Key Highlights:
- An early look at Cyberpunk 2077’s redesigned perk system shows a much more structured skill tree.
- The image highlights Assault, Handguns and Blades alongside larger ability nodes and supporting perks.
- CD Projekt Red is overhauling several core gameplay systems ahead of Phantom Liberty’s September launch.
A first look at Cyberpunk 2077’s redesigned perk system has appeared online ahead of Phantom Liberty, showing a more structured approach to character progression.
The image, shared after Phantom Liberty demonstrations at Summer Game Fest 2023, shows the Reflexes progression for Assault, Handguns and Blades arranged into more clearly defined branches rather than the much flatter perk layout used in the current game.
The screenshot was circulated by New Blood Interactive CEO Dave Oshry before being shared more widely by Cyberpunk 2077 players.
Rather than filling each category with numerous small passive upgrades, the redesigned layout appears to organise progression around larger central abilities supported by secondary perks.
At this stage, the exact behaviour of many of those abilities has not been officially detailed, so their effects should not be treated as final based on the screenshot alone.
The skill-tree changes form part of a much broader gameplay overhaul first demonstrated through the Phantom Liberty Summer Game Fest build, which also revealed changes to Cyberware, the interface and other core systems.
CD Projekt Red has already confirmed Phantom Liberty will launch on September 26 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with the expansion abandoning the previous-generation PS4 and Xbox One versions.
The Phantom Liberty release date was confirmed earlier this month alongside a new trailer introducing Dogtown and further details about V’s mission involving NUSA President Rosalind Myers.
One detail that remains unclear is exactly how the redesigned perks will be divided between the expansion and the wider Cyberpunk 2077 update expected alongside it.
Later update: CD Projekt Red ultimately released the redesigned perk trees as part of the free Update 2.0 on September 21, 2023. The overhaul reduced the number of minor statistical perks in favour of abilities with a larger effect on combat and movement, including Overclock, Adrenaline Rush and new mobility options. Phantom Liberty separately introduced its own Relic skill tree, which is unlocked through Songbird and upgraded using Relic Points found in Dogtown.
