Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Guide | Top 10 Weapons

Choosing the best weapons in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is no easy feat, given the vast array of builds available. In this guide, you're diving into the top 10 most powerful and versatile weapons the game has to offer.

This list features something for everyone—from Stealthy Assassin, Net Gunner, and Sand Devastan to Samurai and more. So, dive into what are probably the 10 greatest weapons in Cyberpunk 2077.

10. Hercules 3AX

Up first, you have the Hercules 3AX, technically from the assault rifle family but often feeling more like an LMG. This gun is a true hybrid—when firing from the hip, bullets expand toward your aim while aiming down sights activates smart targeting. Unlike most smart guns, this one doesn't require a smart link, making it more viable for a wider range of builds.

The gun boasts a generous 90-round magazine but fires three bullets at once when fully aimed. Since it burns through ammunition quickly, it is best paired with weapons that use a different ammo type. The spectacular effects make up for this drawback—enemies killed with it erupt into chemical explosions, poisoning the ground around them and spreading chemical damage to nearby foes.

It's one of the most explosive, lethal, and memorable guns in the game, though you won't be able to obtain it until the Roads to Redemption gig near the end of Phantom Liberty. Make sure you don't miss it if you want to run around as a plague-spreading menace.

9. Raiju

Another Dogtown special, Raiju, is found in Longshore Stacks amidst increased criminal activity. By defeating Ross Alma, a minor boss, you can loot his storage room, where you'll find one of the best tech weapons in the game. This iconic Senko LX SMG has the unique ability to shoot through cover without needing to be charged.

While tech weapons usually fire the most powerful shots, their drawback is the charge-up time—Raiju eliminates this necessity, making reactionary burst fire viable and speeding up combat. It's a fantastic choice for vehicle combat since its abilities allow you to shoot through cars, making it a strong pick for tougher enemies.

While aiming and charging remain useful, Raiju fires even faster with increased damage potential, making it a top-tier choice for mid-to-close-range combat.

8. Yinglong

On its own, Yinglong might seem weak, but it secures a spot here as one of the best sidearms for Netrunners. Smart guns now fully synergize with cyberdecks in Cyberpunk 2.0, making them less effective outside that playstyle.

However, if you integrate Yinglong into a Netgunner build, it transforms into one of the best weapons in the game. With the right perks, it can restore RAM, deal massively increased damage when paired with cyberware malfunction hacks, and unleash EMP explosions that look spectacular.

This weapon requires little aiming, allowing you to focus on hacking and avoiding damage, while Yinglong provides suppressive fire. It's also highly effective against sand devastan users, as its EMPs can disable that ability.

If you're not running a cyberdeck, you might want to pick something else, but if you are, Yinglong will likely be your primary weapon 60% of the time. You can acquire it early in Act 2 by looting it from Denzel Agaou at a suspected crime scene in Wellsprings.

7. Agaou

Your first non-gun weapon in this list is Agaou, a visually stunning Tomahawk with shock and electrical damage on both thrown and melee attacks. Its standout ability is triggering an electrical shockwave every time you land a critical throw, making it devastating when tossed into a group. It pairs well with Yinglong for a storm wizard or Thor-like build.

The only downside is that its recovery time is longer than that of throwing knives, making it unsuitable for stealthy throwing builds. Instead, you can use it alongside faster knives or as a special heavy attack within your build. You can acquire it in the Voodoo Boys' base in Luxor Heights as the primary reward for another Dogtown criminal activity.

6. Erebus

Yet another SMG, Erebus is a terrifying black wall-haunted gun that shuts down enemies once their health drops to 33%, triggering eerie black wall visuals and chilling screams. This mechanic applies even to high-health enemies like MaxTac, allowing you to finish them off with a single shot once they reach the threshold.

Additionally, it has a small chance of uploading a cyberware malfunction, weakening tougher foes. The gun also speaks with ominous lines, adding extra flavor to your gameplay. It's an endgame weapon that requires taking Reed's path in Phantom Liberty and acquiring its crafting spec in Sinuousure. While it's not a must-have for all playthroughs, if you follow Reed's path, it's well worth the effort.

5. Byakko

No weapon ranking would be complete without at least one blade. Many contenders exist, but Byakko stands out for its unmatched speed in taking down groups of enemies. It comes with built-in leap attacks, and one kill unlocks its full-speed potential, turning it into a whirlwind of slashes.

Combining Byakko with a Sand Devastan lets you pull off a classic samurai move—where enemies drop dead seconds after you draw your blade. Though it was slightly nerfed in Cyberpunk 2.1, it still retains around 80% of its original power. You can acquire it early in Act 2 by completing all of Wakako's gigs in Westbrook.

4. Gorilla Arms

Possibly the best melee weapon, Gorilla Arms, benefits from the blunt weapon tree and has a significant speed increase since you're technically dual-wielding them. If you invest in the blunt tree, you can unlock the Quake perk, allowing you to perform a Hulk Smash move straight into enemy crowds.

They also add six points to your body attribute, which is crucial for passing certain strength checks to open doors. These arms are immensely helpful for Beat on the Brat since they can't be disallowed. You can purchase them from Ripperdocs or loot them in the world, making them easy to acquire from level 10 onward.

3. Satara

Shotguns are close-quarters powerhouses, and among them, Satara stands out. The only tech shotgun in the game can fire through walls, offering unique tactical advantages. Although it requires charging to penetrate the cover, you can use that time to stay behind the cover yourself, balancing the drawback.

These shotguns are relatively common in the game, but you can buy the crafting spec from Vista Del Rey. Additionally, pairing Satara with the rare Neon mod—purchasable from vendors—grants a 25% chance to instantly kill enemies when hitting them in the leg. This interaction often works almost 100% of the time, making it one of the most powerful shotguns in the game.

2. Pride

If you prefer a stealthier approach, then Pride is your go-to weapon. A silenced pistol is the best ranged option for stealth, and while there are great alternatives like Her Majesty, Pride stands out as the definitive best.

However, acquiring it requires completing The Sun ending. Once obtained, it becomes the single best weapon for stealth, boasting some of the highest base damage among pistols and a 150% headshot damage multiplier, which increases to 400% when above 75% health—a level you should maintain in stealth mode.

It also deals extra damage to elite enemies, making it viable against high-tier foes. Adding a Tier 5 silencer further boosts stealth damage by 150% and guarantees a 100% crit chance on stealthy headshots. If you haven't unlocked Pride yet, Her Majesty or a silenced Nueve are solid alternatives.

1. Breakthrough

If Pride is the best stealth weapon, then Breakthrough is the most powerful non-stealth gun. Snipers are already overpowered, but Breakthrough takes things further by penetrating several feet of solid material without requiring charge time. This essentially turns combat into a game of shooting at red outlines. It also features ricochet capabilities, sending projectiles bouncing through walls. It's one of the most unstoppable weapons in the game and is easy to acquire by defeating a Sixth Street boss in Rancho Coronado.

Final Thoughts

With these ten weapons, you'll have something powerful for a variety of builds. You know there are many other great weapons out there, so if your favorite didn't make the list, feel free to share why you think it should have.

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

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