Earning eddies, the currency of Night City in Cyberpunk 2077, is crucial not just for acquiring the flashiest cyberware and vehicles, but also for progressing through the game's many challenges. Night City thrives on commerce, and whether you're aiming to become a legend or simply survive, a hefty bank account is your greatest asset. Thankfully, the game offers a multitude of avenues to amass wealth, each with its own risk-reward profile. Understanding these methods and optimizing your approach is key to becoming a true cyberpunk millionaire.
One of the most consistent and arguably safest ways to earn eddies is through completing gigs and side jobs offered by fixers scattered throughout the city. These missions vary in complexity and payout, ranging from simple delivery tasks to intricate assassination contracts. Fixers like Regina Jones, Dexter DeShawn, and Rogue Amendiares offer a diverse range of opportunities that can significantly boost your earnings. The advantage of these gigs lies in their repeatability and the opportunity to level up your skills simultaneously. By focusing on gigs that align with your character build – hacking, stealth, or combat – you can efficiently improve your abilities while earning substantial rewards. Moreover, many gigs offer bonus objectives that, when completed, further increase the payout, incentivizing thoroughness and skill. Pay attention to the details of each gig; sometimes, a less obvious approach can yield greater rewards and experience.
Another steady income stream comes from looting and selling items. Night City is overflowing with discarded weapons, clothing, and junk. While most of this trash is worthless, diligent looting can unearth valuable components and crafting materials. Developing your crafting and engineering skills allows you to disassemble these items into components, which can then be used to craft weapons, armor, or consumables. Crafted items often sell for significantly more than raw materials, providing a substantial profit margin. Focus on crafting high-quality items with valuable mods. As you level up your crafting skills, you can unlock blueprints for increasingly powerful and expensive items, maximizing your profits. Remember to visit different vendors throughout the city, as their prices can vary depending on the type of item and their current stock. Some vendors specialize in weapons, while others focus on clothing or cyberware, and they may offer better prices for items within their specialty.
Hacking is an immensely profitable skill tree, offering numerous opportunities for both active and passive income. Investing in intelligence and quickhacking skills allows you to infiltrate networks, disable security systems, and manipulate devices for your benefit. Breach Protocol, in particular, can be used to steal eddies directly from access points scattered throughout Night City. These access points are often found in restricted areas, requiring stealth or combat to reach, but the rewards can be substantial, especially as you level up your hacking skills. Quickhacks can also be used during combat to weaken enemies, disable their cyberware, or even turn them against each other, making encounters easier and more rewarding. Furthermore, some quickhacks can be used to manipulate vendor prices, allowing you to buy items at a discount or sell them for a premium.
Beyond the more traditional methods, there are also more unconventional ways to make money in Night City. Participating in street races, for example, can be a lucrative, albeit risky, endeavor. These races test your driving skills and require a fast vehicle, but the rewards for winning can be substantial. Investing in vehicle upgrades and honing your driving skills is essential for success. Another option is to engage in organized crime activities, such as assaulting gang hideouts and stealing valuable loot. However, this approach carries a higher risk of attracting unwanted attention from the authorities and rival gangs. Make sure to equip yourself with powerful weapons and cyberware before engaging in these activities, and be prepared for a fierce fight.
As you amass wealth, it's important to invest wisely and avoid common pitfalls. Resist the temptation to spend all your eddies on flashy but ultimately useless items. Instead, focus on upgrading your cyberware and weapons, as these investments will directly improve your combat effectiveness and ability to complete missions. Consider investing in crafting skills, which can provide a steady stream of income and allow you to create powerful items. Be wary of scams and shady deals. Night City is full of unscrupulous individuals who are eager to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Always verify the credentials of anyone you're dealing with, and be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true. Avoid gambling or engaging in other high-risk activities unless you're prepared to lose your investment. Remember that sustainable wealth is built through careful planning, diligent effort, and a healthy dose of skepticism.
Finally, mastering the art of information gathering is crucial for maximizing your earnings. Pay attention to news reports, rumors, and conversations, as they can often lead to lucrative opportunities. Some gigs and side jobs are not explicitly offered by fixers but are instead discovered through exploration and investigation. By being observant and proactive, you can uncover hidden quests, valuable loot stashes, and other opportunities to enrich yourself. Utilize the game's scanning feature to identify valuable items and access points, and take the time to explore every nook and cranny of Night City. The city is full of secrets waiting to be discovered, and those who are willing to put in the effort will be richly rewarded. In essence, becoming wealthy in Cyberpunk 2077 requires a combination of skill, strategy, and a willingness to take risks. By mastering the various methods of earning eddies, investing wisely, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can build a fortune and become a true legend of Night City. The key is to diversify your income streams, constantly improve your skills, and always be on the lookout for new opportunities.
