Cyberpunk 2077 Edgerunners Build: The Ultimate David Martinez Guide

Master the David Martinez build in Cyberpunk 2077 with this guide covering attributes, perks, cyberware, and weapons for a Sandevistan-focused playstyle.

Cyberpunk 2077 Edgerunners Build: The Ultimate David Martinez Guide — illustration

David Martinez Build Overview

To create an effective David Martinez build in Cyberpunk 2077, focus on maximizing Technical Ability, Body, and Reflexes, with the Militech ā€œApogeeā€ Sandevistan as your core Operating System, complemented by the Projectile Launch System and iconic weapons like Guts and the Malorian Arms 3516. This build, as of Patch 2.5, emphasizes slowing time, high mobility, and explosive close-quarters combat, mirroring David’s progression in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

This build centers around the Militech ā€œApogeeā€ Sandevistan, allowing players to slow time significantly while gaining critical bonuses. It leverages Technical Ability for enhanced cyberware performance and explosive damage, Body for survivability and shotgun effectiveness, and Reflexes for pistol combat and movement speed. The playstyle involves initiating combat with the Sandevistan, deploying arm rockets into groups, and finishing off enemies with shotguns or pistols. While powerful in direct combat, it sacrifices stealth capabilities. The build is designed to replicate David Martinez’s late-show appearance, heavily chromed and utilizing military-grade cyberware.

CategoryKey ComponentsDescription
Main AttributesTechnical Ability, Body, Reflexes, CoolPrioritizes cyberware efficiency, health, and combat prowess.
Operating SystemMilitech ā€œApogeeā€ SandevistanCore of the build; slows time by 85%, grants crit bonuses.
Arm CyberwareProjectile Launch SystemDelivers explosive area damage, especially when overcharged.
Main WeaponsGuts, Malorian Arms 3516, O’FiveIconic shotgun, pistol, and sniper for varied engagements.
StrengthsHigh damage during Sandevistan, explosive power, high armor, movement speed.Excels in direct, aggressive combat.
WeaknessesZero stealth, less well-rounded than other builds, weapon perks spread.Not suited for covert operations.

Attributes and Perks

Attribute distribution is crucial for the David Martinez build, prioritizing Technical Ability, Body, and Reflexes to enhance cyberware, survivability, and weapon effectiveness, respectively. Cool is also a valuable attribute for additional utility. The specific progression of these attributes ensures that key perks are unlocked at appropriate stages of the game, allowing the build to scale effectively.

The perk selection further refines the build’s capabilities. Technical Ability perks boost the effectiveness of the Projectile Launch System, treating its projectiles like grenades and enhancing their damage and utility. Body perks increase health, armor, and shotgun efficiency, making V more resilient and deadly in close quarters. Reflexes perks improve pistol handling, critical hits, and overall mobility, which is vital for maintaining pressure during Sandevistan activations. Relic perks, especially ā€œJailbreak,ā€ are essential for maximizing the Projectile Launch System’s potential by allowing it to fire multiple rockets.

Attribute Progression (Example)

While specific level-by-level attribute breakdowns vary, the general priority is as follows:

  1. Technical Ability: Max this early to unlock powerful cyberware perks and enhance the Projectile Launch System.
  2. Body: Invest heavily for health, armor, and shotgun damage.
  3. Reflexes: Develop this for pistol effectiveness, critical chance, and movement.
  4. Cool: Allocate remaining points for utility perks.

Key Perks

The following perks are fundamental to the David Martinez build, as of November 3, 2026:

AttributePerk NameEffect
Technical AbilityDoomlauncherIncreases Projectile Launch System charges and recharge speed.
Launch Capacity OverrideGrants additional Projectile Launch System charges.
PyromaniaStacks grant explosion damage and movement speed; 5 stacks return a charge.
Burn This CityAt 5 Pyromania stacks, restores a Projectile Launch System charge.
Heat ShieldPyromania stacks provide Mitigation Chance.
Friendlier FireReduces self-damage from explosions.
BodyDie! Die! Die!Enhances shotgun damage.
Spontaneous ObliterationFurther improves shotgun performance.
BloodlustDismemberments feed Adrenaline Rush.
ReflexesFocusImproves headshot accuracy.
DeadeyeBoosts critical damage for headshots.
Run ā€˜N’ GunMakes hip-fire more effective while moving.
Relic (Phantom Liberty)JailbreakAllows overcharging the Projectile Launch System for up to 5 projectiles.

These perks synergize to create a highly aggressive playstyle. For instance, combining ā€œPyromaniaā€ and ā€œBurn This Cityā€ with the ā€œProjectile Launch Systemā€ allows for sustained explosive damage, while ā€œHeat Shieldā€ and ā€œFriendlier Fireā€ mitigate the risks of close-range explosions. Body perks ensure you can withstand the damage you’ll inevitably take in close combat, and Reflexes perks make your pistol a reliable tool for precision damage during Sandevistan windows.

Essential Cyberware and Weapons

The David Martinez build heavily relies on specific cyberware to replicate his chromed-up appearance and abilities from the anime. The Militech ā€œApogeeā€ Sandevistan is the cornerstone, providing significant time dilation and combat bonuses. Complementing this is the Projectile Launch System, which delivers explosive area-of-effect damage. Beyond these core pieces, other cyberware selections enhance survivability, critical chance, and overall combat effectiveness, making V a formidable force.

Weapon choices are equally important, with iconic firearms that echo David’s arsenal or provide optimal synergy with the build’s perks. The Malorian Arms 3516 offers high headshot damage and armor penetration, while Guts provides devastating close-range shotgun power. The O’Five sniper rifle serves as a long-range option with explosive rounds. While David uses weapons like the M-10AF Lexington and DB-2 Satara in the anime, the recommended iconic weapons offer superior performance within the game’s mechanics.

Must-Have Cyberware

These cyberware pieces are critical for achieving the David Martinez playstyle:

Cyberware SlotItemKey Stats/Effects
Operating SystemMilitech ā€œApogeeā€ SandevistanSlows time by 85%, +15% Headshot Damage, +15% Crit Chance, +15% Crit Damage.
ArmsProjectile Launch System+30% Physical Damage, +25% Explosion Radius, +40% Dismemberment Chance.
SkeletonEpimorphic Skeleton+15% Max HP, 250 Armor.
OpticsKiroshi ā€œCockatriceā€ Optics+35% Crit Chance.

The Militech ā€œApogeeā€ Sandevistan is the heart of this build, allowing you to dominate fights by slowing down time. Its bonuses to headshot damage and critical chance/damage are crucial for maximizing your damage output during its active window. The Projectile Launch System, especially when overcharged with the ā€œJailbreakā€ Relic perk, becomes your primary tool for crowd control and burst damage. Epimorphic Skeleton and Kiroshi ā€œCockatriceā€ Optics further enhance your survivability and critical hit potential, making you both tankier and more lethal.

Must-Have Weapons

These weapons are recommended for the David Martinez build due to their synergy and iconic status:

Weapon TypeItemKey Characteristics
PistolMalorian Arms 3516High headshot damage, armor penetration, iconic.
ShotgunGutsVery high close-range damage, faster firing rate, iconic.
Sniper RifleO’FiveExplosive rounds, long-range capabilities, iconic.

The Malorian Arms 3516 is excellent for precise headshots during Sandevistan or at mid-range. Guts is your primary close-quarters weapon, benefiting immensely from Body perks and dismemberment effects. The O’Five provides a powerful option for engaging distant threats or heavily armored enemies with its explosive rounds. While anime-accurate weapons like the Lexington and Satara can be used, these iconic alternatives offer superior performance and synergy with the chosen perks.

Playstyle and Strategy

The David Martinez build is designed for aggressive, in-your-face combat, mirroring David’s late-game fighting style. The core strategy revolves around the Militech ā€œApogeeā€ Sandevistan, which should be activated at the start of every engagement. This slows time, allowing you to reposition, line up critical shots, and unleash your Projectile Launch System. Maintaining momentum and extending the Sandevistan’s duration through kills are key to maximizing your effectiveness.

Combat initiation typically involves activating the Sandevistan, then immediately firing overcharged arm rockets into groups of enemies. This creates chaos and deals significant initial damage. Following the explosion, switch to your shotgun (Guts) for close-range clean-up, leveraging its high damage and dismemberment potential. For enemies at medium range or those requiring precision, the Malorian Arms 3516 pistol is ideal for headshots. The O’Five sniper rifle is reserved for long-range threats that cannot be reached by rockets or other firearms. Remember that every kill extends your Sandevistan, and perks like ā€œNewton Moduleā€ and ā€œCyborgā€ further enhance its uptime and cooldown, allowing for near-constant time manipulation.

Combat Flow Summary

  1. Initiate: Activate Militech ā€œApogeeā€ Sandevistan. The ā€œTicking Time Bombā€ effect (if equipped) will stun nearby enemies.
  2. Explode: While time is slowed, use the Projectile Launch System. Hold the button to overcharge for 5 rockets (with ā€œJailbreakā€) into the largest enemy groups. Single rockets can target individual threats or mechs.
  3. Close-Quarters: Switch to Guts (shotgun) for enemies up close. Leverage Body perks for maximum impact and Adrenaline Rush generation.
  4. Mid-Range Precision: Use Malorian Arms 3516 (pistol) for headshots on mid-range targets, benefiting from Reflexes perks.
  5. Long-Range: For distant threats, use the O’Five (sniper) with its explosive rounds.
  6. Sustain: Keep getting kills to extend Sandevistan duration and reduce its cooldown. Use Pyromania stacks to regain rocket charges and boost explosion damage.

This aggressive loop ensures you are constantly dealing damage, controlling the battlefield, and staying mobile. The build’s high armor mitigation and health, combined with reduced self-damage from explosions, allow you to take risks and fight directly in the thick of combat, just like David.

FAQ

What is the core of the David Martinez build in Cyberpunk 2077? The core of the David Martinez build is the Militech ā€œApogeeā€ Sandevistan Operating System, which slows time by 85% and provides significant combat bonuses, combined with the Projectile Launch System for explosive damage.

Which attributes should I prioritize for the David Martinez build? You should prioritize Technical Ability, Body, and Reflexes. Technical Ability enhances cyberware, Body boosts health and shotgun damage, and Reflexes improves pistol combat and mobility.

What are the must-have cyberware pieces for this build? Essential cyberware includes the Militech ā€œApogeeā€ Sandevistan, Projectile Launch System, Epimorphic Skeleton, and Kiroshi ā€œCockatriceā€ Optics.

Which weapons are best for the David Martinez build? Recommended weapons are the Malorian Arms 3516 (pistol), Guts (shotgun), and O’Five (sniper rifle). While David uses a Lexington and Satara in the anime, these iconic options offer better in-game synergy.

Does this build use stealth? No, this build has zero stealth capabilities. It is designed for direct, aggressive combat.

How do I use the Projectile Launch System effectively? With the ā€œJailbreakā€ Relic perk, hold the fire button to overcharge the Projectile Launch System, launching up to five rockets. Use this for groups of enemies, and single rockets for individual targets or mechs. Perks like ā€œDoomlauncherā€ and ā€œPyromaniaā€ further enhance its effectiveness.