Introduction
Cyberpunk 2077 offers a variety of playstyles, from all-out combat to advanced hacking. But for players who prefer subtlety, strategy, and a silent approach, stealth builds deliver one of the most rewarding experiences in Night City. Whether you’re sneaking past heavily armed guards, hacking surveillance systems unnoticed, or taking down enemies without a sound, a well-crafted stealth build can turn your character into a ghost in the machine.
With recent updates and the Phantom Liberty expansion improving AI behavior and stealth mechanics, now is the perfect time to dive into a shadowy path. Stealth play isn’t just about crouching and hiding—it’s about using intelligence, the right gear, and precise timing to outwit your enemies. This guide breaks down the best attributes, skills, weapons, and cyberware to build the ultimate stealth operative. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to try a smarter approach, mastering stealth in Cyberpunk 2077 can offer a uniquely powerful and immersive experience.
Why Choose a Stealth Build in Cyberpunk 2077?
In a chaotic, neon-lit city like Night City, where explosions and gunfire often take center stage, a stealth build offers a refreshing and strategic alternative. Choosing a stealth build in Cyberpunk 2077 allows players to experience the game in a quieter, more calculated manner—one where finesse and planning outweigh brute strength and chaos.
At its core, a stealth build is ideal for players who enjoy slipping past enemies undetected, taking them out silently, and leaving no trace behind. Whether it’s infiltrating a heavily guarded compound, sabotaging systems without raising alarms, or neutralizing targets before they can react, stealth gameplay rewards patience, positioning, and awareness. This build is particularly suited for players who like the thrill of being the unseen ghost in the system.
One of the primary advantages of a stealth playstyle is control. With perks that reduce noise, increase movement speed while crouching, and boost critical damage against unaware enemies, stealth players often neutralize threats before combat even begins. This gives them the upper hand in missions, allowing for cleaner outcomes with fewer risks. In many situations, you can clear entire enemy outposts without firing a single loud shot.
Another key benefit is roleplaying immersion. Cyberpunk 2077 features many missions and side jobs where subtlety can lead to different outcomes, better rewards, or even alternate dialogue options. A stealthy netrunner or assassin-style character can influence the game’s narrative direction in unique ways, adding depth and variety to each playthrough.
Moreover, stealth builds synergize well with hacking and cold blood mechanics. Players can hack cameras, distract enemies, or disable cyberware quietly, further expanding their tactical options. Combining stealth with cold blood perks makes your character a silent killing machine—gaining momentum and buffs with every takedown, making them even more dangerous over time.
For players seeking a more intelligent, surgical approach to combat—where every action counts and creativity is key—a stealth build in Cyberpunk 2077 delivers one of the most rewarding experiences the game has to offer. It’s not just about hiding in shadows—it’s about turning the battlefield into a chessboard, where you’re always three moves ahead.
Core Attributes for Stealth Builds in Cyberpunk 2077
Building an effective stealth character in Cyberpunk 2077 starts with understanding the game’s core attribute system. Each attribute governs several key skills and directly influences your playstyle. For stealth-focused players, choosing the right attributes is crucial to remaining undetected, maximizing damage, and utilizing tools like quickhacks and silenced weapons to their fullest.
Primary Attributes for Stealth:
| Attribute | Why It Matters for Stealth |
| Cool | This is the heart of all stealth builds. It enhances your stealth abilities, critical damage against unaware enemies, and cold blood perks that boost survivability after takedowns. |
| Intelligence | Supports stealth-hacking hybrids. It governs quickhacks, allowing you to disable cameras, distract enemies, and silently eliminate foes from afar. |
| Reflexes | Helps if you want to use blades or silenced pistols with agility. It also improves evasion and movement speed—great for repositioning. |
Attribute Breakdown:
1. Cool (Start with 6–7)
Cool is non-negotiable. It enhances both the Stealth and Cold Blood perk trees:
- Stealth perks improve detection speed, crouch movement, silenced weapon bonuses, and damage multipliers for sneak attacks.
- Cold Blood adds momentum to your playstyle. After a takedown, you gain stacking buffs like extra speed, armor, or critical chance. These stack with each enemy you dispatch, turning you into a silent powerhouse.
Tip: Cold Blood passives make you stronger the longer you stay in combat undetected, ideal for high-risk infiltration missions.
2. Intelligence (Recommended: 5–8 if hybrid)
Want to disable enemies or cameras without alerting anyone? Intelligence lets you use quickhacks like:
- Ping: Reveals all enemies in a network.
- Reboot Optics: Temporarily blinds enemies.
- Short Circuit / Cyberpsychosis: Silent takedowns from a distance.
Intelligence allows you to become a digital ghost—slipping past threats by manipulating the environment.
Tip: Pair hacking with stealth takedowns to control larger areas without firing a shot.
3. Reflexes (Optional but Helpful: 4–6)
If your playstyle leans toward blades, pistols, or mobility, Reflexes is your friend. It:
- Increases evasion and movement speed.
- Enhances weapon handling, especially for katanas or suppressed pistols.
- Offers perks that improve headshot damage, reload speed, and movement while aiming.
Suggested Attribute Distribution (at Level 10–15):
| Attribute | Points |
| Cool | 9 |
| Intelligence | 6 |
| Reflexes | 5 |
| Body | 3 |
| Technical | 3 |
Final Thoughts
The perfect stealth build balances silent takedown efficiency with situation control. Cool is your foundation, Intelligence empowers non-lethal and ranged stealth hacks, and Reflexes makes you nimble and lethal with blades or pistols.
Whether you’re sneaking through Corpo facilities or taking down gang hideouts undetected, investing in these attributes ensures your stealth build feels deadly, smooth, and rewarding throughout your journey in Night City.
Best Skills and Perks for Stealth in Cyberpunk 2077
In Cyberpunk 2077, stealth isn’t just about crouching and hiding—it’s an art of strategic planning, rapid execution, and exploiting enemy weaknesses. A well-crafted stealth build hinges on selecting the right skills and perks from key trees, primarily found under the Cool, Intelligence, and optionally Reflexes attributes. Here’s a deep dive into the best stealth-focused skills and perks to become Night City’s silent predator.
A. Cool Attribute: Stealth + Cold Blood Trees
The Cool stat is the stealth player’s bread and butter. It governs two powerful perk trees:
1. Stealth Perks (Core to Infiltration)
| Perk | Effect |
| Crouching Tiger | Increases movement speed while sneaking. Essential for fast repositioning. |
| Silent and Deadly | Boosts damage with silenced weapons. A must-have for suppressed pistol/sniper builds. |
| Ghost | Reduces enemy detection speed while sneaking. Stay hidden longer. |
| Strike from the Shadows | Increases crit chance while sneaking. |
| Assassin | Extra damage against human enemies—most common foes. |
| Sniper | +15% headshot damage with silenced sniper rifles. Deadly when paired with high Cool. |
| From the Shadows | Boosts crit chance for 7 seconds after combat begins, perfect for initiating with a takedown or first shot. |
Pro Tip: Stack Silent and Deadly + From the Shadows to open every encounter with massive burst damage.
2. Cold Blood Perks (Scaling Buffs with Every Kill)
Cold Blood activates after a stealth takedown or kill, granting stacking bonuses:
| Perk | Effect |
| Cold Blood (Base Perk) | After defeating an enemy, gain a buff (e.g., movement speed) for 10s. Stacks with kills. |
| Coolagulant | Extends the duration of all Cold Blood effects. |
| Cold and Calculating | Chance to trigger Cold Blood passively on a critical hit—not just on kill. |
| Rapid Bloodflow | Boosts health regen during combat when Cold Blood is active. |
| Frozen Precision | Increases headshot damage while Cold Blood is active. |
| Merciless | +Crit chance and crit damage per Cold Blood stack. Lethal synergy. |
Pro Tip: Once fully developed, Cold Blood turns you into a silent terminator—deadlier with every kill and harder to detect or kill in return.
B. Intelligence Attribute: Quickhacks + Stealth Hybrid
For stealth hackers, Intelligence unlocks Quickhack tools that complement silent takedowns:
3. Breach Protocol Perks
| Perk | Effect |
| Mass Vulnerability | Reduces enemy resistances after a breach—weakens them before your attack. |
| Big Sleep | Disables all cameras in an area—great for infiltration. |
| Turret Tamer | Turns enemy turrets friendly. Silent way to clear areas. |
4. Quickhacking Perks
| Perk | Effect |
| Biosynergy | Regenerates RAM (needed for hacks) over time. |
| Signal Support | Extends hack duration, allowing more time to escape or act. |
| Subliminal Message | Increases damage from quickhacks to unaware enemies. |
| Daisy Chain | Refunds RAM when a hack kills someone—useful for stealth hack chains. |
| Diffusion | Expands hack spread to multiple enemies—useful for group distractions. |
Top Hacks for Stealth:
- Ping (Reveal enemies through walls)
- Reboot Optics (Temporarily blind a guard)
- Cyberpsychosis (Turn enemies against each other)
- System Reset (Non-lethal takedown without detection)
C. Reflexes (Optional: For Blade or Pistol Builds)
If you enjoy silenced pistols or stealthy blade combat:
| Skill Tree | Best Perks |
| Handguns | Desperado, Rio Bravo, Attritional Fire for extra headshot and crit damage. |
| Blades | Crimson Dance, Flight of the Sparrow for bleeding and dash attacks. |
Note: Reflexes aren’t essential but add flavor and variety if you want to go beyond pure hacking or sneak shooting.
Final Thoughts
The stealth meta in Cyberpunk 2077 thrives on Cool’s Stealth and Cold Blood trees, supported by Intelligence’s hacking capabilities. Whether you’re a digital ghost disabling enemies with quickhacks, a silent assassin using suppressed headshots, or a cold-blooded blade user slicing through enemies before they blink—these perks shape your journey through Night City’s shadows.
Invest smartly, and you’ll be untouchable.
Recommended Weapons and Cyberware for Stealth Builds
Crafting the ultimate stealth build in Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t just about perks—your weapons and cyberware make or break your silent strategy. A great stealth loadout combines silent takedowns, high critical damage, and enemy disruption. Below is a detailed guide to the best weapons and cyberware tailored for sneaky players who want to disappear into the shadows.
Best Weapons for Stealth Gameplay
1. Silenced Pistols
These are the go-to weapons for classic stealth kills.
- Archangel (Power Pistol): Silencer-compatible, high crit chance. Perfect for headshots.
- Overture (Revolver): Strong one-shot potential with high damage and silence mods.
- Unity (Customizable): Easy to find early and mod-friendly with a suppressor.
Pro Tip: Equip a silencer mod to reduce noise and avoid alerting enemies. Pair with “Silent and Deadly” perk for boosted damage.
2. Sniper Rifles
For stealth snipers who prefer distant elimination.
- Nekomata (Tech Sniper): Can penetrate walls; excellent for long-range stealth kills.
- Tsunami Ashura (Smart Sniper): Auto-locks targets, though louder—use with care in stealth.
3. Blades
Ideal for close encounters and silent takedowns.
- Scalpel: Iconic katana with high crit and electrical damage.
- Satori: High crit damage multiplier—excellent for fast, lethal takedowns.
Tip: Combine blade perks with “Cold Blood” to boost movement speed and crit damage after each kill.
4. Quickhacks (for Stealth Hackers)
- Reboot Optics: Blinds enemies temporarily.
- Ping: Reveals enemy positions through walls.
- System Reset: Instantly neutralizes targets silently.
- Cyberpsychosis: Causes chaos silently by turning enemies on each other.
Best Cyberware for Stealth Builds
Frontal Cortex
- Camillo RAM Manager: Instantly restores RAM when it drops to 2 units—ideal for quickhack-based stealth players.
- Ex-Disk: Increases RAM capacity for more simultaneous hacks.
Ocular System
- Kiroshi Optics Mk.2+: Enhances enemy highlights and increases crit chance with smart links and targeting.
Operating System
- NetWatch Netdriver Mk.5 (for Netrunners): Reduces RAM costs and increases spread of quickhacks—key for stealth hackers.
- Tetratronic Rippler Mk.4: Boosts upload speed and duration of quickhacks.
Legs
- Reinforced Tendons: Double jump allows you to access elevated or hidden areas.
- Fortified Ankles: Charged jump for vertical traversal—useful for sneaky infiltration.
Integumentary System
- Optical Camo: Grants short-term invisibility—perfect for escapes or stealth attacks.
- Subdermal Armor: Extra protection while sneaking, in case things go loud.
Nervous System
- Kerenzikov: Enables slow-mo dodging when aiming or blocking—great for silent pistol users.
- Synaptic Accelerator: Slows time when you’re detected—giving you precious seconds to react or retreat.
Loadout Strategy
- Pure Netrunner Stealth: NetWatch Netdriver + RAM upgrades + stealth hacks.
- Silent Assassin: Suppressed pistol/sniper + Optical Camo + Cold Blood perks.
- Blade Ghost: Katana + Kerenzikov + Cold Blood/Stealth mix.
Final Thoughts
A great stealth build balances quiet lethality, speed, and invisibility. With the right combination of silenced weapons, tactical cyberware, and perks like Cold Blood and Ghost, you’ll glide through missions without leaving a trace—like a whisper in Night City’s neon-lit chaos.
Stealth Gameplay Tips and Strategies
Stealth in Cyberpunk 2077 is an art form—a calculated blend of patience, awareness, and lethal precision. Whether you’re building a ghostlike netrunner or a blade-wielding assassin, mastering stealth gameplay requires more than just crouching and walking slowly. Below are essential tips and strategies to maximize your effectiveness in the shadows of Night City.
1. Always Scout the Area First
Before entering hostile zones, use Quickhacks like Ping to reveal enemy locations. This allows you to plan your route, mark high-value targets, and identify security cameras or turrets.
- Use cameras to scout without entering danger zones.
- Tag enemies by looking at them and pressing the tag button to track movement.
2. Stick to Cover and Avoid Open Spaces
Staying low and using walls, crates, or shadows to your advantage reduces your visibility. Always crouch (C) when moving around hostile zones to reduce noise.
- Avoid running or jumping unless necessary.
- Use environmental cover to break line-of-sight and reposition.
3. Manipulate the Environment
Use interactive elements like:
- Distract Enemies: TVs, machines, and lights can be hacked to pull enemies away.
- Remote Deactivation: Disable cameras or mines via quickhacks to move safely.
This manipulation not only protects you but also opens up new pathways.
4. Master Takedowns and Body Disposal
- Non-lethal takedowns are ideal when you want to avoid detection completely.
- After eliminating a guard, hide the body in containers or dark corners.
- Failure to dispose of bodies can alert enemies and trigger alarms.
Perks like Crouching Tiger (faster movement while crouched) and Dagger Dealer (throwing knives) enhance your approach.
5. Leverage Quickhacks for Disruption
Quickhacks are invaluable tools for stealth players, especially netrunners. Use these creatively:
- Reboot Optics: Temporarily blinds enemies.
- Short Circuit: Silent damage over time.
- System Reset: Instantly knocks out enemies without a trace.
- Cyberpsychosis: Turns foes against each other quietly.
Equip a high-end cyberdeck to reduce RAM cost and increase quickhack range and upload speed.
6. Strike from the Shadows with Precision
Whether you’re using silenced weapons or blades, always aim for headshots or backstabs to eliminate enemies quickly and silently. Sneak behind and use takedown animations for satisfying and effective kills.
For blade users:
- Use Satori or Scalpel for high crit damage.
- Combine with Cold Blood perks to boost speed, evasion, and crit rate.
7. Build Momentum with Perks
Stealth perks from the Cool and Intelligence trees synergize to create a powerful loop of:
- Stealth entry
- Quick kill
- Cold Blood activation
- Buffed movement, reload, and crit stats
- Repeat
You become faster and deadlier with every kill, especially when stacking Cold Blood perks like Frozen Precision and Coolagulant.
8. Save Often & Play Patiently
Stealth missions can fall apart with one mistake. Make liberal use of quick saves, especially after successful takedowns or hacks.
- Use trial-and-error to test routes.
- Don’t rush—patience pays off.
- Final Strategy: Adaptability
No stealth run is the same. Always adapt based on enemy patterns, environment, and available tools. Switching between hacking, melee, and suppressive fire lets you stay unpredictable and one step ahead of the enemy.
In Cyberpunk 2077, stealth isn’t just a playstyle—it’s a tactical mindset. Master it, and you’ll become an invisible legend in Night City.
Stealth Build Variants: Hybrid Builds
While a pure stealth build in Cyberpunk 2077 can turn you into a silent ghost, hybrid builds offer flexibility for players who want to blend stealth with other powerful combat styles. These combinations allow you to adapt mid-mission—starting in stealth and switching to high-impact tactics if things go loud. Below are the most effective stealth hybrid builds and how to use them.
1. Stealth + Netrunner (Intelligence + Cool)
This build combines stealth with powerful hacking capabilities.
- Core Attributes:
- Cool: For sneak, crit bonuses, and Cold Blood perks
- Intelligence: For quickhack strength, RAM recovery, and breach protocols
- Playstyle:
- Start with Ping to reveal enemies
- Use Reboot Optics or Cyberpsychosis to disable or distract
- Sneak in for silent takedowns or let enemies kill each other undetected
- Best Perks:
- Biosynergy, Diffusion, Mass Vulnerability, Silent and Deadly, Cold Blood
- Ideal For: Players who enjoy manipulating enemies without ever being seen.
2. Stealth + Blades (Reflexes + Cool)
A lethal ninja-style build focused on silent melee kills and speed buffs.
- Core Attributes:
- Cool: Stealth and Cold Blood
- Reflexes: Blade proficiency and crit damage
- Playstyle:
- Sneak behind enemies using speed-enhancing perks
- Eliminate with katanas or mono-wire while activating Cold Blood stacks
- Chain kills quickly as Cold Blood increases movement and attack speed
- Best Perks:
- Dagger Dealer, Crouching Tiger, Crimson Dance, Slaughterhouse
- Ideal For: Fast-paced players who prefer up-close, stylish kills.
3. Stealth + Tech Weapons (Technical Ability + Cool)
A stealth-sniper build using tech weapons and gadgets.
- Core Attributes:
- Cool: Covert movement
- Technical Ability: Tech weapons and armor crafting
- Playstyle:
- Snipe through walls or turrets with charge-based tech weapons
- Use traps, mines, and grenades to silently clear enemies from range
- Maintain distance and vanish after each shot
- Best Perks:
- Silent Finisher, Lone Wolf, Superconductor, Engineering Mastery
- Ideal For: Tactical players who prefer silent distance eliminations with firepower.
Hybrid Advantage
Hybrid builds give you the freedom to control the battlefield. If stealth fails, you’re still deadly in combat. Whether you’re hacking minds, slicing throats, or shooting through walls—these variants make you unpredictable and unstoppable in Night City.
Best Cyberpunk Missions to Try Your Stealth Build
One of the most satisfying ways to enjoy a stealth build in Cyberpunk 2077 is by applying it to missions that encourage creativity, infiltration, and silent takedowns. Whether you’re new to stealth gameplay or looking to challenge yourself, the following missions provide perfect opportunities to test your stealth skills and finesse your approach.
1. The Heist
- Why it’s great: This early-game main mission teaches you the basics of stealth and encourages silent movement through high-security areas.
- Tips: Use hacking to disable cameras, sneak behind guards, and avoid unnecessary gunfights.
2. Automatic Love
- Why it’s great: This quest includes stealth-friendly interiors, hostile zones, and opportunities for non-lethal takedowns.
- Tips: Take advantage of tight hallways and back rooms to isolate enemies one by one.
3. Gig: Olive Branch
- Why it’s great: A stealth-oriented gig that requires careful movement through enemy-infested areas without triggering alarms.
- Tips: Use recon grenades and optics reboot hacks to maintain visual control.
4. I Fought the Law
- Why it’s great: A quest with investigative elements where stealth can be used to gather intel and tail suspects.
- Tips: Prioritize distraction hacks and avoid combat entirely for a cleaner run.
5. Gig: Shark in the Water
- Why it’s great: This gig places you in a secure corporate area with multiple patrols and surveillance.
- Tips: Bring quickhacks like Short Circuit and Ping to disable drones and manipulate the environment silently.
Bonus Tip:
Equip cyberware like Optical Camo or Reflex Tuners for improved stealth survival. Missions with vertical spaces and alternate entries offer the most room for creative silent approaches.
Conclusion
Stealth builds in Cyberpunk 2077 offer a thrilling, strategic approach to Night City that rewards patience, precision, and planning. By focusing on key attributes like Cool and Intelligence, equipping silenced weapons and smart cyberware, and mastering stealth-focused perks, players can become silent operatives capable of clearing entire missions without raising a single alarm. Whether you’re hacking into enemy systems undetected or vanishing before a guard spots you, stealth gameplay provides a satisfying alternative to the game’s more aggressive playstyles. With the right build and strategy, even the most secure corporate facilities become playgrounds for infiltration. As the game continues to evolve with patches and expansions, stealth remains one of the most immersive and rewarding ways to experience the world of Cyberpunk 2077. Ready to disappear into the shadows? This build has you covered.
