommended Operating System for the hacker build is Tetratronic Rippler Mk.5 (or a lower tier version until you unlock access to the top one).

Useful unique features of this cyberdeck are additional weapon damage inflicted on enemies that are currently hacked, possible higher damage dealt with combat hacks, cyberdeck memory increased by 5 points, and automatic upload of 2 hacks when Overclock is activated.

As for the other categories, we recommend:

1. Kiroshi "Sentry" Optics in the Face category - When using the scanner, the cyberware can highlight enemy cameras and turrets. You can also use optical zoom. The optics are using the Intelligence attribute.
2. Smart Link in the Hands category - This is a vital implant that will make it possible to use the auto-aim module in Smart weapons.
3. Heal on Kill in the Circulatory System category - You can immediately regain some health after neutralizing an enemy.
4. Lynx Paws in the Legs category - They allow you to, e.g. move faster and quieter. This cyberware will help you remain unnoticed.
5. RAM Upgrade in the Frontal Cortex category - It can increase the cyberdeck's RAM capacity and speed up its regeneration.
6. Monowire in the Arms category - It can serve as one of the hacker's weapons. Instead of choosing a "regular" Monowire, you can install one with enhancements, such as a chance to set enemies on fire.
7. RAM Recoup in the Skeleton category - It can increase the cyberdeck's RAM limit and make it to renew faster after receiving damage.
8. Synaptic Accelerator in the Nervous System category - Among other things, it can slow down the time for a few seconds when you get detected by an enemy. You get extra time to neutralize the enemy or start running away.
9. Optical Camo in the Integumentary System category - This is one of the better pieces of cyberware for stealth. When manually activated, it can reduce V's visibility by up to 90% and this will last for several seconds.

Best hacks

In addition to choosing an operating system, you must also choose a set of hacks. The hacks we recommend are:

1. Contagion - It can poison the attacked enemy and the negative status effect can transfer to other enemies standing close by. This is a great tactic for weakening groups of enemies.
2. Overheat - A given enemy is set on fire and starts receiving fire damage. This status effect can also be extended.
3. Memory Wipe - By itself, it prevents the targeted enemy from noticing you for a short duration. Make sure you have enough RAM to use it.
4. Detonate Grenade - This quickhack can force an opponent to set off a grenade they carry. This is another quickhack that works great for weakening groups of enemies.
5. Cyberware Malfunction - You can disable your opponent's implants (temporarily or permanently) while also inflicting electrical damage.
6. Short Circuit - This is a particularly effective quickhack against mechanical enemies, who will receive more electricity damage.

Recommended weapons for a hacker

When playing a hacker, you should have the previously mentioned Monowire as one of your cyberware, and carry any Smart weapon. This will allow you to get bonuses from perks associated with the Smart weapons found in the Intelligence tree. If possible, stock up on one of the best iconic Smart weapons. These can be, for example:

1. Divided We Stand - a smart assault rifle that features an additional 50% bonus damage to headshots, as well as a 20% chance of poisoning the target. This legendary weapon is obtainable in the Stadium Love Side Job.
2. Pizdets - a smart machine gun, which you can get in Phantom Liberty. It is dropped by Boris Ribakov, the boss from the Spy in the Jungle quest. The weapon offers as much as an 85% bonus damage to headshots and additionally increases its rate of fire as you keep shooting.

How to play as a hacker/netrunner? - general tips

1. Try to avoid direct combat and eliminate opponents using hacks. You can also use hacks to distract them and then go around them safely or approach them from behind and silently finish them off.
2. Scout the area before entering each new location. Pay attention to where the enemies, cameras and turrets are located. Especially the last two since they can give away your position and put you at a disadvantage.
3. Make sure you have a large variety of active hacks. Some of them will serve you to weaken and kill humans, and some to destroy machines.
4. Use the Overlock perk to activate hacks more frequently. Using them will cost you health points, but when you are sneaking, you don't need to regularly monitor its status and can sacrifice some of it.
5. Use Quickhack Queue instead of activating individual hacks. You can plan several actions ahead and take care of other things in the meantime.
6. During boss fights, sabotage their weapons or cyberware. This will provide you with more time to activate next hacks or to move somewhere else on the arena. These are also the moments when you should use your weapon.

Cyberpunk 2077

December 10, 2020

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