Cyberpunk 2077: Best Cyberdeck & Cyberware for Stealth Netrunner

Six years after its chaotic launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has become the benchmark action-RPG thanks to patches 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 and finally the 2.3 update delivered last summer. The cyberware system, overhauled by CD Projekt Red, now lets players sculpt extremely specialized builds, and the Stealth Netrunner archetype (often nicknamed Ghost Hacker or Digital Assassin) remains one of the most satisfying to play: infiltrate, mark, hack, and kill without being seen. This guide details slot by slot which implants to install in 2026 for an invisible and formidable V, with the best Ripperdocs in Night City and Dogtown, a typical mission rotation, and synergies with perk branches.

Philosophy of the 2026 Stealth Netrunner build

Since the 2.0 overhaul, the cyberware system runs on a total capacity (Cyberware Capacity) that rises with level and the Technical Ability branch. You can't install everything: you have to make trade-offs. The Stealth Netrunner build relies on three pillars: information (see without being seen), control (hack before you shoot), and silent elimination (finisher with the monowire, a silenced rifle, or a lethal quickhack). The Operating System shapes the entire strategy: a Cyberdeck turns V into a Netrunner, whereas a Sandevistan or a Berserk aims for a different playstyle. Here, we choose the Cyberdeck without hesitation.

Operating System: the cyberdeck, brain of the machine

This is THE central slot: it determines the number of queued quickhacks, the maximum RAM, and sometimes unlocks unique effects. Three references dominate the 2026 meta.

• Erebus Cyberdeck (iconic, Phantom Liberty): the Netrunner's holy grail. Unlocked by completing the Songbird storyline in Phantom Liberty via a specific path, it allows quickhacks to be cast at 0 RAM cost during Overclock, at the cost of V's health. Combined with the Overclock perks, it makes V literally capable of clearing out a building without firing a single bullet.
• NetWatch Netdriver Mk.5 Cyberdeck: the best pre-Erebus alternative, geared toward control and attack quickhacks, with +2 slots in the queue. Perfect for a playthrough without Phantom Liberty.
• Militech "Paraline" Mk.5 Cyberdeck: a specialist in stealth quickhacks (Distract, Ping, Optical Camo Reboot), it reduces the RAM cost of control hacks. The budget choice for tackling Night City from the midgame onward.
• Tetratronic Rippler Mk.5 Cyberdeck: a must for chain-hack enthusiasts. Each quickhack can jump to an additional target, which multiplies the effect of a discreet Contagion or Suicide.

Frontal Cortex and Cerebellum: optimizing RAM and damage

The Frontal Cortex houses the modules that reduce quickhack costs or boost their damage. Three essentials for a Stealth Netrunner:

• Newton Module: reduces the RAM cost of control quickhacks (the category that includes Ping, Sonic Shock, Optical Camo Reboot, Distract). This is the foundation of a stealth rotation.
• Ex-Disk Neural Cortex (official name: Ex-Disk): +6 memorized quickhack slots, essential for not having to return to the menu mid-mission.
• Rara Avis Auto-Diagnostic: speeds up RAM regen outside combat, very useful for chaining infiltrations within a dungeon.

On the Cerebellum side, we favor the Threat Analyzer (marks cameras and turrets) and the Adrenaline Booster to absorb a bad detection.

Eyes: Kiroshi Optics and their mods

The Kiroshi "Oracle" Optics remain the foundation: they add ocular mod slots. Two combinations to aim for:

• Trajectory Analyzer + Scan Range Mod: you see cameras through walls and patrols at long range, a sine qua non condition for planning a silent route.
• Kiroshi Zoom + Ballistic Mod: boosts Ping range and the effectiveness of quickhacks launched from an elevated position.

Note for Phantom Liberty: the reinforced Kiroshi Optics sold by Nix in Dogtown offer a third mod slot, appreciable in the late game.

Nervous system: Kerenzikov, the stealth player's life insurance

Note: since patch 2.0, Kerenzikov is built into V's nervous system by default. What you install here is the upgraded version.

• Kerenzikov MK.4: slows down time to 25% during a dodge, slide, or aim. Essential for launching a quickhack under pressure or changing position the moment a patrol turns its head.
• Synaptic Signal Optimizer: boosts RAM regeneration speed in combat. Combined with the Newton, it's a hacking machine.
• Reflex Tuner: drastically slows down time if V drops below 25% health. Our safety net for when a guard finally spots us.

Integumentary system: Optical Camo and subdermal armor

The Integumentary System slot (formerly "skin") houses two critical items:

• Optical Camo: temporary invisibility (up to 15 seconds with legendary mods). The Ghost's must-have, it lets you cross a room full of guards or disappear after a noisy takedown. Watch the cooldown.
• Subdermal Armor (legendary Subdermal Armor): +150 passive armor. We'll prefer this discreet version over the Self-Repairing Membrane to avoid overloading capacity.

Skeleton, arms, hands, and legs: mobility and strike

A stealthy Netrunner remains deadly in melee when it's time to finish off a guard neutralized by Optical Reboot. We build a light but nervy frame.

The choice between Lynx Paws and Reinforced Tendons depends on the terrain: Dogtown's rooftops call for jumping, while Militech's corridors are best crossed with Lynx Paws.

Circulatory and immune system: discreet survival

The «vital» slots exist to soak up hits without giving yourself away.

• Second Heart (Circulatory System): resurrects V once per fight with 50% HP. Discreet and a lifesaver when a quickhack fails.
• Biomonitor: automatically restores 20% HP at low health. Combined with the Reflex Tuner, you almost never die by surprise anymore.
• Self-Ice Regenerator (Immune System): fast passive regeneration between two fights. Avoids standing still chugging inhalers, which breaks the flow of an infiltration.
• Biosynergy: reduces damage taken during Overclock. Essential if you're playing the Erebus, since Overclock drains your health.

The essential stealth quickhacks

A cyberware without properly geared quickhacks is useless. A stealth Netrunner's typical rotation relies on five lines of code:

1. Ping: reveals all devices and enemies connected to the same network. You systematically cast it before entering an area.
2. Optical Reboot: blinds a target for 8 seconds, more than enough time to sneak past or assassinate them.
3. Distraction: triggers a noise on an object, isolating a guard from their patrol.
4. Sonic Shock: cuts off an enemy's communication, preventing them from alerting their colleagues. Combos with Lethal Silence for a clean chain.
5. Contagion (or Suicide with Rippler): the lethal finisher for when you want to wipe a room without lifting a finger.

Typical rotation in a stealth mission

Here's the sequence used by most expert players in 2026 on a typical hideout (Militech, Barghest, MaxTac).

1. Reconnaissance: Ping from the outside, marking all cameras via the Trajectory Analyzer.
2. Discreet sweep: Optical Reboot on key cameras, then get through a first area using Optical Camo if the window is short.
3. Silent pick-off: Distraction to isolate a guard, kill with the Monowire from a recess.
4. Critical room: Kerenzikov-boosted slide, Contagion cast on the group, falling back as the room clears out.
5. Extraction: RAM reset via Auto-Diagnostic, leaving without triggering a flagged body.

Since patch 2.3, the AutoDrive function even lets you summon Delamain for the exfiltration, avoiding a mad dash to your bike in the middle of chaos (new two-wheelers like the Nazaré Itsumade or the Yaiba Kusanagi CT-3X were also unpacked with 2.3).

Synergies with perk branches

Cyberware isn't everything: you also need to align your perk tree. The stealth Netrunner build draws mainly from Intelligence and Cool, with a light investment in Reflexes and Technical Ability.

The Technical Ability branch is often overlooked: it increases Cyberware Capacity, the only way to fit Erebus + Optical Camo + Kerenzikov MK.4 + Monowire without having to sacrifice a vital slot.

Where to buy: the Ripperdocs to know

Every Ripperdoc has their specialty. Here's the optimal route to gear up a stealth Netrunner from scratch.

• Viktor Vektor (Little China, Watson): your first stop. Basic Kiroshi Optics, standard Kerenzikov, Second Heart. Fair prices, available from the prologue onward.
• Fingers (Japantown, Westbrook): the only one selling the Fried Chicken Monowire (iconic) and several rare Cyberdecks. Careful: romancing certain characters or boxing him blocks his shop.
• Cassius Ryder (Northside, Watson): specialist in Skeleton and Arms. A good source for legendary Bionic Joints.
• Instant Implants at Arasaka Waterfront: the best spot for legendary Enhanced Kiroshi Optics.
• Chrome Compulsion (Dogtown, Phantom Liberty): Mr. Hands' Ripperdoc. NetWatch and Militech Paraline MK.5 Cyberdecks, plus the famous Optical Camo Dogtown version with reduced cooldown.
• Nix (Afterlife, Dogtown): less a Ripperdoc than a Netrunner fixer, he sells unique legendary quickhacks like Detonate, the upgraded version of Synapse Burnout. A mandatory stop after completing his quest.

Mistakes to avoid with this build

• Mixing Sandevistan and Cyberdeck: impossible since patch 2.0, the Operating System slot is unique. You choose your path from the start.
• Neglecting Cyberware Capacity: a legendary implant can consume up to 24 points. Without Technical Ability and without the Capacity Extension shard, your build is capped.
• Over-investing in Arms: Mantis Blades and Gorilla Arms are loud and cost a huge amount of capacity. The Monowire remains the best option for a Ghost.
• Forgetting the mod shards: the legendary version of a cyberware only appears once you've had it installed by a Ripperdoc at the right level and with the right shard unlocked.

In summary: the express sheet for the stealth Netrunner

To sum up, here's the list of cyberware to prioritize for an invisible and lethal V in 2026.

• Operating System: Erebus Cyberdeck (or NetWatch Netdriver Mk.5)
• Frontal Cortex: Newton Module + Ex-Disk
• Cerebellum: Threat Detector
• Eyes: Kiroshi "Oracle" Optics + Trajectory Analyzer
• Nervous System: Kerenzikov MK.4 + Reflex Tuner
• Circulatory System: Second Heart + Biomonitor
• Immune System: Biosynergy
• Integumentary System: Optical Camo + Subdermal Armor
• Skeleton: Bionic Joints
• Arms: "Fried Chicken" Monowire
• Hands: Smart Link + Ballistic Coprocessor
• Legs: Lynx Paws (or Reinforced Tendons depending on terrain)

Conclusion: the Netrunner is more alive than ever in 2026

With 2.3, the addition of the Radioport, Delamain's AutoDrive, and new modes of transport, Night City has never been so convenient to roam for a discreet contract killer. The post-2.0 cyberware overhaul has permanently transformed the Netrunner from a niche archetype into the game's spearhead, and the implant ecosystem presented here holds up just as well without the DLC as it does with Phantom Liberty. Start with Viktor to lay the groundwork, farm Capacity by leveling up Technical Ability, rush to Dogtown as soon as you hit level 40 to grab Erebus and the Chrome Compulsion Optical Camo, and V will become the ghost that Night City will still be talking about in the streets of Watson long after you've moved on. Whether you're still turning to vanilla Cyberpunk 2077 or gearing up for Orion (announced for the end of the decade), the stealth Netrunner build remains, in 2026, the best showcase of the game's potential.