Best builds for Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.1

Aryan Singh
Open World gameplay in Cyberpunk 2077

The Cyberpunk 2077 2.1 update brings multiple new features to the game along with a series of buffs and nerfs to cyberware. With this in mind, here are some of the best builds you can use in Cyberpunk 2077 2.1.

Update 2.0 for Cyberpunk 2077 was transformative for the game’s mechanics. Besides offering a ton of new content, it overhauled the skill tree, added a police system, and also revamped cyberware. The skill tree changes meant that you had to rethink your perks and alter your builds accordingly.

While Update 2.1 doesn’t change things nearly as much, it does bring tweaks to cyberware and perks. So if you’re looking to upgrade the stats for V, here are the best Cyberpunk 2077 builds to try out.

Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.1: Best builds

The best builds in Cyberpunk 2077 pack in style and damage in equal measure. The game’s combat allows you to be flashy while dispatching your enemies, and these builds embrace that.

Cyberpunk 2077 Berserk Shinobi melee build

Reflex skill tree Cyberpunk 2077
Maximize your technique with a Katana using the Reflex skill tree in Cyberpunk 2077.

If you enjoy getting up close and personal with your enemies in Cyberpunk 2077, this katana-wielding, shotgun-blasting build is for you. The build will let you zap around combat arenas while slicing your opponents in half. To maximize effectiveness in combat, it’s essential to pick the Dash, Lead and Steel, and Finisher: Bladerunner perks.

At the heart of the build is the Militech Berserk cyberware. The iconic OS activates a red-boiled fit of rage, making V invulnerable to damage throughout its duration. Its cooldown is also on the lower side, meaning you’ll be back to slashing furiously in no time.

  • Required Attributes – 15 Body, 15 Reflexes, 20 Technical Ability, 9 Intelligence, 9 Cool
  • Recommended Weapons – Satori, Errata, Ba Xing Chong, Hypercritical
  • Recommended Cyberware – Militech Berserk, Blood Pump, Projectile Launch System

Cyberpunk 2077 Stealth Assassin build

Cool skill tree Cyberpunk 2077
Stealth in Cyberpunk 2077 requires dumping your perks in Cool.

The Stealth Assassin build uses the maneuverability and time manipulation mechanics in Cyberpunk 2077 to its advantage. Approaching enemy areas will require a bit of calculation from you, but the build should make the rest pretty easy. Skipping past enemies without being detected is made simple by using the Dash perk and Sandevistan cyberware.

Beyond that, suppressed weapons and throwable knives are the best way of stealthily dealing with enemies.

For this build, you’ll need the Focus, Deadeye, Killer Instinct, Feline Footwork, Scorpion Sting, Ninjitsu, Juggler, Corrosion, Small Target, Slippery, Dash, Air Dash and Painkiller perks.

  • Required Attributes – 12 Body, 20 Reflex, 15 Technical Ability, 4 Intelligence, 20 Cool
  • Recommended Weapons – Pride, Dying Night, Kongou, Neurotoxin Knife, Stinger, Headhunter
  • Recommended Cyberware – Militech ‘Apogee’ Sandevistan, Handle Wrap, Blood Pump, Kerenzikov Boost System, Toxic Mantis Blades, Kerenzikov, Synaptic Accelerator, Optical Camo

Cyberpunk 2077 Monowire Lucy build

Intelligence skill tree Cyberpunk 2077
Intelligence dictates your netrunning abilities in Cyberpunk 2077.

The Monowire Lucy build isn’t just a sound recreation of the fan-favorite character from Edgerunners, but it’s also the best Netrunner build in Cyberpunk 2077. Just like Lucy, you’ll be relying on dishing out quickhacks at breakneck speeds and stacking bonuses. When coupled with the Monowire, you have a flashy yet technical build that’s fun and flexible.

For this build, you’ll need the Optimization, Embedded Exploit, Overclock, Spillover, Hack Queue, Queue Acceleration, Queue Mastery, Smart Synergy, Siphon, and Liverwire perks. Be sure to load up your cyberdeck with the most lethal quickhacks you can find.

  • Required Attributes – 9 Body, 20 Reflexes, 15 Technical Ability, 20 Intelligence, 7 Cool
  • Recommended Weapons – Divided We Stand, Yinglong, Genjiroh
  • Recommended Cyberware – Militech Paraline MK. 4, Ex-Disk, Monowire

Cyberpunk 2077 David Martinez build

Body skill tree Cyberpunk 2077
Push your body to the limit by picking the Edgerunners perk in Cyberpunk 2077.

Another Edgerunners build, this one’s modeled after the protagonist David Martinez. In the anime, the character established himself as a Night City legend and remnants of his gear can be found within Cyberpunk 2077. The build itself is pure mayhem and demolition. Using the Sandevistan cyberware, you’ll be pacing through time at hyper-speed while enemies drudge along.

It’s best to pair this chrome with melee weapons for maximum damage. Also essential to the build are the Blood Pump and Mantis Blades cyberware.

For this build, you’ll need the Quake, Finisher: Savage Sling, Painkiller, Adrenaline Rush, Pain to Gain, Air Dash, Edgerunner, and License to Chrome perks.

  • Required Attributes – 20 Body, 20 Reflexes, 20 Technical Ability, 3 Intelligence, 8 Cool
  • Recommended Weapons – Gold-plated baseball bat, Hammer (Tier 5), The Defender
  • Recommended Cyberware – Militech ‘Falcon’ Sandevistan, Newton Module, Mantis Blades, Gorrila Arms, Dense Marrow, Blood Pump

Those were the best builds for Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.1. For more on the game, check out our other guides:

Is Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty the final DLC? | Is Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty DLC free? | Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty PC requirementsCyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty: Paid & free content explained | How to unlock Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty DLC | How long is Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty

About The Author

Aryan is a Games Writer at CharlieIntel who specializes in sports and racing games, including EA Sports FC, NBA 2K, and Forza. He's also a big fan of massive RPGs such as Starfield, Elden Ring, and Cyberpunk. Aryan has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and previously wrote for sports websites Pride of London, Sportsmanor, LWOF, and Thick Accent. You can contact him at [email protected].