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# Cyberpunk 2077 Best Weapons Tier List 2026: 30 Iconics Ranked for Update 2.5
- URL: https://www.geekyinc.com/cyberpunk-2077-best-weapons-tier-list-update-2-5-2026/
- Published: 2026-11-10T16:23:56.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-10T16:23:56.000Z
- Description: Thirty Cyberpunk 2077 Iconic weapons ranked for Update 2.5, with which ones you can dual-wield, which need Phantom Liberty, and exactly where to get each one.
- Author: Geeky Inc Editorial
- Tags: gaming, rpg, action-rpg, open-world, guides

*Researched and drafted by *Kuro*, Geeky Inc's AI teammate. Checked by two separate AI review passes before publishing. [How we make our guides](https://www.geekyinc.com/how-we-make-our-guides/)*

![V in a long black coat aims a pistol in front of NCPD cruisers, official Cyberpunk 2077 screenshot](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/4e/cb4ed481-0c15-45c5-af06-fb31e16cb400/content/images/2026/11/cpw-feature.jpg)

**The best weapons in Cyberpunk 2077 (CP2077) Update 2.5 are the Malorian Arms 3516, Comrade's Hammer, Ba Xing Chong, Guts, Rasetsu, Errata and Amnesty.** Below, 30 Iconic weapons are ranked S to B, with each one's weapon class, whether it needs Phantom Liberty, and whether it works with the new dual-wield perk, plus where to get it.

CD Projekt Red released [Update 2.5, the Edgerunners 2 update](https://www.cyberpunk.net/en/news/52125/cyberpunk-2077s-edgerunners-2-update-2-5-is-out-now?ref=geekyinc.com), on October 22, 2026\. According to the [official 2.5 notes](https://www.cyberpunk.net/en/news/52120/check-out-whats-coming-to-night-city-in-the-edgerunners-2-update-for-cyberpunk-2077?ref=geekyinc.com), the new Double Trouble perk in the Cool tree lets you dual-wield "Pistols and Revolvers from the Power category". The notes list no new Iconic weapons and no weapon balance changes. So the strongest guns haven't changed, but Power handguns gained a new way to be played. A small October 27 hotfix (2.500.200) shipped after that; [press reports](https://mp1st.com/?p=317528&ref=geekyinc.com) say it fixed save access in Argentina, and CD Projekt Red hasn't posted notes for it.

## Cyberpunk 2077 weapon tier list (Update 2.5)

| Tier  | Weapon             | Type                          | Phantom Liberty? | Dual-wield (2.5)? |
| ----- | ------------------ | ----------------------------- | ---------------- | ----------------- |
| **S** | Malorian Arms 3516 | Power pistol                  | No               | Yes               |
| **S** | Comrade's Hammer   | Tech revolver                 | No               | No (Tech)         |
| **S** | Amnesty            | Power revolver                | No               | Yes               |
| **S** | Ba Xing Chong      | Smart shotgun (fires rockets) | No               | No                |
| **S** | Guts               | Power shotgun                 | No               | No                |
| **S** | Rasetsu            | Tech sniper rifle             | Yes              | No                |
| **S** | Errata             | Katana                        | No               | No                |
| **A** | Kongou             | Power pistol                  | No               | Yes               |
| **A** | Rosco              | Power revolver                | Yes              | Yes               |
| **A** | Ol' Reliable       | Power revolver                | Yes              | Yes               |
| **A** | Lizzie             | Tech pistol                   | No               | No (Tech)         |
| **A** | Skippy             | Smart pistol                  | No               | No (Smart)        |
| **A** | Laika              | Tech revolver                 | Yes              | No (Tech)         |
| **A** | Psalm 11:6         | Power assault rifle           | No               | No                |
| **A** | Hawk               | Power assault rifle           | Yes              | No                |
| **A** | Carmen             | Power assault rifle           | Yes              | No                |
| **A** | Yinglong           | Smart SMG                     | No               | No                |
| **A** | Sovereign          | Power double-barrel shotgun   | No               | No                |
| **A** | The Headsman       | Power shotgun (slug)          | No               | No                |
| **A** | Order              | Tech double-barrel shotgun    | Yes              | No                |
| **A** | Overwatch          | Power sniper rifle            | No               | No                |
| **A** | Breakthrough       | Tech sniper rifle             | No               | No                |
| **A** | Widow Maker        | Tech precision rifle          | No               | No                |
| **A** | Satori             | Katana                        | No               | No                |
| **B** | Pride              | Power pistol                  | No               | Yes               |
| **B** | Prejudice          | Power assault rifle           | No               | No                |
| **B** | Mox                | Power shotgun                 | No               | No                |
| **B** | Jinchu-Maru        | Katana                        | No               | No                |
| **B** | Byakko             | Katana                        | No               | No                |
| **B** | Scalpel            | Katana                        | No               | No                |

The tiers rank each Iconic fully upgraded, on three things: damage on Very Hard, how many builds it fits, and whether its unique effect changes how a fight plays out. S tier weapons have an effect no regular gun can match: explosive rounds, homing rockets, a guaranteed crit or curving shots. Weapon effects and numbers come from the [Fextralife Iconic weapons list](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Iconic+Weapons?ref=geekyinc.com) and each weapon's wiki page.

**Kuro's take:** Update 2.5 didn't change a single weapon number, but it did change the pistol rankings. Of the 30 weapons in that table, only six are Power pistols or revolvers that you can dual-wield, and three of them are A tier or better without Phantom Liberty. If you're starting a dual-wield run, the Malorian and Amnesty are the pair to chase.

## How weapons work in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 and later

![V sits on a car looking out over the Night City skyline, official Cyberpunk 2077 screenshot](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/4e/cb4ed481-0c15-45c5-af06-fb31e16cb400/content/images/2026/11/cpw-how.jpg)

**Since Update 2.0, weapons have Tiers (1 to 5++) instead of rarity, and Iconic weapons are the only ones you can upgrade.** In the [2.0 patch notes](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Patch+2.0?ref=geekyinc.com), CD Projekt Red "replaced old rarity levels (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary) with Tiers (from Tier 1 to 5++)" and said that "apart from cyberware, now only Iconic weapons can be upgraded". Weapons scale their damage with their Tier.

- **Why that makes Iconics endgame weapons:** a regular gun stays at the Tier it dropped at, while an Iconic can be upgraded at the crafting bench (Inventory → Crafting → Upgrades) all the way to 5++ ([Fextralife](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Weapons?ref=geekyinc.com)).
- **Power, Tech and Smart:** Power weapons ricochet, Tech weapons charge up and fire through walls, and Smart weapons fire homing rounds. Dual-wielding in 2.5 only works with Power pistols and revolvers.
- **Phantom Liberty x-MOD2 Iconics** come with two guaranteed mod slots and better handling.
- **Crafted Iconics:** Comrade's Hammer, Psalm 11:6, Yinglong, Sovereign, The Headsman and Breakthrough are crafted from specs you get by killing the leaders of "Suspected Organized Crime" activities in specific districts.

## Best pistols and revolvers

![First-person view aiming a pistol at Maelstrom gangers with glowing red cyber-optics, official Cyberpunk 2077 screenshot](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/4e/cb4ed481-0c15-45c5-af06-fb31e16cb400/content/images/2026/11/cpw-pistols2.jpg)

**The best pistol in Cyberpunk 2077 is the Malorian Arms 3516, and the best revolver is Comrade's Hammer.** The Malorian deals +150% headshot damage, and its quick melee does +800% damage at the cost of emptying the magazine. Comrade's Hammer fires one explosive round per shot with +75% armour penetration ([Malorian Arms 3516](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Malorian+Arms+3516?ref=geekyinc.com), [Comrade's Hammer](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Comrade's+Hammer?ref=geekyinc.com)).

| Weapon             | Why it's good                                                                   | How to get it                                                               |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Malorian Arms 3516 | +150% headshot damage; quick melee hits for +800%                               | Given by Grayson in the side job "Chippin' In"                              |
| Comrade's Hammer   | One explosive round per shot, +75% armour penetration, +40% burn chance         | Crafted; the spec drops from the Suspected Organized Crime leader in Arroyo |
| Amnesty            | +200% headshot damage; a hip-fire headshot right after you draw it always crits | Win Cassidy's bottle-shooting challenge in "We Gotta Live Together"         |
| Kongou             | Shots ricochet without needing the cyberware; +150% headshot damage             | Nightstand in Yorinobu's penthouse during The Heist                         |
| Rosco (PL)         | A leg shot followed by a headshot kills outright                                | Kill Dodger in the gig "Waiting for Dodger"                                 |
| Ol' Reliable (PL)  | Headshot crit chance rises with distance; +200% headshot damage                 | Dropped by Dante Caruso in the gig "Shot By Both Sides"                     |
| Lizzie             | Fires a burst when fully charged; +50% armour penetration                       | Coffee table in Lizzie's basement, after "The Space in Between"             |
| Skippy             | A talking Smart pistol with +85% headshot damage                                | On the ground at the start of the side job "Machine Gun"                    |
| Laika (PL)         | Shots at burning enemies always crit                                            | Random Dogtown airdrops, or from Herold Lowe at the EBM Petrochem Stadium   |

## Best weapons for dual-wielding (Update 2.5)

![V and an Edgerunners character stand back to back firing pistols in the official Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.5 key art](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/4e/cb4ed481-0c15-45c5-af06-fb31e16cb400/content/images/2026/11/cpw-dual2.jpg)

**The best dual-wield pair in Update 2.5 is the Malorian Arms 3516 with Amnesty.** Double Trouble only accepts Power pistols and revolvers, so Lizzie, Skippy, Comrade's Hammer and Laika can't be dual-wielded, however strong they are on their own. That leaves six Iconics in this list that you can pair up:

- **Malorian Arms 3516 + Amnesty**: the strongest pair, two S tier headshot guns, both from the base game.
- **Kongou + Pride**: Kongou's ricochets plus Pride's guaranteed first-shot crit, for clearing rooms without lining up shots.
- **Rosco + Ol' Reliable**: the Phantom Liberty pair, built for headshots at range.

The perk tree and attribute splits for a full dual-wield character are in our [Cyberpunk 2077 best builds guide](https://www.geekyinc.com/cyberpunk-2077-best-builds-update-2-5-2026/).

## Best assault rifles and SMGs

![Armed soldiers in yellow masks fire rifles beside a shipping container in Dogtown, official Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty screenshot](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/4e/cb4ed481-0c15-45c5-af06-fb31e16cb400/content/images/2026/11/cpw-rifles.jpg)

**The best assault rifle is Psalm 11:6, which fires explosive incendiary rounds, and the best SMG is Yinglong.** Yinglong is a Smart SMG with electrical damage and a chance to EMP, so it pairs with a Netrunner who wants an easy gun for when their RAM runs out ([Psalm 11:6](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Psalm+11:6?ref=geekyinc.com), [Yinglong](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Yinglong?ref=geekyinc.com)).

| Weapon      | Why it's good                                                                              | How to get it                                                                    |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Psalm 11:6  | Explosive incendiary rounds, +30% burn chance                                              | Crafted; the spec drops from the Suspected Organized Crime leader in Northside   |
| Hawk (PL)   | Headshots mark enemies, slowing them, turning off their abilities and cutting their damage | Kress Street hideout, after "Lucretia My Reflection"                             |
| Carmen (PL) | Up to +10% damage as you move; higher limb crit chance                                     | Paco Torres in "Balls to the Wall", or Herold Lowe                               |
| Yinglong    | Smart SMG with electrical damage and an EMP chance                                         | Crafted; the spec drops from the Suspected Organized Crime leader in Wellsprings |
| Prejudice   | Piercing rounds, held back by a 3-round burst limit                                        | Behind the Afterlife bar in "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (Rogue path)               |

**Planning a new Night City run?** [Subscribe to Geeky Inc. It's free, and we send new tier lists and build guides when they go up.](https://www.geekyinc.com/#/portal/signup)

## Best shotguns and the Ba Xing Chong

![First-person view holding a yellow shotgun as a blue-mohawked punk swings a katana, official Cyberpunk 2077 screenshot](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/4e/cb4ed481-0c15-45c5-af06-fb31e16cb400/content/images/2026/11/cpw-shotguns2.jpg)

**Guts is the best shotgun in Cyberpunk 2077: each kill stacks a buff up to five times, for up to +75% damage and +50% crit chance.** The Ba Xing Chong is listed as a shotgun, but it fires explosive rockets that can lock onto up to six enemies at once, which is why it's S tier despite only unlocking after the main story ([Guts](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Guts?ref=geekyinc.com), [Ba Xing Chong](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Ba+Xing+Chong?ref=geekyinc.com)).

| Weapon        | Why it's good                                          | How to get it                                                                  |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Guts          | Kill stacks: up to +75% damage and +50% crit chance    | Corpo Plaza park, in the bushes behind the kneeling monks                      |
| Ba Xing Chong | Rockets that lock onto up to 6 enemies                 | Crafted; the spec is in Adam Smasher's vault on the Ebunike (post-game)        |
| Sovereign     | Point-blank shots always crit; +75% armour penetration | Crafted; the spec drops from the Suspected Organized Crime leader in Japantown |
| The Headsman  | Fires a single slug with +215% headshot damage         | Crafted; the spec drops from the Suspected Organized Crime leader in North Oak |
| Order (PL)    | A charge above 66% vaporises enemies in its path       | Herold Lowe only                                                               |
| Mox           | Even pellet spread with more knockdown up close        | A gift in Judy's apartment about two in-game weeks after "Pyramid Song"        |

## Best sniper and precision rifles

![A mech fires a red laser beam down an escalator shaft in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/4e/cb4ed481-0c15-45c5-af06-fb31e16cb400/content/images/2026/11/cpw-snipers-1.jpg)

**Rasetsu is the best sniper rifle in Cyberpunk 2077 because its charged rounds pierce and curve, hitting several enemies with one shot.** If you don't own Phantom Liberty, Overwatch is the best choice: +300% headshot damage and a built-in silencer, given to you for saving Saul in "Riders on the Storm" ([Rasetsu](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Rasetsu?ref=geekyinc.com), [Overwatch](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Overwatch?ref=geekyinc.com)).

| Weapon       | Why it's good                                          | How to get it                                                                        |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Rasetsu (PL) | Charged rounds pierce and curve; +300% headshot damage | Sniper nest in the main quest "You Know My Name"                                     |
| Overwatch    | +300% headshot damage and a built-in silencer          | Reward for saving Saul in "Riders on the Storm"                                      |
| Breakthrough | +300% headshot damage, +100% armour penetration        | Crafted; the spec drops from the Suspected Organized Crime leader in Rancho Coronado |
| Widow Maker  | Two chemical projectiles per shot, +20% poison chance  | Loot it from Nash, in the optional fight with Panam or after the final Raffen fight  |

## Best katanas and blades

![First-person view with Mantis Blades extended, facing an armed woman on a neon-lit ledge, official Cyberpunk 2077 screenshot](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/4e/cb4ed481-0c15-45c5-af06-fb31e16cb400/content/images/2026/11/cpw-katanas2.jpg)

**Errata is the best katana in Cyberpunk 2077: you can leap at enemies with it, and attacks on burning enemies always crit.** Satori is the best pick earlier in the game, because you can grab it during The Heist, but it's easy to miss: it's inside the AV on the helipad ([Errata](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Errata?ref=geekyinc.com), [Satori](https://cyberpunk2077.wiki.fextralife.com/Satori?ref=geekyinc.com)).

| Weapon      | Why it's good                                     | How to get it                                        |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Errata      | Leap attack; always crits against burning enemies | In a forge at the power plant during "Disasterpiece" |
| Satori      | +25% armour penetration, +17% bleed chance        | Inside the AV on the helipad during The Heist        |
| Jinchu-Maru | +20% bleed chance                                 | Dropped by Oda in "Play It Safe"                     |
| Byakko      | +30% bleed chance                                 | V's stash after all eight of Wakako's gigs           |
| Scalpel     | +30% shock chance                                 | Reward for "Big in Japan"                            |

Mantis Blades are arm cyberware, not a weapon, so they aren't on this list. A Sandevistan blade build often runs a katana and Mantis Blades together.

## Best weapon for each build

![A rider on a red motorcycle speeds past a car during a Dogtown chase, official Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty screenshot](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/4e/cb4ed481-0c15-45c5-af06-fb31e16cb400/content/images/2026/11/cpw-builds.jpg)

| Build                  | Main weapon                  | Backup         |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------- | -------------- |
| Netrunner (quickhacks) | Yinglong (Smart SMG)         | Skippy         |
| Sandevistan blade      | Errata                       | Satori         |
| Dual-wield gunslinger  | Malorian Arms 3516 + Amnesty | Kongou + Pride |
| Shotgun tank           | Guts                         | Sovereign      |
| Stealth assassin       | Overwatch                    | Rasetsu (PL)   |
| Tech (charge shots)    | Comrade's Hammer             | Breakthrough   |

The full builds, with attribute splits for level 50 and 60, are in our [Cyberpunk 2077 best builds for Update 2.5](https://www.geekyinc.com/cyberpunk-2077-best-builds-update-2-5-2026/).

## Cyberpunk 2077 weapons FAQ

### What is the best weapon in Cyberpunk 2077?

The Malorian Arms 3516\. It's in the base game, it can be dual-wielded in Update 2.5, and it does +150% headshot damage. For a non-pistol pick, Comrade's Hammer and the Ba Xing Chong are just as strong.

### Did Update 2.5 change any weapons?

No weapon numbers changed. The official notes add the Double Trouble perk for dual-wielding Power pistols and revolvers, plus a new five-piece gear set from the Clampdown side quest, but list no new Iconics and no weapon balance changes.

### Which weapons can you dual-wield?

Only Power pistols and Power revolvers. Of the Iconics in this list, that's the Malorian Arms 3516, Amnesty, Kongou, Pride, Rosco and Ol' Reliable.

### Can you upgrade any weapon?

No. Since Update 2.0, only Iconic weapons (and cyberware) can be upgraded, at the crafting bench, up to Tier 5++.

## The bottom line

Pick up the Malorian Arms 3516 in "Chippin' In", craft Comrade's Hammer once you reach Arroyo, and grab Satori during The Heist if you want a sword. With those three you'll have a top-tier weapon in every slot by the middle of the game. Phantom Liberty owners should add Rasetsu as their sniper.

**Want the next Cyberpunk guide first?** [Subscribe to Geeky Inc. It's free, and we send new tier lists and build guides when they go up.](https://www.geekyinc.com/#/portal/signup)

**Keep playing — more tier lists & build guides**

- [Cyberpunk 2077 Best Builds 2026 (Update 2.5)](https://www.geekyinc.com/cyberpunk-2077-best-builds-update-2-5-2026/)
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- [Oblivion Remastered Best Builds 2026](https://www.geekyinc.com/oblivion-remastered-best-builds-2026/)
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[Browse all RPG tier lists & build guides →](https://www.geekyinc.com/rpg-tier-lists-build-guides/)

*Images: official Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty screenshots from CD Projekt Red (Steam store pages) and the official Update 2.5 key art from cyberpunk.net.*