Cyberpunk 2077 Stealth Build — Invisible Killer Guide (2026)
The ultimate stealth build in Cyberpunk 2077: Optical Camo, suppressed pistols, Cool 20 perks, and silent takedowns. Complete guide with attributes, perks, cyberware, weapons and level progression. Covers Patch 2.3 and Phantom Liberty Ghost relic perk.
Published September 15, 2026 · Last updated September 15, 2026

Quick Answer: Best Stealth Build in Cyberpunk 2077 (Patch 2.3)
The ultimate stealth / invisible killer build in Cyberpunk 2077 combines Optical Camo, suppressed weapons, and Cool attribute perks to clear entire buildings without triggering a single alert. This build is one of the most requested archetypes — Google shows 155 pages with "stealth build" in the title but zero major wiki sites (IGN, Fandom) in the top results, making this guide especially valuable. Maximum level is 60, giving enough Attribute points to comfortably max Cool and stack Reflexes for mobility. See the main builds hub for all other archetypes.
| Category | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Core Attributes | Cool 20 / Reflexes 16 / Technical Ability 10 / Body 8 / Intelligence 3 |
| Key Cool Perks | Dead Silence, Low Profile, Slipper, True Aim, Ninjutsu (all stealth perks) |
| Key Reflexes Perks | Dash, Air Dash, Tailwind, Bladerunner finisher |
| Key Tech Perks | License to Chrome, Edgerunner (cyberware synergy) |
| Primary Weapons | Suppressed pistols: Kendachi MK.2, Buzzsaw (smart suppressed), Cerberus |
| Secondary Weapon | Monowire or throwing knife for silent takedowns |
| Key Cyberware | Optical Camo (mandatory), Kiroshi Optics, Silent Running, Kerenzikov |
| Operating System | Cyberdeck (Ping + Weapon Glitch + Contagion for distractions) or Sandevistan |
| Playstyle | Optical Camo → Kiroshi scope → suppressed headshot → vanish. Repeat without alerts. |
Attributes: Cool-Focused Distribution
Cool is the stealth attribute — it governs critical damage, stealth multipliers, and pistol accuracy. Every stealth perk lives in the Cool tree. Reflexes provides mobility (Dash, Air Dash, Tailwind) for repositioning between kills. Technical Ability gives enough cyberware capacity for Optical Camo + Kiroshi + Kerenzikov.
| Attribute | Target | Why | Key Perks Unlocked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cool | 20 (max) | All stealth damage perks, crit multipliers, pistol accuracy | Dead Silence, Low Profile, Slipper, True Aim, Ninjutsu |
| Reflexes | 16 | Dash mobility, blade finishers, crit chance | Dash, Air Dash, Tailwind, Bladerunner, Sharpshooter |
| Technical Ability | 10 | Enough capacity for stealth cyberware loadout | License to Chrome, Edgerunner |
| Body | 8 | Minimum health pool to survive if stealth breaks | Painkiller, Adrenaline Rush |
| Intelligence | 3 | Not needed — cyberdeck is optional support | None |
Perks: Complete Stealth Perk Path
The Cool perk tree is where this build lives. Every perk below directly contributes to staying undetected and killing silently. Reflexes perks support mobility and finishers. Tech perks enable the cyberware loadout.
| Perk | Tree | Effect | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead Silence | Cool | Stealth damage bonus — stacks with every stealth kill | ⭐ Mandatory |
| Low Profile | Cool | Kills do not trigger aggro from nearby enemies | ⭐ Mandatory |
| Slipper | Cool | Escape aggro more easily if detected | High |
| True Aim | Cool | Headshot damage multiplier | ⭐ Mandatory |
| Ninjutsu | Cool | Stealth kill bonuses — silent takedown damage | High |
| Cold and Calculating | Cool | 25% chance on critical hits for extra effects | Medium |
| Frozen Precision | Cool | +50% headshot damage | High |
| Dash | Reflexes | Quick reposition after kills | ⭐ Mandatory |
| Air Dash | Reflexes | Double jump for reaching high vantage points | High |
| Tailwind | Reflexes | Air dash deals damage | Medium |
| Bladerunner | Reflexes | Finisher move — instant kill on low-health enemies | Medium |
| License to Chrome | Tech | Cyberware capacity bonus | High |
| Edgerunner | Tech | Exceed cyberware capacity limit by 10% | Medium |
Perk Priority: What to Take First
Perk points are limited early game. This is the optimal acquisition order to stay powerful at every level.
- Level 1-5: Dead Silence tier 1 → basic pistol perks → first Cool crit perk
- Level 6-10: Dead Silence max → Low Profile → Dash → True Aim tier 1
- Level 11-15: Air Dash → Ninjutsu tier 1 → Slipper → more Cool crit perks
- Level 16-20: All remaining Cool stealth perks → Tailwind → Bladerunner
- Level 21-30: License to Chrome → Edgerunner → Reflexes crit perks → Sharpshooter
- Level 31-60: Fill remaining Cool/Reflexes/Tech trees — all stealth perks should be maxed by level 30
Cyberware: Stealth Loadout by Slot
Optical Camo is the backbone of this build — without it, you have no invisibility. Every other piece supports staying undetected or killing silently. Technical Ability 10 gives enough capacity for this full loadout.
| Slot | Recommended Cyberware | Effect | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Cyberdeck (Tetratronic Rippler or equivalent) | Ping + Weapon Glitch + Contagion for enemy manipulation | ⭐ Mandatory |
| Arms | Monowire (legendary) | Silent whip attack — charges throw weapons, restores health on hit | High |
| Skeleton | Dense Marrow | Blade damage bonus — synergizes with Monowire finishers | Medium |
| Nervous System | Kerenzikov | Slow-mo on dodge/aim — pairs with stealth takedowns | High |
| Circulatory | Biosystem Monitor | Slow-mo while hacking — keeps you safe while using quickhacks | Medium |
| Eyes | Kiroshi Optics | Enemy highlighting through walls — scope targets before entering | ⭐ Mandatory |
| Integumentary | Optical Camo | Invisibility — the core of the entire build | ⭐⭐ Mandatory |
| Hands | Silent Running | No footstep sounds — essential for true stealth | ⭐ Mandatory |
Weapons: Best Suppressed Loadout
Suppressed pistols are the primary damage source. Each shot must be silent — any unsuppressed weapon breaks stealth. The Monowire serves as a silent melee alternative when ammo is scarce or for close-quarters takedowns.
| Weapon | Type | Why It Fits | How to Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kendachi MK.2 | Suppressed Pistol | Best dedicated suppressed pistol — high damage, reliable | High-level Ripperdoc purchase |
| Buzzsaw | Smart Suppressed SMG | Auto-targets + suppressed — fires around corners silently | Certain fixer gigs |
| Cerberus | Suppressed Revolver | High single-shot damage — one suppressed headshot kills most enemies | Drop / loot |
| Skippy | Smart Pistol | AI-driven — auto-targets heads, useful when stealth breaks | Free: Vista del Rey alley (side encounter) |
| Johnny's Malorian 3516 | Power Pistol | High damage — use only after all enemies are alerted | Free: Chippin' In quest |
| Monowire (legendary) | Melee | Silent whip — health restore on hit, charges throw weapons | High-level Ripperdoc / loot |
| Throwing Knives (legendary) | Ranged | Silent ranged takedowns — return on miss with legendary mods | Loot / fixer rewards |
Level-by-Level Progression
Stealth pistol is functional from level 1 — suppressed headshots work even with starter weapons. The build scales by stacking Cool stealth perks and unlocking cyberware for invisibility and mobility.
| Level | Focus | Attributes | Key Perks | Weapon/Cyberware Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-10 | Stealth Basics | Cool → 8, Reflexes → 6 | Dead Silence tier 1, basic pistol perks | Starter suppressed pistol + Kiroshi Optics |
| 11-20 | Invisibility | Cool → 14, Reflexes → 10 | Dead Silence max, Low Profile, Optical Camo unlock | Kendachi MK.2 + Optical Camo cyberware |
| 21-30 | Ghost Mode | Cool → 18, Reflexes → 14 | Slipper, True Aim, Ninjutsu tier 1 | Legendary suppressed pistol + Silent Running + better Optical Camo |
| 31-40 | One-Shot Stealth | Cool → 20, Reflexes → 16 | All Cool stealth perks, Air Dash, Tailwind | Best legendary suppressed + Cyberdeck with Ping + Weapon Glitch |
| 41-50 | Cyberware Max | Tech → 14, Reflexes → 18 | License to Chrome, Edgerunner, Kerenzikov | Full legendary cyberware: Optical Camo + Silent Running + Kerenzikov + Target Analysis |
| 51-60 | True Ghost | Body → 10, max remaining | Remaining perks + Phantom Liberty Ghost relic perk | Clear entire buildings without a single alert — MaxTac included |
Cyberdeck vs Sandevistan: Which OS for Stealth?
The Operating System slot is the biggest build decision for stealth. Cyberdeck enables hack-based crowd control (Ping to see through walls, Weapon Glitch to disable enemies, Contagion for distractions). Sandevistan enables slow-time precision (activate for key moments, deactivate to conserve cooldown). You cannot run both — they share the OS slot.
| Cyberdeck (Recommended) | Sandevistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Playstyle | Hack-first — manipulate enemies before engaging | Slow-time precision — activate for burst windows |
| Key Quickhacks | Ping (see through walls), Weapon Glitch (disable), Contagion (spread), Memory Wipe (erase) | N/A — Sandevistan is the ability itself |
| Best For | Pure stealth — never draw a weapon | Hybrid stealth — still use suppressed weapons in slow-mo |
| Stealth Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (true ghost) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (stealth with combat backup) |
| Recommendation | Choose this for pure stealth fantasy | Choose this if you want slow-time headshots as backup |
Phantom Liberty: Relic Perks for Stealth
The Phantom Liberty Relic skill tree adds powerful perks that complement the stealth build. The Ghost perk is the crown jewel — it extends Optical Camo duration after every kill, enabling chain stealth kills without the camo expiring.
| Relic Perk | Effect | Synergy | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghost | Remaining invisible after killing an enemy (extends Optical Camo) | Chain stealth kills without camo expiring — the ultimate stealth enabler | ⭐ Mandatory |
| Blood Puncture | Critical hits cause bleeding (stacking DoT) | Stacks with crit perks — every headshot bleeds for extra damage | High |
| Cyberverse | Killing with a quickhack reduces all cyberware cooldowns | Rewards hack-spam play — Optical Camo recharges faster | Medium |
| Data Wipe | Memory Wipe spreads to nearby enemies | Transforms Memory Wipe from single-target to room-clear | Medium |
| Terminal Realtime | Quickhacks upload instantly while Relic is active | No upload delay — instant crowd control with hacks | Low-Medium |
Stealth Build FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about the Cyberpunk 2077 stealth build, sourced from Google PAA (People Also Ask) and community discussions.
- **How can I improve my stealth in Cyberpunk 2077?** — Invest in Cool attribute (max to 20), take Dead Silence and Low Profile perks first, equip Optical Camo + Silent Running cyberware, and use suppressed weapons only. Avoid unsuppressed firearms and grenades — they break stealth instantly.
- **What is the best gun for stealth in Cyberpunk 2077?** — The Kendachi MK.2 suppressed pistol is the best dedicated stealth weapon. For smart targeting, Skippy (free from Vista del Rey) auto-targets heads while remaining suppressed. The Buzzsaw smart suppressed SMG fires around corners silently.
- **Is a stealth build good for a netrunner?** — Yes — stealth and netrunner are highly synergistic. A Cyberdeck with Ping + Weapon Glitch + Contagion lets you clear rooms without drawing weapons. The best hybrid is Cool 20 + Intelligence 12 + Cyberdeck OS: stealth perks for silent kills, quickhacks for crowd control.
- **What are the best starting stats for a stealth build?** — Start with Cool 6, Reflexes 4, Technical Ability 3, Body 3, Intelligence 3. Prioritize Cool first — Dead Silence is available early and transforms your gameplay from level 5 onwards.
- **Can I do a stealth netrunner build?** — Absolutely. Cool 20 + Intelligence 12 + Cyberdeck OS is the optimal stealth netrunner hybrid. Ping sees through walls, Weapon Glitch disables enemies, Optical Camo keeps you invisible, and Dead Silence makes any remaining kills silent.
- **What is the best stealth build for 2026 / Patch 2.3?** — Cool 20 / Reflexes 16 / Tech 10 with Optical Camo + Silent Running + Kerenzikov cyberware, suppressed pistol loadout, and the Phantom Liberty Ghost relic perk. This build clears entire buildings without triggering alerts.
- **How do I build a stealth sniper?** — Same Cool 20 base, but pair with a suppressed sniper rifle (Noma 22 or Ajax power sniper) instead of pistols. Use Sandevistan for slow-time precision headshots. Optical Camo for stealth entries, Kiroshi Optics for weak-point highlighting.
- **Should I level stealth by level or all at once?** — Level progressively: Dead Silence → Low Profile → Optical Camo → Silent Running → Kerenzikov. Each milestone unlocks new stealth capabilities. Don't save all perks for endgame — stealth is most fun when you can use it throughout the entire playthrough.
General Stealth Tips (All Playstyles)
These tips apply to any stealth approach in Cyberpunk 2077, whether you use the full build above or a lighter stealth variant.
- Crouch before entering any room — crouch speed boosts (from Cool perks) make you faster while staying hidden
- Use Ping quickhack to see enemy positions through walls before entering — never walk in blind
- Save before major quests — stealth builds are fragile if detection triggers combat. A save lets you reload and try a different approach
- Optical Camo duration scales with tier — always upgrade to the highest tier you can afford
- Suppressed weapons only — any unsuppressed shot alerts all nearby enemies. Keep a suppressed pistol as your primary at all times
- The Distract quickhack (Cyberdeck) lures enemies away from patrol routes — use it to create safe paths through guarded areas
- Phantom Liberty's Ghost relic perk is the biggest stealth upgrade in the game — prioritize collecting Data Terminals in Dogtown
- Street Cred matters for gear — many high-tier suppressed weapons and Optical Camo tiers unlock at specific Street Cred levels
- Use the map to plan stealth routes — identify vantage points, cover positions, and escape paths before engaging