Despite its problems at release, Cyberpunk 2077 has always been a deep open-world RPG. With the release of the 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty DLC, the game’s systems have only gotten better. Not only did the five original Perk trees get complete overhauls, but CD Projekt Red also added a sixth Perk tree: Relic. Unlike the others, Relic has its own point system and is dedicated to improving your cyberware. This setup gives players more flexibility than ever when creating their own builds. Relic adds some potent options to the game, but some are better than others. Here are the best Relic Perks in Cyberpunk 2077, ranked from strong to outstanding.
6. Sensory Protocol
Sensory Protocol blends stealthy awareness with the time slowdown of the Sandevistan. When crouched, becoming detected by an enemy will temporarily slow down time. If you Dodge or Dash out of the enemy’s line of sight, you immediately exit combat. That means that even if a stealth mission goes awry, you have a moment to disappear before your enemy spreads the alarm. Sensory Protocol probably isn’t necessary for players experienced in Cyberpunk‘s stealth mechanics, but for those still learning the ropes, it’s a huge help. Despite its somewhat niche use, Sensory Protocol still ranks amongst the best Relic Perks in Cyberpunk 2077.
5. Limiter Removal
Cybernetic weapons like Mantis Blades and Gorilla Arms have received some important balance adjustments. As a result, they’re now more fun to use than ever. The Mantis Blades may be the fan favorite, but Gorilla Arms are fun and effective in their own right. Limiter Removal makes the shockwave from a charged Gorilla Arms attack now knock down all enemies within range. Other than grenades, the player doesn’t have many AoE options outside of special attacks like this one. Considering how many battles against swarms of opponents you’ll have in Cyberpunk, the ability to knock down multiple foes is extremely useful. A foe you’ve knocked down is a foe who isn’t shooting you, which oddly enough makes Limiter Removal a decent defensive ability as well.
4. Emergency Cloaking
Emergency Cloaking improves the base effect of Optical Camo cyberware. When you activate Optical Camo during combat, enemies will lose track of you, giving you a chance to exit combat. In a way, that makes Emergency Cloaking a stronger alternative to Sensory Protocol. It won’t prevent you from getting caught in the first place, but it will give you a chance to escape, heal, and reposition after a fight has already broken out. If you’re attempting a perfect stealth playthrough, Emergency Cloaking will be too little too late. For assassin builds and other general sneaky types, it’s a fantastic stealth ability and one of the best Relic Perks in Cyberpunk.
3. Machine Learning
Machine Learning is an upgrade to Vulnerability Analytics and one of the best Relic Perks in Cyberpunk. With this Perk, destroying an enemy’s Vulnerability grants +10% frequency of new Vulnerabilities appearing and +5% Crit Damage against Vulnerabilities. These effects make targeting Vulnerabilities an even more attractive option than it already is. Vulnerabilities make some of Cyberpunk‘s toughest enemies far easier to take down, and on the game’s harder difficulties that’s a big deal. Machine Learning has a 25-second Duration, and its effects can stack 5 times. If you reach max stacks, the effects of Machine Learning double. If you’re using a weapon capable of rapidly destroying one Vulnerability after another, this Perk proves how potent it really is.
2. Vulnerability Analytics
Vulnerability Analytics changes how you approach combat by incentivizing targeted shots rather than spray-and-pray tactics. This Perk reveals enemy weakpoints which you can then target. Hitting a Vulnerability grants 100% Crit Chance, +25% Armor penetration, and weakspot damage bonuses. That’s enough reason to prioritize Vulnerabilities over pretty much everything else. Vulnerabilities explode when subjected to enough damage, generating an EMP blast that damages all enemies within 3 meters. That incentivizes you to group enemies together when possible before striking their Vulnerabilities for devastating effect. Finding fun and rewarding ways to coax players into switching tactics is tough. Vulnerability Analytics pulls it off, making it one of the best Relic Perks in Cyberpunk.
1. Jailbreak
Jailbreak is a multi-faceted Perk that behaves differently depending upon which cyberware weapon it’s used with. Whether you’re using Mantis Blades, Gorilla Arms, Monowire, or the Projectile Launch System, Jailbreak offers an improvement. Every ability is unique, from the Projectile Launch System’s multi-shot to the long-range leap attack of the Mantis Blades. All Jailbreak abilities are worthwhile. What makes Jailbreak so great is it lends itself to whatever cyberware the player is already using, whether your playstyle favors aggression, stealth, or a blend of the two. The best Relic Perks in Cyberpunk 2077 make what’s already great about the game even better, which is precisely what Jailbreak does.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
