Cyberpunk 2077: What activities develop V's skills?

This page of the Cyberpunk 2077 guide explains how to develop V's skills and advance them to the next levels. You will learn what activities help in developing the 5 main skills - Headhunter, Netrunner, Shinobi, Solo, and Engineer. We also mention the maximum skill limit and using the skill Shards.

• How does the skill development mechanic work?
• How to develop the Headhunter skill?
• How to develop the Netrunner skill?
• How to develop the Shinobi skill?
• How to develop the Solo skill?
• How to develop the Engineer skill?

How does the skill development mechanic work?

1. Starting from version 2.0 of Cyberpunk 2077, the player has 5 skills and each of them can reach a maximum of level 60. What's more, skills are no longer directly linked to attribute development. Simply perform actions related to specific skills (more about them further down the page).
2. The game informs you whenever you level up a skill - see the picture. Skills are leveled up regardless of the hero's experience levels.

1. In the skill menu you can check the bonuses from their development - you get them every 5 levels for each skill.
2. Most of the rewards are various passive bonuses that can give permanent bonuses to stats or change or improve the performance of selected perks. Moreover, advancing skills to levels 15 and 35 rewards you with free perk points. This means that you can get a total of 10 perk points.

1. A unique way to develop skills faster are the so-called skill shards, which you can find in the game world. Collecting each shard means a one-time XP bonus to the related skill. For more information, visit What are skill shards? page.

How to develop the Headhunter skill?

Headhunter XP is earned by:

1. Eliminating opponents using pistols, revolvers, sniper rifles, and throwing weapons.
2. Using stealth attacks - sneak a lot and use the mini-map to attack unsuspecting enemies.
3. Knocking enemies down - this is possible after sneaking up on them from behind.

How to develop the Netrunner skill?

Netrunner XP is earned by:

1. Eliminating enemies with Smart and Monowire weapons - you need the right cyberware to be able to use these weapons.
2. Hacking enemies, devices and vehicles.
3. Uploading hacks (Daemons) to Access Points - look for them in each newly visited location (example in the attached image).
4. Crafting hacks.

How to develop the Shinobi skill?

Shinobi XP is earned by:

1. Eliminating enemies with assault rifles, machine guns and blades.
2. Dodging, dashing and sliding - rely on these moves above all during fights.
3. Leaping over obstacles and climbing them.

How to develop the Solo skill?

Solo XP is earned by:

1. Eliminating enemies with shotguns, light machine guns (LMGs), heavy machine guns (HMGs) and blunt weapons.
2. Hitting opponents with blunt weapons' special attacks.
3. Performing Body skill checks - this can be, for example, a closed gate that you need to forcefully open (example in the attached image).

How to develop the Engineer skill?

Engineer XP is earned by:

1. Eliminating enemies using Tech weapons, grenades, rocket launchers and the Bolt perk.
2. Killing enemies while using specific cyberware - these are Sandevistan, Berserk, Optical Camo, Overlock and Fury. Visit any ripperdoc to get at least some of them.
3. Performing Technical Ability skill checks - these may include closed doors with the icon of the said attribute.
4. Crafting, upgrading or disassembling items - the easiest way is to choose the latter option and disassemble unnecessary, low-value items in the inventory.

Cyberpunk 2077

December 10, 2020

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