Build Overview
The best Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077 2.1, as of June 22, 2026, prioritizes high Intelligence and Technical Ability to maximize quickhack damage, RAM capacity, and cyberware efficiency, enabling stealthy takedowns and powerful quickhack combos. This build excels at eliminating groups of enemies before detection, leveraging the ability to queue multiple quickhacks introduced in Update 2.0.
This Netrunner build focuses on becoming a master hacker, capable of neutralizing threats from a distance or through walls using a suite of powerful quickhacks. While incredibly potent, its full potential is realized through stealth, as direct gunfights can be challenging due to its reliance on staying undetected. The playstyle involves careful planning and execution of quickhack sequences to control and eliminate enemies efficiently.
| Category | Key Components |
|---|---|
| Main Attributes | Intelligence, Technical Ability |
| Core Quickhacks | Memory Wipe, Contagion, Overheat, Cyberware Malfunction, Short Circuit |
| Operating System | Tetratronic Rippler Mk.5 |
| Primary Weapons | Monowire, Smart Weapons (Crimestopper, Pizdets, Hercules 3AX) |
| Strengths | Powerful quickhack combos, stealth takedowns, area denial |
| Weaknesses | Vulnerable in direct firefights if detected |
Attributes and Perks
To optimize your Netrunner for version 2.1, focus primarily on Intelligence and Technical Ability. Intelligence directly boosts your maximum RAM capacity, which is crucial for uploading quickhacks, your primary source of damage. Technical Ability enhances your cyberware, increasing quickhack damage and accelerating RAM recovery. For added survivability and critical capabilities, invest in Reflexes for mobility and crit chance, and Cool for improved stealth and crit damage. With the Phantom Liberty DLC, the level cap increases to 60, allowing for additional attribute points. These extra points are best allocated to Body for increased health and overall survivability.
Attribute Progression (Base Game & Phantom Liberty)
| Level | Body | Reflex | Tech | Intel | Cool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| 10 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 3 |
| 50 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 15 |
| 60 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 15 |
The table above illustrates a recommended attribute distribution. The base game allows for a maximum level of 50, while Phantom Liberty extends this to 60, granting 10 additional attribute points. These points are best used to enhance Body for improved health and resilience.
Key Perks
The following perks are essential for maximizing the Netrunner’s effectiveness. This list assumes reaching maximum level 60 with the Phantom Liberty DLC.
| Attribute | Essential Perks --- slug: best-netrunner-build-2-1 title: “The Ultimate Netrunner Build for Cyberpunk 2077 2.1” description: “Optimize your Netrunner in Cyberpunk 2077 2.1 with this comprehensive guide covering attributes, perks, cyberware, and quickhacks for unparalleled hacking prowess.” updated: “August 31, 2026” intent: “generic” volume: 0 toc:
- { id: “build-overview”, label: “Build Overview” }
- { id: “attribute-priority”, label: “Attribute Priority and Progression” }
- { id: “essential-perks”, label: “Essential Perks for a Netrunner” }
- { id: “key-cyberware-and-quickhacks”, label: “Key Cyberware and Quickhacks” }
- { id: “faq”, label: “FAQ” }
Build Overview
For the best Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077 2.1, as of June 22, 2026, you should prioritize maximizing Intelligence and Technical Ability. This foundation allows for powerful quickhack usage, extensive RAM capacity, and enhanced cyberware functionality. The core strategy revolves around leveraging quickhacks like Memory Wipe, Contagion, Overheat, Cyberware Malfunction, and Short Circuit, often in combination, to neutralize enemies before they can react or even detect you. The Tetratronic Rippler Mk.5 Operating System is central to this approach, enabling advanced quickhack queuing.
This build emphasizes stealth and strategic engagement, allowing you to clear areas by systematically taking down targets with quickhacks. The ability to queue multiple quickhacks, a significant enhancement in Update 2.0, makes complex and devastating combos possible. While incredibly effective from stealth, direct confrontations can be less forgiving, requiring careful positioning and resource management. The Monowire serves as an excellent melee option, especially with the Jailbreak Relic Perk from Phantom Liberty, allowing you to apply control quickhacks directly. Smart Weapons like the Crimestopper and Pizdets provide ranged support when needed, benefiting from the high Intelligence investment.
Attribute Priority and Progression
To build an effective Netrunner, your attribute points should primarily focus on Intelligence and Technical Ability. Intelligence directly impacts your maximum RAM capacity, which is vital for sustained quickhack use. Technical Ability enhances your cyberware, leading to increased quickhack damage and faster RAM recovery rates. For secondary benefits, invest in Reflexes to gain increased mobility and critical chance, and Cool for improved stealth capabilities and critical damage.
With the Phantom Liberty DLC, the maximum level increases to 60, providing an additional 10 attribute points. These extra points are best allocated to Body to significantly boost your health and overall survivability, making you more resilient if stealth breaks.
Recommended Attribute Distribution
| Level | Body | Reflex | Technical Ability | Intelligence | Cool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| 10 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 3 |
| 50 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 15 |
| 60 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 15 |
This progression prioritizes Intelligence early on to establish your hacking foundation, followed by Technical Ability. Reflexes and Cool are then brought up to 15 to secure their respective benefits. The final 10 points from the Phantom Liberty DLC are placed into Body, transforming a potentially fragile hacker into a more robust combatant capable of withstanding some direct hits.
Essential Perks for a Netrunner
Leveraging the full potential of a Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077 2.1 requires a strategic selection of perks across multiple attribute trees. These perks enhance your quickhack capabilities, RAM management, stealth, and even provide some combat utility. The following table outlines key perks, assuming you’ve reached the maximum level 60 with the Phantom Liberty DLC.
Core Netrunner Perks
| Attribute | Perk Name(s) |
Key Cyberware and Quickhacks
For a Netrunner to dominate Night City, specific cyberware and quickhacks are indispensable. The right combination ensures maximum RAM efficiency, swift quickhack uploads, and potent effects that can turn the tide of any encounter.
Essential Cyberware
The most crucial piece of cyberware for this build is the Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 Cyberdeck. It offers the highest base RAM slots, providing the foundation for your quickhack arsenal. Beyond the cyberdeck, optimizing your Frontal Cortex is key for RAM management.
| Slot | Item | Effect | Notes