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A sharpened blade is as deadly as any firearm, and this is especially true inCyberpunk 2077.The myriad of cybernetic augments players can install on their bodies make even the tiniest of knives extremely lethal.
This build is for all of Night City’s aspiring cyber-samurai. It leveragesthe perks inCyberpunk 2077to turn V into a whirlwind of steel, slicing enemies to ribbons before the first drop of sweat even hits the floor.
Updated July 29, 2025 by Marc Santos:Cyberpunk 2077received a hefty patch with the 2.1 update that mixed up the power balance among builds. This Katana build has remained more or less the same even after that update, though the 2.1 patch did introduce some important changes and additions to some of this build’s key components. We’ve updated this guide to include notes on what changed or got added in version 2.1, and we’ve included some late-game cyberware options for folks who have thePhantom Liberty expansion.
Lead and Steel (2)
Flash and Thunderclap
Adrenaline Rush (3)
Juggernaut
These are the main skills players need to unlock to get the most damage out of katanas. The perks listed above aren’t the only ones players should get as they level up, but they should be taken as soon as possible. PrioritizeReflexskills for damage and, if necessary, take the listedBodyperks for more survivability.
Therevamped skill system inCyberpunk 2077 2.0removed the damage-boosting perks that greatly increased the lethality of katanas. To make up for the lost burst damage, players will need to rely onstun, blind, and bleedeffects to open enemies up forfinisher moves. Executing a target immediately takes them out of the fight while restoring V’s HP in the process.
Agility and aggression are the keys to making this build work. Players will need to dash and block constantly in order to make the most use of the new katana playstyle inCyberpunk 2077.Players should spend any remaining perk points into their preferred skills in the other trees.
Recommended Gear
TheCyberpunk 20772.1update made it so that crafted weapons can have two mods installed on them instead of just one. Make sure to capitalize on this!
It’s still possible to make a katana one-shot build if players get a weapon that really packs a punch. However, even if you fail to take a target down in one cut, you can still easily slice it to bits. Ones with high critical hit chance and critical hit damage are preferred.
There are three very strong contenders for best-in-slot katana here: Satori, Scalpel, and Jinchu Maru.
Scalpel is arguably the best choice here since the build will be using a Sandevistan. The sword will lose value once players get enough critical hit chance, however, so keep a spare Epic katana for the late game or switch to using Errata. For mods, consider usingCycloneon any non-iconic katana to unleash an unlimited number ofcombo attacksafter a sprint attack.
Cyberware
The max duration and duration extension effects of the Militech Apogee and Falcon Sandevistans were nerfed in the 2.1 update. To compensate, they now provide more damage and health respectively.
As mentioned, the build will make heavy use of Sandevistan to increase to player’s DPS and survivability. All Sandevistans grant bonus crit chance, greatly improving the user’s DPS for a short duration. Their slow-down-time effect also lets players clear out entire hideouts before any of the enemies can even react—V can’t die if no one else is left to kill them.
TheZetatech Sandevistanis one ofthe best Sandevistan options inCyberpunk 2077thanks to the massive weakspot damage buff it provides when activated midair.Dynalar Sandevistanis also an excellent pick since it increases the user’s critical hit chance and damage when active. Later on, replace these with theMilitech Apogee Sandevistan, a model that boosts both weakspot damage and critical hit stats.
Having a Biomonitor is highly recommended for automatic healing whenever players dip below a certain HP percentage.Dense Marrowin the Skeletal System works wonders for melee DPS and survivability, so consider getting this as well.
