Build Overview
The best Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077, as of the 2.0 update, focuses on maximizing Intelligence and Technical Ability to leverage powerful quickhacks, supported by Reflexes for mobility and Cool for stealth and critical damage. This build excels at taking out groups of enemies before they even detect you, utilizing queued quickhacks for devastating combos. To reach its full potential, aim for Level 50 in the base game, and Level 60 with the Phantom Liberty expansion for additional attribute and perk points.
This build emphasizes stealth and strategic engagement, allowing you to control the battlefield from a distance. While direct gunfights can be challenging, the ability to incapacitate or eliminate foes through the network makes you a formidable force. The 2.0 update significantly enhanced quickhack queuing, opening up new tactical possibilities for Netrunners.
Attributes and Perks
Your attribute allocation is crucial for this Netrunner build, with Intelligence and Technical Ability being primary focuses. Intelligence directly boosts your RAM capacity, which is essential for deploying multiple quickhacks. Technical Ability enhances your cyberware, improving quickhack damage and RAM recovery. Reflexes provide increased mobility and critical chance, while Cool contributes to stealth and critical damage. For those with Phantom Liberty, allocating additional points to Body at higher levels improves survivability.
The following table outlines the ideal attribute spread and key perks for this build:
| Attribute | Level (Base Game) | Level (Phantom Liberty) | Key Perks (Rookie -> Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body | 6 | 16 | Painkiller, Speed Junkie, Comeback Kid, Army of One |
| Reflex | 15 | 15 | Slippery, Muscle Memory, Multitasker -> Dash (2/2), Ready, Rested, Reloaded (2/2) -> Sharpshooter (3/3), Price Makes Perfect |
| Technical Ability | 15 | 15 | 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 |
| Intelligence | 20 | 20 | 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 | 15 | 15 | Killer Instinct -> Focus (2/2), Rinse and Reload, No Sweat -> Deadeye (3/3), California Reaper, Long Shot -> Nerves of Tungsten-Steel |
The Intelligence tree contains many essential perks for maximizing your quickhack potential, including those that improve queueing, RAM management, and damage output. Technical Ability perks like All Things Cyber and License to Chrome are vital for enhancing your cyberware, which is integral to the Netrunner playstyle. Reflexes and Cool provide crucial combat and stealth benefits, respectively, allowing for versatile engagement options.
Recommended Gear
Optimal gear for a Netrunner build focuses on cyberware that boosts RAM, quickhack efficiency, and provides tactical advantages, alongside smart weapons for ranged combat and the Monowire for close-quarters engagements.
Weapons
Smart Weapons are highly recommended due to their auto-targeting capabilities, which synergize well with a Netrunner’s focus on indirect combat. The Monowire is also a top choice for melee.
| Weapon | Type | Tier | Location/Acquisition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimestopper | Smart Pistol | 5+ Iconic | Gig: Heaviest of Hearts (Golden Pacific), in the DA’s pink suitcase | Faster lock-on, 50% increased Crit Damage |
| Pizdets | Smart SMG | 5+ Iconic | Looted from Boris Ribakov (Gig: Spy in the Jungle) | Built-in silencer, fire rate increases with consecutive shots, synergizes with Targeting Prism perk |
| Hercules 3AX | Smart Assault Rifle | Gig: Roads to Redemption | Alternative to Pizdets if different ammo type is preferred | |
| Monowire | Arms Cyberware | Any Ripperdoc | Best melee for Netrunners, enables launching Control quickhacks with Jailbreak Relic Perk |
The Crimestopper is excellent for critical damage, while the Pizdets offers a stealthy approach with increasing fire rate. The Monowire, now classified as Arms Cyberware, is particularly potent with the Jailbreak Relic Perk, allowing you to embed quickhacks into your melee attacks.
Cyberware
The Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 Cyberdeck is the most critical piece of cyberware, offering the highest base RAM slots. For quickhacks, a mix of Combat and Control options is ideal for pre-combat advantage and in-fight crowd control.
| Cyberware Slot | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 Cyberdeck | Highest base RAM slots; crucial for quickhack capacity. |
| Frontal Cortex | Ex-Disk | Faster quickhack upload, additional RAM slots. |
| Frontal Cortex | RAM Upgrade | Improved RAM recovery rate, additional RAM slots. |
| Frontal Cortex | Camillo RAM Manager | Improved RAM recovery rate, additional RAM slots. |
| Hands | Smart Link | Must-have for any Netrunner, enhances Smart Weapon performance. |
For quickhacks, consider Synapse Burnout and Overheat for Combat, Cripple Movement and Cyberware Malfunction for Control, and System Collapse as an Ultimate quickhack. Untraceable quickhacks like System Collapse, Memory Wipe, and Sonic Shock are invaluable for stealth runs. While there are extra slots, RAM limitations mean you cannot stack all quickhacks. The RAM Upgrade can be swapped for a Kerenzikov Boost System if you prefer more gun-focused combat over Monowire.
Playstyle Tips
The Netrunner playstyle thrives on stealth and strategic planning, allowing you to neutralize threats before direct engagement. Your primary goal is to remain undetected for as long as possible, using quickhacks to disable enemies, manipulate the environment, and eliminate targets from a distance.
Begin encounters by scanning the area and identifying high-priority targets. Use untraceable quickhacks like System Collapse or Memory Wipe to take down isolated enemies or disrupt surveillance systems without alerting others. When engaging groups, leverage the quickhack queue to chain together powerful combos. For example, you might use Cyberware Malfunction on a heavily armored foe, followed by Synapse Burnout, or Cripple Movement to slow down multiple attackers before unleashing an Overheat.
If stealth breaks, your Smart Weapons and Monowire become crucial. The Pizdets, with its increasing fire rate and built-in silencer, can help regain control or eliminate remaining threats. The Monowire, especially with the Jailbreak Relic Perk, offers a powerful melee option that can apply quickhack effects directly to enemies, providing a unique blend of close-quarters combat and hacking. Managing your RAM is key; the recommended Frontal Cortex cyberware will aid in recovery, ensuring your quickhacks are frequently available.
FAQ
What are the most important attributes for a Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0? Intelligence and Technical Ability are the most important attributes, as they directly impact your RAM capacity, quickhack damage, and cyberware efficiency.
Which Cyberdeck is best for a Netrunner? The Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 Cyberdeck is considered the best due to its high base RAM slots, which are crucial for a Netrunner.
Can I still use the Monowire with this build after the 2.0 update? Yes, the Monowire is still an excellent choice for Netrunners. It’s now classified as Arms Cyberware and synergizes particularly well with the Jailbreak Relic Perk, allowing you to launch Control quickhacks with it.
What quickhacks should I prioritize? For combat, Synapse Burnout and Overheat are strong. For control, Cripple Movement and Cyberware Malfunction are effective. System Collapse is an excellent ultimate quickhack, and untraceable options like Memory Wipe and Sonic Shock are vital for stealth.
Is this build viable without the Phantom Liberty DLC? Yes, the core Netrunner build is viable in the base game. However, Phantom Liberty allows you to reach Level 60, granting additional attribute and perk points that further enhance the build, particularly through the Relic skill tree and increased Body attribute for survivability.