What is the Best Hand Cyberware in Cyberpunk?
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There isn’t a single “best” hand cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077. The optimal choice depends heavily on your playstyle, your build, and your specific needs within Night City. However, for players seeking raw offensive power and versatility, the Mantis Blades consistently rank among the most effective and popular options. They offer unparalleled speed, high damage output, and stylish takedowns, making them ideal for both stealth and aggressive combat. But it’s important to acknowledge, the best cyberware will be what fits your V best!
Understanding Hand Cyberware in Cyberpunk
Hand cyberware, in the context of Cyberpunk 2077 and the broader Cyberpunk universe, refers to cybernetic augmentations installed in place of or in addition to a character’s natural hands. These enhancements provide a range of benefits, from boosting physical strength and dexterity to granting entirely new combat abilities. Hand cyberware significantly alters how a character interacts with the world, offering distinct advantages in combat, hacking, crafting, and even social interactions. Choosing the right hand cyberware can dramatically transform your character’s capabilities and shape your overall gameplay experience.
Key Types of Hand Cyberware
Several primary types of hand cyberware are available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses:
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Mantis Blades: As mentioned, these are arguably the most iconic and popular. They are retractable blades that extend from the forearm, offering rapid strikes and deadly takedowns. Excellent for close-quarters combat and stealth builds.
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Gorilla Arms: These augmentations dramatically increase your strength, allowing you to open locked doors, overpower enemies, and deal massive damage with punches. Ideal for melee-focused builds and those who enjoy a more brutal combat style.
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Monowire: A thin, high-frequency wire that extends from the wrist, capable of slicing through enemies with ease. The Monowire is exceptional for crowd control and dealing area-of-effect damage. They are great for Netrunners and those that like to play from afar.
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Projectile Launch System (PLS): This is an implant that replaces the hands and forearms with a modular weapon system capable of launching a variety of projectiles, including grenades, missiles, and even specialized ammunition. PLS are excellent for explosives-based builds and can deal massive damage to single targets or groups.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Hand Cyberware
When selecting hand cyberware, several factors should influence your decision:
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Your Playstyle: Do you prefer stealth, melee combat, ranged attacks, or hacking? Your preferred playstyle will dictate which cyberware best complements your strengths.
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Your Build: Your character’s attributes and skills will influence the effectiveness of different cyberware. For example, a character with high Body will benefit greatly from Gorilla Arms, while a character with high Reflexes might prefer Mantis Blades.
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Cost and Availability: More powerful cyberware tends to be more expensive and may require higher Street Cred to acquire. Consider your current financial situation and your ability to obtain the desired cyberware.
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Cyberware Capacity: Each piece of cyberware consumes a certain amount of your cyberware capacity. Overloading your capacity can lead to negative consequences, such as reduced stats or increased vulnerability. Be mindful of your capacity limits and plan accordingly.
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Upgradability: Some cyberware can be upgraded with mods to further enhance its performance. Consider the upgrade potential of different options when making your selection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which hand cyberware is best for a stealth build?
Mantis Blades are generally considered the best hand cyberware for stealth builds. Their rapid strikes allow for quick and silent takedowns, making them ideal for eliminating enemies without raising alarms. The animation to takedown foes is also incredibly quick, leaving little room for error.
2. What is the best hand cyberware for a melee-focused build?
Gorilla Arms are the top choice for melee builds. Their massive strength boost allows you to deal significant damage with punches and overpower opponents.
3. Which hand cyberware is most effective for crowd control?
Monowire excels at crowd control. Its wide sweeping attacks can easily dispatch multiple enemies at once, making it ideal for dealing with large groups.
4. Can I use hand cyberware for hacking?
While hand cyberware doesn’t directly enhance hacking abilities, some mods can provide bonuses to quickhack upload speed or RAM recovery. The Netrunner build will have a lot to gain with different modifications to this cyberware.
5. How do I acquire hand cyberware?
Hand cyberware can be purchased from Ripperdocs throughout Night City. The availability of specific cyberware depends on your Street Cred and the Ripperdoc’s inventory.
6. How much does hand cyberware cost?
The cost of hand cyberware varies depending on its type, tier, and rarity. More powerful and rare cyberware will generally be more expensive. The more you upgrade your cyberware, the more expensive it becomes.
7. How do I upgrade my hand cyberware?
You can upgrade your hand cyberware by installing mods that enhance its performance. These mods can be purchased from Ripperdocs or found as loot throughout the game.
8. What is Cyberware Capacity?
Cyberware Capacity is a limit on the amount of cyberware you can install in your body. Each piece of cyberware consumes a certain amount of capacity.
9. What happens if I exceed my Cyberware Capacity?
Exceeding your Cyberware Capacity can lead to negative consequences, such as reduced stats, increased vulnerability, or even cyberpsychosis.
10. Can I remove hand cyberware once it’s installed?
Yes, you can remove hand cyberware by visiting a Ripperdoc. However, removing cyberware may come at a cost.
11. Are there any unique or legendary hand cyberware options?
Yes, there are several unique and legendary hand cyberware options available, often with special effects or abilities. Look for these in high-level areas or from specialized Ripperdocs.
12. How does the Projectile Launch System work?
The Projectile Launch System is a modular weapon system that replaces your hands and forearms. It can launch a variety of projectiles, including grenades, missiles, and specialized ammunition. This is one of the more versatile cyberware available, allowing for long-range combat.
13. Can Gorilla Arms open any locked door?
High-level Gorilla Arms can open most locked doors that require a Body attribute check. However, some doors may still require keycards or hacking.
14. Does the Monowire require ammunition?
No, the Monowire does not require ammunition. It uses energy to generate its high-frequency blade.
15. How do Mantis Blades scale with my character’s level?
The damage of Mantis Blades scales with your character’s level and skills, making them a viable weapon throughout the entire game. Upgrading them will significantly increase their damage output.