To craft the ultimate Netrunner in Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.0 update, your primary cyberware focus should be on the Tetratronic Rippler Mk.5 or the Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 Cyberdeck, complemented by Frontal Cortex implants like the Ex-Disk, RAM Upgrade, and Camillo RAM Manager to maximize RAM capacity and recovery, along with a Smart Link for weapon synergy. These choices are crucial for enabling powerful quickhack combos and maintaining a strong RAM economy.
Core Cyberdecks for Netrunners
The Cyberdeck is the heart of any Netrunner build, dictating your quickhack capabilities and RAM management. For a top-tier Netrunner build as of June 22, 2026, two Cyberdecks stand out: the Tetratronic Rippler Mk.5 and the Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1. Each offers distinct advantages that cater to different aspects of quickhacking.
The Tetratronic Rippler Mk.5 is a highly recommended option for its overall strength and synergy with quickhack combos. It’s listed as a main operating system for Netrunners, suggesting its comprehensive benefits for the playstyle. The Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 is particularly noted for providing the highest base RAM slots, which is invaluable for a build that relies heavily on uploading multiple quickhacks. More RAM means more quickhacks can be queued or used in succession, enabling extended combat engagements or stealth takedowns. The ability to queue multiple quickhacks, a feature introduced in Update 2.0, makes large RAM capacities even more critical for executing effective quickhack combos.
Choosing between these two often comes down to your specific quickhack strategy. If your build focuses on rapid, chained quickhacks with complex combos, the Tetratronic Rippler Mk.5 might offer superior overall performance. However, if your priority is maximizing the sheer number of quickhacks you can hold and deploy, the Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1’s high base RAM slots make it an excellent choice. Both options facilitate the core Netrunner gameplay loop of disabling and damaging enemies through digital warfare.
Frontal Cortex Enhancements
Beyond the Cyberdeck, the Frontal Cortex is a critical slot for Netrunners to enhance their RAM economy, ensuring quickhacks are always available. The recommended implants for this slot are designed to boost RAM recovery rates and increase overall RAM capacity, which are vital for sustaining quickhack usage, especially during intense engagements or prolonged stealth sequences.
The Ex-Disk is a must-have, as it provides both faster quickhack uploads and additional RAM slots. This dual benefit directly translates to more efficient quickhacking and a larger pool of resources to draw from. Complementing this is the RAM Upgrade, which specifically increases RAM recovery rate and adds further RAM slots. This implant helps mitigate the RAM drain from frequent quickhack use, allowing for quicker cooldowns and more consistent application of abilities.
Finally, the Camillo RAM Manager also contributes to RAM recovery rate and provides additional RAM slots. This implant works in conjunction with the RAM Upgrade to create a robust RAM regeneration system. Together, these three Frontal Cortex cyberwares form the backbone of a sustainable quickhacking build, ensuring that even at maximum quickhack usage, your RAM will replenish quickly enough to maintain offensive pressure. An optional consideration is to swap out the RAM Upgrade for a Kerenzikov Boost System if your playstyle leans more towards gun combat rather than relying solely on the Monowire for close-quarters engagements. However, for a pure Netrunner focus, prioritizing RAM is generally more beneficial.
Essential Smart Link
For any Netrunner build that plans to incorporate smart weapons, the Smart Link cyberware is an absolute necessity. This implant is categorized as a “must-have” for Netrunners, highlighting its importance in enabling and enhancing smart weapon functionality. While quickhacks are the primary damage dealers for a Netrunner, smart weapons offer a powerful alternative, especially when RAM is depleted or in situations where direct combat becomes unavoidable.
The Smart Link allows you to effectively utilize smart weapons like the Crimestopper or Pizdets, which are excellent choices for a Netrunner due to their synergy with Intelligence perks. Without a Smart Link, smart weapons lose their auto-targeting capabilities, significantly reducing their effectiveness. With it, you can leverage the advantages of these weapons, such as increased crit damage, faster lock-on, or unique fire rates, to complement your quickhack attacks. This synergy is particularly potent when combined with perks like Targeting Prism, which can make smart weapons shred multiple enemies simultaneously. The Smart Link bridges the gap between your hacking prowess and your weapon combat, providing a versatile approach to various combat scenarios in Night City.
Strategic Cyberware Choices
Beyond the core components, a Netrunner’s cyberware choices should strategically support their quickhack and stealth playstyle. While the primary focus remains on RAM management and quickhack efficiency, other slots can offer defensive capabilities or further enhance offensive potential.
For quickhacks themselves, it’s recommended to carry a mix of Combat and Control quickhacks. Synapse Burnout and Overheat are excellent Combat choices for direct damage, while Cripple Movement and Cyberware Malfunction serve as effective Control quickhacks to disrupt enemies. For ultimate takedowns, System Collapse is highly effective. During stealth runs, untraceable quickhacks such as System Collapse, Memory Wipe, and Sonic Shock are invaluable for remaining undetected. While you have multiple slots, remember that even at max level, RAM can be limited, so choose your quickhacks wisely to avoid stacking too many.
In terms of arms cyberware, the Monowire stands out as the best melee weapon for Netrunners. With the new Jailbreak Relic Perk, you can even launch Control quickhacks at enemies using your Monowire, further integrating your melee and hacking abilities. This provides a strong close-quarters option when stealth breaks down or when you need to conserve RAM for more critical targets. The Monowire’s utility is enhanced by its ability to spread quickhacks, making it a versatile tool for both direct combat and quickhack application.
Ultimately, the best cyberware for a Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077 (2.0) revolves around maximizing RAM, enhancing quickhack speed, and ensuring seamless integration with smart weapons and melee options. These strategic choices allow you to dominate Night City’s digital landscape, taking down enemies before they even know what hit them.
FAQ
Which Cyberdeck is best for a Netrunner in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0? The Tetratronic Rippler Mk.5 and the Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 are both excellent choices. The Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 offers the highest base RAM slots, while the Tetratronic Rippler Mk.5 provides strong overall quickhack synergy.
What Frontal Cortex cyberware should a Netrunner use? You should prioritize the Ex-Disk, RAM Upgrade, and Camillo RAM Manager to maximize RAM capacity and recovery rates, ensuring consistent quickhack usage.
Do I need a Smart Link for a Netrunner build? Yes, a Smart Link is essential if you plan to use smart weapons, as it enables their auto-targeting capabilities and synergizes with Intelligence perks.
What melee weapon is recommended for a Netrunner? The Monowire is the best melee weapon for Netrunners, especially with the Jailbreak Relic Perk, which allows you to launch Control quickhacks through it.
What quickhacks are recommended for a Netrunner? A mix of Combat (e.g., Synapse Burnout, Overheat) and Control (e.g., Cripple Movement, Cyberware Malfunction) quickhacks is recommended. For stealth, untraceable quickhacks like System Collapse, Memory Wipe, and Sonic Shock are highly effective.