2.1 Best Assault Rifle Build

This is a guide to the best 2.1 Assault Rifle Build for Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. Read our guide for details about the build, what attributes to level up, which perks to choose, and what weapons and cyberwares to use.

Assault Rifle Build Overview

Build Basic Information

Assault Rifle Build
Main Attributes	Reflexes Technical Ability Body
Main Weapons / Arm Cyberware	・Psalm 11:6 ・Moron Labe ・Errata ・Projectile Launch System
Operating System	・Militech “Apogee” Sandevistan

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

This Assault Rifle build pairs up Power Assault Rifle gunplay with a nearly-undeterred run and gun playstyle thanks to various perks under Reflexes, Body, and Tech.

Perks under Reflexes improve Assault Rifle aiming, crit chance and damage, and reduced stamina cost when shooting, as well as more movement options like dashing. Those under Body and Tech improve your survivability and combat performance, like the Adrenaline Rush and Edgerunner perks.

If you have Phantom Liberty, you can obtain a Relic-exclusive skill which lets you spot weakpoints of your target, which will deal additional damage if shot.

Weaknesses

Even if this build is meant to take you dive straight into combat, you will not be built like a tank, so you still need to be wary of your health and back out whenever you need to recover HP.

Furthermore, how long you can stay alive in combat is tied directly on how quickly you can kill your enemies while Adrenaline Rush is active to charge up Blood Pump, which is your main option for recovering health for this build (outside of retreating).

You are also at a disadvantage if a combat encounter takes too long, as you will eventually run out of ammo.

Assault Rifle Best Attribute Build

Attribute Progression

Build Attributes
Lv.	Body	Reflex	Tech	Intel	Cool
1	6	6	4	3	3
10	6	11	8	3	3
50	20	20	20	3	8
60	20	20	20	3	18

The max level is only up until 50 in the base game. Purchase Phantom Liberty to reach level 60.

The primary Attribute for this build is Reflexes, which includes Assault Rifle and Dash perks. These are vital to the run and gun playstyle for this build.

After the 2.0 update, you are no longer able to spam healing items as these are now locked behind cooldowns. This led to the build getting certain perks under Body and Technical Ability which help you get faster health item recharge and get some extra HP during combat via Adrenaline Rush. Some perks under the Tech tree will also net you bonuses from equipped cyberware and slowly build up to the Edgerunner perk which synergizes with this build's aggressive playstyle.

The remaining attribute points, including those obtained from Phantom Liberty, are used on Cool to get more crit damage.

Assault Rifle Build Best Perks

This is the full list of perks that you can get if you achieve the maximum level 60 with the Phantom Liberty DLC. Optional perks are also listed in their own section in case you have not purchased the DLC.

Jump to Each Attribute for Their Perks!
Reflexes	Technical Ability	Body
Optional Perks

Reflexes Attribute

The main perk tree for Assault Rifles are found under Reflexes. The bonuses you can get from these perks start from reduced stamina costs and recoil when shooting, which you will be doing a lot.

This will lead up to getting better stamina regeneration, improved weapon control, and higher damage output once you get Sharpshooter and Salt in the Wound.

You will also get movement perks under Reflexes, with Dash and Air Dash being key movement techs once you get them.

These two trees will merge with the Air Kerenzikov perk, which allows you to use the cyberware to stop and slow down time while midair. Not only will you look cool, you'll also be able to eliminate targets while you're suspended in the air!

If you have Phantom Liberty, you can use the additional perk points from the increased level cap to add blades perks in the build. You can then wield a katana that can deflect bullets with Lead and Steel or even use the Bladerunner finisher.

Perk List

Main Perk	Secondary Perk(s)
Slippery (1 pt)	Power Slide Parkour!
Dash (2 pt)	Steady Grip Can't Touch This Mean Streak Mad Dash
Lead and Steel (2 pt)	Bullet Deflect Bullet Time
Ready, Rested, Reloaded (2 pt)	Spice of Life Tunnel Vision Mind Over Matter
Air Dash (3 pt)	Aerodynamic Aerial Acrobat
Finisher: Bladerunner (3 pt)	Going the Distance Opportunist Flash of Steel
Sharpshooter (3 pt)	Shoot to Chill Practice Makes Perfect Gundancer

Final Perks

Final Perks
Tailwind	Salt in the Wound

Cross-Branch Perk

Perk	Requirement
Air Kerenzikov	Gundancer Aerial Acrobat

Get this perk when you have specific secondary perks unlocked.

Technical Ability Attribute

After the 2.0 update, you can no longer spam health items to heal as these are now locked behind cooldowns per use, which warranted the need of some perks under the reworked Technical Ability tree to be included in this build.

The Glutton for War and Health Freak perks improve health item usage and will also lower its cooldown. These two will also benefit from buffs received from Adrenaline Rush perks, which is under the Body attribute.

For cyberwares, the Edgerunner perk tree is obtained to improve all of your equipped cyberwares. Edgerunner also has a chance to activate Fury, which will make you even deadlier when it activates.

Both perk trees will merge with the Ticking Time Bomb perk, which incentivizes frequent use of your Sandevistan and jumping right into the center of a firefight.

Perk List

Main Perk	Secondary Perk(s)
Glutton for War (1 pt)	First Aid Transfusion
All Things Cyber (2 pt)	Chrome Constitution Renaissance Punk Driver Update Chipware Connoisseur
Health Freak (2 pt)	Borrowed Time Field Medic
License to Chrome (3 pt)	Extended Warranty Ambidextrous Built Different
Pyromania (3 pt)	Friendlier Fire Burn This City Heat Shield

Final Perks

Final Perks
Edgerunner	Ticking Time Bomb

Cross-Branch Perk

Perk	Requirement
Doomlauncher	Friendlier Fire Ambidextrous

Get this perk when you have specific secondary perks unlocked.

Body Attribute

Perks under the Body tree are centered around Adrenaline Rush, a buff which gives you extra health upon using your Blood Pump cyberware.

Adrenaline Rush is used in combination with your Sandevistan or Kerenzikov cyberware to get extra health as you head right into enemy frontlines.

As Adrenaline Rush is limited by Blood Pump's recharge time, the perk is paired with Glutton for War and Health Freak perks under the Tech tree so you can quickly charge up Blood Pump by simply killing your enemies.

Perk List

Main Perk	Secondary Perk(s)
Painkiller (1 pt)	Comeback Kid Army of One Speed Junkie Dorph-Head
Adrenaline Rush (3 pt)	Juggernaut Unstoppable Force Calm Mind

Final Perks

Final Perks
Pain to Gain

Optional Perks

If you still have not purchased the Phantom Liberty DLC and have no access to the 10 additional perk points that came with it, these perks are optional and can be removed.

Removable Perks (10 pts)
Lead and Steel	Bullet Time
Bullet Deflect	Finisher: Bladerunner
Going the Distance	Opportunist
Flash of Steel	--

Assault Rifle Build Relic Skill Priority

Take Vulnerability Analytics and Machine Learning First

Priority	Main Skill	→	Branch Skill
1st	Vulnerability Analytics	→	Machine Learning
2nd	Jailbreak	→	Launch Capacity Override

Vulnerability Analytics and Machine Learning are the main Relic skills for guns in the game, including Assault Rifles. These skills will highlight enemy weakspots that you can shoot to deal bonus damage.

Once you get these, you can next obtain Jailbreak and Launch Capacity Override to gain extra Projectile Launch System shots and charges.

Relic Skill Tree Available in the DLC

Please take note that the Phantom Liberty expansion is needed to access the Relic Skill Tree.

Relic Skill Tree Guide and List

Assault Rifle Build Recommended Weapons

Base Game Only

Recommended Weapons (Base Game only)
Psalm 11:6	Moron Labe	Errata

• The Psalm 11:6's thermal damage properties can help deal more damage over time and lets you kill your targets faster. It also synergizes well with Errata.
• The Moron Labe is another great rifle thanks to its high fire rate, although it is less effective the farther you are from your target due to its low effective range and handling.
• The Errata is a perfect pair for the Psalm 11:6, as you can guarantee critical hits when used on burning enemies.

Base Game + Phantom Liberty

Recommended Weapons (with Phantom Liberty)
Psalm 11:6	Moron Labe	Errata

• All three weapons still work as a loadout in Phantom Liberty. With more perk points, you can also improve your Errata by getting blades-oriented perks.

Assault Rifle Build Best Cyberwares

Jump to a Cyberware section!
Operating System		Face		Hands		Circulatory System
Legs		Frontal Cortex		Arms		Skeleton
Nervous System				Integumentary System

Operating System

Cyberware	Effect (Tier 5)
Militech "Apogee" Sandevistan	Press L1 and R1 to activate and deactivate. It can be activated at any charged level. When active: Slows time by 85% (you are not slowed) +10% headshot damage +9% Crit Chance +13% Crit Damage Neutralizing an enemy when active gives: +20% extended duration +22% Stamina Max Duration: 8 sec. Cooldown: 30 sec.

A Sandevistan is an important part of the gameplay loop for this build, as this will help you easily jump right into the faces of your targets and bury them in bullets.

Activating a Sandevistan will also cause an EMP blast after 3 seconds once you get the Ticking Time Bomb perk.

▲ Back to Cyberwares ▲

Alternative: Militech Falcon Sandevistan

Cyberware	Effect (Tier 5)
Militech "Falcon" Sandevistan	When active: Slows time by 70% (you are not slowed), +10% damage, +10% Crit Chance, +5% Crit Damage. Neutralizing an enemy when active gives: +10% extended duration, +5% Health. Max Duration: 9 sec., Cooldown: 35 sec.

A good alternative to the Apogee, in case you missed it during the Riders On the Storm mission, as this can be bought in Ripperdocs all over Night City.

▲ Back to Cyberwares ▲

Face

Cyberware	Effect (Tier 5)
Kiroshi "The Oracle" Optics	Effect active when scanning: Highlights enemies within 17.5 m.including enemies behind cover. Highlights cameras and turrets within 35m. Highlights explosive devices and traps near your crosshair within 26m.

The Oracle variant of a Kiroshi Optics lets you track enemies, which is useful to keep track of who to kill next.

▲ Back to Cyberwares ▲

Hands

Cyberware	Effect (Tier 5)
Ballistic Coprocessor	Increased ricochet chance with Power weapons. +30% ricochet damage.
Shock Absorber	-20% Recoil

Power Assault Rifles are to be used for this build, which is why you should equip a Ballistic Coprocessor so you can also capitalize on ricochets. A Shock Absorber, on the other hand, will reduce recoil.

Do note that you need the Ambidextrous perk to unlock a second cyberware slot for Hands.

▲ Back to Cyberwares ▲

Circulatory System

Cyberware	Effect (Tier 5)
Blood Pump	Activate to instantly restore 90% of max Health. Cooldown 30 sec.
Clutch Padding	-18% Stamina cost for shooting.

Blood Pump is another key cyberware for this build, as this will activate Adrenaline Rush and all of its effects, apart from it being your main healing item.

Clutch Padding will further decrease stamina used when shooting, which you'll be doing a lot.

▲ Back to Cyberwares ▲

Legs

Cyberware	Effect (Tier 5)
Reinforced Tendons	Press Space Bar in midair to perform a double jump.

Reinforced Tendons enable double jumping, which you can use to move around or activate Kerenzikov in midair without the need to climb buildings or platforms.

Simply double jump, aim your weapon, and air dash to activate Kerenzikov and slow down time.

▲ Back to Cyberwares ▲

Frontal Cortex

Cyberware	Effect (Tier 5)
Kerenzikov Boost System	When Kerenzikov is active: -100% stamina cost for shooting. Slows time by 15% relative to your enemies.
Mechatronic Core	+35% damage against drones, robots, mechs and turrets. +2 Max RAM.

Equipping a Kerenzikov Boost System will give you more stat boosts when you use Kerenzikov.

Mechatronic Core will let you deal more damage against robots, which you will encounter as you progress through the game.

▲ Back to Cyberwares ▲

Arms

Cyberware	Effect (Tier 5)
Projectile Launch System	Charged shots gain: +30% damage, +25% explosion radius, +40% dismemberment chance

A Projectile Launch System will act as a sidearm of sorts, which you can use to fire an explosive at enemies to deal extra damage.

This cyberware also gains benefits from Pyromania and its related perks once you get them, at which point you can then incorporate while in combat.

▲ Back to Cyberwares ▲

Skeleton

Cyberware	Effect (Tier 5)
Bionic Joints	Armor - Simple but effective.
Spring Joints	+19% Mitigation Strength (Total Mitigation Strength cannot exceed 90%) Mitigation grants achance to reduce incoming damage by current Mitigation Strength (default: 50%).
Titanium Bones	+62% Carrying Capacity.

These Skeleton cyberware are slotted in to reduce the damage you will take.

▲ Back to Cyberwares ▲

Nervous System

Cyberware	Effect (Tier 5)
Kerenzikov	Allows you to aim and perform ranged attacks while sliding, dodging or Dashing. Slows time by 60% for 3.5 sec. when you aim a ranged attack during a slide, dodge or Dash. Cooldown 6.5 sec.
Neofiber	+10% Mitigation Chance, +9% Mitigation Strength Mitigation grants a chance to reduce incoming damage by current Mitigation Strength (default: 50%).
Reflex Tuner	Slows time by 60% for 4 sec. when your Health drops below 25%. Cooldown 40 sec.

Kerenzikov acts as your second Sandevistan of sorts, which you can activate when dashing on the ground or in the air thanks to the Air Kerenzikov perk.

Meanwhile, a Reflex Tuner can be you third time-slowing cyberware, but will only activate on low health, in which case you should use Blood Pump to heal.

Neofiber grants you more mitigation stats and is slotted in for defensive purposes.

▲ Back to Cyberwares ▲

Integumentary System

Cyberware	Effect (Tier 5)
Defenzikov	When Kerenzikove ends: +90% Mitigation Chance for 4 sec. Mitigation grants a chance to reduce incoming damage by current Mitigation Strength (default: 50%). +0.1% Crit Chance per Attribute Point. +2.6% Weapon Handling +2.1% Damage Over Time Resistance
Nano-Plating	7% chance to block an incoming projectile. +100% bonus chance after performing a dodge or Dash. This bonus lasts 1.7 sec. or until the next projectile is blocked, whichever comes first. Cannot block more than 3 projectiles in a 5 sec. span. +0.2 headshot and weakspot damage per Attribute Point. +1.3% Bonus Ricochet Damage +1.3% Decreased enemy vision
Painducer	Converts 30% of damage taken into damage-over-time. +0.5% damage-over-time resistance per Attribute Point. +1.3% Health Item Effect +2.5% Reduced damage from Poisoned enemies

Defenzikov is a cyberware which gives Kerenzikov defensive stats after using it.

Nano-Plating has a chance to reflect projectiles whenever you dash, which is your main way of getting around. You can take even less damage if you also equip Painducer.

▲ Back to Cyberwares ▲

How to Play the Assault Rifle Build

Use Blood Pump and Cyberware Combo

At the beginning of a firefight, use Blood Pump to activate Adrenaline Rush, which gives you extra health.

Then, double jump towards your enemies, aim with your weapon, and air dash to activate Kerenzikov in the air. Start shooting your targets and kill them to quickly recharge Blood Pump.

Once Kerenzikov ends, use your Sandevistan and continue mowing down your enemies. Use another Blood Pump if you need to heal.

Be Aggressive

This build rewards an aggressive style of running and gunning, so keep on shooting and killing even if you cannot use the recommended combo.

Take full advantage of time-slowing cyberware, Blood Pump's Adrenaline Rush and the extra health you get from it, Projectile Launch System charges, EMP blasts from the Ticking Time Bomb perk, and Fury from the Edgerunner perk.

Take Cover to Recover Health

There will be times that you may be overwhelmed by a ton of tough enemies. It's better to retreat, find cover, and wait for your health, cyberwares, and perks to be fully refreshed before continuing to fight.

Equip a Katana

After getting additional perk points in Phantom Liberty, get the blades perks under the Reflexes tree and equip a katana.

You can use this defensively to deflect bullets as you move around, or as a way to quickly finish off enemies.

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