Cyberpunk 2077 is CD Projekt Red's open-world RPG set in the dystopian Night City, where you play as V — a mercenary with a digital ghost of Keanu Reeves stuck in their head. After the massive 2.0 Update and Phantom Liberty expansion, the game was completely overhauled with reworked skill trees, new police system, vehicle combat, and cyberware capacity limits. The game now features some of the best first-person RPG combat available, with builds ranging from invisible netrunner hackers to chrome-loaded melee berserkers.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option — what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netrunner | S | Scan enemies through walls, queue multiple quickhacks, watch everything die without firing a shot. | Skippy | Moderate |
| Solo | S | Pop Berserk, charge into groups, tank damage while dealing massive melee or shotgun hits. | Widow Maker | Moderate |
| Techie | A | Charge tech weapons, shoot through walls, and maintain the best gear through crafting. | Overwatch | Yes |
| Nomad | B | Stealthy assassin using silenced weapons, throwing knives, and Sandevistan for bullet-time escapes. | Comrade's Hammer | No |
| Corpo | B | Activate Sandevistan, slice everyone in bullet-time with katana combos. | Erebus | No |
New player? Start with Solo — see our beginner's guide for why.
Netrunner
Full Intelligence build that kills through walls using quickhacks. With a Tier 5 Cyberdeck and hacks like Synapse Burnout or Short Circuit, you can clear entire buildings without entering. The Overclock mechanic lets you spend health instead of RAM for devastating hack chains.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Scan enemies through walls, queue multiple quickhacks, watch everything die without firing a shot. |
| Best Equipment | Skippy |
| Stat Priority | Intelligence 20 > Cool 15 > Body 12 > Technical Ability |
| Core Gear | Militech Paraline Cyberdeck, Tier 5++ Quickhacks, Netrunner Suit |
| Key Mechanic | cyberware upgrades |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Scan enemies through walls, queue multiple quickhacks, watch everything die without firing a shot.
- Pairs well with Skippy
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Watson to learn Netrunner-specific mechanics
- Focus on cyberware upgrades — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Skippy as your first major upgrade
- See our full Netrunner build guide for the optimal gear progression
Solo
A Body/Reflexes combat monster that combines Berserk cyberware with shotguns or melee weapons for devastating close-range damage. The Adrenaline Rush perk tree in Body provides insane survivability with health regen and armor bonuses. Gorilla Arms or Mantis Blades complete the chrome-warrior fantasy.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Pop Berserk, charge into groups, tank damage while dealing massive melee or shotgun hits. |
| Best Equipment | Widow Maker |
| Stat Priority | Body 20 > Reflexes 18 > Cool 12 |
| Core Gear | Militech Berserk, Gorilla Arms or Mantis Blades, Erebus SMG |
| Key Mechanic | quickhacking |
Strengths
- Most versatile — adapts to any situation
- Pop Berserk, charge into groups, tank damage while dealing massive melee or shotgun hits.
- Pairs well with Widow Maker
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Watson to learn Solo-specific mechanics
- Focus on quickhacking — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Widow Maker as your first major upgrade
- See our full Solo build guide for the optimal gear progression
Techie
Technical Ability build focused on tech weapons that charge shots through cover and crafting the best gear. Bolt weapons like the Achilles Precision Rifle or Breakthrough Power Sniper can one-shot through walls. The Edgerunner perk lets you exceed cyberware capacity at the cost of health.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Charge tech weapons, shoot through walls, and maintain the best gear through crafting. |
| Best Equipment | Overwatch |
| Stat Priority | Technical Ability 20 > Reflexes 15 > Body 12 |
| Core Gear | Achilles Precision Rifle, Comrade's Hammer, Tier 5 Cyberware |
| Key Mechanic | vehicle combat |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Charge tech weapons, shoot through walls, and maintain the best gear through crafting.
- Pairs well with Overwatch
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Watson to learn Techie-specific mechanics
- Focus on vehicle combat — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Overwatch as your first major upgrade
- See our full Techie build guide for the optimal gear progression
Nomad
Not a traditional class but a lifepath that gives unique dialogue options and a backstory. As a build, Nomad players often go Cool/Reflexes for a gunslinger feel. The Cool tree's Focus and Ninjutsu branches enable stealth with throwing knives and silenced weapons.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Playstyle | Stealthy assassin using silenced weapons, throwing knives, and Sandevistan for bullet-time escapes. |
| Best Equipment | Comrade's Hammer |
| Stat Priority | Cool 20 > Reflexes 18 > Body 10 |
| Core Gear | Overwatch Sniper Rifle, Sandevistan, Optical Camo |
| Key Mechanic | crafting system |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Stealthy assassin using silenced weapons, throwing knives, and Sandevistan for bullet-time escapes.
- Pairs well with Comrade's Hammer
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Watson to learn Nomad-specific mechanics
- Focus on crafting system — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Comrade's Hammer as your first major upgrade
- See our full Nomad build guide for the optimal gear progression
Corpo
A lifepath rather than a mechanical build, Corpo gives unique dialogue options in corporate settings. Often paired with a Reflexes/Cool build for the 'stylish assassin' fantasy. The Sandevistan cyberware (slows time by 80%) combined with katanas creates the iconic Edgerunner anime playstyle.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Playstyle | Activate Sandevistan, slice everyone in bullet-time with katana combos. |
| Best Equipment | Erebus |
| Stat Priority | Reflexes 20 > Cool 16 > Body 14 |
| Core Gear | Satori Katana, QianT Sandevistan Mk.4, Monowire |
| Key Mechanic | skill progression |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Activate Sandevistan, slice everyone in bullet-time with katana combos.
- Pairs well with Erebus
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Watson to learn Corpo-specific mechanics
- Focus on skill progression — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Erebus as your first major upgrade
- See our full Corpo build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Solo is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Netrunner is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Skippy for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Corpo offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Nomad shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Cyberpunk 2077 Guides
- Cyberpunk 2077 Cyberpunk 2077 Overview
- Cyberpunk 2077 Best Builds
- Cyberpunk 2077 Tier List
- Cyberpunk 2077 Walkthrough
- Cyberpunk 2077 Beginner's Guide
- Cyberpunk 2077 Tips & Tricks
- Cyberpunk 2077 Weapons Guide
- Cyberpunk 2077 Combat Guide
- Cyberpunk 2077 Boss Guide
- Cyberpunk 2077 Maps & Locations
- Cyberpunk 2077 Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Cyberpunk 2077, check out these related guides:
- Elden Ring Classes Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Baldur's Gate 3 Classes Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Classes Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
