What is Cyberware?
Cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077 refers to technology permanently installed into human flesh, often interfacing with the nervous system to achieve higher performance and enhance physical power. These implants provide V with both active and passive improvements, fundamentally altering gameplay and character capabilities. As of Patch 2.0, cyberware also directly contributes to V’s armor rating, with certain integumentary system upgrades and leg modifications being primary sources of armor. The entire system underwent a significant overhaul with the 2.0 update and the Phantom Liberty expansion, tying the amount of cyberware V can install to their character level.
Cyberware Installation and Management
Cyberware can only be augmented, replaced, or upgraded by Ripperdocs, who are specialized NPCs and merchants found throughout Night City. Players cannot change cyberware on the fly. To equip mods to an installed operating system, access the inventory, select the OS, and then equip preferred mods into its available slots. Cyberware can also be obtained as loot, and certain Iconic cyberware is exclusively available through Airdrops in Dogtown.
Each piece of cyberware V installs contributes to a Cyberware Capacity limit. Reaching this limit prevents further modifications. The “Edgerunner” perk allows V to exceed this capacity, enabling a more heavily augmented, “true cyborg” build, though this comes at the cost of increasingly reduced health.
Cyberware Tiers and Bonuses
Cyberware is categorized into various quality levels, or Tiers, which become available for purchase at specific character levels. Players can enhance the quality of their existing cyberware at Ripperdocs using appropriate Item Components.
| Tier | Character Level Required |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 10 |
| 3 | 20 |
| 4 | 30 |
| 5 | 40 |
Cyberware provides specific stat bonuses. At Tier 1, a single stat bonus is granted, with an additional bonus added at Tier 2. A third bonus can be unlocked by acquiring the “Driver Update” perk within the Technical Ability Attribute tree. When browsing a Ripperdoc’s inventory, these bonuses are randomly selected and remain fixed until the next shop reset. If V possesses the “Chipware Connoisseur” perk, players have the option to retain the current bonuses or choose from a new set. From 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 upgrades within the same tier offer the same sets of bonuses, upgrading to a different tier provides distinct bonus sets.
Cyberware Slots and Types
V’s body has various slots where cyberware can be installed, each corresponding to a different body part and allowing for specific types of enhancements. Installing at least one cyberware in each of the 10 distinct slot types earns the “Full Body Conversion” achievement. Cyberware can range in rarity from Common to Legendary.
| Cyberware Slot Type | Number of Slots | Unlock Condition (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal Cortex | 3 | |
| Operating System | 1 | |
| Arms Cyberware | 1 | |
| Face Armor | 1 | 2nd slot unlocked during “Birds with Broken Wings” main quest |
| Skeleton Cyberware | 2 | 3rd slot unlocked with “License to Chrome” perk |
| Hands Cyberware | 1 | 2nd slot unlocked with “Ambidextrous” perk |
| Nervous System | 3 | |
| Circulatory System | 3 | |
| Integumentary System | 3 | |
| Legs Cyberware | 1 |
Each slot type accommodates different categories of cyberware, offering unique active abilities or passive buffs. For example, the Operating System slot includes powerful enhancements like Sandevistans, Berserks, and various Netrunner decks. Sandevistans, such as the Zetatech Sandevistan, focus on slowing time and boosting damage, while Berserks like the Moore Tech Berserk allow V to enter a state where health cannot drop below 25% and melee damage is enhanced. Netrunner operating systems, such as the Tetratronic Rippler MK.4, enhance quickhacking capabilities, allowing for quickhacks on enemies and devices while scanning, and boosting quickhack damage or spread.
Specific examples of cyberware found in the Operating System slot include:
| Operating System | Cost | Capacity | Key Features
| Zetatech Sandevistan | $3,160 | 20 | Slows time by 30% (+6% damage) on ground, 60% in midair (+12% damage, +30% headshot/weakspot damage, -30% fall damage). Max duration: 7 sec. Cooldown: 40 sec. |
| Moore Tech Berserk | $1,082 | 12 | Health cannot drop below 25%, melee weapons only, -100% stamina cost. Ends with +25% Health for each enemy neutralized. Duration: 8 sec. Cooldown: 60 sec. |
| Militech “Apogee” Sandevistan | $118,681 | | Slows time by 85% (V not slowed). +15% headshot damage, +15% Crit Chance, +15% Crit Damage. Neutralizing an enemy extends duration by 10% and gives +22% Stamina. Max Duration: 6 sec. Cooldown: 25 sec. |
| Tetratronic Rippler MK.4 | $47,197 | 16 | Perform quickhacks while scanning. +15% weapon damage vs. non-Combat quickhacked enemies. +40% damage with combat quickhacks if immediately followed by non-Combat quickhack. +5 Max RAM. |
Frontal Cortex cyberware includes implants like Axolotl, Bioconductor, and RAM Manager, focusing on passive buffs and various active effects to provide different combat tactics.
FAQ
What is Cyberware Capacity? Cyberware Capacity is a limit on the total amount of cyberware V can have installed. Each upgrade to V’s body contributes to this limit. Once reached, no more modifications can be equipped unless the “Edgerunner” perk is active.
How do I get armor in Cyberpunk 2077 after Patch 2.0? From Patch 2.0 onwards, armor is primarily obtained through specific Cyberwares, such as Integumentary System upgrades or Legs modifications.
Can I change cyberware whenever I want? No, cyberware cannot be changed on the fly by the player. It can only be augmented, replaced, or upgraded by visiting a Ripperdoc.
How do I unlock more cyberware slots? Some cyberware slots can be expanded. For example, a second Face Armor slot is unlocked during the main quest “Birds with Broken Wings,” a third Skeleton Cyberware slot is unlocked with the “License to Chrome” perk, and a second Hands Cyberware slot is unlocked with the “Ambidextrous” perk.
What are the different rarities of cyberware? Cyberware comes in various rarities, ranging from Common up to Legendary.