Best Netrunner Build for Patch 1.6 (Quickhack Build) | Cyberpunk 2077

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Cyberpunk 2077 Netrunners

This is a guide to the Best Netrunner Build for Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 1.6. Read our guide for details about the build, what attributes to level up, which perks to choose, and what weapons and cyberwares to use.

Netrunner Build Overview

Build Basic Information

Netrunner Build
Main Attributes Intelligence
Cool
Reflexes
Body
Main Perk Trees Quickhacking (Intelligence)
Breach Protocol (Intelligence)
Ninjutsu (Cool)
Cold Blood (Cool)
Handguns (Reflexes)
Athletics (Body)
Main Weapons / Arm Cyberware Archangel
Monowire
Operating System Netwatch Netdriver Mk. 5 / Tetratronic Rippler Mk.4

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Weaknesses
• Access to powerful quickhacks that can take out multiple enemies quickly and stealthily.
• Ability to use Breach Protocols for more money, as well as crafting materials, on top of making enemies more vulnerable.
• Focus on Intelligence, Cool, and Reflexes attributes make them weak in direct firefights.
• Will have to use a stealthy playstyle, which may be boring for some players..

Netrunner Best Attribute Build

Attribute Progression

Focus on upgrading Intelligence first, as it is the foundation of any Netrunner build. Both Quickhacking and Breach Protocol will come into play when hacking opponents, devices, and robots. Occasionally pour points into Cool and Reflexes as needed, to gain access to the Ninjutsu and Handguns perk trees.

Putting some points into the Body Attribute will help with keeping you alive in case enemies catch wind of your presence. Don't rely on it too much, though.

At first, you'll find yourself using silenced handguns as your main weapon, but soon you'll come to depend more and more on Quickhacks to take out enemies.

Build Attributes
Lv. Body Reflex Tech Intel Cool
1 3 6 3 6 4
10 3 7 3 12 7
50 14 16 3 20 18

Netrunner Build Best Perks

Quickhacking (Intelligence)

Perk Effect at Lv. 1
Master Ram Liberator IconMaster Ram Liberator Increases RAM recovery rate by 50%.
+1% per Perk level.
Biosynergy IconBiosynergy Allows RAM to recover during combat. Recover 4 RAM unit(s) every 60 sec.
Bloodware IconBloodware Quickhacks deal 10% more damage.
Forget-Me-Not IconForget-Me-Not Eliminating a target affected by a quickhack instantly recovers 1 RAM unit(s).
I Spy IconI Spy Reveals an enemy netrunner when they're attempting to hack you.
HackerHacker's Manual Unlocks Crafting Specs for Uncommon quickhacks.
Weak Link IconWeak Link Reduces the required cyberdeck RAM for quickhacks used on devices by 1 unit(s).
Daisy Chain IconDaisy Chain Eliminating a target affected by a quickhack reduces the existing cooldowns for all other active quickhacks by 10%.
Signal Support IconSignal Support Increases quickhack duration by 25%.
Subliminal Message IconSubliminal Message Quickhacks deal 50% more damage to unaware targets.
Diffusion IconDiffusion Quickhack spread distance is increased by 2 times.
Mnemonic IconMnemonic Reduces the cost of quickhacks used against an enemy already affected by a quickhack by 2 RAM units.
School of Hard Hacks IconSchool of Hard Hacks Unlocks Crafting Specs for Rare quickhacks.
Plague IconPlague Quickhacks that spread can jump to 1 additional targets.
Critical Error IconCritical Error Quickhacks can now deal Crit Hits based on your Crit Chance and Crit Damage stats.
Hacker Overlord IconHacker Overlord Unlocks Crafting Specs for Epic quickhacks, including Whistle.
Anamnesis IconAnamnesis Available cyberdeck RAM cannot drop below 2 unit(s).
Optimization IconOptimization Reduces the cost of quickhacks by 1 RAM unit(s).
BartmossBartmoss' Legacy Unlocks Crafting Specs for Legendary quickhacks.

Ideally, you'll eventually want to unlock all the perks in the Quickhacking tree. But if you're starting out, you could prioritize perks like Biosyngergy to allow your RAM to recover during combat.

Other perks that increase the duration of your quickhacks like Signal Support could follow, along with perks that decrease the cooldown of your hacks. Get the perks that unlock crafting specs for quickhacks last.

Get the Subliminal Messaging perk as well to increase the damage of your hacks to unaware enemies.

Breach Protocol (Intelligence)

Perk Effect at Lv. 1
Big Sleep IconBig Sleep Unlocks the Big Sleep daemon, which disables all cameras in the network for 3 min.
Mass Vulnerability IconMass Vulnerability Unlocks the Mass Vulnerability daemon, which reduces the Physical Resistance for all enemies in the network by 30% for 3 min.
Almost In! IconAlmost In! Increases the breach time for Breach Protocol by 20%.
Turret Shutdown IconTurret Shutdown Unlocks the Turret Shutdown daemon, which disables security turrets in the network for 3 min.
Hackathon IconHackathon Uploading 3 or more daemons in the same Breach Protocol shortens quickhack cooldowns by 33% for 5 min.

In the Breach Protocol perk tree, get perks like Mass Vulnerability and the Quickhacks upgrade to make your enemies take more damage against your quickhacks. Big Sleep, Turret Shutdown, and Hackathon are also useful perks to get, so you won't end up getting detected by turrets and cameras.

Ninjutsu (Cool)

Perk Effect at Lv. 1
Assassin IconAssassin Deal 15% more damage to human enemies.
Hasty Retreat IconHasty Retreat Temporarily boosts movement speed by 50% for 5 sec. when detected by an enemy.
Cheat Death IconCheat Death When your Health drops below 50%, reduce all incoming damage by 50% for 10 sec. Cannot occur more than once per minute.

With Ninjutsu, get the Cheat Death, Hasty Retreat, and Assassin perks so if you're detected, you can runy away quicker and not get killed, on top of a slight damage boost against human enemies.

Cold Blood (Cool)

Perk Effect at Lv. 1
Cold Blood IconCold Blood After defeating an enemy, gain Cold Blood for 7 sec. and increase movement speed by 2%. Stacks up to 1 time. The duration of each additional stack is 1 sec. shorter.
Frosty Synapses IconFrosty Synapses Reduces quickhack cooldowns by 3% per stack of Cold Blood.
Quick Transfer IconQuick Transfer Reduces quickhack upload time by 2% per stack of Cold Blood.

In the Cold Blood tree, we want to get the eponymous Cold Blood Perk, as well as Frosty Synapses and Quick Transfer so we can dish out Quickhacks faster.

Handguns (Reflexes)

Perk Effect at Lv. 1
Gunslinger IconGunslinger Reduces reload time for Pistols and Revolvers by 10%.
Desperado IconDesperado Increases damage with Pistols and Revolvers by 3%.
O.K. Corral IconO.K. Corral Deal 50% more damage with Pistols and Revolvers to enemies whose Health is below 25%.
Steady Hand IconSteady Hand Reduces Pistol and Revolver recoil by 30%.
Vanishing Point IconVanishing Point Increases Mitigation Chance by 20% for 5 sec. after performing a dodge with a Pistol or Revolver equipped.
By default, Mitigation grants a chance to reduce any damage taken by 50%.
A Fistful of Eurodollars IconA Fistful of Eurodollars Increases Crit Damage with Pistols and Revolvers by 15%.
Wild West IconWild West Removes the damage penalty from Pistols and Revolvers when shooting from a distance.

For a good while, you'll find yourself using silenced handguns as your main weapon while building up your quickhacking skills. That's why you have to get handgun perks like Gunslinger and Desperado, so you can pull out your gun faster, reload, and do more damage.

Athletics (Body)

Perk Effect at Lv. 1
Regeneration IconRegeneration Health slowly regenerates during combat.
Marathoner IconMarathoner Sprinting does not drain Stamina.

When you can afford to, put some points into Body and Atheletics so you can unlock the Marathoner perk so sprinting doesn't cost you stamina anymore. Regeneration is also useful to get more health when you run out of MaxDocs.

Netrunner Build Best Weapons

Archangel

Weapon
Archangel size:75x75Archangel
Effect Deals Electrical damage with a chance to apply Stun and has significantly reduced recoil. An angel of a weapon with a devil's attitude.

One of the most powerful iconic handguns in the game that you should get your hands on as soon as possible. You can put a silencer on this gun too, ensuring you'll still be stealthy on missions.

How to Get the Archangel

Kongou

Weapon
Kongou size:75x75Kongou
Effect Thanks to highest-grade mods, the user can take advantage of richochet technology even if they do not possess the required cyberware. Reduced recoil and an increased rate of fire make up for the smaller magazine size. It's as deadly as it is elegant.

If you don't have the Archangel yet and are starting early, then you can get your hands on the Kongou instead. It's an iconic pistol that comes out at the 'Rare' level first but becomes more powerful once it's upgraded to 'Legendary'.

How to Get the Kongou

Netrunner Build Best Cyberwares

Operating System

NetWatch Netdriver MK. 5

Cyberware Effect (Legendary)
Cyberpunk 2077 - NetWatch Netdriver MK.5NetWatch Netdriver MK.5 -

The NetWatch Netdriver MK. 5 is the best piece of cyberware you can get your hands on if you're a Netrunner. On top of the increased spread of your quickhacks, it also increases their damage and your RAM recovery rate.

All you need to do is make you you have enough eddies and the street cred necessary to buy it.

Tetratronic Rippler MK. 4

Cyberware Effect (Legendary)
Cyberpunk 2077 - Tetratronic Rippler MK.4Tetratronic Rippler MK.4 -

Another alternative you can use is the Tetratonic Rippler MK. 4, which makes your quickhacks upload 75 percent faster. This allows you to unleash ultimate quickhacks like Cyberpsychosis and Detonate Grenade more quickly, and spam other quickhacks like contagion.

Arms Cyberware

Monowire

Cyberware Effect (Legendary)
Cyberpunk 2077 - MonowireMonowire The Monowire charges when equipped but not used in combat. Attacks with a charged wire deal bonus damage based on the charge level. Charge level and bonus damage dealt decline with each attack. Three mod slots available (wire, battery, universal).

A good backup weapon to have in case you run out of ammunition for your silenced pistol, the Monowire takes out enemies both at close range and from a distance, allowing you to grab another gun during a firefight.

Other Cyberwares

Ex-Disk

Cyberware Effect (Legendary)
Cyberpunk 2077 - Ex-DiskEx-Disk Increases your cyberdeck's max RAM units by 5.

The Ex-Disk allows you to spit out quickhacks left and right because of your increased RAM units. You'll also need it to activate some of the ultimate quickhacks in the game like Cyberpsychosis while using other quickhacks as well.

Camillo Ram Manager

Cyberware Effect (Legendary)
Cyberpunk 2077 - Camillo Ram ManagerCamillo Ram Manager When your cyberdeck's RAM reaches 2, instantly free 30% of it. Cooldown 4 min.

Another very useful cyberware that will free up RAM units for you. Essential in keeping up with uploading more quickhacks during battle.

Ram Upgrade

Cyberware Effect (Rare)
Cyberpunk 2077 - Ram UpgradeRam Upgrade Increases cyberdeck RAM recovery rate by 0.3 unit(s) per second.

Just like the Camillo Ram Manager, the Ram Upgrade helps in recovering your RAM units more quickly.

Tyrosine Injector

Cyberware Effect (Uncommon)
Cyberpunk 2077 - Tyrosine InjectorTyrosine Injector Increases the breach time of Breach Protocol by 100%.

The Tyrosine Injector is a must-have for Netrunners, as it gives you much more time to do the Breach Protocol mini-game while hacking enemies.

This not only makes your enemies weaker against quickhacks or attacks but also gives you money along with the ability to turn off cameras and turrets.

Kerenzikov

Cyberware Effect (Legendary)
Cyberpunk 2077 - KerenzikovKerenzikov Allows you to aim and shoot while dodging. Slows time by 90% for 3.5 sec. when blocking, aiming, or attacking during a slide or dodge. Cooldown 5 sec.

The Kerenzikov is a useful cyberware to have as it will let your netrunner aim their gun freely while dodging, which will prove useful if your cover is blown.

Netrunner Build Best Quickhacks

Short Circuit

Quickhack Stats Effect
Short Circuit Short Circuit Duration: 6.8 sec
Upload Time: 1 sec
Cooldown: 10 sec
Uncommon
・Non-Lethal
・Deals moderate damage to the target. Very effective against drones, mechs, robots, and targets with a Weakspot.
Rare
・Applies an EMP effect to the target for 4 sec.
Epic
・Deals 30% extra damage to enemies below a High threat level.
Legendary
・Passive While Equipped: Crit Hits with any weapon apply this quickhack's uncommon effect.

One of the best quickhacks you can use in the game if only because of its low RAM requirements and how much damage it can cause if used correctly.

It can put groups of enemies down for the count, especially if you use the NetWatch Netdriver MK. 5, which uploads this quickhack in two to three enemies at once.

Short Circuit: Quickhack Effects and How to Obtain

Contagion

Quickhack Stats Effect
Contagion Contagion Duration: 8.5 sec
Upload Time: 1 sec
Cooldown: 30 sec
Uncommon
・Non-Lethal.
・Deals low damage that applies Poison to the target. Spreads to 2 targets within an 8-meter radius. Effective against closely grouped targets.
Rare
・Poison lasts significantly longer.
Epic
・Each subsequent target receives 30% more damage from Contagion.
Legendary
・Passive While Equipped: All quickhacks capable of spreading to multiple targets can jump 1 additional time(s).

Another good quickhack to have, as it not only damages groups of enemies but leaves them vulnerable to other attacks.

Contagion: Quickhack Effects and How to Obtain

Cyberpsychosis

Quickhack Stats Effect
Cyberpsychosis Cyberpsychosis Duration: 60 sec
Upload Time: 8 sec
Cooldown: 120 sec

Epic
・Lethal.
・Induces a cyberpsychosis-like state in the target, causing them to attack both enemies and allies.
・Sets the status of drones, mechs, and robots to friendly, making them turn against your enemies.
・If no other allies are nearby, the target will commit suicide.
Legendary
・Passive While Equipped: Enemies under the effect of any quickhack will no longer try to avoid inflicting friendly fire.

One of the legendary quickhacks that may be situational at times. What you can do is upload this quickhack on an enemy that has a view of the whole op site like a sniper, then upload the contagion quickhack on another enemy as soon as the cyberpsychosis quickhack upload is complete.

Cyberpsychosis: Quickhack Effects and How to Obtain

How to Play the Netrunner Build

Be Stealthy

Cyberpunk 2077 Stealthy Netrunner

The main reason why you want to strike from the shadows as a Netrunner is that you won't last that long in a straight firefight. That's why it's better to just upload quickhacks from a distance, where enemies can't see you and see the chaos unfold without them even knowing you're there.

Quickhacks Are Your Main Weapons

Cyberpunk 2077 Quickhack Combat

Unlike other builds, the Netrunner's main weapon is their array of quickhacks. That's why increasing your RAM units, as well as decreasing your quickhack cooldown time is important. RAM units are your ammunition, and you don't want to run out of ammo in a fight.

Use Handguns and the Monowire as a Last Resort

Cyberpunk 2077 Pistol Last Resort

In case your cover's blown, you have to wait for your quickhacks to cool down, you'll have to fight with your fallback weapons. But it's better if you go back into hiding than to keep on shooting since your enemies will likely rip you to shreds before long.

Netrunner Alternative Builds

Lucy Monowire Netrunner

Cyberpunk 2077 Lucy Monowire Build

The notorious netrunner Lucy from the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime is a powerful hacker that can face off against enemies when needed with her deadly Monowire. But don't count on her to last too long in a straight firefight.

Build this netrunner similarly to the main build, but instead of progressing through the Handguns perk tree, instead upgrade your Blades perks, as your monowire will be your main weapon against enemies. You'll also have to take some points from the Body attribute so you can get your Reflexes to 18 and get the Deathbolt perk.

Still, facing enemies head-on should be a last resort only. Use your quickhacks as your main weapon, and take them out from the shadows.

Recommended Build
Weapon Type Monowire, Pistols (Backup)
Quickhacks Short Circuit, Overheat, Contagion, Ping, Reboot Optics, System Reset, Weapon Glitch
Additional Perks Mass Vulnerability, Head Start
Build Attributes
Lv. Body Reflex Tech Intel Cool
1 3 6 3 6 4
10 3 7 3 12 7
50 14 16 3 20 18

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