Interested in tricking out V with the best Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077 update 2.0? You're in the right place! The latest gameplay update has reshaped Night City, bringing a series of pivotal changes to Cyberpunk: Edgerunners character builds like that of the popular deuteragonist Lucy.
Not into the run-and-gun playstyle? No worries! We're confident that our Lucy Netrunner build, which melds the power of hacking with formidable aggression, will captivate your attention and lead you to victory. Here's the best Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077's latest update.
Updated on 13 October 2023: We recently also published a Sandevistan build and Katana build. Check them out!
Note: This build is modeled after Lucyna Kushinada from the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime series. Full credit for this build goes to YouTuber KhrazeGaming.
Table of Contents
What Is The Best Netrunner Build In Cyberpunk 2077?
At the heart of this Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077 lies a versatile blend of hacking and combat. The build provides seamless integration of quick hacks that come with their own unique interactivity.
This will ensure dominance in varied combat styles, be it close combat or long-range attacks. What sets this build apart further is its agile mobility and a series of mechanisms to enhance survivability, ensuring you can heal rapidly on the go.
Build Overview
- Body: 9
- Reflexes: 20
- Technical Ability: 15
- Intelligence: 20
- Cool: 3
You will have 14 Attribute points remaining that you can redistribute as you like; however, it would be best to put them into Body and Cool.
Best Weapon Choice
The choice of weapon plays a pivotal role in optimizing this Lucy Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077. Double SMGs, particularly the YingLong, come highly recommended. The reason for their unmatched superiority lies in their ability to fire continuously, eliminating the tediousness of constant reloading.
These SMGs are fully automatic, boast a high rate of fire, can hold up to 45 rounds, and carry an added advantage—the +20% Shock chance. For those seeking an edge in battle, wielding two identical YingLong SMGs can offer relentless firepower, ensuring enemies have little time to react.
Best Clothing
As noted in the Cyberpunk 2077 update 2.0 patch notes, Armor is now provided primarily by cyberware. As a result, clothing's purpose is mostly cosmetic and no longer has mod slots, except for some items offering bonuses. That said, feel free to wear whatever clothes you prefer.
However, for the sake of completeness, the following two clothing items are recommended:
- Kogane No Yume Titanium BD Wreath: +10% quickhack upload time reduction.
- Old Netrunning Suit: +15% quickhack damage resistance.
Best Cyberdeck
Diving deeper into the tech aspect, the Militech Paraline MK4 emerges as the preferred Cyberdeck for this Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0, providing valuable SMG enhancements and amplifying Monowire damage by up to 30%.
It also speeds up the load time for quickhacks on targets and offers an added bonus of Shock damage to smart weapons, including the aforementioned double SMGs. However, if one Cyberdeck leans more into the hacking realm, it's the Raven Microcyber MK3.
It offers a +40% spread distance with quickhacks. In addition, quickhacks spread to all targets immediately instead of waiting for the initial upload to finish. This option is preferred to players who want to run with a "pure Netrunner build," focusing more on hacking and staying out of the line of fire.
Best Cyberware
Regarding Cyberware, most components are a matter of preference; however, certain hardware is integral to maximizing the potential of the best Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077. Specifically, the Ex-Disk is essential as it offers a massive RAM boost (+6 Max RAM and +17% upload speed for quickhacks).
Bioconductor is another great option for the Frontal Cortex slot, giving quickhacks a +35% Crit Chance. It also offers a small boost to quickhack damage, reload speed, and RAM regen from neutralizing an enemy at the expense of 4 Max RAM.
Besides that, the Monowire offers +6.2 bonus stealth damage, +2.5% quickhack damage, and RAM regen; you can use either the option that scales with Intelligence or Reflexes.
The Dense Marrow is another solid pairing, offering +27% melee damage and +15% melee Stamina cost with a +0.1% Crit Chance per Attribute point; it also confers some armor, bonus stealth damage, and melee damage resistance.
For enhanced battle awareness, the Kiroshi "The Oracle" Optics is invaluable—it allows the ability to perceive adversaries through walls and highlights explosive devices nearby. Lastly, the Smart Link is non-negotiable since it enables smart targeting with the SMGs.
For the sake of brevity, we'll briefly mention some other options: Microrotors, Heal-On-Kill, Kerenzikov, Subdermal Armor, Pain Editor, and Carapace.
Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 Netrunner Build: Best Quickhack Combos
Mastering the art of quickhack combinations can elevate combat strategies using this best Cyberpunk 2077 Netrunner build.
Cyber Malfunction and Short Circuit
Starting with Cyber Malfunction cripples your enemies by disrupting their cyberware and increasing all their incoming damage, making them temporarily more vulnerable. This sets the stage for Short Circuit, which delivers a surge of electrical damage.
When applied in rapid succession, the target, already weakened by the Cyber Malfunction, becomes susceptible to the devastating electrical onslaught of Short Circuit. This combo not only amplifies damage output but also provides a tactical edge by debilitating foes, rendering their advanced cybernetics useless, especially with multiple stacks.
Contagion and Overheat
Crowd-control strategies are vital in Cyberpunk 2077. This is where the combination of Contagion and Overheat shines. Contagion acts as a digital pathogen, infecting one enemy and then spreading to others nearby like a virulent strain. While they're reeling from the digital disease, Overheat comes into play.
This quickhack causes the enemy to Burn and take Thermal damage per second, and when combined with the already spreading Contagion, it triggers a chain reaction. The result is a large-scale detonation, turning the battlefield into a pyrotechnic spectacle and annihilating clusters of adversaries.
SMG with Reboot Optics
Blending gunplay with hacking offers a unique vantage point for those who favor an aggressive approach. Reboot Optics blinds your targets, disorienting them and putting them at a defensive disadvantage. During this window, using an SMG to target their weak spots or aiming for headshots maximizes damage potential.
But there's an added layer; as these precision shots land, they carry the disorienting effects of Reboot Optics to nearby enemies, amplifying the chaos and ensuring crowd control. This approach is particularly beneficial when faced with large groups, allowing for strategic takedown.
Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.0 Netrunner Build: Pros & Cons
Every build has its strengths and weaknesses. The Lucy Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077 update 2.0 excels in its adaptability across ranged and melee combats, boasts unmatched mobility and the multi-faceted quick hacks provide numerous synergistic opportunities. However, this does not come without challenges.
The build's inherent fragility means that careful positioning and using cover become paramount to survival. Additionally, it will take some time for this build to come fully online, in which case strategic progression and patience are required.
The revamped Lucy-inspired Netrunner build for Cyberpunk 2077 update 2.0 redefines the game dynamics. Whether you're a hacker at heart or a close-combat enthusiast, this build will cater to a broad spectrum of playstyles.
And that's a wrap! We want to credit and extend a special thank you to YouTuber KhrazeGaming for sharing their Lucy character build. Please check out the video below for a more detailed analysis of this build, and consider subscribing for more related content.