To create the best Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0, prioritize Intelligence and Technical Ability, aiming for a final attribute spread of 20 Intelligence, 15 Technical Ability, 15 Reflex, 20 Cool, and 11 Body (with Phantom Liberty). Equip the Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 Cyberdeck and focus on Combat and Control quickhacks like Synapse Burnout, Overheat, Cripple Movement, Cyberware Malfunction, and System Collapse.
Netrunner Build Overview
The 2.0 update significantly enhanced Netrunning in Cyberpunk 2077, making it a powerful and versatile playstyle. This guide focuses on maximizing quickhack potential, allowing players to incapacitate or eliminate enemies before or during combat. While the build excels in stealth, it also provides options for engaging in direct gunfights when necessary. Achieving the build’s full potential typically requires reaching at least Level 50, and ideally Level 60 with the Phantom Liberty expansion, for additional attribute and perk points.
The core strength of this Netrunner build lies in its ability to queue multiple quickhacks and rapidly recover RAM. This enables complex quickhack combos that can disable groups of enemies, deal significant damage, or provide crucial crowd control. While stealth is often the preferred approach for initial engagements, the recommended weapons and cyberware ensure survivability and offensive capabilities even when detected.
Attributes and Perks
The attribute distribution for this Netrunner build prioritizes Intelligence for RAM capacity and quickhack damage, and Technical Ability for cyberware enhancements and RAM recovery. Cool boosts stealth and critical damage, while Reflexes improve mobility and critical chance. A small investment in Body enhances survivability.
| Attribute | Target Value (Level 60) | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 20 | Max RAM, quickhack damage |
| Cool | 20 | Stealth, crit damage |
| Technical Ability | 15 | Cyberware efficiency, RAM recovery |
| Reflex | 15 | Mobility, crit chance |
| Body | 11 | Health points (HP) |
The following perks are crucial for maximizing the Netrunner’s effectiveness. The arrow symbol (->) indicates progression to the next perk tier.
Intelligence Perks:
- Eye in the Sky, Optimization, Proximate Propagation, Encryption
- Hack Queue, Counter-a-Hack, Copy-Paste, Data Recycler, Feedback Loop, Embedded Exploit (2/2), Speculation, Recirculation, Acquisition Specialist (2/2), Precision Subroutines
- Queue Acceleration (3/3), Queue Prioritization, Queue Hack_Root, Blood Daemon, Overclock (3/3), Sublimation, Race Against Mind, Power Surge, Target Lock Transfer (3/3), Terminal Velocity, Targeting Prism
- Queue Mastery, Spillover, Smart Synergy
Cool Perks:
- Killer Instinct -> Focus (2/2), Rinse and Reload, No Sweat -> Deadeye (3/3), California Reaper, Long Shot -> Nerves of Tungsten-Steel
Technical Ability Perks:
- Glutton for War, First Aid -> All Things Cyber (2/2), Driver Update, Chipware Connoisseur, Chrome Constitution, Renaissance Punk -> License to Chrome (3/3), Extender Warranty
Reflex Perks:
- Slippery, Muscle Memory, Multitasker -> Dash (2/2), Ready, Rested, Reloaded (2/2) -> Sharpshooter (3/3), Price Makes Perfect
Body Perks:
- Painkiller, Speed Junkie, Comeback Kid, Army of One (all Rookie Level Perks)
The Intelligence tree is the backbone, offering extensive enhancements to quickhack queuing, RAM management, and overall quickhack power. Perks like Overclock (3/3) are essential for pushing RAM limits, while Queue Acceleration (3/3) and Queue Mastery allow for rapid and powerful quickhack combinations. Cool perks complement stealth gameplay and boost critical damage, which benefits Smart Weapons. Technical Ability is vital for optimizing cyberware, increasing RAM recovery, and improving overall cyberware efficiency. Reflexes offer mobility and weapon-based critical advantages, and the Body perks provide a necessary boost to survivability.
Quickhacks and Cyberware
The choice of quickhacks and cyberware is paramount for a Netrunner. The goal is to maximize RAM capacity, recovery, and quickhack effectiveness, ensuring you always have the tools to control the battlefield.
Essential Cyberware:
| Slot | Item | Key Benefit | Location/Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 | Highest base RAM slots, quickhack bonuses | Ripperdocs (various) |
| Frontal Cortex | Ex-Disk | Faster quickhack upload, RAM slots | Ripperdocs (various) |
| Frontal Cortex | RAM Upgrade | RAM recovery rate, RAM slots | Ripperdocs (various) |
| Frontal Cortex | Camillo RAM Manager | RAM recovery rate, RAM slots (Optional) | Ripperdocs (various) |
| Hands | Smart Link | Essential for Smart Weapons | Ripperdocs (various) |
The Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 Cyberdeck is the cornerstone, providing the highest base RAM and bonuses for quickhacks. For the Frontal Cortex, Ex-Disk and RAM Upgrade are critical for maintaining RAM and speeding up quickhack uploads. The Camillo RAM Manager is an excellent optional addition for further RAM recovery. If you find yourself relying more on guns than the Monowire, you might consider swapping a RAM Upgrade for a Kerenzikov Boost System for combat utility. The Smart Link is non-negotiable if you plan to use Smart Weapons, as it enables their auto-targeting functionality.
Recommended Quickhacks:
- Combat: Synapse Burnout, Overheat (These are excellent for direct damage)
- Control: Cripple Movement, Cyberware Malfunction (Great for disabling enemies and their abilities)
- Ultimate: System Collapse (Powerful for stealth takedowns, as it’s untraceable)
- Stealth: Memory Wipe, Sonic Shock (Untraceable quickhacks are invaluable for remaining undetected)
While the Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 provides ample RAM slots, it’s important to select quickhacks strategically due to RAM limitations. Prioritize a mix of Combat and Control quickhacks to handle various threats. Untraceable quickhacks are particularly useful for maintaining stealth. The Relic perk “Jailbreak” also synergizes well with the Monowire, allowing you to launch Control quickhacks through it.
Recommended Weapons
While quickhacks are the primary damage source, having reliable weapons is crucial for any Netrunner, especially for situations where quickhacks are on cooldown or when engaging in direct combat. Smart Weapons are highly recommended due to their synergy with Intelligence perks and the Smart Link cyberware. The Monowire is the best melee option for this build.
| Weapon Type | Item | Tier | Key Benefit | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Pistol | Crimestopper (Iconic) | Tier 5+ | Better stats, faster lock-on, +50% Crit Damage (dethrones Skippy) | Gig: Heaviest of Hearts (Golden Pacific), found in the DA’s pink suitcase. |
| Smart SMG | Pizdets (Iconic) | Tier 5+ | Built-in silencer, fire rate increases with consecutive shots, good for stealth | Looted from Boris Ribakov (boss at end of Gig: Spy in the Jungle). |
| Smart Shotgun | Hercules 3AX (Iconic) | Tier 5+ | Alternative Smart Weapon, different ammo type (can swap for Pizdets) | Gig: Roads to Redemption. |
| Melee (Arms) | Monowire | Varies | Best melee for Netrunners, synergizes with Jailbreak Relic Perk | Ripperdocs (various), Relic perk Jailbreak allows launching Control quickhacks. |
The Crimestopper is an excellent Smart Pistol, offering high critical damage and fast lock-on, making it effective for precision shots. The Pizdets Smart SMG is ideal for stealth thanks to its built-in silencer and its increasing fire rate, which can shred multiple enemies when combined with the Targeting Prism perk. The Hercules 3AX provides a viable alternative if you prefer a Smart Shotgun. The Monowire is the definitive melee weapon for Netrunners, especially with the Jailbreak Relic perk, which allows you to integrate Control quickhacks directly into your melee attacks, offering unique crowd control and damage opportunities.
FAQ
What is the maximum level for this build? The maximum level is 50 in the base game. With the Phantom Liberty DLC, the maximum level increases to 60, allowing for more attribute and perk points.
Which Cyberdeck is best for a Netrunner? The Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 Cyberdeck is considered the best due to its high base RAM slots and quickhack bonuses.
Can this build be played stealthily? Yes, this build excels in stealth. Quickhacks like System Collapse, Memory Wipe, and Sonic Shock are untraceable and perfect for silent takedowns. The Pizdets Smart SMG also comes with a built-in silencer, further aiding stealth.
What are the most important attributes for a Netrunner? Intelligence and Technical Ability are the most important attributes for a Netrunner, directly impacting RAM capacity, quickhack damage, and cyberware efficiency.
Do I need the Phantom Liberty DLC for this build? While the build is functional in the base game, the Phantom Liberty DLC allows you to reach Level 60, granting additional attribute and perk points that significantly enhance the build’s potential. It also introduces some of the recommended iconic weapons.