Summary
Despite having a bit of a rocky start,Cyberpunk 2077has shaped up to be one of CD Projekt Red’s finest games with surprisingly massive concurrent player counts, even today. One of the many improvements that paved the way for this rebound is the much more complex and interesting RPG systems.
Yet, sometimes players can find it difficult to get off the starting blocks inCyberpunk 2077,particularly on punishing difficulties that make some builds unworkable. These are four great builds that are designed to set a strong foundation for any player, using accessible weapons, and all are designed to be for players below level 10.
4Stealth Netrunner Build
A Cyborg Ghost In The System
In the world ofCyberpunk 2077fans who prioritize build quality, the stealth netrunner build is a little bit infamous for not just being powerful, but absurdly powerful. In fact, with the right combination of perks, attributes, cyberdecks, quickhacks, and cyberware, players can become near-unstoppable in the late game.
The early game is a different story. While the stealth netrunner is still more than viable, players tend to be limited by a more constrained selection of quickhacks and cyberdecks. However, that’s no barrier to excellence.
When creating your character, prioritize putting points into the Intelligence and Cool attributes. These are your core drivers for quickhack aptitude as well as stealth skills. For whatever’s left over, verify to put at least one point into Body (to get the slow health regen) and some more into Technical Ability to improve cyberware capabilities.
Then, whenever possible, check out cyberdeck stores and pick up whatever Quickhacks possible. At this point in the game, Short Circuit and Overheat are going to be the workhorses in a netrunner’s arsenal, but Ping is also very useful for maintaining stealth, and Weapon Glitch can save a player in a bind. These quickhacks are a solid foundation thatlead up to some of the best in the game.
Make sure to prioritize abilities in the early stages that increase critical hit rate and damage for headshots, and also any abilities that increase RAM, RAM regen, or the amount of quickhacks and their efficacy.
3Katana Build
A Cyber-Samurai
In a world full of guns, chooms who run with a katana as their weapon are either suicidal or extremely confident; this build is about becoming part of the latter category. Though it might seem counterintuitive, a katana build can be one of the most effective damage dealers in the whole game, but it can be tough in the early game, particularly on harder difficulties.
First things first, put a good amount of points into Reflexes (which will unlock lots of blade-related perks for later) as well as Body (which is essential for an HP boost to tank some hits). These two attributes will drive everything else, but if damage is still proving too high in the early game, consider investing more points into Body to get more HP to work with.
Next, consider the Parkour! perk for faster vaulting (to get to enemies faster) and Dash, which is absolutely essential for mid-fight mobility. Painkiller, Dorph-Head, and Comeback Kid are all great Body perks that are worth considering, too. With mobility and the ability to tank some hits, a cyber-samurai can get in close and strike.
In the early game, there aren’t too manyiconic or legendary melee weaponsto work with, and choices are limited. Always keep an eye out for katanas that complement the build style, and save up those hard-earned Eddies for a trip to the weapons shop. Their prices may be extortionate, but in the early game, extra points of damage can be worth the hit to the wallet.
2The All-Rounder
A Choom For All Seasons
It may not be the flashiest option, but in the early game, there’s very little harm in being a prominent all-rounder, able to tackle any situation as it arises. For some players, it’s often too early to commit to a build at this stage, so the all-rounder gives a nice taste of everything the game has to offer, so no choice needs to be made immediately.
Begin with a nice mix of Reflexes (which will help with gunplay), Body (which will help with a bigger HP pool), and Intelligence (which will lay the foundation for quickhacks). With a gun, some health to play with, and the ability to do some hacking, players can take advantage of all ofCyberpunk’s central gameplay systems without overly committing to one or the other.
A great Quickhack for the early stages is Short Circuit. It’s a low-cost hack that does a set bit of damage to an enemy and momentarily stuns them, laying them up for a hail of bullets from whichever gun you prefer to use. Similarly, Overheat does good damage over time, which helps chip away at the bigger health pools of more fearsome foes.
As an all-rounder, it’s worth taking a hefty arsenal into any fight, so there’s no situation where the player is outgunned. An all-purpose assault rifle for general firefights, an SMG for when things get close up, and agreat sniper rifle for gunfights at long-rangemeans this build is never at a disadvantage. It may be the master of none, but in the early game, who needs to be a master?
1Gunslinger
The Black Hat Cowboy
There’s maybe nothing more contradictory to the entire aesthetic ofCyberpunk 2077than being a gunslinging cowboy, but it’s genuinely one of the most fun ways to play the game, and there’s plenty of great build ideas to make it happen, even in the early game.
Eventually, players will be able to get perks like Deadeye and High Noon in the Cool attribute that lean hard into a gunslinging player aiming for headshots from a distance, but that’s not viable in the early game. However, several early Cool perks lay key foundations for that build. For example, Focus is a key mechanic in the Cool tree, unlockable around level 9, that buffs headshot damage, weak spot damage, removes stamina cost for shooting, and allows for more accurate shots. It’s all about aiming well and making every shot count.
However, in the early game, it’s worth thinking about other attributes too. For example, in Reflexes, Muscle Memory allows players to reload while sprinting, which is key for a player using a revolver, which needs to be reloaded a lot. Similarly, the baseline Body perks get HP regen on the go, and early Technical Ability perks like Glutton For War help keep the HP item economy flowing in the heat of battle.
Though a revolver is likely the main weapon, it’s also worth taking along a shotgun for any enemy that wants to get up closer. Again, in the early game, it’s unlikely a player is going to find anycrazy weapons or unique pistols, but look for revolvers, pistols, and shotguns to get a feel for how they handle and aim. By the time the late game comes around, the better the player is at accuracy, the more effective this build will be.
Cyberpunk 2077
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades.The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?
