Cyberpunk 2077: Complete Guide (2.x + Phantom Liberty)

How Cyberpunk 2077 plays after the 2.0 overhaul: attributes and perks, cyberware capacity, build archetypes, Phantom Liberty and the Relic tree, money, vehicles, and the things you can miss.

Researched September 2026 — current as of patch 2.31 (September 11, 2025), still the latest game patch; a PS5 Pro enhancement followed in April 2026. Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.

Where the Game Stands

• Update 2.0 (with Phantom Liberty in 2023) rebuilt perks, cyberware, police, vehicle combat and loot. Everything below assumes 2.x systems.
• Update 2.1 added the NCART metro, radioport, car races and repeatable romance hangouts.
• Update 2.2 added CrystalCoat paint and TwinTone for cars, more character-creation options and Photo Mode additions.
• Update 2.3 (July 2025) added four vehicles (Yaiba ARV-Q340 Semimaru, Rayfield Caliburn "Mordred", Yaiba ASM-R250 Muramasa and Chevillon Legatus 450 Aquila), AutoDrive, and self-driving Delamain cabs, plus FSR 3.1 Frame Generation, XeSS 2.0 and a Mac release.
• Patch 2.31 (September 11, 2025) improved AutoDrive (smoother, overtakes, no stopping at lights when driving to a destination), fixed quests like Motorbreath, and lets you buy the Yaiba Semimaru from Autofixer even if you failed its quest.
• PS5 Pro enhancement arrived in April 2026. CD Projekt Red has indicated 2.3 was the last major content update; no 2.4 has been announced.

Quick Start

• Pick a lifepath for flavor, not power. Nomad, Streetkid and Corpo change the prologue and some dialogue; stats are what matter.
• Plan around two attributes to 20. The strongest 2.x perks sit at 15 and 20 in each tree. Spread early, then commit.
• Visit Ripperdocs constantly. Cyberware is your gear in 2.x. Your capacity grows with level and Cyberware Capacity Shards.
• Loot everything, disassemble junk you don't need. Components fuel crafting and weapon tier upgrades.
• Iconic weapons keep up with you; you can upgrade them through tiers at a crafting station.
• Don't rush the main story. Once Act 2 opens up after the prologue, side gigs, NCPD scanner hustles and side jobs are where most of the good gear, money and story are.
• Phantom Liberty unlocks after the prologue. Start it once Songbird calls (after "The Heist" and "Playing for Time"). The main menu also lets you start directly in Phantom Liberty with a pre-made character.
• Don't start "Nocturne Op55N1" until you're done. It's the point of no return. After the credits the game drops you back before it, but finish your side content and relationships first so they count toward your ending.
• Use AutoDrive (2.3+; hold H on PC / Left Stick on console) to travel while watching the city, or just use Fast Travel and the metro.

Attributes and Perks

Five attributes, max 20 each, and a perk tree for each. The level cap is 50 in the base game and 60 with Phantom Liberty.

Attribute | Covers | Typical build use

Body | Health, blunt/shotgun/LMG, grapples | Tank, shotgun, Gorilla Arms, Berserk

Reflexes | Assault rifles, SMGs, blades, dashes | Katana/Sandevistan, dash mobility (Air Dash)

Technical Ability | Tech weapons, cyberware, grenades, health items | Tech weapons, cyberware-heavy builds, Edgerunner

Intelligence | Quickhacking, smart weapons, RAM | Netrunner

Cool | Stealth, precision rifles, pistols, headshots | Sniper/pistol stealth, "ninja" builds

Key facts:

• Perks can be refunded from the perk screen in 2.x, so experimenting is cheap. Attributes can only be reset once per playthrough, so plan those carefully.
• Perks unlocked at 15 and 20 are the strongest in each tree. Plan for them.
• Edgerunner (Technical Ability 20) lets you exceed cyberware capacity at the cost of Humanity and triggers Fury on kills. It's the core of many high-end builds.

Cyberware (2.x)

• Cyberware capacity sets how much chrome you can install. It rises with level, Technical Ability perks and Cyberware Capacity Shards (dropped by enemies and found in the world).
• Slots: Frontal Cortex, Arms, Skeleton, Nervous System, Integumentary System, Operating System, Face, Hands, Legs, Circulatory System.
• Operating System defines your playstyle:
• Cyberdecks (e.g. Netwatch Netdriver, Tetratronic Rippler, Militech Paraline) for netrunners
• Sandevistan (e.g. Apogee, Militech "Falcon") for slow-mo and reflex builds
• Berserk for Body builds
• Arm cyberware: Mantis Blades, Gorilla Arms, Monowire, Projectile Launch System.
• Axolotl (Frontal Cortex) reduces cooldowns when you neutralize enemies. A strong pick for many builds.

Build Archetypes

Build | Main attributes | Core pieces | How it plays

Netrunner | INT 20, TA 15–20 | Cyberdeck (Netwatch Netdriver / Tetratronic Rippler), Short Circuit, Contagion, Synapse Burnout, Overheat, Cyberpsychosis, System Collapse | Hack everything from cover or cameras

Blade / Sandevistan | REF 20, TA or COOL 15+ | Sandevistan, Mantis Blades or a katana (e.g. Satori), Air Dash | Fast, stylish melee with slow-mo

Tank / Shotgun | BODY 20, TA 15+ | Berserk, Gorilla Arms or shotguns (e.g. Ba Xing Chong), LMGs | Walk through fire, crush crowds

Stealth Sniper / Pistol | COOL 20, REF or INT 15 | Overwatch sniper, Skippy or Kongou pistol, Optical Camo | Headshots, silent kills

Tech Weapons | TA 20, BODY or COOL 15 | Tech rifles, snipers and pistols (e.g. Widow Maker, Breakthrough), grenades | Charged shots through walls

Edgerunner hybrid | TA 20 + one combat tree | Edgerunner, heavy cyberware load, Axolotl | Late-game power fantasy

Iconic weapons come from main jobs, side jobs and gigs. Many only appear once.

Phantom Liberty

• Where: Dogtown, a walled-off district in Pacifica.
• When: Songbird's call after the prologue. The main menu also offers a direct start with a pre-made character.
• Relic tree: Unique skill tree unlocked in Phantom Liberty. Points come from Militech data terminals scattered around Dogtown. Perks include Jailbreak (alternate modes for arm cyberware), Vulnerability Analytics, Emergency Cloaking and more.
• Level cap raised to 60 and more cyberware options.
• New ending: Phantom Liberty adds "The Tower" ending to the base game's endings, depending on your choices.
• Key choices: Phantom Liberty has a major branching decision near the end. Save before the late main missions.

Money and Economy

• Gigs and NCPD Scanner Hustles pay well early. Fixers will call you as your Street Cred rises.
• Sell junk (or disassemble for components).
• Cars are the biggest money sink. Buy from Autofixer terminals once fixers unlock them. 2.3 added more vehicles and AutoDrive; 2.2 added CrystalCoat to change paint.
• Crafting: Tier upgrades for iconic weapons cost components. Buy components from vendors if you're short.

Driving and Travel

• Fast Travel at Data Terms.
• NCART metro (2.1+) is a scenic and practical way to cross the city.
• Delamain cabs (2.3+) call a self-driving cab from the vehicle menu once you've completed "Don't Lose Your Mind."
• AutoDrive (2.3, improved in 2.31) drives to your pin or mission, or free roams if you don't set a destination.
• Vehicle combat: 2.x added shooting from vehicles and car-mounted weapons on some vehicles.

Police (2.0+)

• NCPD escalates through wanted stars, and MaxTac appears at high heat.
• Hide or break line of sight to lose them.
• Scanner hustles give money and experience; avoid hitting civilians.

Missables and Choices

• Side-jobs can close permanently if you advance too far or fail steps. Examples include Judy's and Panam's questlines, which also affect romances and endings.
• Johnny's relationship (via "Chippin' In" and related quests) unlocks the secret ending path. Treat him with respect and complete his side quests.
• Point of No Return: "Nocturne Op55N1". Finish everything you want first.
• Iconic weapons tied to one-time choices (like Skippy's mode) can be missed. Check a wiki if you're a completionist.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Spreading attributes evenly. Two or three trees at 15–20 beat five trees at 10.
• Ignoring cyberware capacity. Pick up capacity shards and plan Edgerunner if you want heavy chrome.
• Rushing the main story. Many side stories and iconic items get locked or change as the story progresses.
• Selling iconics. They're unique and upgradable.
• Forgetting Phantom Liberty's Relic tree. Collect Militech data terminals.
• Assuming a build is weak before level 20. Most builds come together at 15/20 perks.

Advanced Tips

• Netrunners: start with Contagion spreads and Overheat, finish with Synapse Burnout. Queue hacks on a single target.
• Sandevistan + blades: chain dashes and kills during slow-mo; Axolotl keeps cooldowns rolling.
• Body builds: Berserk plus shotguns plus health regen.
• Stealth snipers: Optical Camo and headshot perks from Cool.
• Photo Mode (2.3+): 27 new spawnable NPCs, including Rita Wheeler and Dum Dum.
• Vehicles: try the Yaiba Semimaru and Rayfield Caliburn "Mordred" added in 2.3.

FAQ

What's the latest Cyberpunk 2077 patch? Patch 2.31 (September 11, 2025) is the latest game patch. A PS5 Pro enhancement update followed in April 2026. No 2.4 has been announced.

When should I start Phantom Liberty? After the prologue, once Songbird calls. For a smooth ride, level 20 or higher is comfortable.

What's the level cap? 50 in the base game, 60 with Phantom Liberty.

Can I respec in 2.x? Yes. Perks can be refunded from the perk screen; attributes get a single reset per playthrough.

What's the best build? Netrunner and Sandevistan/blade builds are very strong. Edgerunner hybrids are excellent late game.

What's AutoDrive? An autonomous driving feature added in 2.3. It drives to your mission or pin, or free roams if you have no destination.

How do I get the "Tower" ending? It's a Phantom Liberty ending tied to specific choices in the expansion. Check a wiki for exact requirements if you want it.

Sources

• Cyberpunk.net – Update 2.3 Patch Notes
• CD PROJEKT RED Support – Patch 2.31
• Nintendo Everything – Cyberpunk 2077 2.31 patch notes
• Fextralife Cyberpunk 2077 Wiki – Patch Notes
• GameSpot – Cyberpunk 2077 PS5 Pro update
• Game Rant – Cyberpunk 2077 2.31 and a future 2.4