Summary
- Focus on arm upgrades for unique combat experiences.
- Balance combat and non-combat attributes for varied gameplay.
- Experiment with attribute builds for versatile playstyles.
There are few open-world games as immersive and engaging as Cyberpunk 2077. Standing tall alongside No Man's Sky as games with less-than-stellar launches that managed to turn themselves around, Cyberpunk today is a staple in the library of any RPG, sci-fi, or open-world game fan. With such a prestigious reputation for freedom of customization, it's only natural that the game lets players build their character however they want.
Unlike many other in-depth RPGs, however, Cyberpunk has a fairly simple leveling-up system for managing stats and perks, meaning that players don't have to be overwhelmed when trying to figure out the kind of character they want to make. The game features five Attributes — Body, Intelligence, Reflexes, Technical, and Cool — each with a related skill tree. The higher the attribute, the more perks players can access. Not only is it simple, but the attributes all synergize well with each other to boot. For those who want to make sure they're getting the most out of this system, there are some things to keep in mind.
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5 Work Towards An Arm Upgrade
Not Every Build Needs Them, But They're Very Fun
Cyberware in general is technically optional in Cyberpunk, but that's a bit like saying equipping rings is optional in Dark Souls. It's true, but save for a masochistic challenge run, there's no real reason not to engage with this mechanic. Arm cyberware is the pinnacle of the cyberware system, greatly altering how V moves and acts in combat, but coming at a great cost eddies-wise.
The four main arm upgrades each scale with a certain stat. Gorilla arms scale with body, mantis blades with reflexes, etc. Making sure the V's highest attribute reflects what arm upgrade they want can be a great way to get the most out of this game's cyberware system.
4 Balance Combat & Non-Combat Utility
V Can Be More Than A Killer
Attributes in this game point to more than just what kind of weapons V wants to use (although yes, they do also determine what kinds of weapons V can use). Many of the game's key decisions can have extra light shed on them if the player has unlocked dialogue options that come from the right attributes. Reflexes unlock more perceptive dialogue options, while Intelligence makes V seem more... Well, intelligent.
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Come across a locked door? A V with high a level in Tech can bypass the lock, while a V with high Body can rip it clean off its hinges. Having a primary stat focused on combat is probably a good idea; it's an ARPG, after all. But focusing on a secondary attribute so that V can access more of the world via traversal or dialogue is also a good idea.
3 Focus On Attributes With Preferred Perks
Not All Perks Are Made Equal
No matter what kind of build players want to go for in Cyberpunk 2077, there will be a selection of perks that can not only augment that build, but take it in new directions. Wanting to focus on quick hacks will mean putting a lot of points into Intelligence. But players who want to be a covert agent that can use these quick hacks from afar would be smart to put points into the Cool attribute, as this affects how easily they can be detected from stealth.
There are perks that improve the effectiveness of weapons, so melee and shotgun users, even if their primary stat is Tech or Intelligence, should invest in Body to gain benefits for their primary weapon. Certain universally useful perks, such as Adrenaline Rush in the Body attribute or Health Freak in the Tech attribute warrant players putting some points in these stats even if they're not central to the build being worked towards.
2 Experiment With Builds
Players Can Reset Their Attributes To Experiment
In the latest iteration of Cyberpunk, players have the option to reset all their attributes and perks, though at an accumulated cost each time. Keeping this in mind (and maybe toying around with some save scumming), players can reinvest their attribute points to try out wildly different builds, essentially consequence-free.
Want to see what happens when a stealthy sniper suddenly becomes a punch-drunk melee berserker? Or when an agile katana-wielding street samurai suddenly has enough RAM in their cyberdeck to shut down half of Night City? Investing attributes in a way that promotes experimentation and risk-taking with unfamiliar perks is always a good way to go in this game. In a worst-case scenario, the option to reset attributes is still there.
1 Work Towards Favored Weapon Types
See What Feels Best For V
Every weapon in Cyberpunk 2077 has its own personality, and players will find themselves charmed by one type of gear or another eventually. Shotguns are great for those who want a bit of a sensory kick to every shot, as the screen lights up with buckshot and scatters enemies. Meanwhile, snipers will find themselves at home with... Sniper rifles. Go figure.
Body and Reflexes have most of the weapon types in their domain, but there are niche weapon builds available for those with Tech-heavy stats. Those who want to focus on quick hacks (the domain of Intelligence) should still have a fall-back weapon that relies on a different stat. If Night City teaches players anything, it's that nothing is more important than having a Plan B.
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
