Apart from being one of the best examples of Raytracing in a video game, Cyberpunk 2077 also excels in its gameplay department. As an RPG, it presents players with a vast selection of gameplay styles. It can even rival Elder Scrolls games when it comes to build variety. The beauty of games that have such a gameplay structure is that it allows players to create some breathtaking builds.
Cyberpunk 2077 is no stranger to overpowered builds because of what the developers allowed and what the players could tinker with. So regardless of how many playthroughs they have had, players will find strength in these builds necessary to take on a megacorporation like Arasaka.
Updated July 5, 2023 by Aldous Foster: With Phantom Liberty and Update 1.7 on the horizon, many players are making their way back to Night City. With several changes to different playstyles, they may want to look into trying some new builds.
One of Cyberpunk's greatest strengths is that with the right investments, any approach can be made viable. This lets players enjoy the experience in whichever way they choose, and these builds can be tweaked in some ways for a bit of flavor. However, players will still want to look into which perks and Cyberware are best for their preferred style.
11 David Sandevistan
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This Sandevistan build is quite similar to the Sandevistan Samurai, except it puts more focus on the Brawler perk tree, turning David into a maelstrom of punches with lighting quick movements thanks to the Sandevistan. Also, players can further reduce Sandevistan's cooldown with Heatsink and Bioconductor upgrades.
When not relying on Sandevistan, some of the perks allow the build to move faster, and certain neural implants like the Kerenzikov act as a backup. This also slows down time for the players in the same manner as the Sandevistan but with more focus on ranged combat.
10 Rebecca Shotgun
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Similar to the Carnage Shotgun build, this build which is aptly named Rebecca, focuses on giving her as much buckshot power as possible with her own in-game shotgun, Guts. Sadly, there's no shotgun dual-wielding in Cyberpunk 2077, so players can't quite copy how Rebecca would be behaving in combat.
Still, it's quite a broken alternative. Players can just run up to enemies thanks to the Kerenzikov implant and then blast the enemies to the face, steamrolling through all the targets like a meat grinder, with blood and guts flying all over. The gameplay is rather simple. There's no need for tricks, as the shotgun Annihilation perks and Cold Blood will do most of the work.
9 Cyber Demon/Lucy Monowire
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This Lucy build is similar to the Netgun and Gun hacker build except it ditches the Smart weapon for something more up-close and personal: the Monowire. The Monowire counts as a blunt weapon, so players will need to dip into the Body - Street Brawler aspect of the perk tree.
However, that isn't totally necessary. Players will be prioritizing the aforementioned perks in the Intelligence tree (Quickhacking and Breach Protocol). In combat, they'll open up with Ping, then Contagion, and then Short Circuit or Overheat, depending on the enemy's proximity. Those that get close enough will be ripped to shreds by the Monowire.
8 Street Brawler
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For anyone who thrives off risky playstyles and being up close and personal, the blunt weapons of the Street Brawler are an excellent choice. This approach can deal massive damage to single targets while its toughness and ability to stun enemies keep it alive. Although there are not a great many unique weapons to use, even using a simple hammer or bat becomes incredibly fun with this build.
The simplicity of running directly at enemies and bonking them on the head with a pipe is strangely beautiful and has no right to be as strong as it is. This build also has the added bonus of being non-lethal, keeping enemies such as Cyberpsychos alive. However, as the game is quick to tell you, the pure damage and brutality of blunt weapons will quickly make them wish they weren't.
7 Tech Weapons Specialist
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Players looking to create the highest ranged damage build ever seen may want to consider the Technical Specialist. These characters can charge up their tech weapons to deal absolutely ridiculous amounts of damage with a single shot. This build is also quite variable as it can be used with rifles, pistols, revolvers, or snipers. Whichever the player picks, these perks and Cyberware will allow them to kill enemies from any distance and position.
High Technical investment also means that the player will be able to craft anything they want and will have an easy way to make money in the early game. With perks such as Jackpot and Sapper, the player's grenades will also deal excellent damage.
6 Crit Headshot
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For those who want something a little less thematic and more conventional, then the so-called Crit Headshot build from creator T7 PDM will more than satisfy them. It takes advantage of the Optical Camo and the Kerenzikov or Sandevistan to slow down time and allow players to headshot just about all the enemies in an encounter.
Due to the perk and Crit stacking, 900 percent Crit Damage and even a 100 percent Crit change are possible. Players just need to make sure that they enter combat with Sandevistan and a headshot (preferably under stealth with a silenced gun). This will kick off a chain of buffs that will make subsequent headshots deadlier and easier to perform.
5 Contagion
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Contagion, or poison hackers, were all the rage before update 1.5 due to their effortless killing prowess. Fans of the old build will be pleased to know, however, that Contagion is still overpowered. It just went from a scale of 11 to 10 because of the balance changes in patch 1.5. The gameplay is still the same.
Players start with Breach Protocol, then Ping, and then Contagion against squads of enemies. After that, it's time to sit back and then watch their health get drained collectively. Against single-targets, Short Circuit or Suicide works well. Cameras are also great here as they let players stay hidden.
4 Stealth Pistol
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For the premier stealth build in Cyberpunk 2077, players need not look any further than this one. It functions like a hitman who shoots enemies at the back of their heads using silenced pistols or revolvers. This does require some tactical skill, positioning, and a bit of patience, but it's slick and savvy.
To make sneaking more smooth, players can take advantage of the Big Sleep daemon, which shuts down all cameras in an area. After that, it's a matter of picking off enemies one by one. Make sure to land headshots all the time.
3 Berserk Carnage Shotgun
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For those looking for a more straightforward mode of gameplay, then this build — which combines three bloodthirsty words, will more than satisfy anyone's bloodlust. The idea is simple; players just walk up to enemy groups and rip out a fat and healthy volley of shotgun pellets.
All the passive and triggered effects from the Annihilation perk tree will ensure that players either tank hits well or move so fast that the enemies don't have time to respond. It also just so happens that shotgun damage increases based on movement speed in the Annihilation perks. Alternatively, players can also use smart shotguns for a bit less damage but even less aiming required.
2 Netrun & Gun
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This build is the perfect compromise for those who still want to shoot enemies and hack but don't want their overall damage output getting neutered. It's all thanks to the Short Circuit quickhack. The Legendary version of this quickhack deals massive damage.
It deals even more damage if the enemies get hit with a Crit attack. Paired with weapons that shoot fast and shoot many rounds (such as Smart weapons), then the Short Circuit will make short work of any enemy.
1 Sandevistan Samurai
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For a melee build that's not just about cutting enemies to ribbons with a katana, then this performs admirably. First off, players start by throwing any knife at their enemies' heads before switching to a katana. Throwing the knife not only poisons the enemies but also triggers a large Ninjutsu damage buff for six seconds.
To make the most out of this buff, players can use the Sandevistan to slow down time, while they'll move faster from all the passives they took. It's a shame players can't view their actions in real-time, because a juiced-up samurai zipping through enemies at lightning speed ought to make Cyberpsychos look meek.
Cyberpunk 2077 is available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC.