Top Quickhacks in Cyberpunk 2077

Quickhacks define netrunning in Cyberpunk 2077, turning V into a digital ghost capable of dismantling foes from afar. These cyberware programs exploit enemy vulnerabilities, spread chaos, or enable silent takedowns. With updates like 2.2 and Phantom Liberty DLC expanding options, choosing the right ones is key to dominating Night City. This guide ranks the most effective quickhacks based on damage, utility, and synergy, drawing from player experiences and tier analyses.

Understanding Quickhacks and Netrunning Basics

Quickhacks are uploaded via your cyberdeck, consuming RAM to deploy effects like damage over time, control, or debuffs. Higher Intelligence and perks like Overclock boost their power, while upload queues allow chaining for devastating combos. Legendary (orange) variants offer passives and enhanced effects, making them essential for endgame. Access points yield free legendaries, prioritizing high-Intelligence ones for top tiers.

Key factors for selection: RAM cost, trace risk, spread potential, and playstyle fit—stealth favors untraceable covert hacks, while combat thrives on raw damage dealers.

S-Tier: Game-Changers for Any Build

These quickhacks stand alone, delivering instant impact across scenarios.

Synapse Burnout

The pinnacle of offensive netrunning, Synapse Burnout unleashes massive raw damage amplified by spent RAM—up to 10% extra per unit. Tier 4 reduces consecutive costs in combat, and Tier 5 doubles the bonus during Overclock, potentially tripling output. Iconic versions push max damage to 400%, one-shotting elites. Pair with high-RAM decks for boss-melting potential.

Blackwall Gateway (Phantom Liberty)

Exclusively from DLC, this 12-RAM nuke mimics a suicide spread, instantly killing up to 5 enemies within 20m at escalating costs. Traceable but unstoppable, it’s perfect for crowded fights.

Short Circuit

A staple from start to finish, it shreds mechanical foes with EMPs and DoT. Tier 4-5 variants disable cyberware and boost damage +20% against machines, often one-shotting mid-threats.

A-Tier: Essential Utility and Control

These shine in queues or specific setups, enabling combos that multiply effectiveness.

• Memory Wipe: Prevents detection briefly, making queued hacks untraceable. Ideal stealth opener before heavy hitters.
• Ping: Reveals enemies and devices through walls, crucial for planning assaults or tech weapon synergy.
• Cripple Movement: Locks targets in place, boosts melee damage 15%, and enables finishers restoring RAM/health at Tier 5. Iconic doubles effects; great with monowire.

Cyberware Malfunction

Disables enemy implants temporarily, stacking to permanent shutdown at 2x. All damage to affected targets rises 5%; Tier 4 allows 3 stacks for massive vulnerability.

B-Tier: Situational Powerhouses

Versatile but build-dependent, excelling in groups or stealth.

Sonic Shock cloaks targets from allies, perfect for picks. Reboot Optics transfers on headshots with 30% damage buffs via Iconic.

Combo Strategies for Maximum Impact

Queueing transforms good hacks into lethal chains.

Stealth Takedowns

1. Memory Wipe + Reboot Optics + Sonic Shock: Full blackout, untraceable knockout.
2. Ping scout, then Cripple Movement for isolated melee.

Combat Domination

• Memory Wipe + Synapse Burnout: Undetected one-shots.
• Contagion spread + Overheat/Short Circuit: Group melt.
• Cyberware Malfunction x3-5 + Psychosis: Elite shredding.

DLC Power Plays

Blackwall Gateway as finisher after weakening with cheap hacks like Tier 2 Reboot Optics, sustaining Overclock.

Acquisition and Upgrading Guide

Farm legendaries at high-Intelligence access points (9-10 req.) for doubles via perks. Vendors like netrunners in Japantown stock tiers; Phantom Liberty unlocks exotics. Upgrade via Ripperdocs with Iconic components for passives.

Early Game Priority: Ping + Short Circuit.

Mid Game: Add Memory Wipe + Synapse.

Late Game: Full suite with Blackwall.

Tier List Overview

Build Synergies and Perks

Intelligence tree: Queue perks for untraceable chains, Overclock for damage spikes. Pair with crit cyberware for Synapse bursts up to 6500+ dmg. Monowire users love Cripple Movement.

FAQs

What is the strongest quickhack in Cyberpunk 2077?

Blackwall Gateway for instant multi-kills, or Synapse Burnout for single-target devastation.

Are quickhacks viable without high Intelligence?

Basic ones like Short Circuit work early, but legendaries demand investment.

Best free legendary quickhacks?

High-Int access points drop them reliably.

How do quickhack combos work?

Perks enable queuing; first hides traces.

Phantom Liberty changes?

Adds Blackwall and enhances synergies.