Cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077 is acquired primarily from Ripperdocs located throughout Night City, though some Iconic cyberware can be found through Airdrops in Dogtown. Each piece of cyberware offers specific stat bonuses and active or passive improvements, which vary by its quality tier and can be further customized with perks like Driver Update and Chipware Connoisseur.
Acquiring and Installing Cyberware
Cyberware is a fundamental component of character progression in Cyberpunk 2077, allowing V to enhance physical capabilities and gain tactical advantages. These technological implants are permanently installed into the body, often interfacing directly with the nervous system to achieve higher performance. To equip cyberware, players must visit a Ripperdoc, who are specialized NPCs capable of augmenting and replacing these implants. Cyberware cannot be changed on the fly by the player.
The amount of cyberware V can install is limited by a Cyberware Capacity. Each upgrade contributes to this limit, and once reached, no further modifications can be equipped. The Edgerunner perk allows players to exceed this capacity, turning V into a true cyborg, albeit at the cost of increasingly reduced health. Armor, from Patch 2.0 onwards, is primarily obtained through certain Cyberwares, such as Integumentary System upgrades or Legs modifications, rather than traditional clothing.
Cyberware Types and Slots
V’s body is divided into various slots where cyberware can be installed, each catering to different types of enhancements. Filling at least one cyberware in each of the 10 available slot types will earn the “Full Body Conversion” achievement. Some slots even have additional capacity that can be unlocked through specific means.
| Slot Type | Base Slots | Unlock Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal Cortex | 3 | - |
| Operating System | 1 | - |
| Arms Cyberware | 1 | - |
| Face | 1 | 2nd slot unlocked during “Birds with Broken Wings” main quest |
| Skeleton Cyberware | 2 | 3rd slot unlocked with License to Chrome |
| Hands Cyberware | 1 | 2nd slot unlocked with Ambidextrous |
| Nervous System | 3 | - |
| Circulatory System | 3 | - |
| Integumentary System | 3 | - |
| Legs Cyberware | 1 | - |
These slots allow for a wide range of customization, from enhancing combat prowess with Arms Cyberware to improving stealth with Nervous System implants. The strategic choice of cyberware for each slot is crucial for optimizing V’s build.
Cyberware Tiers and Bonuses
Cyberware is available in various quality levels, or tiers, which become accessible as V’s character level increases. Higher tiers generally offer more significant benefits.
| Tier | Character Level Requirement |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Level 1 |
| Tier 2 | Level 10 |
| Tier 3 | Level 20 |
| Tier 4 | Level 30 |
| Tier 5 | Level 40 |
Players can enhance the quality of their existing cyberware by using appropriate Item Components at Ripperdocs. Each piece of cyberware provides a specific stat bonus at Tier 1, with an additional bonus unlocked at Tier 2. A third bonus can be obtained by acquiring the Driver Update perk within the Technical Ability Attribute. When browsing a Ripperdoc’s inventory, the bonuses are randomly selected and remain fixed until the next shop reset. If V has the Chipware Connoisseur perk, there’s an option to retain current bonuses or select from a new set. At Tier 3 and above, two new bonus sets become available alongside the option to keep existing ones. Changing bonuses can also be achieved by upgrading a different piece of cyberware; while the same bonus sets are offered for upgrades within a tier, upgrading to a different tier provides distinct bonuses.
Operating System Cyberware Details
The Operating System slot is crucial, as it dictates V’s primary combat style, often determining whether V will focus on quickhacks, slow-motion combat, or melee berserker rage. These systems have a significant impact on Cyberware Capacity.
| Operating System | Cost | Cyberware Capacity | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zetatech Sandevistan | $3,160 | 20 | When active on ground: Slows time by 30%, +6% damage. When active in midair: Slows time by 60%, +12% damage, +30% headshot and weakspot damage, -30% fall damage. Max duration: 7 sec. Cooldown: 40 sec. |
| Moore Tech Berserk | $1,082 | 12 | When active: Health cannot drop below 25%, cannot use items, melee weapons only, -100% stamina cost. When it ends: +25% Health for each enemy neutralized. Duration: 8 sec. Cooldown: 60 sec. |
| Dynalar Sandevistan | $1,621 | 18 | When active: Slows time by 50%, +5% Crit Chance, +5% Crit Damage. Max Duration: 8 sec. Cooldown: 55 sec. |
| Biodyne Berserk | $28,318 | 20 | When active: Health cannot drop below 25%, cannot use items, melee weapons only, +25% attack speed, -100% Stamina cost, +15% Crit Chance, +100% Crit Damage. When it ends: +25% Health for each enemy neutralized. |
| Zetatech Berserk | $28,318 | 16 | When active: Health cannot drop below 25%, cannot use items, melee weapons only, +15% attack speed, -100% Stamina cost, -25% fall damage. When it ends: +25% Health for each enemy neutralized. |
| Qiant “Warp Dancer” Sandevistan | $28,318 | 14 | When active: Slows time by 20%, +18% Mitigation Chance, +9% Mitigation Strength, +40% Resistance to Thermal, Chemical and Electrical damage. Max Duration: 9 sec. Cooldown: 65 sec. |
| Tetratronic Rippler MK.4 | $47,197 | 16 | Allows quickhacks on enemies and devices while scanning. +15% weapon damage against enemies affected by non-Combat quickhacks. +40% damage with combat quickhacks when immediately followed by a non-Combat quickhack in the queue. +5 Max RAM. |
| Militech Paraline MK.4 | $47,197 | 14 | Allows quickhacks on enemies and devices while scanning. +10% quickhack damage. +2% Monowire damage per used RAM unit (max. +30%). Shooting with Smart weapon accelerates upload speed when uploading a quickhack. |
| Biotech MK.3 | $47,197 | 16 | Allows quickhacks on enemies and devices while scanning. +10% duration for Combat quickhacks. +10% damage-over-time with quickhacks. +25% Monowire damage against enemies affected by a damage-over-time effect. |
| Arasaka MK.4 | $47,197 | 14 | Allows quickhacks on enemies and devices while scanning. Enemies take 40% longer to trace your location. -2 RAM cost for Covert quickhacks. +5 RAM after performing a Takedown. |
The choice of Operating System heavily influences V’s playstyle. Sandevistan systems are ideal for players who prefer slowing down time for precise attacks, while Berserk systems cater to aggressive melee builds. For netrunners, the various Rippler and Paraline models offer substantial boosts to quickhack capabilities.
Frontal Cortex Cyberware Details
The Frontal Cortex cyberware category offers three slots for V, primarily providing passive buffs and enhancements related to combat tactics, RAM management, and damage output against specific enemy types.
| Name | Bonuses (Tier 1) | Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Axolotl | Reduces cooldowns of all cyberware by 7.5% after neutralizing an enemy. | $101,000 |
| Bioconductor | Allows quickhacks to deal Crit Hits. 15% Crit Chance with quickhacks. -4 Max RAM. Intelligence +1.4% Reload Speed. | $4,207 |
| Mechatronic Core | +15% damage against drones, robots, mechs and turrets. +1 Max RAM. Technical +2% Explosion Damage. | $1,407 |
The Axolotl is particularly strong for builds that rely on frequent cyberware ability usage, offering cooldown reduction upon enemy neutralization. The Bioconductor is a must-have for netrunners looking to maximize their quickhack damage through critical hits, though it comes with a RAM reduction. Mechatronic Core is a niche but powerful option for encounters heavily featuring mechanical enemies, providing a significant damage boost against them.
FAQ
Where can I find all cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077? Cyberware can be purchased from Ripperdocs located throughout Night City. Additionally, some Iconic cyberware can be obtained from Airdrops in Dogtown.
How do I install cyberware? Cyberware can only be installed, augmented, or replaced by visiting a Ripperdoc NPC/Merchant. You cannot change cyberware on the fly.
What are cyberware tiers and how do they work? Cyberware comes in five tiers, from Tier 1 (available at level 1) to Tier 5 (available at level 40). Higher tiers generally offer better stats and can be upgraded using Item Components at Ripperdocs.
Can I change the stat bonuses on my cyberware? Yes, cyberware provides specific stat bonuses that are randomly selected at a Ripperdoc. With the Chipware Connoisseur perk, you can choose to retain current bonuses or select new ones. At Tier 3 and above, two new bonus sets become available. You can also change bonuses by upgrading a different piece of cyberware or upgrading to a different tier.
How does Cyberware Capacity work? Each piece of cyberware V installs contributes to a Cyberware Capacity limit. Once this limit is reached, no more modifications can be equipped. The Edgerunner perk allows V to exceed this limit at the cost of increasingly reduced health.