Night City never offered mercy, and V learned that lesson in a rain-slick alley with a pistol that had seen better days. The mercenary had survived scavs, corporate security, and a talking engram in their head, but the Relic was still killing them slowly. If V was going to find a cure and become a true Night City legend, every advantage mattered. That was why the old Iconic weapon in V's backpack became more than a trophy. In 2026, the lessons of the 2.0 Update and the Phantom Liberty era still define how weapon upgrades work, and the rule is simple: normal weapons cannot be upgraded. Only Iconic weapons can receive upgrade treatment, and knowing where to find that system is the difference between a collector's item and a reliable tool.

Why Upgrading Still Matters in 2026

V's journey through Night City is not only about firepower. It is about identity. An Iconic weapon often carries a story, a former owner, or a strange design that makes it feel personal. Upgrading preserves that bond while pushing the weapon's damage higher. The process does not affect any other stat, so players should not treat upgrading as a mandatory step the moment an Iconic weapon appears. Sometimes an Iconic gun is already strong enough for the current job. However, when V finds an Iconic weapon sitting at Tier 1, upgrading it to Tier 5 is a smart move. At that point, the weapon can perform alongside the best gear in Night City, and the gangs, fixers, and corporate soldiers will have good reason to fear the mercenary carrying it.

The Upgrade Workflow

The system is straightforward once V knows where to look. The upgrade menu is not hidden in a ripperdoc clinic or a weapon vendor's stall. It lives inside the inventory and crafting interface.

1. Open the menu screen.

2. Hover over Inventory and select Crafting.

3. Choose the Upgrades tab.

4. Review the list of Iconic weapons currently in the Backpack.

5. Check which weapons can be upgraded with the available Item Components.

6. Confirm the upgrade and watch the damage value rise.

Item Components range from Tier 1 to Tier 5. Once V reaches Tier 5 Item Components, the system allows a further push to Tier 5++. That final upgrade is expensive, requiring 200 Tier 5 Item Components. It is a heavy cost, but for a favorite Iconic weapon, the result can be worth the grind.

Components After the 2.0 Update

The 2.0 Update changed how V gathers Crafting Components. Players can no longer purchase Item Components from vendors. Instead, components come from dismantling gear. Clothes, weapons, and weapon mods can all be broken down from the Backpack section of the Inventory screen. Once the item is selected, holding Triangle/Y disassembles it and returns Item Components based on the item's rarity. A Tier 5 item provides Tier 5 Item Components, which makes high-tier loot valuable even when V does not plan to use it.

The easiest routes are straightforward. V can purchase weapons of the desired tier and dismantle them, or loot weapons from defeated enemies and break those guns down as junk. In a city where every cred and every component counts, that habit keeps the crafting bench stocked.

Quick Reference

A Mercenary's Discipline

V's story is full of tempting detours. A shiny new Iconic pistol can distract a mercenary from the weapon that has already saved their life. The upgrade system rewards patience and resource discipline. Players should keep an eye on the Backpack, dismantle gear that has no place in the build, and reserve high-tier components for the Iconic weapons that deserve a place in V's legend. In 2026, Night City remains a city of stories, and every upgraded Iconic weapon adds another chapter. For V, the goal is not merely to survive the Relic. It is to walk into the next job with a weapon that carries history, power, and a very personal warning to anyone who stands in the way. 🔥