Cyberpunk 2077 Cyberware and Ripperdoc Guide

In the world of Cyberpunk 2077, almost everyone walking the streets of Night City is packing a little something extra under their skin. Whether it’s subdermal armor, a pair of Mantis Blades, or a neural interface that lets you jack into the net, cyberware isn’t just futuristic tech—it’s a way of life. Keeping up with the latest upgrades and knowing where to get them can make the difference between a routine gig and a trip to the ripperdoc for some emergency maintenance. With so many options and enhancements to choose from, figuring out what cyberware fits your playstyle—and how to actually get your hands on it—can be a challenge for both new mercs and seasoned edgerunners.

Who Are Ripperdocs?

Ripperdocs are specialized doctors in Night City who handle cyberware installations, removals, and repairs. They do a lot more than your average street doc, acting as trusted tech surgeons—if you’re flush with eddies, a visit to a ripperdoc lets you upgrade nearly every part of your body. Each ripperdoc offers different services, inventory, and skill levels, often tied to your Street Cred or quest progress. Think of them as both mechanics and personal trainers for your cybernetic bits.

Where to Find Ripperdocs

You can spot ripperdoc clinics all over Night City. Each district usually has at least one, and the larger neighborhoods often have several. You’ll find them marked on your map with a small forceps/needle icon. Some of the most well-known ripperdocs—and the ones you’ll visit in story missions—include Viktor Vektor in Watson, Fingers in Westbrook, and Doc Ryder in Heywood.

Notable Ripperdocs

• Viktor Vektor: Early-game favorite; helps you get started and offers discounts after key story events.
• Fingers: Known for unique and sometimes controversial inventory, especially for specialized builds.
• Judy’s Neighborhood Doc: Located in Vista Del Rey, offers crowd-favorite cyberoptics.

Keep an eye out: New ripperdocs can become available after certain missions or as your reputation grows. Some even offer exclusive upgrades you won't find anywhere else.

How Ripperdocs Work

Walking into a ripperdoc’s clinic opens up a menu split into different body parts. Each slot represents a spot for a particular type of cyberware. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Frontal Cortex: Smart scanning, hacking boosts.
• Ocular System: Eye enhancements (thermal vision, zoom).
• Circulatory System: Boosts to regen, adrenaline, and armor.
• Nervous System: Reflex upgrades, time-slowing.
• Integumentary System: Skin and external protection.
• Operating System: Key for quickhack builds or Sandevistan/Berserk users.
• Arms, Legs, Immune System, Skeleton, Hands: Specialized mobility and combat options.

Each body slot can fit certain cyberware modules, and some slots allow multiple implants at higher Street Cred levels. Hover over each slot in the ripperdoc menu to get a description and stat preview.

Requirements and Costs

Most cyberware isn’t just plug-and-play. Many upgrades require minimum attribute points (Body, Reflexes, Intelligence, Technical Ability, or Cool). Rare and powerful gear usually needs high Street Cred as well. Prices swing from cheap (for “entry level” chrome) to wallet crushing for legendary enhancements. Bring enough eurodollars to cover both the cyberware and the installation fee.

Upgrading and Swapping Out Cyberware

You aren’t stuck with your choices. You can swap or remove cyberware at any ripperdoc for a fee. This comes in handy if you want to respec your build or experiment with new playstyles. Just note, not all upgrades are equally available everywhere—some ripperdocs stock rarer gear than others.

Ripperdoc Tips and Etiquette

• Shop Around: Don’t just visit the first clinic. Later-game ripperdocs have top-tier upgrades and competitive prices.
• Attribute Planning: Don’t waste eddies on chrome you can’t use yet. Plan your build and level up attributes required for high-end cyberware before buying.
• Street Cred Matters: Raising your Street Cred unlocks better ripperdocs and more advanced upgrades. Grind those gigs if you want the best tech.
• Prioritize the Essentials: Eye mods (like the Kiroshi Optics) and dermal armor offer solid early-game value.
• Safety First: Some cyberware can have side effects (like restricting healing). Always read the fine print before installing.

Conclusion

Ripperdocs are your ticket to surviving and thriving in Night City. Whether you want razor-sharp reflexes, more muscle, or just a killer look, the right ripperdoc has you covered. Visit often, keep your eyes peeled for new tech, and match your chrome to your combat style. With enough Street Cred (and eddies), you’ll be unstoppable.

Cyberware Tier List

Choosing your cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t just about collecting the shiniest chrome. Some implants can flip the odds in your favor, while others might not be worth the slot (or the cash). Here’s a tiered rundown of the most talked-about cyberware across each body slot—taking into account usefulness, synergy with popular builds, and overall impact on gameplay.

S-Tier Cyberware

These upgrades are gamechangers—either must-have options for most playstyles or absolutely defining for particular builds.

• Kiroshi Optics MK.3 (Ocular System)
  • Unlocks enemy weakpoints, highlights loot, and boosts scan range. Upgradable with handy mods. Super versatile.
• QianT "Warp Dancer" Sandevistan (Operating System)
  • Lets you slow time with a long duration and high crit bonus. Sandevistan builds are built around this OS.
• Bioplastic Blood Vessels (Circulatory System)
  • Starts health regen both in and out of combat. Recovery is fast, freeing you from chugging medkits.
• Subdermal Armor (Integumentary System)
  • Straightforward damage reduction. Legendary version stacks with other defenses. Works on any build.

A-Tier Cyberware

Solid choices that shine in the right hands or playstyle, but may not be universally essential.

• Reinforced Tendons (Legs)
  • Grants a double jump. Amazing for movement, flanking, and sequence breaking.
• Mantis Blades (Arms)
  • Great melee damage, especially fun for aggressive ninja or hit-and-run builds. Charged leap attack is devastating.
• Second Heart (Circulatory System)
  • Instant revive upon death. One-time safety net per combat. Priceless if you take big risks.
• NetWatch Netdriver MK.5 (Operating System)
  • Best in slot for quickhack builds. Massive RAM pool and boosts quickhack spread.
• Reflex Tuner (Nervous System)
  • Slows time on taking damage. Terrific clutch option for high-speed, glass cannon playstyles.

B-Tier Cyberware

These offer reliable benefits but can be situational, outclassed by rarer options, or best suited as stepping stones toward top-tier upgrades.

• Gorilla Arms (Arms)
  • Solid for melee power builds, fistfights, or forcing open doors—less impactful outside brawler playstyles.
• Limbic System Enhancement (Frontal Cortex)
  • Bumps crit chance, favors crit-heavy gun builds but not as impactful as other cortex mods.
• Heal-On-Kill (Circulatory System)
  • Minor healing after each kill. Fine for sustain, especially in the early and mid game.
• Projectile Launch System (Arms)
  • Gives ranged explosive power and versatility but a bit clunky to use compared to guns or melee blades.

C-Tier Cyberware

More niche. These implants are either outclassed, only good in very specific builds, or generally have minimal impact.

• Synaptic Signal Optimizer (Skeleton)
  • Increases max health, but not by enough to stand out for most playthroughs where damage mitigation is more valuable.
• Microvibration Generator (Hands)
  • Raises melee speed, but the benefit is small. Better options for arms or hands in most cases.
• Shock Absorbers (Legs)
  • Prevents fall damage—nice in theory, but the city rarely punishes falls if double jump is unlocked.

Legendary/Unique Picks

Some cyberware isn’t just “strong”—it’s vital for particular themed builds or peak Night City style.

• Monowire (Arms)
  • Charged ranged whip attack. It’s beloved for stealth/hacker hybrids, letting you quickhack and slash.
• Skeleton Camo (Integumentary System)
  • Temporary invisibility. Great for sneaky gigs and hit-and-run assassinations.
• Fortified Ankles (Legs)
  • Gives a charged super jump instead of double jump. If you prefer vertical launch over zig-zag mobility, this is for you.
• Heat Converter (Immune System)
  • Turns burning effects into health regen. A fun pick for pyro or chaos builds.

Slot-by-Slot Recommendations

Frontal Cortex

• Best Overall: Visual Cortex Support (crit damage boost) for shooters.
• Runners-Up: Limbic System Enhancement for crit chance. Pain Editor (damage reduction) if you’re squishy.

Ocular System

• Top Pick: Legendary Kiroshi Optics. Mod slots let you customize for combat or looting.

Circulatory System

• Must-Have: Bioplastic Blood Vessels or Second Heart for survivability.
• Early Game: Heal-On-Kill or Blood Pump for instant mid-combat healing.

Immune System

• Top Option: Shock-n-Awe (stuns enemies hitting you). Low energy but sometimes clutch.
• Specialized: Heat Converter for fire-based builds.

Skeleton

• Safe Choice: Bionic Joints (reduces recoil) for ranged weapons. Synaptic Signal Optimizer for a health boost.

Hands

• Top Option: Smart Link for smart guns. Projectile Launch System can substitute for explosive needs.

Arms

• Personal Preference: Mantis Blades for melee, Gorilla Arms for brute force, Monowire for hybrids.

Legs

• Utility: Reinforced Tendons (double jump) or Fortified Ankles (super jump)—totally changes movement.

Nervous System

• Favorite: Reflex Tuner for bullet-time panic mode. Kerenzikov for slow-mo while aiming/dodging.

Integumentary System

• Go-To: Subdermal Armor for pure defense. Optical Camo for stealth.

Operating System

• Attack-Focused: QianT Warp Dancer for Sandevistan fans, NetWatch Netdriver for netrunners.
• Melee/Berserk Builds: Berserk mods for brute strength and resistances.

Final Thoughts

Not all cyberware is created equal. Some options unlock wild new tactics or bail you out of sticky situations, while others simply keep you standing a little longer. Prioritize S-Tier and A-Tier picks based on your build, but don’t be afraid to experiment with quirky options—sometimes the most memorable Night City moments come from unexpected upgrades. If you find something that fits your style or lets you cheese a tough fight, that’s chrome well spent. Operating System Guide

The Operating System slot in Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most defining choices for your build. Unlike most other cyberware, your OS unlocks entire playstyles: from hacking to bullet-time ninja action or heavy-hitting berserker rampages. Let’s break down how these cyberware pieces work, what each type offers, and which are worth your precious eddies.

How Operating Systems Work

Your Operating System (OS) isn’t just a stat stick—it fundamentally changes how your character interacts with Night City. There are three main OS types:

• Cyberdeck: For quickhack users (netrunners), focusing on hacking enemies, cameras, and the city itself.
• Sandevistan: Designed for those who want to slow time, rush down enemies, and act faster than anyone else.
• Berserk: Caters to melee and tanky builds, transforming you into a powerhouse with temporary buffs.

Each OS comes with its own base stat boosts (like RAM, buffer size, or mod slots), unique active ability, and often a crafting progression (higher tier = stronger effects).

Cyberdecks: The Hacker’s Best Friend

If you want to control the battlefield with hacks, a cyberdeck is the way to go. Here’s what you need to know:

• RAM: Determines how many quickhacks you can run before recharging.
• Buffer Size: Affects Breach Protocol puzzles (for hacking terminals or minigames).
• Slots: The number of quickhacks you can equip at once.

Top Choice: NetWatch Netdriver MK.5

• Why it rules: Massive RAM pool and speed boosts to quickhacks. You get boosted damage, plus quickhacks can spread to multiple targets—perfect for melting groups of enemies.
• Who should use it: Pure netrunners or anyone who spams quickhacks.
• Tips: Pair it with legendary quickhacks like Contagion or Short Circuit for room-clearing power.

Other Notables

• Tetratronic Rippler: Awesome for hack-and-slash hybrid builds, reducing cooldowns on offensive hacks.
• Stephenson Tech Mk.4: Ramps RAM recovery, so you rarely run dry.

Sandevistans: For Speed Demons

The Sandevistan OS is all about slowing time for everyone but you. Activate it, and you make Jackie Chan look sluggish.

• Effect: Dramatic slow-mo (with you moving at almost normal speed) for a short burst.
• Cooldown: After the effect ends, you have to wait before triggering it again.
• Mod Slots: Let you further tweak the effect—longer duration, headshot bonuses, etc.

Top Choice: QianT Warp Dancer Sandevistan

• Why it stands out: Maxes out duration and speed boost, plus reduces incoming damage while active.
• Who should use it: Reflex-focused characters, sword or mono-blade users, critical shooters who rely on positioning over hacking.
• Tips: Stack mods that increase crit chance/damage during Sandevistan for wild burst potential.

Runner-Up: Zetatech Berserk Sandevistan

• Unique twist: Merges time dilation with berserk-like buffs, giving you additional melee power or resistances.

Berserks: The Bruiser’s Choice

Berserk OS is a game-changer for melee builds, cyberware punchers, and anyone who likes wading through gunfire.

• Effect: Temporarily boosts health, armor, melee damage, and sometimes grants special resistances or combat perks.
• Downside: Lacks the direct, flashy abilities of Sandevistan or hacking, but makes you hard to kill and scary in a brawl.

Top Choice: Militech “Falcon” Berserk

• Why it rocks: Huge buffs to damage and armor, plus the longest duration out of the Berserk lineup.
• Who should use it: Gorilla Arms users, shotgunners, or anyone getting up close and personal.
• Tips: Try mods that give life steal or decrease Berserk cooldown. Works great with "Second Heart" or "Heal-On-Kill" for unstoppable momentum.

Other Picks

• Arasaka Berserk: Leans defensive, stacking armor and resistances—great for soaking up punishment.

Choosing the Right OS for Your Build

The right OS cyberware ties directly to your attribute investment and combat style.

• Intelligence 18+: Go for legendary cyberdecks (NetWatch, Rippler). You’ll wreck the network and enemies alike.
• Reflex 18+: Legendary Sandevistans like the QianT Warp Dancer pay off most when you live for crit damage, dashes, and speed.
• Body 18+: Berserk types (Falcon, Arasaka) let you tank and smash in equal measure.

Note that many legendary OS types lock behind high attribute requirements, so plan ahead.

Ripperdocs and Upgrade Advice

You’ll need to visit a ripperdoc to install or swap your OS. Legendary versions cost heaps, but even rare/epic can shift your playstyle mid-game.

• Don’t buy the first OS you see. Try out several, as even lower-tier versions pack unique playstyle changes.
• Check back with ripperdocs as you level up—better OS unlock with street cred and main story progress.

Final Tips

• Mods matter: The best Operating Systems have more mod slots, letting you tailor things like increased RAM recovery, longer slow-mo, or healing on Berserk activation.
• Switch freely: Your equipped quickhacks are tied to the OS; swapping Sandevistan for a cyberdeck will “blank” your hack bar.
• Attribute scaling: High-level OS upgrades are locked by your main stat (Intelligence, Reflex, or Body). Invest early if you have a dream build in mind.

Picking your Operating System is about playing the cyberpunk you want to be—master hacker, time-slashing samurai, or an unstoppable wall of chrome and meat. Choose wisely and tailor the rest of your chrome to fit your OS for max synergy. Frontal Cortex cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077 gives your character’s brain a serious upgrade. These slot into your neural interface and directly influence hacking, combat intelligence, and even survivability. Whether you want to be a netrunner who shreds ICE at lightspeed or a gunfighter with built-in aimbot features, the right Frontal Cortex mods make a big difference.

What is Frontal Cortex Cyberware?

Frontal Cortex cyberware refers to implants installed in the brain, usually by a ripperdoc. You can equip up to three at a time, depending on the tier of your cyberware. Each implant provides passive or triggered bonuses that boost your hacking, intelligence skills, or sometimes even how effective certain healing items work.

Unlike other cyberware slots, most Frontal Cortex mods specifically add value to netrunner and support builds. Still, there are a couple that any build can find useful, especially if you like using quickhacks or want ways to recover resources faster.

Where to Get Frontal Cortex Cyberware

To unlock new Frontal Cortex slots, you’ll need to increase your Intelligence attribute:

• At Intelligence 12, you unlock a second slot.
• At Intelligence 18, you get all three slots.

The best Frontal Cortex implants become available at higher Street Cred and character levels. Ripperdocs around Night City refresh their stock as you progress and complete story missions.

Best Frontal Cortex Cyberware: Tier List

Here’s a quick breakdown of the top Frontal Cortex options and who benefits from each:

NetWatch Netdriver-Boosters

These greatly ramp up your available RAM and boost quickhack damage. Stack them with a strong cyberdeck and you’ll roast enemies with Breach Protocol and quickhacks before anyone even draws a gun.

• Who should use: Pure netrunners and hybrid tinkerers.

Ex-Disk

Increases total RAM pool, letting you cast more quickhacks before needing a recharge. You’ll see this on nearly every Intelligence/quickhack-centric build.

• Who should use: Netrunners, especially useful early- to mid-game.

Camillo RAM Manager

When your RAM hits zero, this instantly refills a chunk of it and triggers a short cooldown. It’s a get-out-of-jail card if you go all-in on hacks during tough encounters.

• Who should use: Quickhack spammers, or anyone pushing their luck on RAM usage.

Mechatronic Core

Cranks up the damage of your quickhacks against machines, mechs, and drones. In the mid-late game (or on higher difficulties), when bots start showing up in every second room, this is a life-saver.

• Who should use: Players focusing on Breach Protocol or quickhacks, especially in environments loaded with turrets or robots.

Memory Boosters

Refill a little RAM every time you defeat an enemy with a quickhack. The small returns add up and let you stay offensive longer.

• Who should use: Aggressive netrunners chaining lots of quickhacks across a group.

Heal-On-Kill (Self-ICE or similar mods)

Several Frontal Cortex mods provide minor health restoration on defeating enemies via quickhacks or sometimes any method. These aren’t game-changers but add a layer of staying power during extended brawls.

• Who should use: Hybrid characters or netrunners who want more sustain.

How to Slot and Combine Frontal Cortex Mods

You don’t have to stick with just one Frontal Cortex type; the real magic is in slotting two or three that work together for your approach:

• Pure Netrunner: NetWatch Netdriver-Boosters + Ex-Disk + Memory Boosters gives you a ton of RAM and lets you keep hacking with minimal downtime.
• Hybrid Gunfighter/Netrunner: Ex-Disk + Mechatronic Core + Heal-On-Kill supports both digital and physical attacks.
• Survivor: Camillo RAM Manager + Heal-On-Kill + any bonus-ram module = high hacking uptime and better brawling odds.

Swapping cyberware only costs a handful of eddies, and there’s no penalty or cooldown, so try several setups until the balance feels right for your missions.

Upgrading Frontal Cortex Cyberware

Each Frontal Cortex cyberware has multiple rarities (rare, epic, legendary). Higher-tier variants boost their effects and sometimes expand secondary bonuses. Legendary memory boosters, for example, grant way more RAM per kill than their common cousins.

• Tip: Legendary Frontal Cortex implants are rare at ripperdocs. You might need to wait for late game, check back often, or visit ripperdocs in upscale districts like Heywood or Westbrook.
• Crafting: Some top-tier mods (especially hack-focused) can be crafted if you find the correct spec. Search vendor inventories and on high-level NCPD hustles for crafting blueprints.

Final Thoughts

Frontal Cortex cyberware are one of Cyberpunk 2077’s most impactful upgrade slots, particularly for anyone dabbling in netrunning or hacking. Prioritize unlocking all three slots through your Intelligence stat, and experiment with the combos listed above. The extra RAM, in-combat sustain, and accelerated hack power can turn even the hardest missions into a walk through Night City’s neon haze. If you’re not using this slot to its full potential, you’re leaving a ton of power on the table. Arms cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077 changes the way you approach combat more than just about any other upgrade slot. Want to punch through walls? Launch explosive projectiles? Tear turrets apart with your bare hands? This is the part of your build that makes you feel like a true chrome-plated badass. Here’s a detailed look at how arms cyberware works, what each option does, and which builds benefit the most.

Types of Arms Cyberware

Arms cyberware is all about turning your fists into powerful tools—or outright weapons. You can only equip one set at a time, so the choice is meaningful. Here are the four main options available from ripperdocs:

Gorilla Arms

• Style: Up-close melee brawler.
• What it does: Gorilla Arms add a huge chunk of bonus damage to your melee attacks, making your basic punches hit way harder. They’re awesome for players focusing on the Body attribute and street fighting. On top of the combat utility, Gorilla Arms are also used for opening locked doors and tearing open certain loot crates found throughout Night City.
• Best for: Brawler builds, street boxer characters, or anyone investing heavily in melee skills. They’re also handy if you often run into strength checks in side missions.

Mantis Blades

• Style: Fast, high-mobility melee.
• What it does: Out springs a pair of sword-like blades from your forearms—turning your sprint into a slashing assault. Mantis Blades let you leap at enemies with a lunge attack (when upgraded), deal quick bleed damage, and generally keep fights fast. They rely on Reflex and Blades perks.
• Best for: Reflex builds, ninja-style characters, or anyone who likes quickly closing in on enemies and chaining attacks. These are great for crowd control, too.

Monowire

• Style: Ranged-ish melee (whip).
• What it does: This cyberware gives you a high-tension cable that whips out from your forearm. You can strike from further away than regular fists, and it deals wide sweeping damage—good for hitting groups. The Monowire also scales off Body, but with the right mods, it can deal electrical, thermal, or chemical status effects.
• Best for: Hybrid brawlers or Netrunners who want to sync physical attacks with quickhacks. Unique in that you can charge attacks for bonus effects.

Projectile Launch System (PLS)

• Style: Explosives and ranged mayhem.
• What it does: Basically turns your arm into a shoulder-mounted rocket launcher. The PLS fires explosive or chemical grenades depending on the mods slotted in. Ammo is unlimited but works on a cooldown, so you can’t spam it forever.
• Best for: Tech builds, players who want crowd control, or those who prefer to weaken enemies from a distance before moving in.

How to Get and Install Arms Cyberware

You’ll need to visit a ripperdoc to buy and install any of the arms cyberware options. Prices and availability scale with your Street Cred and level. To unlock powerful legendary versions, keep leveling up and check ripperdocs in wealthier districts.

• Street Cred: Different arms unlock at different Street Cred levels, usually starting around 20 for the basic versions.
• Attribute Requirements: While you technically only need Street Cred for the base version, certain upgrades and mods require specific body, reflex, or tech levels.

Arms Cyberware: Mods and Upgrades

Each arm cyberware type comes with two to three mod slots, depending on rarity and the cyberware itself. This lets you customize damage type, add status effects, or boost raw output.

Gorilla Arms Mods

• Damage Upgrades: Simple flat damage boosts.
• Elemental Mods: Add electric, chemical, or thermal effects.
• Stamina Efficiency: Lets you swing away longer without running out of breath.

Mantis Blades Mods

• Edge Types: Choose between blades that bleed, burn, or poison.
• Attack Speed: Boosts your attack animations.
• Jump Enhancements: Increase leap range and lunge power.

Monowire Mods

• Damage Scaling: Mods that increase charge damage.
• Status Effects: Shock, burn, and poison options.
• Hacking Boosts: Some Legendary monowires boost quickhack damage against enemies you hit.

Projectile Launch System Mods

• Ammo Type: Switch between explosive, EMP, thermal, or chemical grenades.
• Radius and Impact: Change the blast radius or impact force.
• Status Effects: Add lingering burn, shock, or poison clouds.

Best Arms Cyberware for Each Playstyle

Here’s a quick rundown of which arms cyberware suits which build:

• Melee Brawler: Gorilla Arms. Pure punch force and environmental interactions.
• Speed and Stealth: Mantis Blades. Get in, do damage, get out.
• Hybrid Hacker: Monowire. Chain hack-and-whack attacks, great for mixing hacking with physical combat.
• Destruction from Afar: Projectile Launch System. Clear rooms or start fights from cover.

Tips for Using Arms Cyberware

• Swap Arms at Ripperdocs: You aren’t locked into your choice. If a mission suddenly calls for brute strength, you can swap to Gorilla Arms for a fee—the procedure is quick and doesn’t penalize you.
• Watch for Attribute Perks: Many perks in Body, Reflex, and Technical Ability trees improve arms cyberware. Invest points where it fits your favorite attacks.
• Sync with Other Cyberware: Eye, nervous system, and skeleton cyberware can further boost your effectiveness—stack crit, attack speed, or stamina for some wild synergies.

Finding Legendary Arms Mods

Legendary arms mods don’t always appear in the same place. Some show up at late-game ripperdocs, while others can be crafted or found during gigs, side jobs, or NCPD hustles.

Conclusion

Arms cyberware amps up your personal combat style, giving you a tool that matches your favorite way to play. Whether you’re cracking open locked doors, slicing through enemies at blinding speed, or lobbing grenades with your fist, there’s an upgrade to match your approach. Start with the option that sounds like the most fun, and don’t be shy about experimenting. Night City’s not going anywhere—so give those chrome arms a workout.