Should You Keep or Sell Weapons in Cyberpunk 2077? A Night City Survival Guide

The glittering, gritty streets of Night City are paved with discarded dreams, broken tech, and, yes, a whole lot of weapons. Navigating this urban jungle in Cyberpunk 2077 means constantly making tough choices about your inventory. A key question that plagues every merc from the moment they leave V’s apartment is: Should I keep or sell weapons? The answer, like most things in Night City, is layered and depends on your playstyle, perks, and current needs. However, as a general rule of thumb: early game, sell most weapons to get Eddies flowing, but mid to late game, focus on dismantling most weapons for crafting components, and keep Iconic weapons because they can be upgraded to stay relevant.

The Cold, Hard Truth About Weapons

The abundance of weapons in Cyberpunk 2077 is both a blessing and a curse. You’ll be tripping over pistols, shotguns, and melee weapons after nearly every firefight. Knowing what to do with this constant influx is crucial for optimizing your character build and bank account.

Early Game: Cash is King

In the early hours of Cyberpunk 2077, eddies are your lifeblood. You need them for better cyberware, essential consumables, and vehicle upgrades. At this stage, the majority of weapons you find are low-level and don’t offer significant advantages over what you already have.

• Sell, Sell, Sell: Focus on selling the majority of common and uncommon weapons you loot. Visit weapon vendors (look for the gun icon on the map) or drop them off at any drop point for some quick cash. Even seemingly insignificant weapons can contribute to a sizable income.
• Exceptions: Keep an eye out for weapons that are a significant upgrade to your current loadout. Pay attention to stats like damage per second (DPS), critical hit chance, and elemental effects. A rare or epic weapon that drastically improves your combat capabilities is worth holding onto.
• Perk Consideration: Scrapper (early game): Be careful with the Scrapper perk. While it seems good, you may want to hold off on it until you have the eddies to get established. Selling the junk can often net you more profit in the beginning.

Mid-Game: Crafting Emerges

As you progress, you’ll unlock the crafting system and realize its potential for creating powerful weapons and modifications. Crafting requires components, which are primarily obtained by dismantling weapons and junk.

• Dismantle Strategically: Now, shift your focus from selling everything to dismantling most weapons. Common and uncommon weapons should be dismantled for their basic components. These components are essential for crafting weapon mods, healing items, and even better weapons.
• Prioritize Rarity: Be selective about what you dismantle. Rare and epic weapons yield rarer components, which are crucial for crafting higher-tier items. Consider whether you need the components more than the cash.
• Perk to Grab: Scrapper (mid game): Now, you can begin focusing on the Scrapper perk under the Technical Ability attribute, on the Crafting skill tree. When obtained, junk can be dismantled when picked up automatically. This is a quick way for gamers to accumulate components for common and uncommon crafted items.

Late Game: Optimization and Iconic Weapons

By the late game, you’ve likely developed a preferred combat style and have a decent arsenal of weapons. The focus shifts to fine-tuning your build and maximizing your damage output. This is where Iconic weapons become incredibly important.

• Keep and Upgrade Iconic Weapons: Iconic weapons are unique weapons with special perks and backstories. They often have unique modifications or attributes that make them incredibly powerful. Crucially, Iconic weapons can be upgraded to your level, ensuring they remain viable throughout the entire game. Never sell or dismantle these!
• Consider Crafting: Crafted weapons can often surpass purchased or looted weapons in terms of stats. If you find a weapon blueprint you like, invest in crafting the weapon and upgrading it to the highest tier.
• Dismantle for High-End Components: At this point, you’ll likely have a surplus of basic components. Focus on dismantling rare and epic weapons for their higher-tier components to fuel your crafting endeavors.
• Sell Excess: If you’re still strapped for cash, sell any duplicate weapons or those that don’t fit your build. But remember that crafting and upgrading are key to end-game power.

Iconic Weapons: Treasures to Cherish

Iconic weapons are more than just guns; they’re characters in their own right. Each one has a unique history, often tied to a specific quest or character. They also possess special abilities and modifications that set them apart from regular weapons. Some examples of Iconic weapons include:

• Skippy: A talking smart pistol with an evolving personality.
• Pride: Kerry Eurodyne’s signature pistol.
• La Chingona Dorada: Jackie Welles’s customized pistol.
• Malorian Arms 3516: Johnny Silverhand’s iconic revolver.

These weapons are worth every bit of effort to make them legendary guns that will never leave a player’s holster again.

Why Iconic Weapons Matter

• Unique Perks: Iconic weapons often have unique perks that significantly enhance their performance, such as increased critical hit damage, elemental effects, or special firing modes.
• Upgradability: You can upgrade Iconic weapons to match your current level, ensuring they remain powerful throughout the game. This is essential for maintaining your combat effectiveness.
• Story Significance: Many Iconic weapons are tied to important characters and quests. Using these weapons can add depth and immersion to your playthrough.

The Art of Dismantling: A Scavenger’s Delight

Dismantling weapons is a vital aspect of Cyberpunk 2077’s crafting system. By breaking down unwanted weapons, you obtain components needed for crafting new items, upgrading existing gear, and creating modifications.

The Benefits of Dismantling

• Component Acquisition: Dismantling is the primary source of crafting components. These components are essential for creating everything from healing items to powerful weapons and cyberware upgrades.
• Inventory Management: Dismantling allows you to clear out your inventory of unwanted weapons, freeing up space for more valuable items.
• Profitability: While selling weapons provides immediate cash, dismantling them and crafting valuable items can often be more profitable in the long run.

Maximizing Dismantling Efficiency

• Prioritize Rarity: Dismantle weapons based on their rarity. Higher-rarity weapons yield rarer components, which are more valuable for crafting high-end items.
• Consider Your Needs: Before dismantling a weapon, consider whether you need the components it will yield. If you’re short on a specific type of component, prioritize dismantling weapons that provide it.
• Perks: The “Scrapper” perk, found within the Technical Ability attribute, is worth grabbing. This perk automatically disassembles junk when you pick it up.

Crafting: Forge Your Own Destiny

Crafting in Cyberpunk 2077 allows you to create a wide range of items, including weapons, armor, consumables, and modifications. It’s a powerful tool for customizing your character build and optimizing your combat effectiveness.

The Advantages of Crafting

• Customization: Crafting allows you to create weapons and gear tailored to your specific playstyle. You can choose the stats, modifications, and elemental effects that best suit your needs.
• Power: Crafted items often have better stats and damage boosts compared to identical items purchased from vendors or found as loot.
• Profitability: Crafting valuable items and selling them to vendors can be a lucrative way to earn eddies.

Crafting Tips

• Acquire Blueprints: Find and purchase blueprints for weapons, armor, and modifications from vendors throughout Night City.
• Gather Components: Collect crafting components by dismantling weapons, looting containers, and completing quests.
• Invest in Perks: Invest in crafting-related perks to improve your crafting skills and unlock new crafting recipes.

Selling: Quick Cash, Short-Term Gains

Selling weapons is a straightforward way to earn eddies in Cyberpunk 2077. However, it’s important to sell strategically and avoid selling items that could be more valuable for crafting or upgrading.

When to Sell

• Early Game: Sell common and uncommon weapons in the early game to build up your cash reserves.
• Duplicates: Sell duplicate weapons that you don’t need for crafting or upgrading.
• Unwanted Weapons: Sell weapons that don’t fit your playstyle or aren’t an upgrade to your current loadout.

Where to Sell

• Weapon Vendors: Visit weapon vendors (marked with a gun icon on the map) to sell weapons for a fair price.
• Drop Points: Use drop points scattered throughout Night City for quick and convenient selling.

Final Verdict: A Balanced Approach

The best approach to weapons management in Cyberpunk 2077 is a balanced one. Early game, selling common weapons is a necessity for building up your financial foundation. Mid-game, shift your focus to dismantling weapons for crafting components and upgrading your gear. Late game, prioritize Iconic weapons and craft high-end items to optimize your character build.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be well-equipped to survive and thrive in the dangerous world of Night City.

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Cyberpunk 2077 Weapon Management: FAQs

1. Is it worth keeping Iconic weapons in Cyberpunk 2077?

Absolutely! Iconic weapons are unique and can be upgraded to stay relevant throughout the game. Their special perks and backstories make them valuable assets to your arsenal. Never sell or dismantle these!

2. Should I keep or sell junk in Cyberpunk 2077?

Generally, dismantle junk for crafting components. The “Scrapper” perk automates this process, making it even more convenient.

3. Is crafting weapons in Cyberpunk 2077 worth it?

Yes, crafting can yield weapons with better stats and damage boosts than those found or purchased. It also allows for customization based on your playstyle.

4. How do I break down junk in Cyberpunk 2077?

Press and hold “z” on your keyboard while hovering over the item in your inventory. Note that named/iconic weapons cannot be disassembled.

5. What weapons should I sell in Cyberpunk 2077?

Sell common and uncommon weapons, duplicates, and those that don’t fit your build. The Yukimura and Chao guns are often good sellers.

6. Is the “Scrapper” perk good in Cyberpunk 2077?

It depends! Early game, it might rob you. But as you continue in the game it becomes a must to make the most of all the junk you pick up.

7. Is crafting pointless in Cyberpunk 2077?

No, crafting is essential for upgrading Iconic weapons and creating high-end gear. You can get by without it, but you’ll miss out on significant power boosts.

8. Is melee or guns better in Cyberpunk 2077?

Both are viable! Melee weapons offer a visceral and brutal experience, while guns provide versatility and range. Choose the style that suits your preferences.

9. What is the max level in Cyberpunk 2077?

The max level in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 is 60, up from the original 50.

10. Why shouldn’t I sell junk in Cyberpunk 2077?

Dismantling junk provides crafting components, which are more valuable for crafting and upgrading gear than the eddies you’d get from selling.

11. Is it better to upgrade or craft in Cyberpunk 2077?

Crafting rescales the weapon to your level, while upgrading only adds a few points of attack. If you want to keep your favorite weapons viable, crafting is crucial.

12. Can you upgrade normal weapons in Cyberpunk 2077?

No, only Iconic weapons can be upgraded. Normal weapons can be improved with mods and attachments.

13. What is the best way to make money in Cyberpunk 2077?

Completing side missions, selling crafted items, and looting everything that isn’t nailed down are all effective ways to make money.

14. What is the best skill in Cyberpunk 2077?

The best skill depends on your playstyle, but Intelligence skills like Optimization, Embedded Exploit, and Overclock are highly effective.

15. What is the best melee weapon in Cyberpunk 2077?

The “best” weapon is subjective, but some popular choices include the Caretaker’s Spade, Stinger, and Gold-Plated Baseball Bat.

Mastering weapon management in Cyberpunk 2077 takes time and experimentation, but by understanding the value of selling, dismantling, crafting, and upgrading, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Night City legend. Happy gaming, choomba!