Best Pistol in Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Weapons Guide

Cyberpunk 2077 offers a massive arsenal of firearms, but handguns remain the absolute favorite for many V builds. Whether you want to roleplay as Johnny Silverhand, clear rooms with smart-targeting, or pull off stylish stealth headshots, picking the right sidearm changes everything. Finding the best pistol in Cyberpunk 2077 depends heavily on your playstyle, perks, and whether you are running the base game or the Phantom Liberty expansion.

In this guide, we break down the top-performing iconic pistols in Night City, analyzing their unique traits, damage outputs, and the best ways to acquire them.

Top Contenders for Best Pistol in Cyberpunk 2077

While standard power, tech, and smart pistols drop frequently off enemies, Iconic weapons stand out thanks to unique modifiers, distinct firing mechanics, and massive upgrade potential. Here are the top contenders that frequently fight for the top spot.

1. Pride (Power Pistol)

If raw, unadulterated critical damage is your goal, Pride is arguably the best power pistol in the game. Tied to Rogue’s ending path, this weapon rewards precise aim with staggering headshot multipliers and a high chance to apply critical hits. Coupled with the right Cool perks, you can drop cyberpsychos in just a couple of well-placed shots.

2. Malorian Arms 3516 (Power Pistol)

Johnny Silverhand’s iconic pistol is as stylish as it is deadly. While its base stats might look modest compared to late-game weapons, its special ability allows V to shoot through cover using built-in flamethrower-adjacent micro-projectiles. It also features a gorgeous, flashy reload animation that never gets old. For pure immersion and solid mid-game combat, it's a top-tier choice.

3. Her Majesty (Power Pistol)

Introduced in the Phantom Liberty expansion, Her Majesty is Agent Reed's custom pistol. This is hands-down the best pistol in Cyberpunk 2077 for stealth builds. When using its unique optical camouflage scope, it grants a massive damage bonus and guarantees critical hits while you remain undetected. It makes Very Hard difficulty feel like a breeze for stealth players.

Video: Cyberpunk 2077 Top FIVE Stealth Pistols in 2025

4. Kongou (Power Pistol)

Found very early in the game during the heist mission at Yorinobu Arasaka's penthouse, Kongou is an incredible early-game weapon that remains viable for a long time. It features an integrated ricochet processor that doesn't require optic cyberware, allowing you to bounce bullets around corners with ease.

5. The Divided We Stand (Smart Pistol)

If you prefer locking onto targets rather than aiming down sights, this smart pistol fires a burst of five chemical-damage rounds that track multiple targets simultaneously. While technically a submachine gun frame, it handles like a heavy pistol and melts crowds of gangers in seconds.

Comparing Pistol Classes: Power vs. Tech vs. Smart

To choose the right sidearm, you need to understand how the three pistol archetypes scale with your attributes and perks under the 2.0 overhaul.

• Power Pistols: Rely on high raw damage and ricocheting bullets off walls. They scale exceptionally well with Reflexes and Cool, offering unmatched headshot lethality.
• Tech Pistols: Can charge up shots to penetrate solid cover and armor. Weapons like the *Overture* variants or specific iconic tech handguns punish enemies hiding behind concrete walls.
• Smart Pistols: Feature auto-targeting micro-guidance systems. Perfect for fast-paced, high-mobility builds where you are sliding, dodging, and jumping constantly.

Best Builds for Pistol Mains

To truly maximize the potential of top-tier handguns, your perk tree distribution matters immensely. Here is how to construct a lethal pistol build in Night City:

1. Max Out Reflexes: Invest heavily in the Reflexes tree to unlock perks like *Dodge*, *Air Dash*, and mobility enhancements that keep you safe while closing the distance.
2. Invest in Cool: The Cool attribute tree houses all the crucial handgun buffs. Grab perks that increase headshot damage, critical chance while moving, and stability.
3. Utilize Tailored Cyberware: Equip operating systems like the Sandevistan or Cyberdeck alongside optic mods that boost your crit chance and damage output.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best pistol in Cyberpunk 2077 comes down to personal preference and your chosen skill tree. If you want unmatched stealth dominance, grab *Her Majesty*. If you want classic high-damage gunplay with critical stacking, aim for *Pride*. Experiment with these iconic handguns, mod them with high-tier attachments, and carve your own legend in Night City.

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