Now that Cyberpunk 2077 has seen the release of the Phantom Liberty expansion, and Update 2.2 – which may end of being the final major update – it feels safe to say that the game has entered the final stage of its life cycle. This is not a bad thing. Cyberpunk 2077 has grown by leaps and bounds since its troubled initial release, and finally exists in its best possible form. With no more major changes coming to the game, it feels safe to say that players can develop their definitive character builds, without fear of them becoming obsolete with the next update. In this guide, we'll look at one of Cyberpunk 2077's most popular builds: the Netrunner. With the final options now in place, we'll show you how to create the best Netrunner Build in Cyberpunk 2077 version 2.2.
Updated April 16, 2025, by Christopher Norman Worcester: Now that Cyberpunk 2077 has settled into version 2.2, and CD Projekt Red have essentially verified there will be no more major additions to the game, we can create what will be our definitive best Netrunner build. This update will ensure that we provide players with the best possible information, presented in the best possible way. In doing so, we will show players the best Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077 version 2.2.
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Cyberpunk 2077 2.2 Netrunner Overview
Netrunners play an incredibly important role in the lore of Cyberpunk 2077. These cyber-warriors prefer to use their Cyberdecks and Cyberware implants to engage from the shadows, letting their Solo and Edgerunner counterparts do the "up-close-and-personal" style of fighting. That's not to say that Netrunners do not face risk. In the early section of Cyberpunk 2077, players see what happens to Bug, a Netrunner who is discovered during the Konpeki Plaza heist. Netrunners must consider both offense and defense when planning their builds.
Best Netrunner Intelligence Build 2.2 – Cyberpunk 2077
This Cyberpunk 2077 best Netrunner build is for end-game players, who already have max attributes and perk points from the base game and Phantom Liberty. The philosophy that is behind the build, and the best ways to build up to it, will be covered in the subsequent sections.
Best Cyberpunk 2077 Netrunner Intelligence Attributes Overview:
|
Attribute |
Point Total |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Body |
17 |
Body is subjective, and depends on personal play style. If players do not mind the hit to overall health, there is really no lower limit. |
|
Intelligence |
20 |
The most important category for a Netrunner. Max out this attribute. |
|
Reflexes |
9 |
This is the recommended minimum for Reflexes, as Dash can be very helpful for Netrunners trying to quickly fight or escape. Any Netrunner who wants to wield a blade for up-close fighting should consider this as well. |
|
Technical Ability |
20 |
Maxing out Technical Ability is smart for all Netrunners. Edgerunner is one of the most useful perks for any build, allowing for extended Cyberware Capacity. |
|
Cool |
15 |
For the silent type, Ninjistu will be extremely helpful. Deadeye and Focus are also great for the Netrunner, who packs a Sniper Rifle for when the hacks just won't cut it. |
Reflexes and Cool can be switched, depending on your playstyle. A Stealth Netrunner will likely want to focus on Cool, while a more aggressive Netrunner will likely benefit more from investing in Reflexes.
Best Cyberpunk 2077 Netrunner Perks Overview:
Perks are incredibly subjective, but there are several that any self-respecting Netrunner should have. Here are the most important of the bunch, in each attribute:
|
Attribute |
Recommended Perks |
|---|---|
|
Body |
Painkiller, Fury Road, Adrenaline Rush Lvl 3 ( Must be level 15+) |
|
Intelligence |
Fully upgrade all perks in pillar one and two. All Level 4 perks should be considered vital (possible exception: Warning: Explosion Hazard). |
|
Reflexes |
Slippery, Dash Lvl. 2. Sword-wielding Netrunners will want Lead and Steel (to block bullets) and Bullet Deflect. |
|
Technical Ability |
All health item perks recommended. Glutton For Punishment, Health Freak Lvl. 2 recommended. All Perks on the center tree are fully recommended. All Perks that enhance Cyberware and Cyberware Capacity should be a major priority. |
|
Cool |
Ninjitsu is the main reason for recommending you place 15 points in Cool, which allows players to increase crouch movement speed, increase mitigation chance while crouched, and unlocks crouch sprint. This will allow you to navigate combat areas quickly and quietly, with a focus on remaining undetected. Remember, players who are not concerned with stealth can reallocate the points to Body or Reflexes. |
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Best Netrunner Cyberware in Update 2.2 – Cyberpunk 2077
To get the best possible selection, players should visit the Ripperdocs in Dogtown. This will require the Phantom Liberty expansion. If only the base version of the game is available, most items will be available at any Night City Ripperdoc, as 2.0 has made all Night CIty Ripperdoc inventory the same.
While there are several categories of Cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077, there are a select few items that are extremely helpful to the Netrunner.
Best Netrunner Cyberdeck:
The most important tool the Netrunner has in their arsenal is not a traditional weapon, but their Cyberdeck. While each of Cyberpunk 2077's legendary Cyberdecks has benefits based on play style, there are three that share the top spot:
|
Cyberdeck Name |
Required Capacity |
Available Ram (Fully Upgraded) |
Quickhack Slots |
Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tetratronic Rippler Mk. 5 |
16 |
13 (20) |
8 |
After the 2.0 update, this deck was significantly changed. Quite simply, no other deck offers as much RAM when fully upgraded. This should be the #1 choice for mid-to-late game Netrunners. |
|
Netwatch Netdriver Mk. 1 |
25 |
13 |
8 |
While this deck has significantly less RAM – even when fully upgraded – it makes up for that by having two important features for Netrunners. First, all Device and Vehicle Quickhacks require 50% less RAM. Second, any Quickhacks uploaded through devices have a boost to damage and effect duration. This is great for stealthier Netrunners. |
|
MIlitech Canto Mk. 6 |
33 |
11 |
5 |
The Militech Canto Mk. 6 is a new addition from the Phantom Liberty DLC. This deck makes up for its seeming lack of RAM and Quickhack slots by featuring a one-of-a-kind built-in Quickhack called Blackwall Gateway. This is an extremely lethal hack that is capable of killing large groups of enemies very quickly. As this hack spreads, the RAM usage grows, but this deck has a special trick up its sleeve. If you run out of RAM, this deck will allow you to use health in its place. |
Best Netrunner Frontal Cortex:
The brain is the main region for Cyberware that deals in RAM, which is central to the Netrunner's system. Here, any legendary option on offer is helpful, but there are a few that seem to rise above the rest:
- RAM Reallocator: This iconic piece of Cyberware automatically recovers up to 30% of a player's max RAM when available RAM falls below 20%.
- Ex-Disk: This item increases max RAM by up to 6, and increases max upload speed for Quickhacks by up to 23% (at the Tier 5++ level).
- Self-Ice: This item automatically negates one enemy Quickhack, and increases max RAM by 2.
- Memory Boost: Neutralizing enemies returns 1.25 RAM (Tier 5), adds +1 RAM.
- COX-2 Cybersomatic Optimizer - This is a questionable item, as it reduces overall max RAM. It does, however, allow Quickhacks to deal critical hits. This is a trade that each player will have to weigh. Players that have optimized their use of a few hacks, with low RAM, may want to make this trade.
Best Netrunner Skeleton:
While there are several items here that would be helpful for any build, there is one item that Netrunners should consider:
- RAM Recoup: Restores RAM equal to a percentage of damage received.
Best Netrunner Face:
The 2.0 update brings with it several new Kiroshi optics. There is one item that Netrunners should consider:
- Kiroshi "The Oracle" Optics: This set of optics highlights enemies, cameras, turrets, traps, and explosives from varying distances depending on tier. It really is the only choice for Netrunners.
Best Netrunner Hands:
There is one item that Netrunners should consider using here:
- Smart Link: The Smart Link adds +2 to max RAM, and is essential when using Smart Weapons.
These are the key pieces of Cyberware that specifically help Netrunners. All other available slots should be filled based on each player's distinct style.
Best Netrunner Quickhacks:
The Phantom Liberty expansion brought with it new Iconic tier Quickhacks. You can purchase these from the new vendors in Dogtown, or loot the blueprints through Data Extraction around the city. The boost in strength varies between Quickhacks, but they are always worth using once you've acquired them.
Netrunners will have to decide what area they would like to specialize in. Each Cyberdeck is unique, and will require consideration when deciding the appropriate quickhacks to apply. There are, however, a select few that should be on every Netrunner's deck:
- Ping: Legendary Ping allows players to hack devices through walls. This is especially helpful when using the Netwatch Netdriver Cyberdeck, as having access to cameras is essential. Knowing enemy locations is important regardless of which deck a player uses, and Ping is the best route.
- System Collapse: Of all the 'instant death' quickhacks, System Collapse is the best for one simple reason: it is untraceable. Tracing has made Netrunning much more of a challenge in 2.0, but using untraceable quickhacks is the easiest way to get around it.
- Short Circuit/Cyberware Malfunction pairing: Either one of these quickhacks is formidable on its own, but in tandem they are incredibly powerful. Both have relatively low RAM costs, and cost even less when stacking. They are exceptionally helpful against drones and any non-human enemy.
- Contagion: Contagion is the original spreadable quickhack, and it still serves this purpose extremely well. Using it in conjunction with Overheat will create a powerful explosion.
- Experiment with Pairings: Read each quickhack description to see what they pair with. Many of the legendary quickhacks are designed to work together in very interesting ways. Try to collect all the Iconic versions of each legendary quickhacks to get the best possible version.
Though most clothing no longer provides any combat benefits, it is still worth mentioning that Cyberpunk 2077's Legendary Netrunner Armor can still be found in the same locations, and still goes a long way towards creating that ultimate Netrunner fantasy.
Cyberpunk 2077 Best Netrunner Build 2.2 Explained
The first area any player must consider when planning their builds is how they will allocate their attribute points. By far, the most important attributes for Netrunners are the Intelligence and Technical Ability categories. No matter where the other points are allocated, intelligence should be maxed out at 20. Everything else will depend heavily on play style. Players can also max out Technical Ability, and have a Netrunner capable of using the Edgerunner perk, making them proficient in both traditional combat and hacking. Choosing between Cool and Reflexes will depend on whether players want to go full stealth. The Cool tree allows for several perks that make sense for a Netrunner who sticks to the shadows. Luckily, players can now respec perks at any time, so there is no penalty for taking the time to try various secondary options.
Character Creation:
Players will begin the game with 3 points in each of the five categories: Body, Intelligence, Reflexes, Technical Ability, and Cool. Cyberpunk 2077's Character Creation system allows players to add 7 points, with the condition that no single category can be set above 6. So players can add 3 points to Intelligence, 3 points to Technical Ability, then 1 point in whichever category they desire. Body is a safe choice, as it raises Max Health.
Generally speaking, Body will be the safest choicaaaZe for the third category for Netrunners to focus on in the early section of a playthrough. Once they feel more comfortable, there are several perks in Cool that make sense for the Netrunner. With the new Phantom Liberty DLC, players will have access to 10 more attribute points by the end of their playthrough, allowing for much more versatility in builds. It is important to stress, however, that intelligence and Technical Ability should be the primary targets for aspiring Netrunners.
A sneaky Netrunner, proficient in both ranged combat and hacking, can have a wide range of possible point allocations. Here is an example of a build that allows for both Overclock and Edgerunner, two extremely powerful perks:
Perk Points:
Netrunners will find most of their most important perks in the Intelligence Tree. Assuming players have established the basic requirements for surviving in Night City, they should then consider working their way up the Intelligence tree as quickly as possible. It is fair to say that just about every perk in the tree will be helpful to Netrunners.
Optimization, Embedded Exploit, and Eye in the Sky are great starting points. Ultimately, Overclock should be acquired, which allows players to use health to pay for quickhacks when RAM is unavailable. Here are some key thoughts to keep in mind when building out the Netrunner:
- The key considerations should be Max Ram, Ram Recovery, and Quickhack Damage.
- Perks like Eye in the Sky, which highlights cameras and access points automatically, are extremely helpful in the 2.0 update. Players cannot hack through walls anywhere near as easily as the base game, so having access to cameras, and the knowledge of where they are located, is priceless.
- Learning to use 2.0's new Queue system can massively increase a Netrunner's abilities. Investigate the left side of the Intelligence tree to see perks related to Queue, which allows multiple quickhacks to be uploaded to a target at once. Several of the surrounding perks will increase RAM recovery, damage, and several other stats based on the Queue system.
- Netrunner is not an absolute class. One of Cyberpunk 2077's founding ideas was the fluid class system, so make sure to have fun when choosing how to make a unique Netrunner.
Ss
Cyberpunk 2077
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- December 10, 2020
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
