Night City isn’t kind to the weak.
If you want to survive — and thrive — you’ll need more than quick reflexes and a loaded pistol. You need the right cyberware.

In Cyberpunk 2077, the implants you choose define your fighting style, hacking skills, stealth abilities, and even how fast you move across the skyline. The right upgrades can turn you from just another merc into a living legend.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077, covering must-have upgrades for combat, stealth, hacking, and survival. Whether you’re aiming to brawl your way through gangs or ghost through missions unseen, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to build the ultimate version of V? Let’s dive in.


Cyberpunk 2077 character with cyber enhancements and neon icons for speed, health, and intelligence in a futuristic city.

Key Takeaways

  • Cyberware upgrades directly affect combat, stealth, hacking, and survival performance in Cyberpunk 2077.
  • Gorilla Arms, Sandevistan OS, and Second Heart are among the top cyberware choices for most builds.
  • Different playstyles require specific cyberware setups to be fully effective.
  • Legendary cyberware needs high Street Cred and large amounts of eddies to unlock.
  • The best ripperdocs are located across Night City and offer different cyberware options.

Why Cyberware is Essential in Cyberpunk 2077

In Cyberpunk 2077, cyberware isn’t just a flashy upgrade—it’s your lifeline.
Without the right implants, you’re basically another rookie merc waiting to get flattened by a Maelstrom ambush.

Cyberware affects almost every part of gameplay, from boosting your raw damage and hacking speed to unlocking new stealth paths and giving you second chances when fights go sideways. Building the right cyberware loadout is how you create a character that’s uniquely yours—and powerful enough to survive the brutal streets of Night City.

Cyberware customization plays a major role in shaping your character’s strengths and abilities in Cyberpunk 2077. Players who use cyberware smartly gain major advantages in both early missions and endgame battles.

Quick Fact: Certain builds like Sandevistan OS + Gorilla Arms can turn you into a slow-motion wrecking ball, while Netdriver + Bioconductor turns you into a stealth hacking god. Your cyberware choices define your playstyle.


Best Combat Cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077

When it comes to surviving Night City’s mean streets, raw firepower makes all the difference. If you prefer handling problems head-on — guns blazing and fists flying — these combat cyberware upgrades will turn you into a walking war machine.

Gorilla Arms

Gorilla Arms boost melee damage dramatically and let you force open locked doors without needing high Body stats.

Why it’s powerful: Gorilla Arms transform your character into a close-range powerhouse. They’re a must-have if you enjoy street fights, boxing side missions, or smashing through obstacles without waiting for keycards.

Where to get it: Available from most ripperdocs after Act 1. Legendary version unlocked after reaching Street Cred 45+.

Pro Tip: Fully charge your heavy attacks to obliterate enemies in one brutal punch.

Sandevistan Operating System (OS)

Sandevistan slows down time for several seconds, letting you react faster, aim more precisely, and wipe out enemies before they can blink.

Why it’s great for DPS builds: Sandevistan is essential for high-speed, high-damage builds. It’s the go-to choice for players who want to slice through enemies like a katana through butter.

Where to get it: Found at ripperdocs in Japantown or Wellsprings. Legendary versions unlock at higher Street Cred levels (40+).

Pro Tip: Stack movement speed and crit bonuses while Sandevistan is active for insane burst potential.

Projectile Launch System

Mounts a mini-rocket launcher directly into your arms, allowing you to fire explosive projectiles at enemies.

Why it’s deadly: Perfect for crowd control. Great for players who want a heavy-hitting backup option in chaotic fights.

Where to find it: Available at specialized ripperdocs once you reach Street Cred 45+. Mods let you swap between different grenade types (thermal, EMP, etc.).

Pro Tip: Use shock or EMP grenades from your launcher against mechs and cyber-enhanced enemies for massive disruption.

Best Stealth and Hacking Cyberware

Not every fight in Night City has to end with bullets flying. Sometimes the smartest move is to ghost through the shadows or fry enemy systems before they even spot you. If you prefer hacking cameras, short-circuiting enemies, and leaving no trace, these are the cyberware upgrades you’ll want in your arsenal.

NetWatch Netdriver Mk.5

NetWatch Netdriver Mk.5 boosts quickhack upload speed, damage, and spread range, turning simple hacks into deadly chain reactions across entire squads.

Why it’s awesome: It lets you wipe out enemies silently, from a distance, without lifting a weapon.

Where to get it: Available from the ripperdoc in Heywood after Act 2, but expect a hefty price tag if you want the legendary version.

Optical Camo

Optical Camo temporarily makes you invisible. Perfect for slipping past guards or repositioning when things get messy.

Why it’s awesome: It’s ideal for stealth builds and pairs insanely well with melee stealth attacks or quick hacks.

Where to get it: Unlocked from select ripperdocs post-level 30, but sometimes appears earlier in high-end shops.

Bioconductor

Bioconductor reduces the cooldowns on your quickhacks, meaning you can throw out hacks faster and more often.

Why it’s awesome: Less waiting between hacks = more control over the battlefield.

Where to get it: Commonly found at Watson ripperdocs after the early-game tutorial missions.

Illustration of a cyber-enhanced character overlooking a futuristic cityscape in Cyberpunk 2077, surrounded by glowing upgrade icons and titled "Best Cyberware Cyberpunk 2077 – Unlock God-Tier Power."

Best Mobility and Survival Cyberware

Sometimes surviving Night City isn’t about who hits harder — it’s about who moves smarter and stays standing when the bullets fly. These cyberware upgrades boost your agility, endurance, and second chances in a fight.

Reinforced Tendons

Reinforced Tendons unlock the double jump ability, turning you into an urban ninja. Scale buildings, dodge enemy fire, or launch surprise rooftop attacks with ease.

Why it’s awesome: Massively improves exploration and combat mobility.

Where to get it: Available from mid-game ripperdocs, typically unlocked after reaching Street Cred 30+.

Second Heart

Second Heart automatically revives you once if your health drops to zero during a fight.

Why it’s awesome: Saves your run without needing manual intervention. Absolutely clutch in high-difficulty playthroughs.

Where to get it: Sold by high-end ripperdocs in Westbrook and City Center areas. Requires Street Cred 45+.

Subdermal Armor

Subdermal Armor passively increases your armor rating, making you tougher without needing to equip bulky gear.

Why it’s awesome: Boosts survivability without sacrificing speed or aesthetics.

Where to get it: Widely available from most ripperdocs early on, even after Act 1.

Where to Find and Buy the Best Cyberware

Upgrading your body isn’t as simple as walking into any old shop in Night City. To install the best cyberware, you’ll need two things: a trusted ripperdoc and enough eddies to make it happen.

Trusted Ripperdocs

  • Viktor Vektor (Watson): Early-game friendly. Great for initial upgrades.
  • Doc Ryder (Westbrook): Mid to late-game specialist.
  • Fingers MD (Japantown): Stocks rare and experimental cyberware.

Street Cred Requirements

  • Epic Cyberware: Requires Street Cred 30–40
  • Legendary Cyberware: Requires Street Cred 45–50+

Focus on gigs, scanner hustles, and side missions early to build your Street Cred fast.

Cost Expectations

  • Rare (Blue): 15,000–25,000 eddies
  • Epic (Purple): 25,000–45,000 eddies
  • Legendary (Gold): 50,000–100,000+ eddies
Futuristic illustration of a cyber-enhanced character interacting with a holographic FAQ screen, set in a neon-lit cityscape, titled "Cyberpunk 2077 Cyberware FAQs."

FAQs About Cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077

Can you install all types of cyberware at once?
No. Each cyberware type fits into specific slots like Operating System, Arms, Skeleton, or Legs.

What’s the best cyberware for beginners?
Gorilla Arms and the Sandevistan Operating System are beginner favorites.

Does cyberware impact your character stats?
Yes. Many cyberware pieces directly affect stats like armor, crit chance, hacking ability, and movement speed.

Is Legendary cyberware worth the price?
Absolutely. Legendary cyberware offers the best stat boosts, shorter cooldowns, and extra features.

Can you upgrade your cyberware later?
No. You’ll need to replace lower-tier cyberware with better versions as you progress.

Ready to level up fast? Check out our Cyberpunk 2077 Builds Guide to build smarter, not harder.

Conclusion

Choosing the best cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t just about getting stronger — it’s about building V into the ultimate version of yourself. Whether you want to rip through enemies with raw power, ghost through missions unnoticed, or hack your way to victory, the right implants make all the difference.

Focus on the upgrades that match your playstyle. Invest in your combat gear if you love chaos, stack hacking tools if you prefer brains over bullets, and don’t overlook survival options like Second Heart that can save your run when things get messy.

Night City is brutal. The right cyberware turns it into your playground.

Ready to start upgrading? Drop your favorite cyberware builds in the comments below — and check out our Cyberpunk 2077 Guide.


Categories: Gaming

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