To excel on Very Hard difficulty as a Netrunner in Cyberpunk 2077, prioritize maxing Intelligence to 20, equip a high-tier Cyberdeck like the Arasaka HAK-5 or Tetratronic Rippler, and strategically use quickhacks such as Contagion and Memory Wipe to control and eliminate enemies from a distance. This build focuses on maximizing RAM capacity and quickhack upload speed, allowing you to clear entire areas without direct combat.
Build Overview and Core Attributes
The Netrunner build is designed for players who prefer to engage enemies indirectly, utilizing quickhacks as their primary method of damage and crowd control. While the early game (levels 1-20) can feel challenging due to limited RAM and lower hack damage, by level 30 and beyond, this build transforms into one of the most powerful archetypes in Cyberpunk 2077. The core strategy involves staying at range, using quickhacks to neutralize threats, and avoiding direct engagements whenever possible. Investing in Intelligence first and foremost is crucial, as it directly impacts RAM capacity, unlocks higher-tier quickhacks, and boosts hack damage.
Your attribute distribution should heavily favor Intelligence, with supporting points in Cool and Technical Ability. Reflexes are not needed for this build, as direct combat is avoided.
| Attribute | Target | Why | Key Perks Unlocked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 20 | RAM capacity, quickhack tiers, hack damage scaling | Queue Scaling, RAM Recovery, Hack Ramp-Up, all Cyberpunk tiers |
| Cool | 12 | Stealth synergy for invisible hacking | Dead Silence, Low Profile, True Aim |
| Technical Ability | 12 | Cyberware capacity for Cyberdeck and RAM implants | License to Chrome, Edgerunner, Cyborg |
| Body | 8 | Minimum health pool for survival if hacks fail | Painkiller, Adrenaline Rush |
| Reflexes | 3 | Not needed for direct combat | None |
Intelligence perks like Queue Scaling, RAM Recovery, and Hack Ramp-Up are essential for maximizing quickhack efficiency. Cool perks such as Dead Silence and Low Profile enhance stealth, allowing you to remain undetected while hacking. Technical Ability is important for increasing your cyberware capacity, enabling you to equip more powerful implants that support your hacking. The suggested Body attribute provides a minimal health buffer, as direct combat is generally avoided.
Essential Quickhacks and Playstyle
Quickhacks are the core offensive and defensive tools for a Netrunner. A well-chosen arsenal allows for versatile engagement, from revealing enemies through walls to eliminating them silently. Contagion is particularly important for its area-of-effect capabilities, especially when combined with System Collapse. Memory Wipe, especially with the Phantom Liberty Data Wipe relic perk, can also become a potent room-clearing tool.
| Quickhack | Tier | RAM Cost | Effect | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ping | 1 | 3 | Reveal enemy positions through walls | ⭐ Mandatory — always keep equipped |
| Reboot Optics | 1 | 4 | Blind a single enemy temporarily | High — disables threats without combat |
| Weapon Glitch | 1 | 4 | Jam enemy weapons temporarily | High — neutralizes armed enemies |
| Short Circuit | 2 | 6 | Damage robotic enemies and turrets | ⭐ Mandatory — essential for turrets |
| Contagion | 2 | 6 | Infect target — spreads to nearby enemies | ⭐⭐ Mandatory — your main AoE damage |
| Synapse Burnout | 3 | 8 | High damage to organic targets | High — single-target nuker |
| Memory Wipe | 3 | 10 | Completely erase an enemy (stealth) | ⭐ Mandatory — removes enemies without alert |
| Cyberware Malf. | 4 | 8 | Disable enemy cyberware temporarily | Medium — situational |
| Suicide | 4 | 16 | Force enemy to kill themselves | ⭐ Mandatory — ultimate single-target delete |
| System Collapse | 4 | 14 | Massive AoE damage over time | High — room-clear with Contagion spread |
Contagion is arguably the most critical quickhack; at Tier 2, it can spread from one infected target to all nearby enemies. Combined with the Phantom Liberty Data Wipe relic perk, Memory Wipe can also spread, transforming it into a room-clearing quickhack rather than just a single-target stealth tool. Ping is indispensable for reconnaissance, allowing you to locate enemies and plan your attacks without entering their line of sight. Short Circuit is vital for dealing with robotic enemies and turrets, which can be challenging otherwise. The playstyle revolves around using Ping to identify threats, then initiating with Contagion to spread damage, followed by Synapse Burnout or Suicide for high-priority targets. Memory Wipe is excellent for stealth takedowns without alerting others.
Optimal Cyberdeck and Cyberware
The Cyberdeck is the Netrunner’s operating system, dictating RAM slots, quickhack slots, and upload speed. Upgrading your Cyberdeck provides the most significant power increase for this build. Complementary cyberware focuses on RAM recovery, hack damage bonuses, and survivability, as you are fragile in direct combat.
| Cyberdeck | RAM Slots | Quickhack Slots | Best For | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Cyberdeck | 2 | 2 | Levels 1-10 (early game) | Default — replace ASAP |
| Kiroshi “Ursine” | 3 | 3 | Levels 10-20 (mid-game) | Affordable upgrade — good RAM increase |
| Netwatch “NetBurner” | 3 | 4 | Levels 15-25 (transition) | More quickhack slots for versatility |
| Tetratronic “Rippler” | 4 | 4 | Levels 25+ (endgame) | ⭐ Best overall — max RAM + slots |
| Arasaka “HAK-5” | 4 | 5 | Levels 30+ (endgame) | ⭐ Best quickhack capacity — 5 hack slots |
| Militech “Paraline” | 4 | 4 | Levels 25+ (endgame) | Balanced — good upload speed |
The Arasaka HAK-5 is considered the ultimate Netrunner Cyberdeck, offering 4 RAM slots and 5 quickhack slots. This capacity allows you to queue multiple quickhacks simultaneously, such as Contagion, Memory Wipe, Ping, Weapon Glitch, and Short Circuit, significantly enhancing your combat effectiveness. The Tetratronic Rippler is also an excellent endgame choice, providing max RAM and slots. For general cyberware, prioritize items that boost RAM recovery, increase hack damage, and provide some survivability.
| Slot | Recommended Cyberware | Effect | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Arasaka HAK-5 Cyberdeck | 4 RAM + 5 quickhack slots — maximum hacking capacity | ⭐⭐ Mandatory |
| Frontal Cortex | Ex-Disk | Faster quickhack upload speed + RAM slots | High |
| Frontal Cortex | RAM Upgrade | RAM recovery rate + RAM slots | High |
| Frontal Cortex | Camillo RAM Manager | RAM recovery rate + RAM slots | High |
| Nervous System | Biosystem Monitor | Slow-mo while hacking (survival) | High |
| Eyes | Kiroshi Optics | Enhances vision, often comes with RAM recovery bonuses | High |
| Arms | Projectile Launch System | Emergency ranged option when hacks are on cooldown | Medium |
The Ex-Disk, RAM Upgrade, and Camillo RAM Manager are crucial for maintaining your RAM pool, ensuring quickhacks are always available. The Biosystem Monitor provides a crucial slow-motion effect while hacking, offering a moment of reprieve and helping with survivability if you are detected. Kiroshi Optics can provide additional RAM recovery bonuses, further bolstering your hacking capabilities. The Projectile Launch System offers a backup ranged attack if your quickhacks are on cooldown, though direct combat should still be avoided.
FAQ
Why does this build feel weak in the early game? The Netrunner build relies heavily on high Intelligence, a top-tier Cyberdeck, and advanced quickhacks to reach its full potential. In the early game (levels 1-20), you have limited RAM, fewer powerful quickhacks, and lower attribute points, which translates to modest damage and slower hack speeds. Patience and consistent investment in Intelligence are key to overcoming this initial hurdle.
What is the most important quickhack for this build? Contagion is arguably the most important quickhack. At Tier 2, it can infect one target and spread to all nearby enemies, making it your primary area-of-effect damage tool. When combined with System Collapse, it can clear entire rooms.
Which Cyberdeck is best for this build? The Arasaka HAK-5 is considered the ultimate Netrunner Cyberdeck, offering 4 RAM slots and 5 quickhack slots, allowing for maximum quickhack queuing capacity. The Tetratronic Rippler is also an excellent endgame alternative.
How important is stealth for a Netrunner? Stealth is very important. The Netrunner build is designed to operate from a distance and avoid direct combat. Perks like Dead Silence and Low Profile from the Cool attribute enhance your ability to remain undetected while hacking, allowing you to neutralize enemies before they even know you’re there. Ping is also critical for scouting enemy positions through walls.