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The Night City Legend who nuked Arasaka, Johnny Silverhand is an icon inCyberpunk 2077, and luckily for V, he’s stuck in their head. It’s hard not to like Johnny Silverhand. After all, he’s played by the charismatic Keanu Reeves. With thisCyberpunk 2077character, many players might want to know how they can turn their V into the full-time Samurai rockerboy, and occasional terrorist, Johnny Silverhand.
This build aims to go over the essentials so V can play as Johnny Silverhand inCyberpunk 2077, from utilizing his preferred andiconic weaponryto forming Cyberware and Perks to become the legend himself. This build can be powerful, but it’s certainly no nuke against the corpos of Night City.
Updated on July 19, 2025, by Jake Fillery:With Cyberpunk 2077’s Update 2.2, players might want to jump back into Night City for another bout against Arasaka and the many gangs that fester within. Yet, there’s no run through Cyberpunk 2077 quite like cosplaying as the famed rocker boy legend, Johnny Silverhand, who players can replicate without the Relic for the best Johnny Silverhand build in Cyberpunk 2077 to chip in and become a Night City Legend.
Best Weapons for Johnny Silverhand
There are some essential weapons to make Johnny Silverhand leap off of the engram and into V’s hands, and these guns will prove that the rockerboy still has it, even if it has been 54 years since his initial death. Since players can only equip three weapons at once, this section will include three of the best weapons to complement Johnny Silverhand in a lore-friendly way. However, an additional weapon has been added for those withPhantom Liberty.
3.33
81.09
1.35
36
5.36
Effects
This gun is practically essential for this build when one considers that it’sJohnny’s iconic piece. This weapon was made for Johnny, so wielding it seems only right. Considering this build is complimented by the use of revolvers and pistols, having Johnny’s very own iconic weapon of choice is a natural conclusion to playing as him in 2077.
Archangel
Complete Kerry’s Relationship Quest: A Like Supreme
A piece of art that should never waste away in a display case.
1.87
101.57
0.89
42
4.48
Description
An angel of a weapon with a devil’s attitude. Full-auto mode allows you to fire rounds in the rhythm of Samurai’s “Archangel”. Successive hits after short intervals knock enemies to the ground.
Kerry Eurodyne, the former Samurai band member, is still alive and kicking in 2077. If Johnny wants to get the band back together, then what better way to do so than with Kerry’s iconic revolver, providing him with an arsenal of Samurai weapons inCyberpunk 2077that fires in the rhythm of Samurai’s song,Archangel.
Bloody Maria
Complete All Muamar Reyes' Gigs In Santo Domingo, Complete Ride Captain Ride
As mean throughout all Night City as it is on the streets of Santo.
1.2
273
0.4
12
3.3
Increases knockdown, bleeding and dismemberment chance. Enemies deprived of their limbs increase your reload speed and Crit Chance. In other words, it’s going to be a mess.
For added spice, bring this shotgun into the build, not just for variety, but to make a bloody mess. The stats of Bloody Maria are something to brag about, as its power is enough to devastate, and that’s even without the headshot damage multiplier and armor penetration. It’s got a harsh kick for those on the other end of the barrel, and works great for Johnny’s harsh personality.
For those unafraid to pry open forbidden pathways…
6.02
61.23
1.80
18
5.53
Rounds fired from this weapon are infused with the dark energy from beyond the Blackwall. Highly effective against enemies with low Health.
Considering Johnny died with both a Militech SMG in one hand and his faithful Malorian in the other, it seems only right that he gets a Militech SMG for this build. The best weapon for the job has to be the Erebus, and it’s even lore-friendly, considering it has a Rouge AI from the Blackwall, something Johnny is keen to learn more about for his output, Alt Cunningham. It might be difficult forPhantom Libertyowners to get, but it’s definitely worth it and adds further variety to the build.
Buzzsaw
Found from Yelena Sidorova in the Suspected Organized Crime Activity in Ross Street Parking Garage, Northside, Watson
An absolute beast with a nasty bite. Don’t get too close.
10
32
1.6
21
7.1
Fire high-penetration rounds. Increase damage to an enemy’s limbs.
It wouldn’t be right for Johnny to wield an Arasaka weapon considering he depises them, so it might be a good idea to take one of thebest SMGs inCyberpunk 2077if players do not have thePhantom Libertyexpansion. Buzzsaw is just as great with its high damage output, and the fact that it deals bonus damage to limbs when Johnny himself is missing an arm is quite the ironic weapon to choose.
Best Attributes for Johnny Silverhand
Attributes are an important addition toCyberpunk 2077, and theyhelp with the development of builds, thanks to the fact that focusing on different Attributes unlocks new Perks. Attributes also grant players a bonus to their total stats, and they can have certain action and dialogue choices that players can use. For Johnny, it’s best to follow these Attributes listed.
20
Why It’s Used
Johnny’s known for being quick and observant, so it seems only right to increase his Reflexes Attribute. Not only that, but the perks found here are great, as increasing the movement potential for this build will come as a treat.
Technical Ability will allow players to maximize the potential of their cyberware, meaning they will not be held back by enhancements that overload their system. Additionally, the perks are good, and the ability to bypass locks also helps.
Johnny Silverhand is the epitome of cool, so maximizing this stat is lore-friendly. Additionally, players will want to use the perks from this Attribute as they indulge Handguns.
Gameplay is made easier through dialogue and actions used with the Body Attribute, and the addition of some of the perks found with this Attribute will also be essential for the build.
3
Why It’s Not Used
Johnny Silverhand isn’t the smartest in the world, and he’s definitely not a netrunner. This build will be avoiding the use of all perks from the Intelligence tree, so there’s no point wasting Attribute Points here.
4
The Relic is an interesting addition, exclusive to owners ofPhantom Liberty. Players can findRelic Pointsto upgrade this tree, without needing to spend Attribute Points, so it’s used as an optional addition to improve cyberware.
Best Perks for Johnny Silverhand
Johnny Silverhand is a man of many skills, so it’s only right that he gets the best Perks inCyberpunk 2077. With this array of Perks, the Johnny Silverhand build can unlock its full potential, as players can wield true power, combining their weaponry with some new Perks to obtain better outcomes of their damage capabilities.
1
Only affects Shotguns, LMGs and HMGs
2
Spray and Pray
Air Kerenzikov
Activating Kerenzikov in midair keeps you suspended in the air and extends its duration.
License to Chrome 3/3
Edgerunner
Allows you to exceed your Cyberware Capacity by up to 50 points, but at the cost of −0.5% max Health per point over capacity.
When you neutralize an enemy during combat, there is a 0.1% chance for each point you are over capacity that you will break into a Fury.
+50% resistance to damage and effects from explosions you cause.
Ticking Time Bomb
Charges powerful EMP that hits nearby enemies after 3 sec. Whenever you activate Operating System cyberware (Berserk, Sandevistan) or Overlock. Applies Stun and deal damage proportionate to the quantity and tier of cyberware implants you have installed, - 50% incoming damage while charging EMP.
Only affects Pistols, Revolvers, Precision Rifles and Sniper Rifles
Rinse and Reload
Perk Cost
Vulnerability Analytics
During combat, you can now detect Vulnerabilities in enemy Armor and Cyberware. Hitting Vulnerabilities gives:
Dealing enough damage to a Vulnerability will cause it to explode, generating an EMP blast that damages enemies within 3 meters.
Effects and duration can stack 5 times.
Best Cyberware for Johnny Silverhand
Cyberware is common in Night City, and especially inCyberpunk 2077. Players are going to need the best Cyberware to make sure Johnny Silverhand isup for the fight. After all, apart from the wine-red sunglasses, Johnny’s most notable feature is that silver left arm, so Cyberware is pretty essential to his DNA and makes him a Cyberpsycho without the Cyberpsychosis.
Most, if not all, Cyberware can be purchased from any Ripperdoc in Night City, provided players have the Street Cred, the Level requirement, and the Eurodollars.
Purchased For €$118,000 at any Ripperdoc
44
Effects (when active)
(Slows time by 85% (you are not slowed)
Effects (when active and neutralizing an enemy)
+0.1 second duration with this Cyberware per Reflexes Attribute Point
Purchased For €$16,961 at any Ripperdoc
Effects (when scanning)
Purchased For €$33,915 at any Ripperdoc
+0.2 headshot and weakspot damage per Cool Attribute Point.
9
Reloading an empty weapon causes the next shot to release an electroshock that deals up to 240 Electrical damage to enemies near the point of impact.
Electroshock damage increases with the number of bullets reloaded (max. 5 bullets).
Purchased For €$7,980 at any Ripperdoc
15
Purchased For €$19,947 at any Ripperdoc
30
8
Purchased For €$3,990 at any Ripperdoc
5
49
Purchased For €$118,687 at any Ripperdoc
35
108
+0.1% damage reduction per Cool Attribute Point
Purchased For €$84,778 at any Ripperdoc
25
92
Whenever you take damage, you have a 10% chance to release a large electroshock that deals 500 damage to nearby enemies.
Technical Ability Attuned
+0.25% activation chance for this Cyberware per Technical Ability Attribute Point.
Allows you to aim and perform ranged attacks while sliding, dodging or Dashing.
Slows time by 60% for 3.5 seconds when you aim a ranged attack during a slide, dodge or Dash.
Slows time by 50% for 3.5 seconds when enemy detection reaches 50%.
+0.2% headshot and weakspot damage per Cool Attribute Point.
6
16
34
Purchased For €$9,974 at any Ripperdoc
120
Purchased For €$50,869 at any Ripperdoc
97
