The future is a deadly place, and only those equipped with the latest offensive technology will survive. In addition to the usual selection of guns, katanas, and hacks, Cyberpunk 2077 gives players some deadly cybernetics to choose from. Mantis Blades, Projectile Launch Systems, and Monowires are great, but sometimes the best weapon is the most straightforward. Gorilla Arms allow you to pummel your enemies into submission with nothing more than your own mechanical fists. With the right build behind it, this brutal cyber weapon can be one of the most fun and powerful in the 2.0 update. Here’s the best Gorilla Arms build in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0.
Cyberpunk Gorilla Arms Playstyle
Gorilla Arms are the definition of a close-range weapon, so you’ll pretty much need to be on top of your enemies to get value from this cybernetic. In the 2.0 update, there are multiple ways to accomplish this without getting blown to pieces. Mobility Perks such as Dash and Air Dash work well to get you close to your enemies. If all else fails, pair high-armor cybernetics with regenerating Perks from the Body tree to tank hits. Gorilla Arms aren’t the fastest, but each blow they deliver is devastating. Use charged swings to your advantage to put your enemies down in just a hit or two. Leaping into a crowd of enemies is dangerous because you can get overwhelmed, but it also minimizes the downtime between targets, so play as aggro as you’re comfortable with and let your Gorilla Arms do the work.
Attributes
By far the most important Attribute for the best Gorilla Arms build in Cyberpunk is Body. This tree focuses on strength and fortitude, the two defining characteristics of melee builds like this one. In addition to Blunt Weapon Perks that directly buff Gorilla Arms, Body also has several powerful regeneration Perks that will go a long way toward keeping you alive. In addition, Body grants +2 Max Health per Attribute Point, to a maximum of +40 Max Health at Level 20. Between a high Body value, healing Perks, and cyberware, you’ll be borderline unkillable. This is the recommended prioritization of Attributes:
- Body
- Technical Ability
- Reflexes
- Intelligence
- Cool
Despite their improvements in Cyberpunk 2.0, neither Intelligence nor Cool are necessary for the best Gorilla Arms build. Hacking and stealth aren’t as straightforward as just punching a Barghest soldier in the face, and this build is at its best when it keeps things simple. Reflexes is optional but helpful, especially if you unlock Dash and other mobility Perks to make closing the distance on enemies easier. After Body, Technical Ability is the most important, because it allows you to install far more cybernetics than you would otherwise be able to. Because Armor is bound to cyberware instead of clothing in the 2.0 update, increasing your Technical Ability pretty much guarantees you’ll be able to take more punishment.
Perks
Body Perks should be your earliest investment. In Cyberpunk, the best Gorilla Arms build focuses on Blunt Weapon Perks to add new mechanics and increase your DPS as well as regeneration Perks to make surviving melee combat easier. Gorilla Arms pair beautifully with other Blunt Weapons, so the Perks you pick to buff your cyberware will also help if you pick up a hammer or bat along the way. Build up your Body Perks as fast as possible and then start investing in Technical Ability. Alternatively, split your attention between those two Perk trees, tossing in Dash and some choice picks from Reflexes as well if you want mobility behind your strength. The most important Gorilla Arms Perks are the following:
- Adrenaline Rush
- Wrecking Ball
- Finisher: Savage Sling
- Quake
- Breakthrough
- Aftershock
- Clapback
- Epicenter
- Fly Swatter
- Kinetic Absorption
This Perk combination unlocks an AoE Blunt Weapon attack, unlocks finishers, massively buffs your defensive capability, and reduces Stamina consumption, amongst other effects. The Phantom Liberty DLC adds a sixth Perk tree to the game, Relic, and it’s home to some serious upgrades for cybernetics as well. Jailbreak is one of the best buffs for Gorilla Arms, so if you’re putting together the best Gorilla Arms build, it’s a must-have. Whereas others have fancy swords and other equipment to get them out of a jam, you’re betting big on your cybernetic, so always double down on the Gorilla Arms themselves.
Cyberware
With the release of the 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty, cybernetics don’t work the way they used to. V can only install a limited number of cybernetics in their body, but you can raise this number by investing in Technical Ability. For the best Gorilla Arms build, that’s exactly what you’ll want to do. Gorilla Arms are obviously the first cybernetic you’ll need, but they’re far from the last. Make a habit of checking in to ripperdoc clinics. As you explore Night City and Dogtown and raise your Street Cred, new options will open up, so it’s important to keep an eye out for the latest tech. After all, whether you’re a netrunner or a melee bruiser, cyberware means everything.
For this build, you’ll want to install as much cyberware as your body can handle. That said, there’s one piece of cyberware that’s worth pointing out specifically. Mobility is one of the biggest concerns for any melee build, especially on the game’s higher difficulties. For that reason, consider investing in an Adrenaline Converter when you get the opportunity. A Tier 4 Adrenaline Converter grants +35% movement speed for 6 seconds when entering combat. That’s enough speed to get you in range for some serious damage. In addition to this speed boost, the Adrenaline converter offers the following benefits:
- +2.9% Explosion Damage
- +2.9% Grenade Recharge Speed
- +2.9% Damage Over Time
The speed boost offered by Adrenaline Converter is brief. Make the most of it and blitz your enemies as soon as combat begins.
Best Gorilla Arms Weapons
Like the best Mantis Blades build, the primary weapon for this build is a cybernetic rather than a gun or sword. That means you have three weapon slots to play with. Shotguns and Blunt Weapons pair naturally with any Body build, but that only leaves one slot to cover medium and long-range combat. The 2.0 patch and Phantom Liberty have rebalanced many weapons and added others, so take some time to experiment with the game’s new arsenal.
As for the Gorilla Arms themselves, you’ll have several options. Alternative versions exist in case something like Thermal or Electricity is more to your liking. That said, the standard version works just fine here. What this cyberware lacks in Attack Speed it makes up for with DPS. In addition to dealing Physical Damage, they can also inflict Bleed. Of course, most enemies will fall to your pummeling fists long before Damage Over Time effects become relevant. Stay on the attack and hit enemies as hard as possible. you’ll see exactly what makes the best Gorilla Arms build in Cyberpunk so terrifying.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
