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Cyberpunk 2077 Guide

Which Lifepath Should You Choose In Cyberpunk 2077?

There is no best Lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077.

3 min readUpdated Jun 2026Verified by GamiDev

Quick Answer

There is no best Lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077. Your choice between Nomad, Streetkid, and Corpo does not affect your stats, abilities, or overall power level.

The main differences are your opening mission, unique dialogue options throughout the game, a few exclusive side jobs, and some small rewards. Choose the background that best fits the version of V you want to role-play.

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Full Guide

Cyberpunk 2077 Lifepaths Explained

One of the first major choices in Cyberpunk 2077 is selecting your Lifepath. This decision shapes V's background and determines how your story begins.

Unlike traditional RPG classes, Lifepaths do not affect combat abilities, attributes, perks, or character progression. Instead, they provide role-playing flavor, unique dialogue options, and a handful of exclusive quests and rewards.


Nomad

The Nomad Lifepath begins outside Night City in the Badlands.

Nomads value freedom, loyalty, and independence. They live beyond the reach of corporations and city politics, making them natural outsiders when arriving in Night City.

Throughout the game, Nomad dialogue options often provide insight into vehicles, smuggling, survival, and life beyond the city walls.

Exclusive Rewards

The These Boots Are Made For Walkin' side job allows Nomad players to recover their original starter car.

Nomad players can also convince Jackie to modify his motorcycle, eventually gaining access to the upgraded version.


Streetkid

The Streetkid Lifepath begins in the heart of Night City.

Streetkids already understand the city's gangs, fixers, hustlers, and criminal underworld. This background provides additional dialogue options when dealing with street-level characters and local politics.

Players who choose Streetkid often feel the most connected to the culture and daily life of Night City.

Exclusive Rewards

Streetkid players can earn the Jimmy Silverhand bomber jacket during the Small Man, Big Mouth side job.


Corpo

The Corpo Lifepath starts within the corporate world of Arasaka and high-level business politics.

Corpo V understands manipulation, corporate power, and information warfare. This background frequently unlocks dialogue options that expose corporate secrets or provide unique perspectives during negotiations.

Players who enjoy playing a calculating or ambitious character often gravitate toward Corpo.

Exclusive Rewards

The War Pigs side job allows Corpo players to obtain the unique Apparition variant of the Kenshin Tech Pistol.


What Changes After The Prologue?

Each Lifepath begins with its own unique introductory mission:

  • The Nomad
  • The Streetkid
  • The Corpo

Although the openings are different, all three eventually converge into the same main story and lead to Jackie Welles becoming your partner.

After the prologue, the biggest difference is the additional dialogue options that appear throughout quests and conversations.

These special responses often provide extra information, alternate approaches, or additional role-playing opportunities, but they rarely change major story outcomes.


Does Lifepath Affect Gameplay?

No.

Your Lifepath does not change:

  • Attributes
  • Skills
  • Perks
  • Leveling
  • Combat effectiveness
  • Endings

Every build remains available regardless of your background.

Whether you become a stealth hacker, cyber ninja, shotgun specialist, or gunslinger depends entirely on your gameplay choices after character creation.


Which Lifepath Is Best?

The best Lifepath is simply the one that sounds most interesting to you.

Choose Nomad if you like the outsider perspective and life beyond the city.

Choose Streetkid if you want the most natural connection to Night City's gangs and culture.

Choose Corpo if you enjoy corporate intrigue, manipulation, and seeing the city from the top before falling to the bottom.

Since no Lifepath provides gameplay advantages, you can safely choose based entirely on role-playing preference.

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Best Strategy

  • Pick the background that matches the personality you want for V.
  • Do not choose a Lifepath based on combat effectiveness because none provide gameplay bonuses.
  • If you plan multiple playthroughs, each Lifepath offers enough unique dialogue to make replays feel slightly different.

Rewards

Nomad

  • These Boots Are Made For Walkin' side job
  • Recovery of the Nomad starter car
  • Modified version of Jackie's Motorcycle

Streetkid

  • Small Man, Big Mouth side job
  • Jimmy Silverhand bomber jacket

Corpo

  • War Pigs side job
  • Apparition unique Tech Pistol

Tips

  • Many new players worry about choosing the wrong Lifepath, but there is no bad choice.
  • Your build, weapons, perks, and playstyle are completely separate from your background.
  • If you're undecided, pick the version of V whose backstory sounds the most fun. That's exactly what the system was designed for.

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All Cyberpunk 2077 Endings Explained And How To Unlock Them

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The available endings are The Sun, The Star, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, the Secret Ending (Don't Fear The Reaper), and the Suicide Ending.

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How To Unlock The Secret Ending In Cyberpunk 2077

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Locations & Collectibles

All Fool On The Hill Tarot Card Locations In Cyberpunk 2077

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After finding all 20 tarot cards, return to Misty to complete the quest. She will explain the meaning behind the cards and discuss the two missing cards, Judgement and The Devil, which are connected to the game's endings.

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How To Get New Cars And Motorcycles In Cyberpunk 2077

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Systems & Mechanics

Best Builds And Perks To Unlock Early In Cyberpunk 2077

The best early builds in Cyberpunk 2077 are Shooter, Hacker, and Stealth. Each focuses on different attributes and perk trees, allowing you to specialize in direct combat, hacking, or sneaky takedowns.

For gun-focused players, prioritize Reflexes. For netrunners, invest heavily in Intelligence. For stealth-focused characters, build around Cool. Choosing perks that support your preferred playstyle early can make combat and progression much smoother.

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How To Make Money Fast In Cyberpunk 2077

The fastest way to make money in Cyberpunk 2077 is by completing Side Jobs, Gigs, and NCPD Scanner Hustles while hacking every Access Point you find.

Most gigs reward thousands of Eurodollars, while Access Points can provide quick cash in just a few seconds. Combining both methods can easily earn over €$20,000 in a relatively short amount of time.

Which Lifepath Should You Choose In Cyberpunk 2077? | Gami