The Ultimate Guide to the Best Cyberware and Their Hidden Locations in Cyberpunk 2077

Night City isn’t just neon‑lit streets and synth‑heavy beats; it’s a sprawling marketplace of flesh‑and‑circuitry upgrades that can turn a low‑level runner into a living weapon. If you’ve been drifting through gigs feeling under‑powered, you’re not alone. The trick isn’t just buying the flashiest piece of tech—it’s knowing where to find the truly game‑changing implants without burning through your euro‑dollars.

Below is a hand‑picked list of cyberware that consistently earns top marks from players, plus the exact vendors, shop types, or hidden caches where you can get them. Consider this your field‑manual for upgrades, complete with a few personal notes on why each piece feels worth the grind.

1. Mantis Blades (Monowire) – Close‑Quarter Carnage

Nothing screams "I'm not messing around" like a pair of razor‑sharp, retractable blades humming in your forearms. The Mantis Blades excel in tight hallways and rooftop skirmishes, delivering up to 60 damage per strike when fully upgraded.

Where to find: The most reliable source is the Ripperdoc in the Watson district, Dr. “Wrench” Moreno, tucked inside the Altar of the Imperium club. He’ll have the basic version after a short dialogue. For the “Mantis” upgrade (adds a bonus to critical hits), head to Lizzie’s Gun Shop in Heywood – she stocks the premium version once you’ve reached Street Cred 20.

2. Gorilla Arms – Unstoppable Strength

If you’ve ever wanted to push a car aside like a junkyard weight, Gorilla Arms are the answer. They boost melee damage by 20% and let you punch through many doors that would otherwise require a skill check.

Where to find: The most affordable set can be purchased from the Ripperdoc in the West Wind area of Westbrook. For the “Gorilla Arms – Muscles” variant (adds a 10% damage boost to non‑lethal attacks), visit the legendary Ripperdoc “Regina Jones” in the Badlands, reachable after completing the "Ghost" side mission.

3. Optical Camo – Ghost Mode

For the stealth‑oriented runner, Optical Camo is pure poetry. Activate it, and you become nearly invisible for a short window, perfect for slipping past corporate security or setting up a surprise takedown.

Where to find: Look for the shop “Keanu's Cybernetics” in the Old City district of Pacifica. It’s a hidden storefront behind a graffiti‑covered dumpster – you’ll need to hack the door first. The base version costs around 12,000 €; the upgraded version (longer duration) is sold by the legendary Ripperdoc “Victor Vector” in Santo Domingo after you’ve cleared the “Last Night” quest line.

4. Sandevistan – Slow‑Motion Reflex

The Sandevistan is the holy grail for players who love bullet‑dodge and rapid‑fire combos. Once activated, time dilates, letting you move and aim at superhuman speeds. The “Level 3” upgrade adds a secondary burst of speed after the first ends.

Where to find: Your best bet is the high‑end Ripperdoc “Raymond” inside the Afterlife club in Watson. He’ll only sell it once you’ve reached Street Cred 30, but it’s worth the wait. If you’re impatient, the “Sandevistan – Empty” version can be looted from the elite corpses after completing the “Nocturne Op55” raid in the Badlands.

5. Kiroshi Optics – Visual Mastery

Kiroshi Optics turn your vision into a tactical HUD, highlighting enemies, items, and even giving you a 20% boost to headshot accuracy. The “Kiroshi Optics – Zoom” variant adds a 10× optical zoom for sniper runs.

Where to find: The reliable vendor is Dr. “Fujita” Aoki in the Nikko district of Japantown. He’ll have the base model after you help him with the “Moonshine” side job. For the Zoom upgrade, head to the “Big Bill’s Cybernetics” store in Little China – you’ll need a decent amount of Euro‑dollars and a Reputation level of 15 with the “Voodoo Boys”.

6. Smart Link – Weapon Sync

If you love hot‑loading pistols or assault rifles, Smart Link is a must‑have. It syncs your weapon’s targeting with your brain, granting auto‑aim assistance and faster reloads.

Where to find: Grab the basic Smart Link from the “Digital Dreams” Ripperdoc in City Center. For the “Smart Link – Advanced” that also reduces recoil, you’ll need to complete the “Chippin’ In” main story mission and then talk to Ripperdoc “Victor Ross” in the Downtown Hills.

How to Prioritize Your Upgrades

Honestly, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when every neon sign screams “Upgrade Me!”. Start by figuring out your playstyle: stealth? Go for Optical Camo and Kiroshi Optics. Melee‑heavy? Gorilla Arms and Mantis Blades take the lead. If you’re a gun‑nut, the Sandevistan and Smart Link will make your reflexes feel god‑like.

Also, keep an eye on your Street Cred. Many top‑tier Ripperdocs lock their best wares behind a reputation threshold, so grinding a few side gigs or hitting up high‑pay jobs will open up the real goodies.

Finally, don’t forget to respec when needed. Cyberpunk’s skill tree is generous, and you can reallocate points at any time via the “Stats” menu – a small price for staying adaptable in Night City’s ever‑shifting underbelly.

Armed with the right cyberware and the knowledge of where to snag it, you’ll finally be ready to carve your name into the neon‑lit walls of Night City. Good luck, runner – the city never sleeps, and neither should your upgrades.