Guide to Cyberpunk 2077: Core Mechanics, Advanced Strategies, and Winning Tips

Cyberpunk 2077 is a sprawling open-world RPG set in the dystopian Night City, blending immersive storytelling with deep gameplay systems. Whether you're a newcomer or a returning player exploring the Phantom Liberty expansion, this guide will help you master the game’s mechanics, optimize your build, and conquer Night City.  

1. Core Mechanics and Character Building  

Character Creation and Attributes  

- Background Choices: Your starting background (Street Kid, Nomad, or Corpo) influences dialogue options and early-game opportunities. Street Kid offers street cred advantages, while Corpo unlocks corporate-themed interactions.  

- Attribute Allocation: Focus on Reflexes for gunplay, Intelligence for hacking, Body for melee combat, Technical Ability for crafting, and Cool for stealth. Prioritize attributes that align with your playstyle early, as respecs are limited.  

Gear and Crafting  

- Weapons and Mods:  

  - Weapon Types: Snipers prioritize crit damage, shotguns benefit from base damage mods, and smart weapons (e.g., Divided We Stand) excel at auto-targeting.  

  - Mod Slots: Prioritize gear with max mod slots (4 for jackets, 3 for others). Slots matter more than initial stats, as you can upgrade gear later.  

- Crafting: Unlock the Edgerunner Artisan perk to craft legendary items. Save materials for upgrading iconic weapons like Johnny’s Malorian or Overwatch.  

Cyberware and Upgrades  

- Critical Cyberware:  

  - Sandevistan (slow-motion) for melee builds.  

  - Mantis Blades or Monowire for aggressive playstyles.  

  - Kerenzikov (dodge slow-mo) pairs well with shotguns.  

- Capacity Management: Post-2.0 update, cyberware capacity is limited. Balance offense (e.g., QianT Sandevistan) and defense (e.g., Subdermal Armor).  

2. Mission Strategies and Endings  

Main and Side Quests  

- Priority Order: Complete side jobs (e.g., Judy’s or Panam’s questlines) early to unlock allies and gear. Critical missions like Chippin’ In (Johnny’s storyline) affect ending options.  

- Ending Requirements:  

  - The Star: Complete Panam’s questline and side with the Aldecaldos.  

  - The Sun: Become a Night City legend via mercenary gigs.  

  - Secret Ending: During Chippin’ In, choose dialogue options that align with Johnny’s ideals to unlock Don’t Fear the Reaper.  

Phantom Liberty Expansion  

- New Endings: The Tower ending (uploading V’s consciousness) requires siding with the NUSA in Phantom Liberty.  

- Dogtown Gameplay: Focus on Airdrops for high-tier loot and Vehicle Courier Missions for quick cash.  

3. Combat and Build Optimization  

Combat Styles  

- Netrunner (Hacker):  

  - Use quickhacks like Short Circuit (EMP) and Suicide for crowd control.  

  - Pair with Cyberdeck Mk.5 for maximum RAM efficiency.  

- Solo (Combat):  

  - Stack crit chance/damage mods on weapons like Comrade’s Hammer.  

  - Combine Sandevistan with Byakko katana for devastating melee combos.  

- Stealth:  

  - Use Optical Camo cyberware and silenced pistols (e.g., Death and Taxes).  

  - Reset enemy awareness with Reboot Optics quickhacks.  

Skill Synergies  

- Perk Combos:  

  - Bulletjock (Reflexes) + Deadly Precision (Cool) for crit-focused builds.  

  - Bartmoss’ Legacy (Intelligence) + Hackathon for infinite quickhack spread. 

4. Economy and Resource Management  

- Money Farming:  

  - Loot and sell high-tier weapons from NCPD hustles.  

  - Craft and sell Ashura sniper rifles for profit.  

- Crafting Materials: Dismantle unused gear and prioritize Components perks for efficient recycling.  

5. Technical Optimization and Settings  

- Performance Tweaks:  

  - Enable DLSS 3.5 (Nvidia) or FSR 3 (AMD) for higher FPS.  

  - Disable Film Grain and Motion Blur for clearer visuals.  

- Hardware Recommendations:  

  - 1080p/60 FPS: RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT.  

  - 4K/Ultra: RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX.  

6. Advanced Tips and Secrets  

- Hidden Gear:  

  - Obtain Archangel (Revolver) from Kerry’s questline.  

  - Unlock The Witcher Easter egg sword in the Badlands.  

- Exploits: Use the Paint the Town glitch to duplicate rare items (patched in 2.1).  

Conclusion  

Cyberpunk 2077 rewards strategic planning and adaptability. Whether dominating combat with a crit-focused build, unraveling Night City’s secrets, or exploring Phantom Liberty’s espionage-driven narrative, mastery lies in balancing mechanics, story choices, and technical optimization. For deeper insights, explore community resources like [CD Projekt Red’s official updates](https://www.cyberpunk.net) or [Steam guides](https://steamcommunity.com).