Subtlety can be the player’s greatest asset in the neon-lit streets of Night City. There’s no greater way to master the art of stealth than with a good stealth pistol build. This guide will discuss the best stealth pistol build in Cyberpunk 2077.
Here, the player can learn ways to master the art of being quiet, improving aim, and becoming an unstoppable force in Night City. Join us as we investigate the methods and equipment to make the player the greatest phantom in this futuristic dystopia.
Whether you’re a seasoned mercenary or a novice trying to traverse the complexity of V’s world, this guide can help you become one with the shadows. Prepare to emerge from the shadows, leaving your opponents perplexed and beaten, one silent shot at a time.
Stealth is best used for the quietest kills possible using silent guns and throwing knives. In addition, the game has improved many mobility options for covert gameplay, such as undetectable crouch-sprinting and dashes. Suppose the player has bought and installed the new DLC expansion, Phantom Liberty. In that case, they can earn Relic-exclusive skills to escape the fight when the player is detected.
Best Stealth Pistol Build
We will discuss the recommended weapons, stat attributes, perks, relics, and more for this build. Let’s start with the weapons.
Best Weapons
The best kinds of pistol for a stealth build are the ones with great headshot modifiers, critical hit chance, and critical damage. The following are the recommended weapons for a stealth pistol build:
Cheetah
This pistol is a Tier 5+ Iconic weapon with a weight of 4.3 and an ammo capacity 859. The Cheetah is a Power type weapon, meaning that the bullets fired off it can ricochet off surfaces. The critical hit and bleeding chances increase as the player fires this pistol closer to the target. Shots to an enemy’s torso additionally cause greater damage.
The Cheetah pistol has a damage of 71.13, an attack speed of 3.64, a reload speed of 0.75, an effective range of 39, and a weapon handling of 6.59. As for stat multipliers, this weapon has a headshot damage multiplier of +150%, a critical hit chance of 13%, and critical damage of +50%. It also has a bleeding chance of +20%.
How To Get
Before anything else, it is important to note that the player can only get the Cheetah pistol in the game’s new expansion, Phantom Liberty. The player can get the Cheetah pistol during the ‘No Easy Way Out’ side job. However, this weapon is pretty easy to miss.
When Angie appears at Damir’s Clinic near the end of the side job, the player must make precise dialogue choices. The goal here is to eliminate Angie, which means the player must support Aaron, which should be implied through every one of the dialogue choices.
Subsequently, the player will develop a strained relationship with Angie, resulting in a shootout at Damir’s Clinic. After killing the Cheetah pistol, The player can loot from Angie’s body. Players can complete the quest once the Cheetah is acquired.
La Chingona Dorada
The La Chongona Dorada is a Tier 3 Iconic pistol weighing 4.3. This weapon is also a Power type, so the bullets shot from it can bounce off surfaces. The unique effect of this weapon is that it increases critical damage and the chance of applying the Burn condition effect after a headshot. The magazine size of La Chingona Dorada will be raised by the number of headshots the player earlier hit the next time it is drawn after getting holstered.
This pistol has a damage of 87.75 with 2.86 attacks per second and a reload speed of 1.12. It has an effective range of 45.50 and a weapon handling of 5.38. Also, it has a DPS variability of Medium and a headshot damage multiplier of 100%.
The La Chongona Dorada has a critical hit chance of +13%, a critical damage of +71.56%, an armor penetration chance of +25%, a thermal damage of +180-220, a burn chance of +20%, and a bonus ricochet damage of 26.22%.
How To Get
After completing the ‘Heroes’ side quest, the player can get the La Chingona Dorada. Return to where all the offerings were made once the player has completed this side quest. There, the player can discover this weapon on the table.
It is important to emphasize that the player must complete ‘The Heist’ quest with Jackie being transferred to his family or the Ripperdoc. If the player keeps him in the car, the player will not unlock the ‘Heroes’ side quest. This means that the player will not be able to get the La Chingona Dorada.
Archangel
The Archangel pistol is a Tier 5+ Iconic pistol with a weight of 4.6. This pistol is also a Power type weapon, so its bullets can bounce off surfaces. The Archangel is renowned for its excellent headshot damage multiplier and accurate performance. It provides a lethal combination of precision and firepower thanks to a significant headshot damage bonus and a quick reload time.
This weapon has a damage of 114.98, an attack speed of 1.87, and an effective range of 46.38. It also has a weapon handling of 4.48. This pistol has a very fast reload speed of only 0.89. This pistol also has a headshot damage multiplier of a whopping +200%.
It has a critical hit chance of +100%, critical damage of 219.02%, and bonus ricochet damage of 104.53%. Also, it has a shock chance of +25% with an electrical damage of +294-359. The weapon also possesses a +25% chance of armor penetration.
How To Get
The player can obtain the Archangel pistol near the end of the ‘A Like Supreme’ side job. After the player has concluded the show at the Red Dirt, Kelly will give the player the Archangel pistol. After receiving the weapon, the player will automatically gain the Legendary crafting specs for the Archangel.
Malorian Arms 3516
The Malorian Arms 3516 is a Tier 5 Iconic pistol that is also a Power-type weapon, so its bullets can ricochet off surfaces. This weapon has a damage of 100.97 and executes 3.33 attacks per second. It has a reload speed of 1.35, an effective range of 36, and a weapon handling of 5.36. It has a headshot damage multiplier of +150%, a critical hit chance of +2%, and an armor penetration of +25%. This weapon also weighs 4.3.
How To Get
The player can get the Malorian Arms 3516 in the ‘Chippin’ In’ side quest. Greyson will wait near a set of stairs when the player infiltrates Ebunike with Rogue. The player has to strike Grayson with whatever so that he can drop the Malorian Arms 3516. After that, the player can grab the weapon while Grayson is unconscious.
Kongou
Kongou is another Tier 2 Iconic, a Power type weapon with a weight of 4.3. The user of this weapon may utilize ricochet technology regardless of whether they do not have the necessary cyberware. Recoil reduction and a higher rate of fire compensate for the pistol’s lower magazine size.
This pistol has a damage of 24.38 with 4.91 attack speed and a headshot damage multiplier of +150%. It has a DPS vulnerability of Medium, critical hit chance of +10%, critical hit damage of +25.91%, physical damage of +41-50, and bleeding chance of +10%.
How To Get
The player can acquire the Kongou pistol in ‘The Heist’ main quest. During this quest, the player can discover Kongou placed on a nightstand close to Yorinobu’s bed. This was shown in the braindance during ‘The Information’ main quest. After getting the weapon, the player can automatically get the Epic and Legendary Crafting Specs for Kongou.
Pride
The Pride pistol is a Tier 5 Iconic Power type weapon weighing 4.3. This pistol is Rogue Amendiares’ signature gun. It possesses an identical look to a standard Liberty. The Pride pistol is great for executing precise shots while in a fight. It Increases critical hit chance and headshot damage and has a small chance to inflict Stun.
This pistol has a damage of 89.76, an attack speed of 3.33, and a reload speed of 0.90. It also has an effective range of 36 and weapon handling of 7.18. When used, the Pride pistol has a +40% critical hit chance with +75% critical damage and a headshot damage multiplier of 5.4. It also has +89-109 physical damage, +10% bleeding chance, 25% bonus ricochet damage, and a 5% chance to stun the enemy.
How to Get
The player can get the Pride pistol through the ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door’ Main Quest. The player may find the pistol nearby after Adam Smasher eliminates a notable character during the quest. After completing the game with the Pride pistol acquired from the previously mentioned mission, the player will be rewarded with another one after returning to the ‘Point of No Return.’
This will unlock the weapon. Every time the player completes an ending with the same character, they will receive one if they do not already have one in their save file.
Her Majesty
The Her Majesty is a Tier 5+ Iconic pistol. It is a Power type weapon, so its bullets can bounce off surfaces, and it has a weight of 4.3. This weapon’s shots will have flawless accuracy, assured headshot critical hits, and increased damage while Optical Camo is engaged. It also has a special suppressor. This weapon is supposed to be used entirely for stealth.
This weapon has a damage of 89.23 and an attack speed of 2.86. Its reload speed is 0.75, effective range is 36, weapon handling is 6.89, and capacity is 847. Its only stat multiplier is the headshot damage multiplier, which is +150%.
How To Get
It is important to emphasize that the player can only get this weapon if the player has the game’s DLC expansion, Phantom Liberty. The player can obtain the Her Majesty pistol through the ‘Get It Together’ main job.
This mission starts beneath Alex’s bar, in the former FIA facility of Alex and Reed. When the player arrives at the bar and takes the elevator to the facility, Alex and Reed will walk them through the strategy to infiltrate Kurt Hansen’s party at the Black Sapphire Hotel.
Alex will offer the player an item she has been hoarding for quite some time during this main job. the player must then follow the objective tracker that says, “Examine the box’s contents.” This is where Alex’s gun is kept. The player must open the box and take the weapon to obtain Her Majesty.
Secondary Weapons
The player can also use another pistol listed above as a secondary weapon. However, it is also recommended to use knives as secondary weapons to have variation in the player’s attacks. The following are the recommended knives:
Headhunter
This Throwable type weapon is a Tier 3 Iconic that weighs 2.3. The Headhunter has a special feature that marks the foes that its blade hits. If the enemy is marked, headshots deal 250% more damage to them. After the enemies are successfully hit, the knife returns to the player and removes the mark.
The Headhunter knife has damage of 83.98 per hit and will execute 3.08 attacks per second. This knife has a stamina cost of 4.80. It also has a headshot damage multiplier of 2.5. Not only that, but the Headhunter also has a critical hit chance of +2%, critical damage of +27%, physical damage of +127-155, and a bleeding chance of +10%.
How To Get
Before anything else, it is important to mention that the player can only get the Headhunter knife if the player has installed the game’s Patch 1.6. This is the game’s Edgerunners update. Once that is done, the player can buy the Headhunter from the melee weapon vendor on the West Wind Estate. This is located in the Pacifica district.
If the Headhunter knife is not available when the player browses a shop, the player can just leave, utilize Skip Time to skip 24 hours in the future, and repeat until the weapon is available.
Neurotoxin Knife
The Neurotoxin Knife is a Throwable type Common, Uncommon, or Legendary weapon that weighs 2.3. This knife has a damage 269 at 3.38 attacks per second and a headshot damage multiplier of +250%. This weapon also has a critical hit chance of +12%, critical damage of +35%, physical damage of +85-104, and a bleeding chance of +20%. What’s great about this knife is that it also has a chemical damage of +85-104 and a poison chance of 16%.
This knife also has a 5.5-second recovery time after throwing it and a 5% reduction of chemical resistance on hit.
How To Get
It is important to note that the player can only get the Neurotoxin Knife if the player has installed the game’s Patch 1.6 Edgerunners update.
The player can buy the Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 rarities of the Neurotoxin Knife from any Melee Weapon Vendor. On the other hand, the player can buy the Tier 5 rarity of this knife from the Animals Melee Weapon Vendor. This vendor is in the Tripple Extreme Gym in Rancho Coronado, Santo Domingo. The player can buy the Neurotoxin Knife from this vendor at 45 Street Cred.
Again, if the Neurotoxin Knife is not there when browsing items in a shop, there is a method to get it to appear. The player can simply leave the area, use Skip Time for 24 hours, and repeat until the knife is offered.
Alternatively, the player can also get the Crafting Specs for the Neurotoxin Knife. For the Common tier, the player can buy its Crafting Specs from Coach Fred in Little China for 5500 Eurodollars. For the Rare tier, the player can get the Crafting Specs from Spector Cheng in Japantown for 16500 Eurodollars. Lastly, for the Epic tier, players can buy it from the Melee Weapon Vendor in Jackson Plains for 24750 Eurodollars.
Fang
This knife is a Tier 5+ Iconic Throwable type weapon weighing 2.3. When the Fang is thrown, it cripples the targeted enemy. This will stop them from fleeing. Then, once the player continues attacking in close combat, the damage increases by 33%.
The Fang knife has a damage of 123.59, an attack speed of 3.08, and an effective range of 25.8. However, it has a stamina cost of 4.9. For stat multipliers, this knife has a headshot damage multiplier of +50% and bleeding chance of +30%.
How To Get
It is worth mentioning that the player can only obtain this weapon if the player has Phantom Liberty installed. The player can get the Fang knife in the ‘Firestarter’ main quest in this DLC expansion. During this quest, the player can get the Iconic knife after Kurt Hansen drops it. This is after the player helps Solomon Reed get Songbird.
Stat Attributes
For a stealth build, the main attributes to raise are Cool, Reflexes, Technical Ability, and Body. The following are the recommended stats for a stealth pistol build:
| Cool | 20 |
| Reflexes | 20 |
| Technical Ability | At least 15 |
| Body | At least 12 |
| Intelligence | 3 |
This build’s main stat attribute is Cool. This stat consists of perks that increase the player’s pistol and throwing knife performance and the ability to sprint despite crouching. Because of that, the Cool stat should be prioritized as the player levels up. V’s Cool stat should be around 13 points at Level 10 and 20 points at Level 50.
When leveling up, the player can start putting points into the Reflexes stat to unlock useful mobility abilities. Examples are Dashing and Air Dashing, as well as the ability to shoot and reload during crouch-sprinting. The player’s Reflex stat should be around 7 points at Level 10 and reach 20 points at Level 50.
The player may then put points to Technical Ability and Body. Doing so will help the player gain stat boosts from equipped cyberware and extra HP and health regeneration. The player’s Technical Ability can still be at 3 points at Level 10. However, it should be at around 15 points at Level 50. As for the Body stat, it can also be at 4 points at Level 10.
Then, at Level 50, the Body stat should reach around 12 points. If the player has the Phantom Liberty DLC and reaches level 60, they can add extra points to these stats, with the Technical Ability stat being the most important and the remainder going to the Body stat.
Related: How To Reset Your Attribute Points in Cyberpunk 2077
Perks
The following are the recommended Perks to get for each of the Stat Attributes:
Cool Perks
The major perk trees under the Cool stat include Ones that boost stealth mobility and affect pistols and throwing knives. This is why this attribute is the most important for a stealth build.
Ninjutsu and Feline Footwork
All the Ninjutsu Perks, combined with Feline Footwork perks, will enable the player to crouch-sprint with movement speed boosts. This is extremely helpful as the player will constantly sneak and lurk around while eliminating enemies.
The player must get the following Secondary Perks from Ninjutsu:
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| Shinobi Sprint | This decreases the stamina cost for couch-sprinting while in a fight by 75%. |
| Serpentine | This gives the player an additional 30% Mitigation Chance when crouch-sprinting. |
| Creeping Death | When the player eliminates an enemy during Optical Camo or while undetected, the player gets an additional of 15% Health, 15% Stamina, and 10% Movement Speed for six seconds. |
| Vanishing Act | While crouch-sprinting or sliding, Optical Camo will automatically trigger and slowly deplete its charge. |
As for Feline Footwork, the player must get the following Secondary Perks:
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| Unexposed | This boosts the player’s Mitigation Chance by 20% when aiming from cover. |
| Small Target | This will give the player a +20% Mitigation Chance while crouching and remaining still. |
| Blind Spot | This perk makes it more difficult for foes to notice the player while crouching. The detection chance decreases the higher the Mitigation Chance the player has. |
Focus and Deadeye
Next, the Focus and Deadeye perks allow the player to eliminate enemies from a distance with one hit to the head while still conserving stamina. When moving, the player will be able to crouch-sprint away safely.
The player must get the following Secondary Perks from the Focus perk:
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| No Sweat | This perk reduces Focus mode’s Stamina cost by 50% for every enemy eliminated while it was active. Focus mode will cost 0 Stamina if two enemies are eliminated. |
| Rinse and Reload | This perk gives the player a 10% boost in reload speed after eliminating an enemy while aiming. This effect has the potential to stack a maximum of two times. When retaking aim, stacks are immediately reset to zero. |
| Head to Head | If Focus is activated, a ranged hit against an enemy resets the duration of the Focus mode. |
| Deep Breath | While in Focus mode, this perk will cause time to slow down by 25%. |
For the Deadeye perk, the player must get the following Secondary Perks:
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| California Reaper | This will restore 30% of the player’s stamina after eliminating an enemy using a headshot or weak spot ranged attack. |
| High Noon | After eliminating an enemy with a headshot or weak spot when Deadeye is active, this perk boosts the player’s reload speed by 35%. The effect will stay active for three seconds. If the player reloads while this perk is active, time will slow down by 50%. |
| Quick Draw | This perk will give the player an additional 35% weapon swap speed when switching to a pistol, revolver, precision rifle, or sniper rifle. When these are completed during combat, the player will restore 30% of stamina. |
| Long Shot | While Deadeye is engaged, the player’s shots always deliver full damage no matter how far away they are. |
Killer Instinct
While not in combat, the Killer Instinct perk enhances damage inflicted with knives, axes, and silenced weapons by 25%. Furthermore, it gives the player an estimate of the damage the player will inflict.
The following are the recommended Secondary Perks for the Killer Instinct perk:
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| Gag Order | Attacking an enemy immediately after they detect the player will delay detection from other close enemies. |
| Quick Getaway | After eliminating an undiscovered enemy for 30 seconds or until spotted, this perk improves the player’s Movement Speed by 10%. The effect of this perk can stack up to two times, and each stack refreshes the duration of the effect. After the duration runs out, all stacks are cleared. |
Scorpion Sting
This perk is only recommended if you use knives as secondary weapons. On its first level, the Scorpion Sting perk decreases the recovery time of the player’s throwable weapons by 15%. On its second level, this perk will inflict Poison for five seconds whenever the player executes critical hits, headshots, and weak spot hits using throwable weapons.
The following Secondary Perks are recommended for the Scorpion Sting perk:
| Secondary Park | Effect |
|---|---|
| Parasite | If the player makes a Critical Hit or a Headshot using thrown weapons at an enemy, this perk heals 15 health. |
| Neurotoxin | If Poison is inflicted, this perk enables the Scorpion Sting perk to inflict Bleeding and prevent the enemy from sprinting. |
| Accelerated Toxin Absorption | This perk enables Strong Attacks and thrown weapons used on Poison-affected enemies to get significant Poison damage immediately. This will remove all active Poison effects from an enemy. |
| Corrosion | This perk enables the player to inflict Poison on mechs, robots, drones, and turrets. |
Juggler
The Juggler perk is also only recommended if the player uses knives as secondary weapons for this stealth pistol build. If not, then the player can just disregard this perk. On this perk’s first level, it will decrease the recovery time of thrown weapons by 15%.
On level 2, this perk will grant an additional 20% headshot and weak spot damage when using throwable weapons. Finally, on its third level, this perk will give the ability to reset the cooldown for throwable weapons after killing an enemy with a headshot, critical hit, or poison.
The following are the recommended Secondary Perks for the Juggler perk:
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| Sleight of Hand | This perk gives the player 20% boosted Crit Damage when Juggler is activated. This perk’s effect can stack up to five times, and additional stacks refresh the period of effect. When the duration of the effect expires, all stacks are cleared. |
| Finisher: Act of Mercy | This perk gives the ability to execute finishers using throwable weapons. The player should only perform Finishers when the enemy’s health is low. When the player uses Act Of Mercy, Juggler is automatically triggered. When the player successfully eliminates an enemy with this perk, it will restore 25% of the player’s health. |
| Pay It Forward | After recovering a thrown weapon from an enemy, the player’s next melee hit using a throwable weapon adds +200% damage. |
| Pounce | If the player successfully strikes an enemy with a throwable weapon, this perk enables the player to execute finishers from further away. With each successful throw, the enemies become increasingly vulnerable to Finishers. |
Final Perks
As for Final Perks, the Style Over Substance and Run ‘N’ Gun perks are recommended. When crouch-sprinting, sliding, evading, or Dashing, the Style Over Substance perk guarantees critical hits using throwable weapons. When targeting a throwable weapon, there is no movement speed penalty. As for the Run ‘N’ Gun perk, this allows the player not to consume stamina when hip-firing. Also, it will grant the player +25% movement speed if Focus is active.
Reflex Perks
The Reflex perks suggested for a stealth build must provide the player with mobility choices when sneaking.
Slippery
The Slippery perk is highly recommended. This perk increases the difficulty of enemies hitting the player based on their Movement Speed. This perk’s effect is amplified when dashing, evading, sliding, sprinting, or vaulting.
The player must get the following Secondary Perks for the Slipper perk:
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| Power Slide | This perk adds more distance when the player slides. |
| Parkour! | This perk boosts the player’s climbing and vaulting movement speed. |
| Muscle Memory | With this perk, the player can reload weapons while sliding, vaulting, and sprinting. |
| Multitasker | While also vaulting, sliding, and sprinting, this perk enables the player to shoot guns. |
Dash
The Dash perk is the next recommended perk. This allows the player to close the gap between himself and an enemy easily. If the player is detected, they can perform a takedown from behind or finish them off with knife assaults.
The player must get the following Secondary Perks for the Dash perk:
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| Steady Grip | This perk enables the player to shoot guns while dashing. |
| Can’t Touch This | This perk boosts the player’s Mitigation Chance to 100% when dashing. |
| Mean Streak | This perk will give the player an additional 40% Stamina after killing an enemy while dashing. |
| Mad Dash | If the player dashes toward a target, this perk boosts Dash range by 100%. |
Air Dash
Once the player has both the previous perks, the player can now get the Air Dash perk. This perk will assist the player in jumping across platforms or buildings during sneaking. Then, the player must get this perk as its Secondary Perk.
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| Aerial Acrobat | This perk enhances the player’s maneuverability while in mid-air. |
Final Perk
As for the Reflex Final Perk, it is recommended to get the Tailwind Perk. This perk will allow the player to get +25 stamina from executing Air Dashes and double jumps. Also, with this perk, the player will not lose stamina for Air Dashing.
Technical Ability Perks
The Technical Ability perks are the next priority behind the Cool and Reflex perks for the stealth build. The player can get the Technical Ability perks only for minor stat increases from equipped cyberware.
All Things Cyber
It is recommended to get the All Things Cyber perk. This perk adds 10% to the player’s cyberware stats modifiers on its first level. When it reaches level two, this perk will decrease the Cyberware Capacity cost for cyberware in the Integumentary System and Skeleton by 20%.
It is recommended to get the following Secondary Perks for this perk:
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| Chrome Constitution | If the player’s Integumentary System and Skeleton cyberware slots are full, this perk decreases all damage by 5%. |
| Renaissance Punk | This perk offers the player four more Cyberware Capacity for every Attribute level 9 or higher. |
| Driver Update | This perk adds a stat modifier to all of the player’s cyberware. |
| Chipware Connoisseur | This perk enables players to pick between two stat modifiers when upgrading cyberware. A third stat modifier becomes available at Tier 3 cyberware. |
However, the player won’t be able to get the Chrome Constitution secondary perk if the player doesn’t have Phantom Liberty.
License to Chrome
Next, it is also recommended to get the License to Chrome perk. This perk adds 10% to the player’s cyberware stats modifiers on its first level. Then, on level two, this perk will give +40 armor. On its third level, this perk will unlock a new cyberware slot for the Skeleton. Then, all skeleton cyberware will have increased stats.
The following are the recommended Secondary Perks for the License to Chrome perk:
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| Extended Warranty | This perk will give the player an additional 15% duration for all of the player’s cyberware effects. |
| Ambidextrous | This perk grants the player’s Hands a new cyberware slot. |
Final Perk
If the player owns the Phantom Liberty DLC, they can use the extra perk points to unlock the Edgerunner final perk. This perk allows the player to surpass their Cyberware Capacity with up to 50 points. This, however, will require 0.5% Max Health per point.
When the player eliminates an enemy, there’s a 0.1% chance that the player will go into a Fury state for every point of overcapacity. For 12 seconds, the player gains +10% damage, +30% critical chance, and +50% critical damage when in the Fury state.
Body Perks
The perks for the Body attribute are not a priority. However, the player can get some to get a few more HP and health regeneration.
Adrenaline Rush
If the player has a few remaining perk points, they can use them on the Body tree to gain the Adrenaline Rush perk. This will give the player more health when utilizing a healing item. This can prove helpful if the player is spotted while sneaking and must engage in a fight.
The following are the Secondary Perks recommended for this perk:
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| Juggernaut | While active, Adrenaline Rush increases the player’s movement speed by 20% and damage by 10%. |
| Unstoppable Force | While this perk is active, Adrenaline Rush grants immunity to movement penalties and Status Effects. |
| Calm Mind | While this perk is active, Adrenaline Rush prevents an extra three seconds of adrenaline depreciation. |
It is important to mention that the player must have the Phantom Liberty DLC expansion to get this main perk and all of its secondary perks. These perks are excellent, but without them, they will not make the player’s stealth pistol build any less efficient.
Painkiller
The first main perk recommended is the Painkiller perk. This perk will get slow health regeneration while in combat.
It is recommended to get the following Secondary Perk for this main perk:
| Secondary Perk | Effect |
|---|---|
| Comeback Kid | This perk improves the player’s Health Regen Rate by 1% for each percent of health that is lost. |
| Army of One | This perk raises the player’s health regeneration rate by 10% for each enemy near the player. |
| Speed Junkie | While sprinting, this perk raises the player’s health regeneration rate by 60%. |
| Dorph-Head | When the player utilizes the Blood Pump cyberware or a Health Item, the player gets a 100% Mitigation Chance for two seconds. |
The player must also have the Phantom Liberty DLC to get the Comeback Kid and Army of One Secondary Perks. Although these perks are great, not having them won’t make the player’s stealth pistol build any less effective.
Cyberware
The player can equip different Cyberware implants depending on their preferred play style. For a stealth pistol build, the following are the Cyberware implants that are recommended for the player to equip:
Frontal Cortex
The following are the recommended Frontal Cortex cyberware that the player equips:
- Kerenzikov Boost System
This cyberware implant will increase the effects of the Kerenzikov Nervous System implant. If Kerenzikov is active and this implant is equipped, the player will have -100% Stamina cost for shooting. This will give the player more stamina to use for escaping various situations. Furthermore, this implant slows time by +5% compared to the enemies.
- Mechatronic Core
The recommended rarity for this implant is Tier 5. With this rarity, the player will deal an additional 50% damage when fighting drones, robots, mechs, and turrets. This will also give the player +2 Max RAM. The player can purchase the Tier 5 Mechatronic Core from Cassius at Northside.
- Self-ICE
This Frontal Cortex cyberware implant will allow the player to disable the effects of quickhacks from enemies. This implant is beneficial against netrunners who are attempting to hack the player from afar. After the first quickhack is disabled, the player can look for and eliminate the netrunner so that no further quickhacks can occur. This effect, however, has a cooldown of 45 seconds.
- Axolotl
After defeating an enemy, the Axolotl implant lowers the cooldown of the player’s cyberware. This is extremely effective cyberware for Optical Camo and Sandevistan. With its Tier 5 rarity, this Frontal Cortex cyberware implant will decrease the cooldown instantly for all of the cyberware by 10.5% after eliminating an enemy. It also gives the player an additional 6.2 bonus stealth damage, 3.1% melee damage, and 6.2% aim speed.
The player can purchase the Axolotl implant from the Stadium Ripperdoc in Pacifica in Dogtown. Regina Jones will also give this implant to the player during the ‘Last Call’ Side Job.
Operating System
For a stealth pistol build, it is recommended that the player get the following Operating System cyberware:
- Militech “Apogee” Sandevistan
This Operating System has several different effects. If this implant is activated, the time around the player will slow down by 85%. Then, the player will get 10% of headshot damage, 14% of critical chance, and 13% of critical damage.
After that, once the player kills an enemy while this implant is active, the duration of the effect will extend by 20% and an additional 22% of stamina. The effect has a maximum duration of eight seconds and a cooldown of 25 seconds. This cyberware implant assures that the player can quickly kill several enemies if it is difficult to kill them one at a time.
Two methods are available for the player to obtain a Militech Apogee Sandevistan. The first method requires that the player has an enormous amount of money. When the player achieves level 40, the player can visit a Ripperdoc and purchase this implant for just under 120,000 Eurodollars. The cost will be determined based on the player’s Street Cred. Even at the highest level, the player will still require significant money.
As a drop, the player can also acquire a Militech Apogee Sandevistan for free. The player can obtain the implant using this method without reaching level 40. Unfortunately, there is no certainty of uncovering this cyberware implant through this method since it appears to be a random drop.
The only way to boost the player’s odds of coming across one is to take on as many quests as possible, including side jobs and gigs. The objective is to examine containers while doing these quests. Containers encountered throughout quests will have a higher-than-average probability of yielding rare items such as the Militech Apogee Sandevistan.
- Militech “Falcon” Sandevistan
This implant is a great Operating System alternative. The Falcon also has multiple effects. If it is activated, the time around, the player will slow down by 70%. The player will gain an additional 10% damage, 10% critical hit chance, and 10% critical damage.
Then, if the player eliminates an enemy during this, the player will gain a 10% extension of the duration of the effect and 5% more health. The maximum duration of the effect of this implant is eight seconds and has a cooldown of 35 seconds.
The player can purchase a Tier 5 rarity Militech “Falcon” Sandevistan from Buck’s Clinic. This is a Ripperdoc located in Kabuki, Watson.
- Dynalar Sandevistan
This Operating System cyberware implant concentrates on developing precision attacks and high-accuracy weapons. This is because the majority of its boosts are for Critical Hits. With its Tier 5 rarity, the player can activate it, and the player will slow down by 50%.
Then, the player will have an additional critical hit chance of 15% and an additional critical damage of 15%. The effect of this implant lasts for a maximum of nine seconds and a cooldown of 40 seconds. Compared to the implants mentioned above, this is the most affordable alternative.
It has a lesser cyberware capacity but provides serious critical damage and chance bonuses. When combined with the Axolotl implant, the player can use this as a temporary solution for low capacity until it improves.
The player can get the Dynalar Sandevistan Operating System implant from any Ripperdoc. This implant costs 50,863 Eurodollars at Level 50 Street Cred. Also, its rarity increases after every ten levels.
Face
Getting the Kiroshi “The Oracle” Optics as a Face Cyberware implant for a stealth pistol build is recommended. The effect of this implant is active when the player is scanning. During this, the Tier 5 implant highlights enemies, even behind a cover, from within 17.5 meters of the player.
This implant also highlights cameras and turrets within 35 meters of the player. Lastly, the Face implant highlights the explosive devices and traps within 26 meters of the player’s crosshair. To avoid detection, the player can use this implant to visualize their sneaking route along an area ahead of time.
Circulatory System
The following are the advised Circulatory System Cyberware implants for a stealth pistol guide:
- Black Mamba
The recommended variant for this implant is Tier 5. With this rarity, this Circulatory System implant will deal -90% poison damage and +18% all other damage to poisoned enemies. The Black Mamba implant complements the Toxic Mantis Blades Arms implant and the Neurotoxic Knife. It enables the player to inflict extra damage to poisoned enemies, which the player may do using the specified Arm implant and knife.
The player can get the Black Mamba Circulatory System Cyberware implant from Ripperdocs upon reaching Level 20. The rarity of this implant increases every ten levels.
- Clutch Padding
Another recommended Circulatory System implant is the Clutch Padding. With its Tier 5 variant, the player will have -18% stamina cost when shooting. With the extra stamina, the player can use more of it for crouch-sprinting. It also gives the player an additional 0.8% explosion damage resistance, 2.2% reload speed, and 6.2% aim speed.
Ripperdocs sells the Clutch Padding Circulatory System Cyberware implant. Every ten levels, the rarity of this implant increases.
- Threatevac
When the player’s health decreases, the Threatevac Cyberware implant enhances the player’s movement speed. As the player’s health lowers, their movement speed increases. With its Tier 5 rarity, the player’s movement speed will increase by +25% if their health reaches 25%.
Again, the movement speed increases as the player’s health decreases even more. However, the game caps the maximum increase in movement speed at +35%. When the player’s health is low, they can employ the Threatevac implant’s effect to immediately flee from the fight. After escaping, the player may use this opportunity to hide and regain health.
The player can also buy the Threatevac Circulatory System implant from the Ripperdocs. Again, the rarity of this implant increases every ten levels.
- Blood Pump
This Circulatory System cyberware implant boosts oxygen delivery to the cells of the player’s body. With this implant’s Legendary rarity, the player can activate it to restore 85 of the player’s health instantly. After that, the player’s health will regenerate 17 health per second for six seconds.
It also has a cooldown of 30 seconds. This implant is one of the most effective healing items in the game. It also gives the player an additional 15.6 carrying capacity, 2,5% Quickhack damage, and 3.1% Damage Over Time.
The player can purchase the Blood Pump Circulatory System implant from any Ripperdocs in the game. However, to get the Tier 5 rarity of this implant, the player must buy it from the Ripperdoc at Badlands.
Nervous System
As for the Nervous System Cyberware implants, the following are recommended for a stealth pistol build:
- Kerenzikov
With this Nervous System implant, the player can perform ranged attacks while sliding, evading, or dashing. Using a Tier 5 rarity of this implant slows down time by 60% for 3.5 seconds when the player aims a ranged attack while sliding, dodging, or dashing.
It has a cooldown of six seconds. This implant is a backup if enemies detect the player while the Sandevistan or Optical Camo are on their cooldown periods. Using the selected pistol, eliminate any enemy that has spotted the player during the slowed-down period.
This implant also gives the player an additional 3.1% headshot damage multiplier, 2.2% reload speed, and 3.1% weapon handling.
There are a few places where the player can get the Kerenzikov Nervous System implant of different rarities. To get the Tier 5 Kerenzikov, the player can purchase it from Octavio’s Clinic at Arroyo, Santo Domingo.
- Synaptic Accelerator
Another recommended Nervous System Cyberware implant is the Synaptic Accelerator. With its Tier 5 rarity, time will slow by 50% for four seconds if the enemy’s detection reaches 50%. This effect also has a cooldown of 60 seconds. Once an enemy almost detects the player, the Synaptic Accelerator cyberware can help. Once it activates, the player may utilize Optical Camo to retreat from opponents and hide in a safe location.
The player can also get the Synaptic Accelerator implant from various sources with varying rarities. However, to get the Tier 5 version of this implant, the player can purchase it from Ripperdoc in Japantown, Westbrook.
- Visual Cortex Support
With this cyberware implant equipped, the player’s critical hit chance increases the farther away the player is from the enemy. The player can use the Legendary rarity version to boost the player’s critical hit chance of up to 30% at 30 meters.
The player can purchase the Visual Cortex Support implant from any Ripperdoc. However, to get the Legendary variant of the implant, the player can buy it from the Ripperdoc in the West Wind Estate.
- Tyrosine Injector
This Nervous System implant will give the player bonuses for performing successful takedowns. If the player has the Tier 5 rarity version, it will boost the player’s headshot damage by 20% and movement speed by 9% for 15 seconds after a successful takedown. The player uses Takedowns in a stealth build as part of the fighting sequence. Getting additional movement speed and headshot damage with that is beneficial.
This implant also grants the player an additional 6.2 bonus stealth damage, 2.2% reload speed, and 6.2% aim speed.
The player can get this cyberware implant from two locations. First, the Maelstrom is raiding a warehouse from two sides in Watson, Little China, near the western shore. The western NCPD scanner event holds the cyberware implant. The other is in Watson, Kabuki on the eastern shore, in an Assault in Progress. Loot a garage adjacent to the road as a prize for eliminating the Tyger Claws.
- Atomic Sensors
Another recommended Nervous System cyberware implant is the Atomic Sensors. This implant will increase the player’s movement speed depending on the enemy’s detection of the player outside of battle, with a maximum detection of 80%.
The effect of this implant ends when the player enters combat. With the Tier 5 rarity, the player will have 56% movement speed at 80% enemy detection. This is another option that allows for quicker mobility while sneaking.
The player can buy the Atomic Sensors implant from any Ripperdoc. Then, its rarity will increase every ten levels.
Integumentary System
For a stealth pistol build, the player is recommended to equip the following Integumentary System Cyberware implant:
- Optical Camo
With this implant, the player can activate it and have reduced visibility to enemies. The player can equip a Tier 5 rarity of this implant to have -90% visibility, which is almost entirely invisible, to enemies for 15 seconds. It also has a cooldown of 45 seconds. For this stealth pistol build, the Optical Camo Cyberware implant is essential.
This is because it enables the player to sneak around while eliminating enemies or to flee a fight. The Creeping Death and Vanishing Act secondary perks enhance this Cyberware even more. When the player kills an enemy using Optical Camo, the Creeping Death perk offers health, stamina, and increased movement speed. When crouch-sprinting, the Vanishing Act perk will immediately use Optical Camo.
This implant also gives the player an additional 1.6% decreased enemy vision, 6.2 bonus stealth damage, and 3.1% Damage Over Time.
The player can buy the Tier 5 Optical Camo implant from Ripperdoc in Santo Domingo, Rancho Coronado.
- Pain Editor
With the Pain Editor implant, the player can decrease every incoming damage. This implant additionally provides Mitigation Chance and Damage Over Time Resistance. With the Tier 5 rarity of this implant, the player will have -10% damage from all incoming attacks, an additional 0.1% damage reduction per Attribute Point, an additional 0.5% Mitigation Chance, and an additional 2.1% Damage Over Time Resistance.
To obtain the Pain Editor Cyberware implant, the player can buy it from Buck’s Clinic at Kabuki, Watson. Suppose the Pain Editor implant is unavailable when the player visits the specified shop. In that case, the player can simply leave, use Skip Time for 24 hours, and repeat until the implant becomes available.
- Defenzikov
The Defenzikov implant works best with the Kerenzikov Nervous System implant. Once the effect of the Kerenzikov implant ends, the player will get a +90% Mitigation Chance for four seconds. Mitigation reduces incoming damage through the player’s current Mitigation Strength. Also, the player will get an additional 0.1% critical chance per attribute point, an additional 2.6% for weapon handling, and an additional 2.1% Damage Over Time Resistance.
The player can purchase the Defenzikov implant from Buck’s Clinic at Kabuki, Watson.
Skeleton
The following are the recommended Skeleton Cyberware implants for a stealth pistol build:
- Spring Joints
Although the Spring Joints implant increases Mitigation Strength, the game limits the overall Mitigation Strength to 90%. Mitigation reduces receiving damage through the player’s current Mitigation Strength amount. With the Tier 5 rarity of this implant, the player will have an additional 19% of Mitigation Strength. This implant can boost the player’s defense from enemy attacks.
To get the Spring Joints Cyberware implant, the player can buy them from Buck’s Clinic at Kabuki, Watson.
- Bionic Joints
The Bionic Joints Skeleton Cyberware implant is a Mechatronic musculoskeletal support. With the Tier 5 version of this implant, the Bionic Joints implant will boost the player’s Armor by 85. It also gives the player an additional 1.6% bonus ricochet damage, 1.6% decreased enemy vision, and 2.2% reload speed.
The player can buy the Bionic Joints Cyberware implant from Dr. Chrome and at Buck’s Clinic in the Watson district.
- Epimorphic Skeleton
This Skeleton cyberware implant enables the player to gain some amount of health. This implant is highly recommended because having a Stealth build makes the player short on health. The Tier 5 version of this implant will boost the player’s maximum health by 13% and grant 220 Armor.
The player can buy the Epimorphic Skeleton implant from any Ripperdoc after reaching level 30. Then, the rarity of this implant will increase every ten levels.
Arms
The recommended Arms Cyberware for a stealth pistol build is the Toxic Mantis Blades. The Toxic variant of the Mantis Blades implant allows the player to quickly and effectively slice through foes. This is useful if the player utilizes the secondary knives rather than the main pistols.
The player can also pounce on a victim for deadly Chemical damage. With the Tier 5 rarity of this implant, the player can deal a +20% chance to inflict Poison. Also, this implant gives +1.3% health regeneration bonus and +2.6 health.
The player can use this Arms Cyberware implant as melee backup if the player must use a knife quickly to eliminate enemies that have detected the player. This Toxic version is ideal for this stealth build because it allows the player to do extra Poison damage in addition to the damage from the throwable knife.
The player can purchase the Tier 5 rarity of the Toxic Mantis Blades from Buck’s Clinic at Kabuki, Watson.
Hands
The recommended Hands Cyberware implant for a stealth pistol build is the Shock Absorber. This Cyberware implant enables the player to decrease the recoil when shooting. When using the Tier 5 rarity of the Shock Absorber, the player will have -20% recoil. This can greatly help for this pistol-focused stealth build. Not only that, but it also has an additional 0.2% headshot and weak spot damage per Attribute Point.
Buck’s Clinic in Kabuki, Watson, is where the player can get the Tier 5 rarity of the Shock Absorber Cyberware implant. However, the player can equip this Hand implant by getting the Ambidextrous perk in the Technical Ability perk tree.
Legs
The following are the recommended Leg Cyberware implants to equip for a stealth pistol build:
- Lynx Paws
The best Legs Cyberware implant for a stealth pistol build is the Lynx Paws. This Cyberware implant is a leg improvement that reduces the sound dynamics whenever the player moves. If the player has the Tier 5 rarity of this implant, the player will get +50% quieter movement.
Not only that, but this implant also increases the player’s movement speed when crouching by +12%. The decreased movement sound and faster crouching speed make this Leg Cyberware implant essential for a stealth pistol build.
This implant’s Tier 5 rarity will also boost the player’s Armor by 34. Also, +0.2% headshot and weak spot damage per Attribute Point, +5.2% Bonus Stealth Damage, and +2.1% Quickhack Damage.
The player can purchase the Epic rarity of the Lynx Paws implant from Instant Implants in Watson and in Fingers MD in Westbrook.
- Leeroy Ligament System
This Leg cyberware implant will boost the player’s movement speed. With its maximum rarity, the player will gain an additional 18% movement speed and 11.5 armor.
There are two ways for the player to get the Leeroy Ligament System implant. The first way is to purchase it from the Ripperdocs in Dogtown. The other way is to loot it from Airdrops.
Relic
Relics are additional upgrades to the player’s Cyberware. The player will only get this new skill tree in the new DLC expansion, Phantom Liberty. After starting the Phantom Liberty quest with Songbird, the player can access the Relic Skill Tree. She will give the player a few Relic points to start with.
The first relic that the player is recommended to get is ‘Emergency Cloaking.’ If Optical Camo is enabled, this skill will cause enemies who have detected the player to lose track of the player, even if the player is standing in front of them. It is important to note that this is only possible if the player explicitly activates Optical Camo. If the player crouch-sprints with the Vanishing Act perk, the skill’s effects will not activate.
After obtaining the Emergency Cloaking skill, The player can get the ‘Sensory Protocol.’ The ‘Sensory Protocol’ skill will slow down time when the enemy detects the player. If the player rushes out from their vision, they can either reposition or flee.
The player can use the recommended Relic skills mentioned above to leave fights whenever enemies detect the player. If the player decides not to engage in combat, use these to move around before trying to sneak again.
It’s worth noting that these skills have their cooldowns. The ‘Emergency Cloaking’ cooldown is related to Optical Camo’s cooldown. The ‘Sensory Protocol,’ however, has a cooldown of two minutes.
After getting the skills previously mentioned, the player may acquire the ‘Vulnerability Analytics’ skill and then the ‘Machine Learning’ skill. These skills indicate the enemies’ weak points that the player can exploit to do more damage.
Tips
As this is for a stealth pistol build, this works best with the player staying hidden and avoiding detection. The player can remain hidden by crouching and proceed swiftly via crouch-sprinting. If enemies detect the player, the player can use these movements to relocate or flee.
Once the player has an Optical Camo and the Vanishing Act and Multitasker perks, utilizing the cyberware before shooting with the pistol is recommended. This allows the player to get rid of enemies while being completely invisible.
Several main perks in the Reflexes and Cool trees mentioned above will grant the player many movement techs. Examples of these are crouch-sprinting, dashing, and air dashing. The player can use these to get closer to an enemy, sneak across buildings and platforms, or escape a fight.
When detected, there are possible scenarios where the player may be unable to escape the fight simply. To swiftly kill those who have detected the player, utilizing the Sandevistan or Kerenzikov implants’ effects is advisable. The player can also use this cyberware to dive right into the groups of enemies, eliminating some of them, and then return to hiding using Optical Camo.
Also, most of the perks and cyberware recommended will increase the player’s critical chance, critical damage, and headshot multiplier damage. The player only needs to aim and shoot for the head to use all of these stat boosts. So, for this stealth pistol build, headshots are essential for inflicting damage and eliminating enemies with just one bullet.
Another element to pay attention is what the player can hack around the area. As an example, there are numerous lamps that the player may utilize to attract enemy attention or to overload them and temporarily blind enemies. The player may additionally utilize the exploding canisters. To make them explode, the player can overload them. This causes significant damage to the enemies as well as confusion.
Conclusion
In the gritty world of Cyberpunk 2077, the best stealth pistol build can be your ultimate ticket to success. This guide has equipped you with the knowledge and insights needed to craft a lethal, shadowy, pistol-equipped assassin capable of slipping through the neon-lit streets of Night City undetected.
By focusing on attributes, perks, and gear that enhance your stealth capabilities, you can eliminate your foes with silence and grace, leaving no trace in your wake. As you venture deeper into the dystopian maze of Cyberpunk 2077, remember that this stealth pistol build is only the structure’s base.
Experiment with weapons, perks, and cyberware to suit your play style. With a stealth pistol build, you are one step closer to becoming like a ninja armed with a pistol ready to take down whatever and whoever goes your way in Cyberpunk 2077.
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