Cyberpunk 2077 Guide | Best Ripperdocs and Their Upgrades

To survive in Night City, you need more than just weapons—you need cybernetic enhancements. Ripperdocs are the specialists who install cyberware, from operating systems to mantis blades and reinforced tendons for double jumps.

However, not all Ripperdocs are created equal. There are those that work on particular implants and others that provide you with top-of-the-range upgrades. Below are some of the best Ripperdocs in Cyberpunk 2077 and whose upgrades can make you a cybernetic giant.

Heywood

The Heywood Ripperdoc is arguably one of the strongest in the game, not only because of his upgrade options but also his unique personality. Unlike most Ripperdocs, he has no Cyberware installed on himself.

His skills are unmatched. He proudly states that he has a solid reputation, and you won’t hear a single complaint about his work. His expertise is evident in his collection of legendary arm upgrades and the Netwatch Netdriver MK V operating system, one of the best quickhacking OS implants available.

His best equipment is his Second Heart. If you do happen to die, your health is restored completely each and every two minutes. In essence, this makes you indestructible and permits you to role-play your character as a Time Lord.

These changes are evident, and it is obvious that Heywood has one of the best Ripperdocs in the game. If you’re looking to push your limits, this should be your first stop.

Pacifica

Pacifica may look rundown compared to the rest of Night City, but don’t let appearances fool you—this district boasts one of the best Ripperdoc clinics around. As the doctor himself will tell you, his clinic is one of the finest in the city.

Sleek, high-tech equipment fills the space, making it look as professional as it is efficient. The Cyberware available here is top-tier, with a specialization in Frontal Cortex upgrades that give you a major edge in combat.

The Pacifica Ripperdoc is essentially a brain surgeon, and his inventory reflects that. He is offering you with Ex-Disk that expands your RAM to five units, and you can quickhack more frequently.

There is also a Cortex Support that increases critical hit by 45%, and there is a replacement of RAM on the fly while it is running out. If you are a Netrunner that relies on quickhacking, this is your best place to go.

With these improvements, you'll cut through your enemies better than ever.

Badlands

The Badlands extend beyond Night City's gates, a lawless and hazardous landscape in which only the strongest survive. If you’re planning to spend time out here, you’ll want the right cyberware, and the Aldecaldo Ripperdoc is your best bet.

You’ll find him at the Aldecaldo camp, which you encounter during the main story. Interestingly, when you ask him what implants he recommends, he suggests stealth-focused cyberware, including holoskin and cloaking gear. Unfortunately, this content appears to have been cut from the game, as holoskin does not exist, and there’s no way to turn invisible—yet.

What he does offer, however, is incredibly useful. His circulatory system implants include the Blood Pump, which restores 90% of your health every three minutes, and the Biomonitor, which automatically heals you to full when your health drops below 15%. Add these to Heywood's Second Heart upgrade, and you get three additional lives. If you require to be indestructible, then you need to go to see the Badlands Ripdoc.

Nina Kraviz

Nina Kraviz, an Exoskeleton upgrade dealer, a Ripperdoc, is located in Westbrook to the south. The moment you walk into her clinic, you’ll see robotic arms lining the walls, almost as if she’s preparing for a visit from a Skywalker. A fully constructed Exoskeleton stands on display, further emphasizing her expertise.

When you talk to Nina, you’ll learn quite a bit about her background. She is a Russian immigrant from the USSR that still exists in this timeline of cyberpunk. She has no problem crossing borders.

She has done a great deal of work overseas by herself in Irkutsk, Vienna, and Leningrad, and even in Glasgow. She had become famous everywhere on this planet by the time she was 30. However, she makes it clear that she has no permanent ties—she’ll leave Night City the moment she gets bored.

For now, she’s here, and that means you should take full advantage of her cyberware. Her best enhancements include the Synaptic Signal Optimizer, which increases health by 60%, and Bionic Lungs, which increases stamina by 60%. The second has a honeycomb pattern and is an excellent option for all you bees. For increasing your stamina and survival, your guy Nina is Ripperdoc.

City Center

The City Center Ripperdoc has over a decade of experience. He began in Pacifica, a well-known hub for top-tier Ripperdocs, but then relocated to the City Center to expand his business. Unlike other Ripperdocs, you can ask him to be discreet about the powerful biochip in your head, suggesting he frequently deals with Arasaka officials.

His best implants include Bioplastic Blood Vessels, which instantly restore your health after combat, and the Shock-N-Awe immune system implant, which has a 10% chance to release an electroshock when you take damage. He is also both of the two Ripperdocs that provide legendary arm implants like the Heywood Ripperdoc and is, therefore, a prolific artist.

Final Thoughts

These Ripperdocs offer Night City's best quality upgrades and are distinguished by it. Other Ripperdocs may have some of these exotic wares about them, but by and large they are not as highly tuned. If you think another Ripperdoc deserves a spot on this list or want to share your favorite cyberware, let us know.

Also, check our Cyberpunk 2077 Review, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Review, and other guides below:

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