To create a powerful Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077 focusing on Intelligence and Cool, prioritize pumping Intelligence to 6 points during character creation. Follow this by investing in Technical Ability, aiming for an initial spread like Intelligence 6, Technical Ability 5, Body 3, Reflexes 3, Cool 5. For the 2.0 update, target 20 Intelligence and 20 Cool, supported by specific perks, the Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 Cyberdeck, and Smart Weapons like the Crimestopper and Pizdets.
Starting Attributes and Early Game
Building an effective Netrunner starts at character creation, as attribute points are costly to respec later. Every character begins with 3 points in each of the five core attributes: Body, Intelligence, Reflexes, Technical Ability, and Cool. You then receive an additional 7 points to distribute, with a cap of adding only 3 points to any single attribute at this stage, bringing your total to 22 points. For a Netrunner, Intelligence is paramount, as it directly governs Quickhacking, Breach Protocol, and increases your Cyberdeck RAM.
It is highly recommended to immediately push your Intelligence to 6 points during character creation. This early investment unlocks critical perks sooner and accelerates your ability to craft better Quickhacks. Your secondary focus should be Technical Ability, which is crucial for crafting, upgrading gear, and opening locked doors when hacking isn’t an option. A balanced starting distribution for a Netrunner could be: Intelligence 6, Technical Ability 5, Body 3, Reflexes 3, Cool 5. This provides a strong foundation in your primary stats while maintaining some utility. Mistakes in attribute distribution are expensive, as respecing costs 100,000 Eurodollars via the Tabula E-Rasa shard from a ripperdoc, a prohibitive sum in the early game. With roughly 49 more attribute points earned by level 50, you can realistically only max out three attributes, so committing to Intelligence and its supporting stats early is key.
Essential Quickhacks and Cyberdecks
Once your attributes are set, acquiring the right digital tools is the next step. Your power as a Netrunner stems from your Quickhacks and Cyberdeck. The first critical Quickhack to acquire is Ping. You receive Ping as a reward for completing the gig ‘The Gift’ from T-Bug in the Watson district. Ping is invaluable as it allows you to scan an area and reveal all cameras, turrets, and networked devices through walls, enabling strategic planning and safe hacking.
Your primary damage-dealing Quickhacks for early combat should be Short Circuit and Overheat. Short Circuit is effective against mechanical enemies and robots, delivering significant damage. Overheat is your go-to for organic targets, applying a powerful damage-over-time (DoT) effect. These two Quickhacks can handle the majority of early combat encounters. Always use Ping first in any new area to gain full situational awareness before engaging.
Your starting Militech Paraline cyberdeck is rudimentary. Your first major upgrade should be an Epic OS Upgrade, obtainable from Viktor Vektor in Watson’s Little China after paying off your 21,000 Eurodollar debt to him and reaching Street Cred level 10. This upgrade, which might be a Tetratronic Mk.3 or Biotech Σ Mk.3, significantly boosts your max RAM, provides more quickhack slots, and offers passive bonuses like increased quickhack damage or faster RAM recovery.
2.0 Netrunner Attribute and Perk Spread
The 2.0 update brought significant changes to Cyberpunk 2077’s perk system, allowing for more specialized builds. To maximize a Netrunner build, especially when reaching Level 50 or Level 60 (with Phantom Liberty), a specific attribute distribution is recommended. This build focuses heavily on Intelligence and Cool, with supporting attributes for survivability and utility.
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