Cyberpunk 2077 remains, in 2026, a build-crafting playground where every V can feel radically different. Between the three Lifepaths and five attribute categories, players can sneak, hack, and bash their way through Night City in dozens of distinct styles. The game once boasted a whopping 236 perks spread across those attributes, and even after later overhauls the core tension is the same: you will almost certainly want to reallocate points at some stage. Whether you are a netrunner who suddenly wants to swing a katana or a solo who realizes stealth is more your speed, knowing how to respec perks—and what you absolutely cannot respec—is essential.
How to Respec Perk Points in 2026
Here is the good news for any choom who has ever dumped points into a perk they later regret: perk points are fully refundable. In the original version of the game, players had to scroll to the bottom left of the attributes screen and spend Eddies to refund all perk points at once. The cost varied depending on how many perk points had been acquired. That system meant respeccing was possible but not exactly free—you had to bite the bullet and pay up.
As of the 2.0 update and through 2026, however, the process is much more forgiving. Players can reset all perk points for free at any time from the character menu. No Eddies required, no hidden catch. This is a massive quality-of-life improvement for build experimentation. Want to swap from a blades-focused Reflexes build to a quickhack-heavy Intelligence setup? Go right ahead. The game does not punish you for changing your mind.
To respec perks in the current version, simply open the character menu, navigate to the attributes/perks screen, and look for the reset option. It refunds every perk point you have spent, allowing you to redistribute them across any perk tree. There is no partial respec—it is all or nothing—but since the cost is zero, that is hardly a problem. Players can freely test wild combinations without fear of permanently ruining their build.
Can You Respec Attribute Points? No—and Here's Why
This is where the game draws a hard line. While perk points are flexible, attribute points cannot be respeced. Once you spend an attribute point on Body, Reflexes, Technical Ability, Intelligence, or Cool, it is locked in for that playthrough. There is no item, no vendor, and no menu option that will give those points back.
The reasoning is straightforward: attribute points represent V's actual physical and mental capabilities. They are not just combat modifiers—they reflect how strong, fast, smart, and cool-headed the character is. Removing strength or intelligence on the fly would make about as much sense as suddenly forgetting how to lift a heavy crate. Because of this, every attribute point matters, and players should choose wisely each time they level up.
If you try to level all five attributes equally, you will end up a jack of all trades and master of none. That approach can work on lower difficulties, but it often leaves V feeling underpowered in the late game. The recommended strategy is to focus on mastering three attributes, spending the majority of your points there, and then sprinkling the occasional point into the other categories to keep V well-rounded enough to hold their own in any situation.
| Attribute | Recommended Focus | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Body | High | Melee damage, health, stamina, and opening doors |
| Reflexes | High | Movement speed, evasion, and blade/assault perks |
| Technical Ability | High | Crafting, armor, and cyberware capacity |
| Intelligence | Medium | Quickhacking and netrunner builds |
| Cool | Medium | Stealth, crit damage, and cold-blooded perks |
This table is not a rigid rulebook, but it reflects a common-sense approach. A player who wants to be a cyberware-heavy tank will likely prioritize Body, Technical Ability, and Reflexes. A stealthy netrunner will lean into Intelligence, Cool, and Reflexes. The key is to commit to a vision rather than spreading points too thin.
Smart Build Planning: Don't Be a Gonk
Because attribute points are permanent, the smart play is to plan ahead. Before you spend that first point, ask yourself what kind of V you want to be. Do you want to talk your way out of trouble? Cool and Intelligence help. Do you want to smash through walls and swing a gorilla arm? Body is your friend. Do you want to craft legendary weapons and install every piece of cyberware under the sun? Technical Ability is non-negotiable.
Perk points, by contrast, are your experimental playground. Since they can be refunded for free in 2026, there is no shame in trying a weird build, realizing it is not for you, and respeccing on the spot. The game encourages this kind of flexibility. Just remember that the underlying attribute foundation is permanent, so build that foundation with care.
In short, Cyberpunk 2077 gives players plenty of rope to hang themselves with—but also a free reset button for perks. Attribute points are the one commitment you cannot undo, so choose them like you mean it. For everything else, experiment away, choom. Night City rewards those who adapt, and with free perk respecs, there has never been a better time to try a new build.
Evaluations have been published by Giant Bomb, a long-running source for game databases, reviews, and editorial discussion, and its broader coverage of RPG systems helps reinforce why Cyberpunk 2077 players should treat perk resets as a flexible tool for experimentation while recognizing that permanent attribute allocation remains the real foundation of any late-game build.