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Cyberpunk 2077 Guide

Perks And Perk Points Explained In Cyberpunk 2077

Perks are specialized bonuses that improve specific abilities in Cyberpunk 2077, while Perk Points are the currency used to unlock them.

2 min readUpdated Jun 2026Verified by GamiDev

Quick Answer

Perks are specialized bonuses that improve specific abilities in Cyberpunk 2077, while Perk Points are the currency used to unlock them.

You earn Perk Points every time your character levels up and whenever you increase a Skill level. Perks are found within Skill trees and provide situational bonuses, new abilities, and gameplay improvements that help shape your build.

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Full Guide

What Are Perks In Cyberpunk 2077?

Perks are specialized upgrades that enhance specific aspects of your character.

While Attributes improve your overall capabilities and Skills represent areas of expertise, Perks provide targeted bonuses and unique abilities that support your preferred playstyle.

For example, being skilled at stealth is one thing. Unlocking a Perk that improves stealth takedowns or increases sneaking effectiveness is where Perks come into play.


How Perks Work

Perks exist inside individual Skill trees.

Each Skill contains multiple Perks that can improve combat, hacking, crafting, stealth, survivability, and many other systems.

Some Perks provide passive bonuses, while others unlock entirely new abilities.

Examples include:

  • Increased weapon damage
  • Faster crafting progression
  • Improved stealth effectiveness
  • Additional hacking benefits
  • New combat actions

As you unlock more Perks, your build becomes increasingly specialized.


Example: Hidden Dragon

One example is the Hidden Dragon Perk found within the Stealth Skill tree.

This Perk allows you to perform non-lethal takedowns on unaware enemies.

The Stealth Skill represents your overall proficiency with sneaking, while Hidden Dragon provides a specific gameplay benefit that expands what your character can do.

This relationship applies across every Skill tree in the game.


How To Earn Perk Points

You gain Perk Points through two primary methods.

Character Level Ups

Every time your character gains a level, you receive a Perk Point.

This ensures that progression always rewards additional build customization.

Skill Level Ups

You also earn Perk Points by increasing Skill levels.

Skills improve naturally through use. For example:

  • Sneaking improves Stealth
  • Hacking improves hacking-related Skills
  • Combat improves weapon-related Skills

The more you use a particular playstyle, the more opportunities you have to earn additional Perk Points.


How Attributes Affect Perks

Attributes and Perks are connected.

Increasing an Attribute improves your overall effectiveness within that area and allows access to more advanced Perks inside its Skill trees.

For example:

  • Cool supports stealth-oriented Skills.
  • Intelligence supports hacking-related Skills.
  • Reflexes supports weapon-focused Skills.

Higher Attribute levels open additional opportunities for specialization and stronger Perks.


Why Perks Matter

Perks are what truly define your build.

Two players can invest in the same Attribute but end up playing completely differently depending on which Perks they choose.

A stealth character may focus on silent takedowns and movement bonuses, while another player invests in weapon perks for direct combat.

Choosing Perks carefully allows you to tailor V to exactly the kind of mercenary you want to become.

The more focused your Perk choices are, the stronger your build usually feels during the early and mid-game.

Video

Step-by-Step

  1. Gain experience and level up your character.
  2. Earn Perk Points through character levels.
  3. Use Skills regularly to level them up.
  4. Earn additional Perk Points from Skill progression.
  5. Open the Skill tree menu.
  6. Spend Perk Points on abilities that support your build.
  7. Continue specializing as you unlock stronger Perks.

Best Strategy

  • Focus your Perk Points on a single playstyle early.
  • Invest in Perks that directly support your preferred weapons or abilities.
  • Avoid spreading points across too many unrelated Skill trees.
  • Increase relevant Attributes to unlock stronger Perks later.
  • Let your natural gameplay habits determine which Skills level up fastest.

Tips

  • Every character level grants a Perk Point, so progression always feels rewarding.
  • If you're unsure where to spend points, focus on perks that improve survivability or damage first.
  • The strongest builds usually come from specializing rather than investing everywhere equally.
  • Don't just pick perks because they sound cool. Choose ones that support how you actually play.

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Perks And Perk Points Explained In Cyberpunk 2077 | Gami