Choosing your Lifepath is one of the first big decisions you’ll make in Cyberpunk 2077. You can start as a Street Kid, Nomad, or Corpo — each path giving your character a different backstory, intro mission, and unique dialogue options.
While Lifepath choice doesn’t affect your abilities or gameplay power, it does change how V interacts with the world and shapes your early story experience. Picking the right Lifepath is all about how you want to role-play your journey through Night City.
This guide breaks down each Lifepath, explains what changes (and what doesn’t), and answers the most common questions players have when choosing where to start.
Next: check out our Cyberpunk 2077 Guide.

Key Takeaways
- Lifepath choice affects your character’s backstory, intro mission, and some dialogue options.
- Street Kid, Nomad, and Corpo each offer different role-playing experiences but no gameplay advantages.
- Your Lifepath does not affect V’s romance options, endings, or skills.
- Street Kid is best for urban, gang-style stories; Nomad suits freedom and loyalty themes; Corpo fits betrayal and corporate power plays.
- Lifepath choice shapes early-game flavor but all paths merge into the main story later.

What Are Lifepaths in Cyberpunk 2077?
Lifepaths in Cyberpunk 2077 are the background stories you choose for your character, V. They define where you come from, who you know, and how you first enter the world of Night City.
There are three options: Street Kid, Nomad, and Corpo. Each Lifepath gives you a unique intro mission and unlocks specific dialogue options throughout the game. These choices can slightly change how characters react to you and open different conversation paths.
However, Lifepath does not affect your stats, combat abilities, romance options, or the endings you can unlock. All players eventually follow the same main storyline, no matter which Lifepath they pick.
Quick Answer: Lifepath shapes your character’s background and flavor, not your overall power or success in Night City.
Cyberpunk 2077 Lifepaths: Street Kid Lifepath Overview
The Street Kid Lifepath drops you straight into the heart of Night City’s underbelly.
V grows up on the streets, connected to gangs, fixers, and hustlers trying to survive in a world ruled by corporations and crime.
Choosing Street Kid gives you unique insights into the city’s street culture. You’ll recognize gang signs, understand street slang, and often use streetwise connections to your advantage during conversations.
The Street Kid intro mission focuses on repaying a debt and getting back into the street scene after a rough patch, setting the tone for a gritty, survival-first journey.
Good Fit For:
- Players who want to feel fully part of Night City’s gang life.
- Players who prefer rough, rebellious, and street-smart characters.

Cyberpunk 2077 Lifepaths: Nomad Lifepath Overview
The Nomad Lifepath starts you outside of Night City, in the harsh deserts of the Badlands. V is part of a family-oriented nomadic clan, living free from the city’s corporate control. When V’s clan falls apart, you head into Night City looking for a fresh start.
Choosing Nomad gives you a strong sense of loyalty, freedom, and outsider perspective. You’ll often have dialogue options tied to smuggling, surviving on the road, and understanding the struggles of people living beyond the city walls.
The Nomad intro mission focuses on sneaking into Night City with a stolen package, setting up your role as an outsider trying to make it in a hostile new environment.
Good Fit For:
- Players who prefer loyalty, freedom, and outsider themes.
- Players who want to start the game away from the chaos of the city.

Cyberpunk 2077 Lifepaths: Corpo Lifepath Overview
The Corpo Lifepath begins at the top of Night City’s power structure. V works for the Arasaka Corporation, involved in office politics, espionage, and betrayal. When things fall apart inside the corporation, V is forced to survive on the streets.
Choosing Corpo gives you a unique corporate perspective. You’ll understand how the powerful operate, recognize corruption, and use business knowledge in conversations to manipulate outcomes.
The Corpo intro mission centers on betrayal inside Arasaka and sets the tone for a fall-from-grace story, moving from a position of power to a fight for survival.
Good Fit For:
- Players who enjoy political intrigue, betrayal, and corporate drama.
- Players who want to see Night City’s elite side before falling to its streets.
Which Lifepath is Best in Cyberpunk 2077?
There is no “best” Lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077 in terms of gameplay advantage. All three — Street Kid, Nomad, and Corpo — eventually merge into the same main story after the opening missions.
The best Lifepath depends entirely on the role-playing experience you want:
- Street Kid is best if you want to feel like a true Night City native with gang connections and street smarts.
- Nomad is ideal if you prefer loyalty, freedom, and starting as an outsider.
- Corpo fits players who enjoy power, betrayal, and seeing the corporate world from the inside.
Is V canonically a Nomad?
No. There is no official canon Lifepath for V. All Lifepaths are considered valid choices for the story.

FAQs About Cyberpunk 2077 Lifepaths
Does Lifepath affect romance options in Cyberpunk 2077?
No. Lifepath choice does not impact who you can romance. Romance options depend on V’s gender and voice, not Lifepath.
Can you romance Judy as a male character?
No. Judy is only available for female V characters with a feminine voice tone.
Does Lifepath affect the number of endings?
No. All players, regardless of Lifepath, can access the same endings based on the choices made during the story.
How old is V in Cyberpunk 2077?
V’s exact age isn’t stated officially, but based on the backstory hints, V is likely in their mid-20s to early 30s.
Should I choose Nomad or Street Kid?
Choose Nomad if you want an outsider, freedom-driven story. Choose Street Kid if you prefer streetwise, gang-centered interactions inside Night City.

Conclusion
Choosing a Lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077 shapes the beginning of your journey and colors how you interact with the world.
While it won’t change your stats, skills, or the overall main story, it gives V a unique background and unlocks special dialogue options throughout the game.
Pick the Lifepath that fits the story you want to live:
- Street Kid for a street-smart survivor.
- Nomad for a loyal outsider.
- Corpo for a fallen elite navigating betrayal.
No matter which Lifepath you choose, every path leads to the same chaotic, unforgettable life in Night City. Start your story the way you want — and dive into the experience that fits you best.
Want to optimize your setup? See the Best Cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077 for a serious advantage.
0 Comments