Cyberpunk 2077 Ripperdoc Cyberware Guide: Best by Location
Welcome back to the streets of Night City, choom. You’ve got your iron, your threads, and a burning desire to make a name for yourself. But if you're not visiting a Ripperdoc regularly, you're not just playing on hard mode—you're missing out on what truly makes a legend in 2077. Cyberware isn't just about looking cool with a shiny arm; it's the foundation of your entire build, your survivability, and your style.
This guide is your one-stop shop for navigating the maze of chrome and bioware. We're not just listing the best cyberware; we're doing it the smart way—by location. Night City is a sprawling beast, and knowing which Ripperdoc to hit up for that specific, game-changing implant is half the battle. We'll break down the must-have cyberware, tell you exactly which back-alley surgeon to see, and explain why it's the best choice for your build. No more wasting precious Eddies on a subpar install.
Let's get you chromed up.
Understanding the Ripperdoc Ecosystem
Before we dive into the locations, a quick primer. Ripperdocs are not created equal. While they all offer a base set of common implants, their real value lies in their Iconic inventory—unique, high-tier cyberware you can't find anywhere else. Your access to this inventory is often tied to your Street Cred. So, if a doc isn't offering you the good stuff, maybe you need to go cause a little more chaos and boost your rep.
Also, remember that cyberware is divided into slots: Frontal Cortex, Ocular System, Operating System, Circulatory System, Immune System, Nervous System, Integumentary System, Skeleton, Arms, and Hands. We'll be focusing on the most impactful pieces across these categories.
The Best Ripperdocs and Their Cyberware by District
Here is your essential travel guide to getting chromed.
1. Watson: The Starting Point and a Hidden Gem
Watson is where most of us start our journey, and it's home to two key Ripperdocs.
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Ripperdoc in Kabuki (Near the 'Kabuki' Fast Travel Point) This is your go-to early-game spot. He’s easy to find and has a solid starter selection. But his real claim to fame is one of the best early-game investments you can make.
Must-Huy Cyberware: The Maneuvering System (Skeleton Slot). Found early on, this cyberware allows you to dodge in mid-air. This isn't just a flashy trick; it's a complete game-changer for mobility. It lets you reposition during firefights, avoid fall damage with a well-timed dodge, and traverse the environment with a fluidity that feels incredible. For any build, but especially for melee and agile shooter builds, this is an unparalleled quality-of-life upgrade.
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Ripperdoc in Little China (Dr. Chrome) Tucked away in a garage, this doc holds a secret that can define your entire combat approach.
Must-Huy Cyberware: Heal-On-Kill (Biomonitor) (Circulatory System). This bio-monitor automatically restores a significant chunk of your health upon defeating an enemy. For any playstyle that involves getting into the thick of combat—be it with a shotgun, a katana, or Sandy-enhanced fists—this is your primary survival tool. It turns a risky assault into a sustainable strategy, constantly topping you up as you tear through gangs. It’s one of the most reliable essential survival cyberware pieces in the game.
2. Westbrook: The Home of High-End Chrome
Welcome to the rich part of town, where the chrome is sleek, expensive, and devastatingly effective. This is where you come to specialize.
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Ripperdoc in Japantown (The Well-Dressed Surgeon) Arguably the most important Ripperdoc visit for any serious build. His inventory is a treasure trove of meta-defining implants.
Must-Huy Cyberware:
- Qiant Sandevistan Mk.4 (Operating System): The cornerstone of the infamous "Sandy" build. This OS doesn't just make you fast; it makes the world stand still. Slowing time by 85% for 8 seconds allows you to eliminate entire squads before they can even lift their weapon. Pair this with the right nervous system cyberware from other docs, and you become an untouchable god of death. It's the ultimate tool for maximizing your Sandevistan potential.
- Kerenzikov (Nervous System): This is your dodge-and-slow-time trigger. A perfect complement to any build, it activates a brief time dilation when you dge while aiming. It’s essential for avoiding sudden bursts of fire and lining up perfect headshots. For the best Sandevistan builds, combining a Kerenzikov with a QianT Mk.4 creates a character who is never in real-time.
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Ripperdoc in Charter Hill (Luxury Clinic) If you're a Netrunner, this is your pilgrimage site. Forget the back alleys; this is a clean, professional clinic for the digital assassin.
Must-Huy Cyberware: Biotech Sigma Mk.3 Cyberdeck (Operating System). While there are flashier decks, the Biotech Sigma Mk.3 is a Netrunner's best friend for one reason: it drastically reduces the cooldown of your Quickhacks. This means you can chain covert quickhacks like "Reboot Optics" and "Weapon Glitch" more frequently, or get your devastating "Suicide" or "System Reset" back online faster. It’s the workhorse deck that enables a relentless, aggressive hacking playstyle.
3. Heywood: Raw Power and Defense
Heywood is all about heart, family, and not going down in a gunfight. Its Ripperdocs reflect that with a focus on raw durability and firepower.
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Ripperdoc in The Glen (Near the Stadium) This doc specializes in keeping you on your feet when the bullets start flying.
Must-Huy Cyberware: Second Heart (Circulatory System). This is the ultimate "oh crap" button. When your health reaches zero, Second Heart automatically revives you to 100% health. It has a cooldown, but it's a literal life-saver for Very Hard difficulty or for when you get caught off-guard by a grenade or sniper. It’s the definitive piece of cyberware for survivability on very hard difficulty.
4. Pacifica: The Home of the Monowire
Pacifica might be a lawless district, but it holds one of the most iconic weapons in the game.
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Ripperdoc at the GIM (Plastic Surgeon) Don't let the rundown exterior fool you. This doc holds the key to one of the most satisfying melee/Netrunner hybrid weapons.
Must-Huy Cyberware: Monowire (Arm Cyberware). The Monowire is a whip made of a single molecule filament that deals massive damage and, crucially, charges your Ultimate Quickhack upload speed with every hit. This makes it the perfect weapon for a combat Netrunner. You can slice through a group of enemies and have your "Cyberpsychosis" or "Detonate Grenade" quickhack ready to go in seconds. It’s a core component for any build looking to optimize a Netrunner build with Monowire synergy.
5. City Center: The Pinnacle of Tech
The heart of Corpo power has the most advanced, and expensive, tech in Night City.
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Ripperdoc in Corpo Plaza (The Top-Tier Surgeon) This is your end-game destination. The chrome here is for legends who have the Eddies and the Street Cred to afford it.
Must-Huy Cyberware:
- Militech "Apogee" Sandevistan (Operating System): The undisputed king of Sandevistans. Faster cooldown, longer duration, and the ability to activate it by aiming (without needing to be in combat) makes it the final evolution of the time-slowing build. If you want to master time itself, you end up here.
- Camillo Ram Manager (Frontal Cortex): This implant is a simple but massive damage booster for one of the most common weapon types: Power weapons. It increases critical chance and critical damage for all Power weapons, making your iconic revolvers and rifles hit like a truck.
- Epic Fortified Ankles (Skeleton): For pure, unadulterated verticality and traversal fun, nothing beats the Epic-level fortified ankles. The hover ability is not just fun; it provides a massive tactical advantage, letting you survey the battlefield and attack from unpredictable angles.
Putting It All Together: Sample Builds by Ripperdoc Route
To truly solve your problem, let's map out a shopping list.
- The Untouchable Samurai: Start in Watson (Kabuki) for the Maneuvering System. Then, head to Westbrook (Japantown) for the Qiant Sandevistan Mk.4 and Kerenzikov. Finish your core in Heywood (The Glen) with Second Heart for insurance. You are now a blur of steel and death.
- The Combat Netrunner: Your first stop is Pacifica (GIM) for the Monowire. Then, travel to Westbrook (Charter Hill) for the Biotech Sigma Mk.3 Cyberdeck. Finally, swing by Watson (Little China) to grab the Heal-On-Kill Biomonitor to stay alive in close quarters.
- The Tank: Begin your journey in Watson (Little China) for the Heal-On-Kill. Save up your Eddies and make a beeline for Heywood (The Glen) to get Second Heart. For your final touch, go to City Center for the Camillo Ram Manager and load up on Power weapons. You are now an unkillable fortress.
Night City is unforgiving, but with the right chrome in the right slots, you can become its master. So get out there, earn those Eddies, build that Street Cred, and visit these Ripperdocs. Your legend awaits, and it’s powered by the best cyberware the city has to offer. Stay safe, choom.
