A strong Cyberpunk 2077 best build is no longer only about attributes and weapons once Phantom Liberty unlocks the Relic tree. The point is not to buy every flashy upgrade, but to add Relic perks that make your current playstyle sharper, safer and easier to repeat in Dogtown.
Key points
- Phantom Liberty adds the Relic tree to Cyberpunk 2077.
- Update 2.0 redesigned perk trees and changed attribute and perk redistribution.
- Armor now comes primarily from cyberware instead of clothing.
- Iconic weapons can be upgraded through higher Tiers.
This guide is for players building V around blades, tech weapons, smart guns, netrunning or heavy solo combat. It follows the official 2.0 systems: redesigned perks, cyberware capacity, armor moved mostly to implants, and weapon Tiers that make long-term weapon choices matter.
Key Takeaways
- Do not spend Relic points before choosing one main style: blades, shooting, hacking or survival.
- The safest Relic choices improve cyberware arms, enemy weak points or the action you use most often.
- Cyberware is now the main source of armor after Update 2.0.
- Regular perk points can be refunded outside combat, but attribute redistribution is limited.
- Phantom Liberty is required to use the Relic tree and explore Dogtown.
Choose Your Core Style Before Spending Relic Points
The most common mistake is opening the Relic tree and buying whatever looks powerful. Relic perks are valuable, but only when they connect to your attributes, operating system, cyberware and weapon loop.
If you play katana or Mantis Blades, prioritize perks that improve cyberware arms, mobility and the opening seconds of a fight. If you use tech rifles, revolvers or smart weapons, focus on perks that expose weak points or help you finish armored enemies. A netrunner should first check RAM, cyberdeck quality and Intelligence perks, because Relic perks cannot replace a weak hacking base.
| Style | Attributes to support | Relic priority | Recommended weapons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast blade build | Reflexes, Technical Ability | Mobility and cyberware arms | Katana, Mantis Blades, light pistol |
| Heavy solo | Body, Technical Ability | Survival and close-range burst | Shotgun, Gorilla Arms, LMG |
| Aggressive netrunner | Intelligence, Technical Ability | Enemy control and weak points | Smart weapon, cyberdeck, suppressed pistol |
| Tech shooter | Technical Ability, Cool | Weak-point openings | Tech rifle, iconic revolver, sniper |
Use the official Cyberpunk 2077 Build Planner before committing. CD Projekt RED states that players continuing after Update 2.0 can redistribute attributes once, while perk points are much easier to refund outside combat.
Best Relic Perks for a Reliable Build
Relic points arrive gradually in Phantom Liberty, so buy fewer perks and make each one solve a real problem. You may need more burst against elites, more safety in melee, or faster ways to finish enemies with armor.
- Save your first Relic points until your Dogtown combat style is clear.
- Buy a Relic perk that works with your most-used weapon or cyberware, not a future idea.
- Test it through a few gigs before changing your whole perk setup.
- Visit a ripperdoc to align cyberware, armor and capacity.
- Upgrade only iconic weapons you plan to keep for a long time.
Blade and cyberware-arm builds should focus on stronger entries into combat. Tech weapon builds should create clean openings: reveal or exploit a weak point, charge the shot, then finish before enemies spread out. Netrunners must stay disciplined because Update 2.0 rebalanced RAM costs, changed quickhacks and removed Breach Protocol on enemies.
Cyberware Is Your Defensive Core
After Update 2.0, armor comes mainly from cyberware. Clothing is mostly cosmetic, with only limited exceptions. That means every implant should bring either survival, mobility or a direct synergy with your highest attributes.
Cyberware capacity is the limit you must respect. It rises through progression and can be affected by certain choices, but pushing beyond the limit comes with tradeoffs. The Edgerunner perk can exceed capacity at a health cost, which suits aggressive builds better than fragile high-difficulty setups.
Prioritize implants that match your strongest attributes. A Technical Ability build can carry more of the setup through cyberware value, while a mobile Reflexes build should preserve room for legs, nervous system options and dodge triggers.
Weapons: Keep the Rotation Short
A good Relic build does not need six weapons. It needs a clean plan: open, control, finish and escape. Update 2.0 makes weapon Tiers matter, and only iconic weapons can be upgraded. Do not spend components on weapons you will abandon in a few levels.
Blade builds still need a ranged answer for drones, snipers and enemies that refuse melee. Tech shooters need a fast finisher for enemies already weakened by charged shots. Netrunners pair well with smart weapons only when Intelligence perks and the cyberdeck can sustain the loop.
Suggested Phantom Liberty Progression Order
Dogtown encourages experimentation, but your progression order should stay simple. Secure defense first, then your main damage source, then comfort tools. This avoids a spectacular build that collapses under pressure.
- Before Dogtown: check attributes, cyberware capacity and iconic weapons.
- After the first fights: pick a Relic perk that improves your most common action.
- After a few gigs: adjust regular perks around the new rhythm.
- When capacity blocks you: upgrade cyberware instead of buying too many average implants.
- On higher difficulty: prioritize armor, movement and healing before theoretical damage.
For official changes, check the Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.0 notes. For more gaming coverage on jeu.video, browse latest news, articles and gaming news.
Mistakes to Avoid
Do not build V around one spectacular effect. Cyberpunk 2077 fights test damage, mobility, survival, crowd control and resource management at the same time. If your build deletes one enemy but falls apart against a group, the foundation needs work.
Do not ignore defensive cyberware because your weapon hits hard. Clothing no longer fixes weak armor. Also avoid spending the one-time attribute reset too early. Plan first, refund regular perks if needed, then make the big change only when the full build is clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need Phantom Liberty to use Relic perks?Yes. The Relic tree is part of Phantom Liberty, though the official Build Planner lets you preview it.
Pick the one that improves your main action: cyberware arms for melee, weak points for shooting, or control for netrunning.
Yes, but the major attribute redistribution is limited. Regular perks are much easier to refund outside combat.
Yes. Since Update 2.0, armor mainly comes from cyberware, while clothing is mostly cosmetic.
A Technical Ability setup with strong cyberware, reliable armor and one upgraded iconic weapon is usually the most stable.
No. Spend components on iconic weapons you actually use, because they are the weapons designed to climb through Tiers.
Use the official Update 2.0 notes and the official Build Planner.
Change it only when a specific weakness keeps appearing: low survival, poor damage or a combat loop you cannot sustain.
They can be strong with Intelligence support, but they are weaker if your perks and cyberdeck do not support the loop.
Yes, but CD Projekt RED recommended a new playthrough for the best experience after the major system changes.
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