Full List, Guide, What They Do and If They're Useful

We’ve all been playing Cyberpunk 2077 nonstop now, 3 playthroughs, 2 romances, and a whole lot of NiCola laying around our rooms, yet still, we find ourselves wanting more, searching for hidden missions, Easter eggs, and of course the best build, spending hours pondering through the skills tree.

So if you're like us and find yourselves constantly searching for the best perks in Cyberpunk 2077, then let us break it down for you. Perks are special abilities or upgrades related to each Character Skill Tree, and are leveled up with Perk points.

This Tier List of perks in Cyberpunk 2077 below includes a categorized description of every perk, ranked from best to worst, along with their general usefulness all around. Bear in mind that these will of course be situational depending on your playstyle and your V’s build.

Cyberpunk 2077 Perks Tier List Rating System:

  • S Tier: Best - Must have and super useful
  • A Tier: Strong - Recommended but not perfect
  • B Tier: Good - Decent perk and viable with different builds
  • C Tier: Average - Not good and not bad but very situational

Best Assault Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked

This list of perks improves different stats when using Assault rifles and Sniper Rifles.

PerkDescriptionRank
PunisherAfter defeating an enemy with a Rifle or Submachine Gun, weapon sway is nullified and weapon spread does not increase for 10 sec. +0.2 sec per Perk LevelS
Savage StoicIncreases Rifle and Submachine Gun damage by 35% when standing stillS
Long ShotRifle damage increases the farther you are located from enemiesS
Named BulletsIncreases crit damage from Rifle and Submachine Gun by 35%S
BunkerIncrease armor & resistance by 15% when shooting with Rifle and Submachine Gun from coverA
Skull SkipperEach headshot reduces recoil with Rifle and Submachine Gun 5% for 10 seconds. Stacks up to 5 timesA
Trench Warfare Increases Rifle and Submachine Gun damage by 5% / 10% when firing from behind coverA
Nerves of SteelIncreases headshot damage with sniper rifles and precision rifles by 20% / 30%A
ExecutionerDeal 25% more Rifle and Submachine Gun damage to enemies whose health is above 50%A
Covering KillshotIncreases crit chance with Rifle and Submachine Gun by 10% / 20% when firing from behind coverA
Eagle EyeImproves Rifle and Submachine gun by 10% / 25% / 50%B
In PerspectiveIncreases crit damage on Rifle and Submachine Gun with mounted scopes by 2%B
Recoil WranglerReduces recoil on Rifle and Submachine Gun by 10%B
Hunter's HandsReduces recoil with Rifle and Submachine Gun by 20% / 40% when firing from behind coverB
Feel the FlowReduces reload time for Rifle and Submachine Gun by 10% / 20%B
Shoot, Reload, RepeatDefeating an enemy with a Rifle and Submachine Gun reduces reload time by 20% / 40% for 5 secondsB
BullseyeIncreases Rifle and Submachine Gun damage while aiming by 10%B
Too Close For ComfortMelee attacks with Rifle & Submachine guns deal 50% / 100% more damageC
Duck HunterIncreases Rifle and Submachine Gun damage to moving enemies by 10% / 20%C
BulletjockIncreases damage with Rifle and Submachine Gun by 3% / 6% / 10%C

Best Handguns Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked

Whether you're rolling with a Pistol or Revolver. These perks will benefit all Handgun builds.

PerkDescriptionRank
Vanishing PointEvasion increases by 25% for 7 seconds after performing a dodge when holding a Pistol and RevolverS
Wild WestRemoves the damage penalty from Pistol and Revolver when shooting from a distanceS
WestworldIncreases crit chance by 10% for each mod installed on the Pistol and Revolver you're usingS
Lead SpongeEnables you to shoot with Pistol and Revolver while dodgingS
BrainpowerAfter a successful headshot with a Pistol and Revolver, crit chance increases by 25% for 5 secondsS
The Good, The Bad And The UglyAfter a successful Crit Hit with a Pistol or Revolver, damage and Armor increases by 30% for 5 seconds. +1% per Perk LevelS
High NoonIncreases crit chance with Pistol and Revolver by 4% / 8% / 12%A
O.K CorralDeal 50% more damage with Pistol and Revolver to enemies whose health is below 25%A
Steady HandReduces recoil from Pistol and Revolver by 30%A
A Fistfull Of EurdollarsIncreases crit damage from Pistol and Revolver by 10% / 20%A
AcrobatYou can now dodge while aiming a Pistol and RevolverA
Additional FireFiring consecutive shots with a Pistol and Revolver at the same target increases damage by 10%A
Snowball EffectAfter defeating an enemy, the fire rate (cycle time) for Pistol and Revolver receives a 5% boost for 6 seconds. Stacks up to 5 timesA
DesperadoIncreases damage from Pistol and Revolver by 3% / 6% / 9%B
Rio BravoIncreases headshot damage multiplier with Pistol and Revolver by 10% / 20% / 30%B
On The FlyReduces equipping and unequipping time for Pistol and Revolver by 25% / 50%B
Long Shot Drop PopIncreases damage to enemies 5+ meters away by 25% / 50%B
Grand FinaleThe last round in a Pistol and Revolver magazine deals double damageB
GunslingerReduces reload time for Pistol and Revolver by 10% / 15% / 25%C
From Head to ToeIncreases damage to limbs with ranged weapons by 7% / 15%C

Best Blades Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked

If you use the Katana's or any melee weapon with your build then these will suit you just right.

PerkDescriptionRank
Blessed BladeIncreases crit chance by 20%S
Fiery BlastIncreases damage against a target by 1% for every 1% / 2% / 3% of health they are missingS
DeathboltDefeating an enemy recovers 40% health and increases movement speed by 30% for 5 secondsS
Crimson TideThe bleeding effect applied by blades deal 300% more damageS
Dragon StrikeIncreases Crit Damage with Blades by 25%. +1% per Perk Level.S
Roaring WatersStrong attacks deal 30% / 40% / 50% more damageA
Slow And SteadyArmor is increased by 15% / 30% while movingA
Sting Like A BeeIncreases attack speed by 10% /20% /30%A
Crimson DanceCombo attacks have a 15% / 30% chance to apply bleedingA
Flight Of The SparrowReduces the stamina cost of all attacks by 30% / 50%A
Shifting SandsDodging recovers 15% / 30% / 25% staminaA
Stuck PigIncreases bleeding duration by 1 / 2 / 3 second(s)A
BloodlustRecovers 7% / 10% health when applying bleeding to an enemy or hitting an enemy with bleedingA
Float Like A ButterflyDodging increases damage dealt by 25% / 50% for 10 secondsA
Judge Jury And ExecutionerDamage is increased by 50% / 75% / 100% against targets with max healthA
Offensive DefenseDefensive Attacks with Blades deal 200% more damageB
Unbroken SpiritA successful deflect recovers 25% health and staminaB

Best Athletics Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked

Let's hope V never skipped gym class! These perks come in quite handy for most builds.

PerkDescriptionRank
MultitaskerAllows you to shoot while sprinting, sliding and vaultingS
Divided AttentionAllows you to reload weapons while sprinting, sliding and vaultingS
TransporterAllows you to shoot and sprint while carrying a bodyS
MarathonerSprinting does not drain staminaS
The RockEnemies cannot knock you downS
IndestructibleReduces all incoming damage by 10%S
Hard MotherfuckerWhen entering combat, Armor and Resistances increases by 10% for 10 Sec. +1% per Perk LevelS
True GritIncreases max stamina by 10% / 20% / 30%A
InvincibleIncreases max health by 10% / 20% / 30%A
GladiatorReduces damage taken while blocking by 20% / 40%A
Like A ButterflyDodging does not drain staminaA
Cardio CureHealth regenerates faster when movingA
Stronger TogetherIncreases damage you deal while carrying a bodyA
Human ShieldIncreases armor by 20% when grappling an enemyA
Steel ShellIncreases armor by 10%A
Pack MuleIncreases your carrying capacity from 200 to 260B
EpimophorisHealth regenerates up to 70% / 80% / 90% of max health outside of combatB
Dog Of WarIncreases health regen in combat by 15% / 20%B
WolverineHealth regen activates 50% / 90% faster during combatB
RegenerationHealth slowly regenerates during combatC
Soft On Your FettReduces fall damage by 5% / 10% / 20%C
Steel And ChromeIncreases melee damage by 10% / 20%C

Best Annihilation Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked

Suitable for the more aggressive - one-man army builds. This stat Boosts Shotguns and Light Machine guns.

PerkDescriptionRank
ManicWhen entering combat, your movement speed increases by 20% for 10 second(s)S
UnstoppableDismembering an enemy increases fire rate (cycle time) by 10% for 8 seconds. Stacks up to 3 timesS
Speed DemonYou deal more damage the faster you're movingS
Poppin' OffShotguns have a 25% / 50% higher chance of dismembering enemiesS
BloodbathDismembering enemies reduces weapon recoil by 50% for 6 sec. +1% per Perk LevelS
In Your FaceReduces reload time of shotguns and light machine guns by 20% / 40%A
BloodrushIncreases movement speed while carrying a shotgun or light machine gun by 5% / 10%A
MongooseIncreases evasion by 25% while reloadingA
BulldozerIncreases crit chance with shotguns and light machine guns by 10%A
Momentum ShiftDefeating an enemy increases movement speed by 10% / 15% / 20% for 10 secondsA
MassacreIncreases crit damage with shotguns and light machine guns by 15% / 30% / 45%A
Heavy Leadshotguns and light machine guns knock back enemies with more forceA
Skeet ShooterDeal 15% more damage to moving targetsA
Hit The DeckIncreases damage to staggered and knocked-down enemies by 10% / 20%A
BiathleteWeapon spread does not increase while movingA
Burn Baby BurnDoubles the duration of burnA
Dead CenterIncreases damage to torso by 10% / 20%B
Pump It LouderReduces recoil of shotguns and light machine guns by 10% / 20%C
Hall Of BulletsShotguns and light machine guns deal 3% / 6% / 10% more damageC

Best Street Brawler Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked

Another Skill Tree that will help with things like Melee builds and especially the "Beat On The Brat" Questline. These perks help buff stats with your fists - whether you're throwing or blocking and even apply stun effects, damage, and much more.

PerkDescriptionRank
ThrashStrong attacks reduce the target's armor by 30% for 10 second(s)S
DazedAttacks have a 15% / 30% chance to apply stunS
Opportune StrikeIncreases damage against enemies affected by stun by 50%S
GuerillaIncreases Crit Damage by 60% for 10 Sec after entering combat. +2% per Perk Level.S
Frenzy Defeating an enemy increases damage by 100% for 10 secondsS
ReinvigorateDefeating an enemy with a strong attack restores 10% / 20% / 30% staminaA
PaybackIncreases damage by 1% for every 1% / 2% / 3% of missing healthA
UnshakableSuccessful attacks against enemies affected by stun restore 5% / 10% % / 15% health and 5% / 10% % / 15% staminaA
Biding TimeBlocking attacks restores 5%/ 10% % / 15% healthA
Crushing BlowsIncreases damage from strong attacks by 30% / 40% / 50%A
FlurryIncreases damage from combo attacks by 30% / 40% / 50%A
RushSuccessful attacks recover 3% / 5% health over 2 second(s)A
Efficient BlowsReduces stamina cost for all attacks by 25% / 50%A
Relentless Successful attacks against enemies affected by stun restore 20% / 30% staminaA
JuggernautIncreases armor while blocking by 50%B
Human FortressReduces stamina cost of blocking attacks by 50%B
Breathing SpaceIncreases stamina restored while blocking by 50% / 100%B

Best Crafting Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked

This will make crafting a breeze, whether your dismantling junk, improving stats, or craving those overpowered legendaries.

PerkDescriptionRank
200% EfficiencyCrafted clothes gain 2.5% / 5% more armorS
Field TechnicianCrafted weapons deal 2.5% / 5% more damageS
Waste Not Want NotWhen disassembling an item, you get attached mods backS
Edgerunner ArtisanAllows you to craft legendary and iconic itemsS
Cutting EdgeCrafted legendary weapons automatically get one stat improved by 5%S
MechanicGain more components when disassemblingA
True CraftsmanAllows you to craft rare itemsA
InnovationEffects from crafted consumables last 25% / 50% longerA
SapperCrafted grenades deal 10% / 20% more damageA
Grease MonkeyAllows you to craft epic itemsA
Efficient UpgradesGrants a 10% chance to upgrade an item for freeA
Ex NihiloGrants a 20% chance to craft an item for freeA
Let There Be LightReduces component cost of upgrading items by10% 20%A
Cost OptimizationReduces component costs of crafting items by 15% / 30%A
Tune-UpAllows you to upgrade lower quality components into higher quality onesA
Crazy scienceIncreases the sale price of crafted items by 10%A
ScrapperJunk items are automatically disassembledB
WorkshopDisassembling items grant a 5% / 10% / 15% chance to gain a free component of the same quality as the disassembled itemB

Best Engineering Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked

Looking at the technical side of buffs and weapons. This tree helps V's resistance to certain elements. Improves stats with Tech weapons and buffs stats toward mechanical enemies.

PerkDescriptionRank
Superconductor Tech weapons ignore armorS
RevampIncreases damage from Tech weapons by 25&, Increases charge damage from all chargeable weapons and cyberware by 10%S
Mech LooterWhen looting robots, drones and mechs, there is a 25% / 50% / 75% chance of looting a weapon mod or attachmentA
Can't Touch ThisGrants immunity to all effects from your own grenadesA
ShrapnelAll grenades types deal 20 damage in addition to their normal effectsA
Up To 11Allows you to charge Teach weapons up to 75% / 100% capacityA
UberchargeFully charged Tech weapons deal 50% more damageA
Play The Angles Ricochets deal an additional 50% damageA
Fuck All WallsTech weapons discharge 50% fasterA
TeslaIncreases the charge multiplier for tech weapons by 15% / 35% / 55%A
JackpotGrenades can now randomly deal crit hitsA
Lickety SplitTech weapons reload time is reduced by 15% / 30%A
BladerunnerIncreases damage to mechanical enemies by 20% / 40%A
GrenadierThe explosion radius all grenades is visibleB
Lock And LoadIncreases Smart weapon reload speed by 5% / 10%B
Lightning BoltIncreases crit chance with Tech weapons by 3% / 6% /10%B
Gun WhispererFully charged Tech weapons do not shoot automaticallyB
InsulationGrants immunity to shockB
Blast ShieldingReduces damage taken from explosions by 10% 20% / 30%B
Bigger BoomsGrenades deal 5% / 10% / 15% / 20% / 25% more damageC

Best Breach Protocol Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked

These perks will take an already useful Qucickhack and make it all the more useful. Use this in sync with Quickhacking and you'll be a force to be reckoned with.

PerkDescriptionRank
CompressionReduces the lengths of the sequences required to upload daemons by 1. Cannot be reduced below 2S
Buffer Optimization Increases the duration of daemon effects by 100%S
Mass Vulnerability: ResistancesUpgrades the Mass Vulnerability daemon, reducing all Resistances for enemies in the network by 30%S
Head StartAutomatically uploads the first daemon in the list at the start of Breach ProtocolS
TransmigrationIncreases the breach time of Breach Protocol by 50%. +5% per Perk Level.S
Cloud CacheCompleting Breach Protocol restores RAM unites equal to 1 / 2 times the number of daemons uploadedS
Mass VulnerabilityUnlocks the Mass Vulnerability daemon, which reduces the physical resistance for all enemies in the network by 30% for 3 / 6 minutesA
Extended Network InterfaceAutomatically highlights nearby access pointsA
Turret ShutdownUnlocks the Turret Shutdown daemon, which disables security turrets in the network for 3 / 6 minutesA
Total RecallThe ICEpick daemon reduces all quickhack costs by an additional 1 RAM unit(s)A
Turret TamerUnlocks the Turret Tamer daemon, which sets the status of every turret in the network to friendly for 3 / 6 minutesA
Datamine VirtuosoUpgrades the Datamine daemon, increasing the chance to acquire a quickhack from access points by 50% / 100%.A
EfficiencyUploading 3 or more daemon in the same Breach Protocol increases cyberdeck RAM recovery rate by 3 / 6 unit(s) per 60 seconds. Lasts 5 minutesA
Mass Vulnerability: QuickhacksUpgrades the Mass Vulnerability daemon, causing enemies in the network to also take 30% more damage from quickhacks.A
Totaler RecallThe ICEpick daemon reduces all quickhack costs by an additional 1 RAM unitA
HackathonUploading 3 or more daemons in the same Breach Protocol shortens quickhack cooldowns by 25% for 5 minutesA
Big SleepUnlocks the Big Sleep daemon which disables all cameras in the network for 3 minutesB
Advanced DatamineUpgrades the Datamine daemon, increasing the amount of eurodollars acquired from access points by 50% / 100%B
Datamine MastermindUpgrades the Datamine daemon, increasing the amount of components acquired from access points by 50% / 100%.B
Almost IntIncreases the breach time for Breach Protocol by 20% / 40%C

Best Quickhacking Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked

These perks are essential for anyone who uses quickhacks often and ties in nicely with the breach protocol perks above as well as most "Netrunner" Builds.

PerkDescriptionRank
DiffusionQuickhack spread distance is increased by 2 timesS
Critical ErrorQuickhacks can now deal crit hits based on your crit chance and crit damage statsS
OptimizationReduces the cost of quickhacks by 1 RAM unitsS
Bartomoss' LegacyUnlocks diagrams for crafting superior quickhacksS
Master Ram LiberatorIncreases RAM Recovery rate by 50%. +1% per Perk Level.S
BiosynergyEnables RAM to recover during combat (at a rate of 4 / 8 /12 RAM units per minuteA
I SpyReveals an enemy netrunner when they're attempting to hack youA
Forget Me NotEliminating a target affected by a quickhack instantly recovers 1 RAM unitA
Weak LinkReduces the required cyberdeck RAM for quickhacks used on devices by 1 / 2 / 3 unitsA
Daisy ChainEliminating a target that was a quickhacked reduces the cooldown for all other active quickhacks by 10% / 35% / 50%A
Signal SupportIncreases quickhack duration by 25% / 50%A
Subliminal MessageQuickhacks deal 25% / 50% more damage to unaware targetsA
MnemonicReduces the cost of quickhacks used against an enemy already affected by a quickhack by 1 RAM unitsA
School Of Hard RockUnlocks diagrams for crafting advanced quickhacksA
plagueQuickhacks that spread can jump to 1 / 2 / 3 additional targetsA
Hacker OverlordUnlocks diagrams for crafting specialized quickhacksA
AnamnesisAvailable cyberdeck RAM cannot drop below 2 / 3 / 4 unitsA
BloodwareQuickhacks deal 10% / 20% / 30% more damageB
Hackers ManuelUnlocks diagrams for crafting Uncommon quickhacksB

Best Stealth Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked

Exceptionally useful for a wide range of missions. This perk tree will decrease enemy detection stats, increase movement speed, and offer more buffs overall for when you decide to go behind enemy lines.

PerkDescriptionRank
Cheat DeathWhen your health drops below 50% reduce all incoming damage by 50% for 10 seconds. Cannot occur more than once per minuteS
NeurotoxinDamage from poison is doubledS
From The Shadows Upon entering combat, crit chance increases by 25% / 50% for 7 secondsS
Venomous FangsAll knives apply poisonS
Strike From The ShadowsIncreases your crit chance by 15% while sneakingA
Leg UpMovement speed after a successful takedown is increased by 30% for 10 secondsA
SniperIncreases damage from headshots fire from outside combat by 30% / 50%A
CutthroatThrown knives deal 30% / 60% more damageA
Aggressive AntitoxinsGrants immunity to PoisonA
RattlesnakeEnemies affected by poison are slowedA
Silent FinisherEnemies with less than 25% Health are defeated instantly by thrown knives. Does not work on enemies with a lethal threat levelA
Hasty RetreatTemporarily boosts movement speed by 50% for 5 seconds when detected by an enemyA
Hidden DragonAllows you to perform a lethal or non-lethal aerial takedown on unaware targetsA
Ghost Detection time is increased by 20% / 40%.A
Silent But DeadlyIncreases damage dealt by silenced weapons by 25% while sneakingA
Hasten The InevitableDeal 20% more damage to enemies affected by poisonA
NinjitsuSneak attacks with melee weapons deal 100% more damage and guarantee a crit hitA
ToxologyIncreases the duration of poison applied to enemies by 5 seconds. +0.2 second per Perk pointA
Crouching TigerIncreases movement speed while sneaking by 20%B
Silent And DeadlyIncreases damage dealt by silenced weapons by 25% while sneakingB
Dagger DealerAllows you to throw knives, hold L2/LT to aim and press R2/RT to throwB
Restorative ShadowsWhile in stealth, Increases Health regen by 25%B
Assassin Deal 15% more damage to human enemiesB
Stunning BlowsQuick melee attacks with ranged weapons stagger enemies, giving you an opportunity to grapple themB
CommandoYou cannot be detected under waterC
Clean WorkYou can pick up an enemy's body immediately after performing a takedown by holdingC

Best Cold Blood Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked

Cold Blood is a skill that comes in very handy for almost every build, weapons, and playstyles. It improves stats of recoil on weapons, the duration of certain of the skill itself, and builds resistance for numerous status effects.

PerkDescriptionRank
Cold BloodAfter defeating an enemy, gain Cold Blood for 10 seconds and increase movement speed by 2%. Stacks up to 1/2/3 timesS
Critical ConditionIncreases duration of Cold Blood by 5/10 secondsS
Coldest BloodIncreases max stack amount for Cold Blood by 1S
Frozen PrecisionIncreases headshot damage by 50%S
Cold And CalculatedLanding a crit hit has 25% chance of applying a stack of Cold BloodS
UnbreakableIncreases max stack amount for Cold Blood by 1S
CoolagulantStacks of Cold Blood are removed one by one, not all at onceS
ImmunityWhen Cold Blood is active, you are immune to bleeding, poison, burn and shockS
MercilessWhile Cold Blood is active, Increases Crit Chance by 10% and Crit Damage by 25%. 1% Crit Chance and 3% Crit Damage per Perk Level.S
Will To SurviveIncreases all resistances by 2.5% / 5% per stack of Cold BloodA
Icy VeinsReduces weapon recoil by 2.5% per stack of Cold BloodA
Frosty SynapsisReduces quickhack cooldowns by 3% / 6% per stack of Cold BloodA
Defensive ClottingIncreases armor by 1% / 2% per stack of Cold BloodA
BloodbrawlWhen Cold Blood is active, increases damage with melee weapons by 5% / 10%A
PredatorIncreases attack speed by 1% / 3% per stack of Cold BloodA
BloodswellWhen your health reaches 45%, a max stack of Cold Blood is automatically activatedA
Pain Is An IllusionWhen Cold Blood is active, reduces damage taken by 5%A
Rapid BloodflowIncrease health regen inside and outside combat by 50% / 100% per stack of Cold BloodB
Quick TransferReduces quickhack upload time by 1% per stack of Cold BloodB

Looking at the above, we can get a good estimate of what perks benefit an all-rounded playstyle. Remember though! Everyone plays differently and there are many builds you can create on Cyberpunk, so think about what kind of playthrough you want before you start investing in every "S" rated perk.

For more information about some of the popular builds on Cyberpunk 2077 be sure to visit our Builds And Playstyles Guide. And if you really can't get enough of us check out our other Cyberpunk Guides too!

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