How to Create Custom Characters in Cyberpunk 2077

Diving into the neon-drenched streets of Night City is an unforgettable experience, and it all begins with creating your own version of V. Character creation in Cyberpunk 2077 isn't just a cosmetic choice; it's the foundation of your entire journey, defining your background, your abilities, and how you interact with this sprawling metropolis. For anyone wondering how to create custom characters in Cyberpunk 2077 that feel truly unique and powerful, this guide will walk you through every step, ensuring your V is ready to become a legend.

Your Origins: Lifepath and Appearance

The very first major choice you'll make is your Lifepath. This decision establishes V's origin story and unlocks a unique prologue mission and special dialogue options throughout the game. You can choose from three distinct backgrounds:

• Nomad: You start in the Badlands outside Night City, part of a close-knit clan. This path gives you a deep understanding of vehicles and family dynamics.

• Streetkid: You grew up on the streets of Heywood, familiar with the gangs, fixers, and the unwritten rules of survival in the urban jungle.

• Corpo: You begin as an agent for the ruthless Arasaka Corporation, giving you insight into the world of corporate espionage and manipulation.

Once your Lifepath is set, it's time for the fun part: customizing V's appearance. The character creator is incredibly detailed, allowing for a level of personalization that helps you connect with your protagonist on a deeper level. You can tweak everything from hairstyle and eye color to cyberware and tattoos. Don't stress too much about getting every detail perfect from the start. As of 2025, the game allows for plenty of post-creation changes.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can change later and where:

Aspect	Changeable After Start?	Where to Change
Body Type & Voice	No	Character Creation Only
Facial & Body Tattoos	No	Character Creation Only
Hairstyle & Color	Yes	Apartment Mirror, Ripperdoc
Makeup & Piercings	Yes	Apartment Mirror, Ripperdoc
Cyberware & Scars	Yes	Ripperdoc
Most Body Features	Yes	Ripperdoc

Defining Your Abilities: Attributes

Attributes are the core stats that define your character's raw potential. You are given 7 points to distribute among five attributes at the beginning of the game, and these choices are permanent, so think carefully about the kind of V you want to be! Each point invested will shape your playstyle significantly.

• Body: Governs your health, stamina, and physical strength. Essential for melee builds and for forcing open doors.

• Reflexes: Enhances your movement speed, evasion, and proficiency with blades, assault rifles, and handguns.

• Technical Ability: Unlocks your potential with tech weapons, explosives, and crafting. It also allows you to bypass security systems and open technical doors.

• Intelligence: The key to becoming a master netrunner. This attribute boosts your quickhacking abilities, allowing you to manipulate enemies and the environment.

• Cool: Increases your critical damage, stealth effectiveness, and unlocks unique "cool" dialogue options that can often de-escalate situations or provide a slick advantage.

Your initial distribution sets the tone, but you'll gain more attribute points as you level up. With the Phantom Liberty expansion, the level cap is increased to 60, giving you even more room to grow your V into a specialized powerhouse.

Honing Your Craft: Skills and Perks

While Attributes are your foundation, Skills and Perks are how you specialize. There are five main Skills—Headhunter, Netrunner, Shinobi, Solo, and Engineer—that level up automatically as you perform related actions. For example, using quickhacks will level up your Netrunner skill, while using blunt weapons and shotguns will level up your Solo skill.

Leveling these skills unlocks powerful passive bonuses and, more importantly, valuable Perk Points. You can spend these points in a vast array of perk trees tied to your attributes. Want to be a stealthy ninja who can slow time? Invest in the Cool and Reflexes trees. Prefer to be a walking tank that can rip turrets from their mounts? Pour your points into the Body tree. The best part is that you can reset your Perk Points (for a fee), allowing you to experiment with different builds throughout your playthrough without having to start over. 😉

Why Customize in a First-Person Game?

Some players ask, "What's the point of detailed customization in a first-person game?" It's a fair question, but in Cyberpunk 2077, your character is far from invisible. You'll see your custom V in:

• The inventory and character screens.

• Reflections in mirrors and windows.

• During third-person motorcycle riding sequences.

• In the incredibly versatile Photo Mode.

• During crucial cutscenes and especially in the game's multiple endings.

Beyond just seeing them, the act of creation is about immersion. It's about building your V, a character that reflects the story you want to tell. Whether you're recreating yourself or crafting a completely original persona, this process forges a connection that makes every choice and every battle feel more personal. It's your chance to decide who you are in the dark future. Now get out there and become a legend, choom! 🤘

The above analysis is based on reports from Destructoid, a respected source for gaming news and reviews. Destructoid's coverage of Cyberpunk 2077's character customization emphasizes the depth and flexibility of the system, noting how the game's updates have expanded options for personalizing V, from appearance tweaks to skill resets, making each playthrough feel distinct and tailored to the player's vision.