Smart Weapons Build - 1 Magazine MaxTac Clear - Cyberpunk 2077

Smart Weapons Build

Some time ago I saw a gif where a person cleared the MaxTac group with a single magazine. I aimed to recreate the all-powerful build. This took multiple hours of testing, playing around with different perks and attributes. However, I was able to reach the goal with some help from Cyberpunk 2077 Discord.

The build concentrates on debilitating and weakening enemies, maximizing weapon damage and Smart Weapons. This makes the combat somewhat easy as you do not have to worry about landing headshots - your cyberware and weapon do that for you. Moreover, you will be "dancing" around the battlefield using Dash, making it very hard for enemies to hit you.

You will also utilize some of the Netrunner perks, as they will enable you to deal huge damage seen in the video below. Moreover, it is important to upgrade cyberware and get the highest-tier weapons with modifications. Without them, the build is still somewhat powerful but not god-tier.

So if you are interested in using this crazy build in your playthrough let's go!

Attributes

First, let's go through attributes, they will decide the direction of the build and give access to different tiers of perks. The higher tier gives better actions and passives to further support the build. Let's look at what we need for the Smart Weapons Build.

Starting Game

Here are what attributes you should be taking at the start of the game.

Attribute	Allocation	Description
Intelligence	+3	This will be used to progress with the build and improve RAM recovery
Reflexes	+3	Unlocks first perks, and improves critical chance.
Body	+1	Gives bonus HP and first-tier perks

End Game Attributes

Here is the goal of Smart Weapon Build. We are aiming for level 52 as this is when its full potential is reached, and further changes are optimizations or incremental improvements.

Attribute	Total Allocation	Description
Reflexes	20	One of the main attributes for the build that will give perks for Smart SMGs and Assault Rifles. Moreover, it will unlock mobility perks.
Body	15	Although we only need a few perks, they will be very important in improving the Smart Weapon build survivability.
Technical Ability	15	Improves healing item effectiveness and cyberware capacity. Moreover, gives a bit more armor for additional damage protection.
Cool	3	Although not relevant for this build, it could be used later on to improve late-game damage output.
Intelligence	20	It will be used to improve smart weapons and quickhack effectiveness. We also need Overclock​ to make this build work.

There will still be 8 attribute points left and you can invest them:

• Body - increased health pool and unlock of Pain to Gain​
• Technical Ability - Unlocks Edgerunner​ for a huge boost to cyberware capacity. Moreover, you can get a Ticking Time Bomb​ for some survivability and short-range damage.
• Cool - increases Critical Damage, providing a good boost to damage.

Perks

Let's go through the perks of the Smart Weapon Build. We will go through about 65~ perk points for the build, and the game awards about 80. So you will have perk points left to adjust the build to your needs.

The build is demanding the perks, so have that in mind.

Reflexes Perks

The main tree to make the build effective with automatic weapons -SMGs and Assault Rifles. Moreover, it will unlock mobility perks allowing you to Dash​ around the battlefield.

Level 4 Perks

Perk	Description
Slippery	We mainly take this for progression, but the chance to avoid enemy bullets is welcome.
Muscle Memory​	Allows reloading while running, making the combat somewhat easier, when you are out of ammo.
Multitasker​	This is an optional perk. It may be useful early in the game, but later on, you will be using Dash​ to move around rather than sprinting.

Level 9 Perks

Perk	Description
Dash	Gives a huge mobility boost, and with the next perks, this will also increase survivability.
Steady Grip​	Allows shooting while using Dash. I think this becomes very relevant later in the game, where you will constantly use it.
Can't Touch This​	Grants a 100% mitigation chance while using Dash, greatly reducing incoming damage.
Ready, Rested, Reloaded​	The first perk, that improves automatic weapon usage. Unfortunately, this does not provide any damage improvements so we take it for progression.

Level 15 Perks

Perk	Description
Air Dash​	Allows faster movement while airborne. I would say it is not a game-changer, but we will need the next-tier perk for better stamina regeneration.
Sharpshooter​	Unlocks more useful perks and gives better control of stamina usage for automatic weapons.
Gundancer​	This is a very important perk, it will allow you to move normally while aiming. This will synergize well with Kerenzikov cyberware will give better control of the battlefield and also activate Defenzikov.
Practice Makes Perfect​	Increases Crit Chance for each stack of Sharpshooter.

Level 20 Perks

Perk	Description
Tailwind​	I think this is a very useful perk for this build. It will give better stamina control, in longer fights where you do not release a trigger for long periods. You can use double jumps and Air Dash​ to restore stamina.
Submachine Fun​	Very important perk, especially for Smart SMGs. Just change the weapon after the clip is empty and have another SMG with a full magazine.
Salt in the Wound​	This is optional and depends on how much you utilize Assault Rifles. if you do not use them much, or just as an alternative when ammo is scarce for SMG then skip it.

Intelligence Perks

The main perk tree of Smart Weapons build. Unlocks a lot of useful actions and combos to make everything work together with quickhacks.

Level 4 Perks

Perk	Description
Eye in the Sky​	Nothing special, I did not use cameras, but we need this one for progression
Optimization​	The recovery rate is good, but we are interested in progressing further and unlocking new perks.
Subordination​	I found this useful on some stronger enemies like MaxTac. Optional if you find that the duration increase is unnecessary

Level 9 Perks

Perk	Description
Embedded Exploit	To fully utilize the damage potential, be sure to first upload something like Ping, Cyberware Malfunction, or Sonic Shock. This will easily boost your damage, I recommend this combo against elite foes.
Speculation	We are more interested in unlocking the next perk in the line. This is just a good source of RAM to have.
Recirculation	A useful perk, that will help with RAM management. In case you are stranded, just use your Smart Gun, to fill up your cyberdeck.
Acquisition Specialist​	Improves smart weapons by increasing lock-on speed and reticle size.
No Escape​	Gives better handling of Smart Weapons as you reduce the chance of losing the target.
Precision Subroutines​	Increases accuracy, but we are mainly interested in the next perk it unlocks.
Hack Queue	It allows the creation of some sweet combos and utilizes unique effects with the next perks.

Level 15 Perks

Perk	Description
Overclock	The most important perk in this tree for the Smart Weapon Build. With correct cyberware, this will give a huge boost to damage and faster target lock. Of course, this will also allow you to use health instead of RAM for quickhack uploads.
Sublimation	Ensures better health regeneration through RAM recovery.
Queue Acceleration	Increases Queue size and unlocks some other useful perks.
Queue Hack_Root	Ensures lower RAM usage when uploading different quickhack types.
Queue Prioritization	Faster quickhack upload, especially useful against elites and bosses, where you will use multiple options.
Target Lock Transfer​	Ensures a more sustainable target lock, but we are also interested in unlocking the next tier of perks.
Targeting Prism​	Enables more target locks, making it easier to release continuous fire.

Level 20 Perks

Perk	Description
Queue Mastery	If you are fighting a cyberpsycho or other boss enemy, fill the queue with 4 quickhacks to get the maximum damage boost. This perk can also be skipped if you never upload the full queue.
Spillover	Occasional double hack? No reason not to take it as Overclock will be constantly active.
Smart Synergy​	Instant target lock will be very useful when fighting multiple enemies, and having them affected by quickhacks will give even more damage.

Body Perks

This is a very important perk tree. Although we will only take a few perks, they will play a huge role in higher survivability. First, while Overclock is active, having some survivability will ensure that the Smart Weapons build will not die once spending all HP on quickhacks.

Level 4 Perks

Perk	Description
Painkiller	Allows regenerating HP during combat. This is very valuable, especially in the early game, where you often may not have healing items.
Dorph-head	A brief damage reduction from mitigation for 2 seconds. Very valuable once you are in a shootout

Level 15 Perks

Perk	Description
Adrenaline Rush	Gives a huge survivability boost by unlocking a new health bar after activating a healing item. It will ensure that you don't die while using Overclock and with the next perks gives good bonuses.
Juggernaut	Once Adrenaline Rush is up and running this will give a decent boost to all damage and faster movement speed
Calm Mind	Delay of Adrenaline Rush decaying.

Technical Ability Perks

This perk tree will provide improvements to healing items, that will be used a lot with Overclock. Moreover, you will get higher cyberware capacity and bonuses.

Level 4 Perks

Perk	Description
Glutton for War	As healing items play an important role in this build, the perk ensures that you regain them faster.

Level 9 Perks

Perk	Description
All Things Cyber	Lower cyberware capacity cost for some slots and bonus stat modifier increase.
Renaissance Punk	Additional cyberware capacity based on the attributes invested.
Health Freak​	Unlocks third healing item.
Borrowed Time​	Together with Biomonitor, anytime you kill an enemy close to death this will instantly restore your health.

Level 15 Perks

Perk	Description
License to Chrome	A new cyberware slot and bonus armor, moreover unlock the next perks.
Extended Warranty​	Extends the duration of cyberware effects, which is extremely useful for this build and the actions we use.

Perks - Relic

These perks are available with Phantom Liberty DLC. They will give further improvements to some of the game mechanics. To be honest, there are not many contenders for this specific Smart Weapon Build.

Priority	Perk	Description
1	Vulnerability Analytics	Shows vulnerabilities, that allow for huge damage boosts. Good synergy with Smart Weapons as they will automatically target these parts
2	Machine Learning	Increases the frequency of vulnerabilities.

I did not take any other perks from this tree. But feel free to take anything that you think will complement your playstyle.

Combat and Tips

Here I would like to share some suggestions on how to utilize the Smart Weapon build to the maximum.

Constantly Dash and move around

The best thing about Smart Weapons is that your target reticle is so huge, that you do not need to worry about precise aiming. More or less, your shots will easily reach the target. This allows you to easily move around avoiding enemy bullets.

Try to also mix Air Dash, Dash,​ and Double jumps. With Tailwind​ perk you will have a way to easily restore stamina while holding the trigger with Smart SMG or Smart Assault Rifle. Rule of thumb - first, use Dash, followed by jump or double jump, then use Air Dash​. Rinse and repeat

Upload quickhacks before shooting

Generally, when fighting normal enemies, you will easily take them out with a few shots once you have the best weapons and cyberware. However, for Cyberpsychoes, MaxTac, and bosses, you will want to put in some effort.

First, activate Overclock. This will also give a boost to Smart Weapon damage from Militech Paraline cyberdeck and Smart Synergy​ perk.

Second, you will want to ensure that you are uploading some or all of the quickhacks mentioned below. They will greatly reduce enemy effectiveness and more importantly, give a huge boost to damage.

Item	Description
Cyberware Malfunction	One of the cheapest quickhacks. DIsables enemy cyberware increases damage against them, and stacks for stronger effects.
Overheat	Starts burning the enemy, but the most important effect is that it melts their armor and each shot against them gets bonus fire damage.
Reboot Optics	Makes the enemy almost blind, making it easier to approach them and their shots miss. moreover, you deal bonus headshot damage.

My general recommendation for the upload sequence would be:

Sequence	Action	Description
1	Cyberware Malfunction	All of these quickhacks will reduce enemy resistance to weapon damage and impair their combat capabilities. Moreover, with 4 of them uploaded you will activate Queue Mastery​ for additional damage.
2	Overheat
3	Reboot Optics
4	Cyberware Malfunction

Use Kerenzikov for a survivability boost

Once you obtain Kerenzikov and Defenzikov, this will unlock a special mechanic after its effect ends - a 90% mitigation chance for 4 seconds. This more or less reduces all of the damage you receive by at least 50% (with base mitigation strength).

It is a huge survivability boost, allowing it to be a total bullet sponge during combat. Smart Weapon build should be able to soak a lot of damage as their HP is the source of quickhacks when using Overclock​ and you don't want to die easily.

Managing Ammo

Generally, Smart SMGs are the most powerful option. However, they come with a big drawback, especially once you get Submachine Fun​ - your ammo melts very fast. For this reason, I always recommend having an alternative weapon type.

The best option in my opinion is Smart Assault Rifles, as they share most of the weapon perks, and do not impact the playstyle too much.

Equipment

Now let's take a look at what gear the build can benefit from. I would generally recommend Smart weapons as we take relevant perks and they are fairly effective. Moreover, kills made with them will restore RAM.

Smart SMGs

Probably the most fun weapons to use for the build. They have extremely high rates of fire and some of them come with strong unique effects

Item	Description
Warden (Barghest)	The most powerful option for this build. It can equip Big Mag with weapon modification. Moreover, the aim is to obtain The Barghest version which can be discerned with a lower Effective Range and higher damage. However, it could be hard to get these as you cannot upgrade lower-tier ones, so check the options below.
Chesapeake	If you managed to get your hands on this weapon, it is a perfect choice for this build.
Yinglong	Has an extremely high rate of fire and releases small EMPs. The best option before Phantom Liberty.
Pizdets	An iconic Warden variant. What makes it special is that it has a silencer allowing for stealth kills. Crazy right?
Prototype: Shingen Mark V	Even though it is quite a good option I think its drawback is burst-fire mode.

Smart Assault Rifles

Item	Description
Hercules 3AX	The coolest-looking smart weapon? I think yes. Give it a try if you have a chance. It can also poison enemies.
Divided We Stand	A decent assault rifle that can easily hit multiple enemies and has increased damage.

Cyberware

Cyberware is a unique mechanic that allows us to fill the build with implants. Early games can be quite difficult as you will have limited capacity. However, as you progress and drop more Capacity Shards, you will be able to equip more. I will be covering here what is your goal for the end game, to make the build as powerful as possible

You must get the highest cyberware tier that you can. This ensures the biggest bonuses and effects. Cyberware tiers are unlocked based on the player level and some of it only appears in higher tiers. Here is at what levels new cyberware tiers are unlocked:

• Tier 1 - Can be purchased starting from level 1.
• Tier 2 - Can be purchased starting at level 10.
• Tier 3 - Can be purchased starting at level 20.
• Tier 4 - Can be purchased starting at level 30.
• Tier 5 - Can be purchased starting at level 40.

However, some of it can only be obtained after doing specific quests or picking up in the world. 

First Priority Cyberware

This is what is essential to make the build work. I would even recommend dropping everything else to equip these if cyberware capacity doesn't allow it. These cyberware selections make the core of the build.

Slot	Cyberware	Description
Frontal Cortex 2	Axolotl	This cyberware will take the build to the ultimate level. It has a very steep cyberware capacity cost. But it gives cooldown reductions for everything - Overclock, Kerenzikov, etc.
	Newton Module	Gives a cyberware cooldown reduction after taking out an enemy. It is not much, however, with multiple kills, the effect adds up.
Skeleton 1	Spring Joints	Improves mitigation strength, complementing Defenzikov, Countershell, and Neofiber.
Nervous System 1	Neofiber	Gives a higher mitigation chance which makes it harder for enemies to detect you and increases your survivability.
Nervous System 2	Kerenzikov	This is very important cyberware in my opinion. You can activate it by dashing while aiming. The best part happens when we get Defenzikov, as after the time-slow you are rewarded for 4 seconds with a 90% mitigation chance.
Integumentary System 3	Defenzikov	Enables a 90% mitigation chance after Kerenzikov ends. Greatly improving the survivability of the build.
Integumentary System 1	Subdermal Armor	A simple cyberware that has a high armor-to-cyberware capacity cost ratio.
Operating System 1	Militech Paraline Mk.4	The best choice for this build. When fully upgraded it gives 60% more damage while Overclock​ is active while using Smart Weapons.
Face 1	Kiroshi "Cockatrice" Optics	Probably the best choice of cyberware for this build that will greatly improve overall damage output.
Hands 1	Smart Link	Allows Smart Weapon targeting.
Circulatory System 1	Biomonitor	Automatically heals, makes the combat somewhat easier, as you do not have to worry how long it takes to use a healing item.
Legs	Reinforced Tendons	My personal favorite makes traversing much easier.
	Fortified Ankles	Gives the highest jumps and high boost to armor compared to cyberware capacity cost. But you need to hold the jump button.

Second Priority Cyberware

Once you have the core of the build covered, these items will give further optimizations - better survivability, longe Kerenzikov, etc.

Slot	Cyberware	Description
Frontal Cortex 2	Kerenzikov Boost System	Improves Kerenzikov by giving an edge in combat - additional time slow.
Frontal Cortex 3	EX-Disk	Increases RAM capacity and upload speed. You will want something like Reboot Optics to upload ASAP before starting to fire your smart weapon.
Nervous System 3	Visual Cortex Support	Improves critical chance with longer distances. Perfect option, as you are using ranged weapons.
Integumentary System 3	Countershell	Provides a decent amount of armor and gives a huge boost to mitigation chance in case you are overwhelmed by enemy damage.
Circulatory System 2	Blood Pump	The most powerful healing item in the game, it will ensure that you don't die while using Overclock​
Circulatory System 3	Heal-on-Kill	Get this option if you want additional survivability. Restores health after each kill.
	Clutch Padding	Improves weapon handling as stamina drain is reduced. This means that you will be able to go longer durations until your shots start to miss. SMGs go through it very fast if you are shooting non-stop.

If you decide to go for 20 Technical Ability and obtain Edgerunner​ you are in for a treat, as you can get some amazing additional cyberware.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this post on Best Smart Weapons Build in Cyberpunk 2077. I hope you enjoyed reading and see the crazy potential that this build has. With correct cyberware, weapon options, and perk selection this is an unstoppable Night City merc.

Cheers!