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Can I Upgrade Weapon Rarity in Cyberpunk? The Definitive Guide

Yes, you can effectively upgrade the rarity of weapons in Cyberpunk 2077, but with a significant caveat: you can only upgrade Iconic weapons. The game’s 2.0 update and subsequent patches overhauled the weapon upgrade system, moving away from upgrading every weapon and focusing on these unique, specially named weapons that often have unique perks. This article will delve into how weapon upgrading works, which weapons you can upgrade, and answer frequently asked questions to help you navigate the weapon customization system in Night City.

Understanding Weapon Tiers vs. Rarity

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s clarify the terminology. Cyberpunk 2077 replaced the old rarity levels (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary) with a Tier system, ranging from Tier 1 to Tier 5++. While the words ‘rarity’ and ‘tier’ are technically different, they essentially represent the same thing: the quality and power level of a weapon. Think of Tiers as the new way of expressing rarity.

The Focus on Iconic Weapons

The crucial change in Cyberpunk 2.0 is that only Iconic weapons can be upgraded. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill guns found on the street. Iconic weapons are unique items, usually obtained once, and often tied to specific quests or characters in the game. They often possess special abilities or perks that make them highly desirable.

How to Upgrade Iconic Weapons

Upgrading an Iconic weapon is a relatively straightforward process, but it requires resources and a good understanding of the crafting system:

Open the Crafting Menu: Access the crafting menu from your inventory.
Select the Upgrade Tab: Navigate to the “Upgrade” section.
Choose Your Iconic Weapon: Select the Iconic weapon you want to upgrade from the list.
Craft (Upgrade): Click and hold the “Craft” button. This consumes crafting components and increases the weapon’s Tier.

With each upgrade, the Iconic weapon’s Tier increases, improving its base damage, stats, and potentially unlocking additional mod slots.

The Importance of Crafting Components

Upgrading weapons requires crafting components. The higher the Tier you’re aiming for, the rarer and more numerous the components you’ll need. You can acquire these components by:

Dismantling Weapons and Gear: Breaking down unwanted items into their constituent parts. Rare and Epic items give a higher chance of giving more uncommon and common components.
Looting: Finding components scattered throughout Night City.
Purchasing: Buying components from vendors.

Choosing whether to sell or dismantle loot is an important decision. Early in the game, selling common and uncommon loot and dismantling rare and epic is wise. As you get closer to the endgame, you may want to consider dismantling everything.

Why Upgrade Iconic Weapons?

Upgrading Iconic weapons is critical for keeping them viable throughout your playthrough. As you level up, enemies become tougher, and weapons that were once powerful can quickly become obsolete. Upgrading ensures that your favorite Iconic weapons remain competitive, allowing you to continue using their unique abilities and perks.

Crafting vs. Upgrading

There is a subtle but important distinction between upgrading and crafting in the context of Iconic weapons. Upgrading increases the weapon’s Tier and stats. If you like Legendaries and you want to actually make use of your iconic weapons throughout the entire game, then you’ll want to craft, or else they’ll become obsolete in just a few levels. Crafting involves creating the weapon, which is something different.

FAQs: Weapon Upgrades in Cyberpunk 2077

Here are some frequently asked questions about weapon upgrades in Cyberpunk 2077, providing additional information and clarifying common points of confusion:

Can I upgrade non-Iconic weapons? No, the 2.0 update limited weapon upgrades to Iconic weapons only. Regular weapons cannot be upgraded.
Does upgrading an Iconic weapon automatically scale it to my level? Not exactly. Upgrading increases the weapon’s Tier, which boosts its stats, but the weapon only rescales if you craft it, not upgrade.
What is the highest Tier I can upgrade an Iconic weapon to? The highest Tier is Tier 5++.
Can I upgrade Skippy? You can’t upgrade Skippy in the traditional sense. However, Skippy automatically scales to V’s level, increasing in damage as you level up.
Is it worth upgrading Iconic weapons? Absolutely. Upgrading Iconic weapons is essential for keeping them relevant and competitive as you progress through the game.
Where can I find crafting components? You can find them by dismantling unwanted weapons and gear, looting them from containers, and purchasing them from vendors.
What should I do with rare weapons that I can’t upgrade? Rare crafters should only dismantle rare and epic loot and sell uncommon and common loot.
Does weapon rarity (Tier) affect the number of mod slots? Yes, the weapon’s rarity determines the number of mod slots the weapon has. Tier 1 weapons have no mod slots, while Tier 5 weapons have the most.
Can I upgrade an Iconic weapon multiple times? Yes, you can upgrade an Iconic weapon as many times as you have the necessary components, up to the maximum Tier of 5++.
Is there a way to respec my crafting perks? Yes, you can respec your perk points by purchasing a “tabula e-rasa” from a Ripperdoc. This allows you to reallocate your points, including those spent on crafting perks.
Are there any Iconic weapons that are not worth upgrading? Most Iconic weapons are worth upgrading due to their unique perks, but it ultimately depends on your playstyle and preferences. Experiment and see which weapons suit you best.
Does upgrading an Iconic weapon change its appearance? Sometimes, upgrading can subtly alter the weapon’s appearance, especially at higher Tiers.
What’s the difference between Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary weapons in the new Tier system? These terms are largely replaced by the Tier system (Tier 1 to Tier 5++). However, the underlying concept remains: higher Tiers (like Legendary or Tier 5++) generally mean better stats, more mod slots, and potentially unique perks.
Can I find Iconic weapons at higher Tiers early in the game? Iconic weapons are often found at lower Tiers initially, requiring you to upgrade them as you progress. However, some Iconic weapons can be found at higher Tiers, depending on the specific weapon and your game progress.
What is the best way to farm crafting components? A great way to farm crafting components is to complete NCPD Scanner Hustles and Organized Crime Activities. These often reward you with weapons and gear that can be dismantled.

Final Thoughts

The weapon upgrade system in Cyberpunk 2077, particularly its focus on Iconic weapons, adds depth to the game’s customization and progression. By understanding how to upgrade these unique weapons and manage your crafting components, you can ensure that your favorite guns remain powerful and effective throughout your adventures in Night City. Be sure to check out the Games Learning Society for more insights into game design and learning, at GamesLearningSociety.org. Embrace the grind, experiment with different weapons and upgrades, and become a true legend of Night City.

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