The Relic Skill Tree in Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty DLC provides significant upgrades to V’s Cyberware, enhancing combat capabilities and survivability. To begin utilizing it, you must start the Phantom Liberty DLC questline, where Songbird will grant initial Relic points. Subsequent points are acquired by exploring Dogtown and finding unmarked Militech Data Terminals.
Relic Skill Tree Overview
The Relic Skill Tree is a new, exclusive feature introduced with the Phantom Liberty DLC for Cyberpunk 2077, designed to provide additional upgrades specifically for V’s Cyberware. These enhancements significantly boost the effectiveness of cybernetic abilities in combat and introduce new strategic options. Unlike Perk points, which are earned through character leveling, Relic points are acquired solely through exploration within the new Dogtown area. There are a total of nine distinct Relic Skills available, each tailored to improve V’s cybernetic functions. When combined with the new Perks also introduced in Phantom Liberty, these skills can facilitate exceptionally powerful and specialized character builds.
Acquiring Relic Points and Unlocking Skills
To access and begin allocating points within the Relic Skill Tree, players must first initiate the Phantom Liberty DLC questline. A key character in the expansion, Songbird, will provide V with the initial Relic points necessary to activate the Relic Skill Tree interface. This initial allocation allows players to start customizing their cyberware.
Further Relic points are not obtained through traditional leveling up. Instead, players must actively seek out Militech Data Terminals scattered across the new Dogtown district. These terminals are not marked on the in-game map, requiring thorough exploration to locate them all. Collecting these points is crucial for fully developing V’s Relic abilities, as each skill demands a certain number of Relic points to unlock. The strategic acquisition of these points is vital for tailoring V’s cyberware to complement specific combat styles and preferences.
All Relic Skills and Their Effects
The Relic Skill Tree offers a diverse range of powerful enhancements, primarily focusing on V’s arm cyberware and stealth capabilities. Each skill provides unique combat advantages that can dramatically alter gameplay. The foundational skill, “Jailbreak,” unlocks advanced functions for all four arm cyberwares, paving the way for further specialization.
| Skill Name | Effect / Cyberware Description | Requires |
|---|---|---|
| Jailbreak | Unlocks new abilities for arm cyberwares: Mantis Blades, Gorilla Arms, Projectile Launch System, Monowire. | None |
| Spatial Mapping | Mantis Blades: All leap attacks cripple enemies and increase dismemberment chance for 10s. | Jailbreak |
| Limiter Removal | Gorilla Arms: Shockwave from fully charged attacks deals increased damage. | Jailbreak |
| Launch Capacity | Projectile Launch System: Increases the number of projectiles that can be overcharged. | Jailbreak |
| Data Tunneling | Monowire: Quickhacks uploaded via Monowire spread to 2 additional enemies. | Jailbreak |
| Vulnerability Analytics | All: Reveals Vulnerabilities on enemies. Hitting Vulnerabilities deals critical damage, increases critical chance by 10% for 7s, and grants +1 Relic point. | None |
| Machine Learning | Vulnerability Analytics: Destroying Vulnerabilities increases the chance of new ones appearing. | Vulnerability Analytics |
| Threat Calculator | All: Automatically highlights enemies within 10m who have detected you. | None |
| Sensory Protocol | Stealth: When crouched, being detected by an enemy triggers a short slowdown of time. | Threat Calculator |
The “Jailbreak” skill is a prerequisite for many arm cyberware enhancements. For example, with “Jailbreak,” the Projectile Launch System can be overcharged to fire five projectiles with a larger area of effect. Gorilla Arms can charge up with attacks, with a fully charged Strong attack dealing massive damage and creating a shockwave that staggers and sends enemies flying. Mantis Blades gain an enhanced Leap Attack with +30m reach, massive damage, and a wide slash, capable of dismembering enemies after a dismemberment or Finisher. The Monowire, when charged, gains a dedicated slot for Control quickhacks and can upload them without RAM cost.
Following “Jailbreak,” skills like “Spatial Mapping” further specialize Mantis Blades by crippling enemies and increasing dismemberment chance for 10 seconds with leap attacks. “Limiter Removal” enhances Gorilla Arms by increasing the damage of their shockwave. “Data Tunneling” significantly boosts the Monowire’s quickhack spreading capabilities, allowing quickhacks to spread to two additional enemies. “Vulnerability Analytics” is a universal combat enhancer that reveals weak points on enemies; hitting these vulnerabilities deals critical damage, increases critical chance by 10% for 7 seconds, and grants +1 Relic point. This skill is further enhanced by “Machine Learning,” which increases the chance of new vulnerabilities appearing after destroying existing ones. For stealth-oriented players, “Threat Calculator” automatically highlights detected enemies within 10 meters, and “Sensory Protocol” provides a short time slowdown when detected while crouched.
Relic Skill Synergies and Builds
While all Relic skills are powerful and eventually unlocking them all is encouraged, certain skills offer strong synergies with specific playstyles. As of June 22, 2026, here are some effective Relic build strategies that prioritize these synergies.
For a Melee Brawler Build focusing on Gorilla Arms or Mantis Blades, the core Relic skills are “Jailbreak,” “Limiter Removal,” and “Spatial Mapping.” “Jailbreak” is essential as it unlocks the advanced abilities for both arm cyberwares. “Limiter Removal” greatly increases the damage of the Gorilla Arms’ shockwave, making it highly effective for crowd control and burst damage. “Spatial Mapping” enhances Mantis Blades’ Leap Attacks, crippling enemies and increasing dismemberment chances, which is crucial for maintaining pressure in close-quarters combat.
For a Quickhack Specialist Build emphasizing the Monowire, “Jailbreak” and “Data Tunneling” are paramount. “Jailbreak” enables the Monowire to upload Control quickhacks without RAM cost when charged, providing significant tactical advantage. “Data Tunneling” further amplifies this by allowing quickhacks uploaded via Monowire to spread to two additional enemies, maximizing their impact in group engagements.
A General Combat Enhancer Build can benefit significantly from “Vulnerability Analytics” and “Machine Learning.” “Vulnerability Analytics” is a universal skill that reveals weak points on enemies, granting critical damage, a 10% critical chance increase for 7 seconds, and even a Relic point upon hitting them. “Machine Learning” enhances this by increasing the frequency of new vulnerabilities appearing, ensuring a consistent stream of weak points to exploit. These skills are valuable for any build seeking to maximize damage output and critical hit frequency.
For a Stealth and Control Build, “Threat Calculator” and “Sensory Protocol” are key. “Threat Calculator” provides crucial awareness by automatically highlighting enemies within 10 meters who have detected V. “Sensory Protocol” offers a critical escape or counter-opportunity by triggering a short slowdown of time when detected while crouched, allowing players to react and reposition effectively.
FAQ
How do I unlock the Relic Skill Tree? You must start the Phantom Liberty DLC questline, where Songbird will provide you with initial Relic points to activate the tree.
How do I get more Relic points? Additional Relic points are acquired by finding Militech Data Terminals scattered throughout Dogtown. These terminals are not marked on the in-game map.
Are Relic points earned through leveling up? No, unlike Perk points, Relic points are not earned through leveling up; they are solely found by exploring Dogtown.
Which Relic skill should I prioritize first? “Jailbreak” is a foundational skill that unlocks new abilities for all arm cyberwares and is required for many other arm-specific Relic skills.
Does the Relic Skill Tree affect all cyberware? The Relic Skill Tree primarily focuses on V’s arm cyberware (Mantis Blades, Gorilla Arms, Projectile Launch System, Monowire) and offers some universal enhancements like “Vulnerability Analytics” and stealth-focused skills.