In the sprawling, neon-drenched metropolis of Night City, players have discovered countless ways to tackle the challenges presented by Cyberpunk 2077. Among the myriad of character builds and playstyles, one particular approach has recently been showcased as the ultimate cheat code for one of the game's most thrilling side activities: the street races. A viral gameplay clip has perfectly demonstrated why choosing the Netrunner path can turn these high-speed competitions from tense rivalries into laughably one-sided affairs. With the game now in a vastly improved state compared to its controversial launch, players are diving back into multiple playthroughs, experimenting with different stats, cyberware, and weapon types to craft their ideal version of V. While some seek the ultimate power fantasy with the most broken builds imaginable, others impose strict restrictions for a greater challenge. However, when it comes to efficiently breezing through Claire Russell's street racing questline, the Netrunner's unique toolkit offers a path of least resistance that is both comically effective and undeniably satisfying.
The Netrunner's Race-Day Secret Weapon
The classic approach to winning a street race is straightforward: have the fastest car and the sharpest driving skills. One mistimed turn or collision can mean the difference between victory and defeat. However, a clever Redditor revealed the Netrunner's ingenious alternative. Instead of engaging in a fair fight on the asphalt, Netrunners can simply... remove the competition. The key lies in the Self-Destruct Quickhack. By targeting an opponent's vehicle on the starting line and uploading this devastating hack, players can watch as rival cars spectacularly explode before the race even properly begins. This tactic is not just effective; it's hilariously overpowered, reducing what is meant to be a test of driving prowess into a brief and explosive spectacle. It’s a perfect example of how Cyberpunk 2077's flexible systems allow for creative, and sometimes game-breaking, problem-solving.
Why This Build Excels in Claire's Questline
Players encounter the street races through the compelling side quest "The Beast in Me," alongside the enigmatic bartender Claire Russell. Her motivations for racing are shrouded in mystery, gradually unraveling as players progress, adding narrative weight to each event. While playing as a Netrunner doesn't alter this storyline, it dramatically simplifies the gameplay challenges:
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Guaranteed Victory: The Self-Destruct strategy virtually ensures a win in every standard race, allowing players to focus on the story and dialogue.
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Simplified Finale: The quest's climax involves a dramatic shift in objective—instead of winning a race, the goal is to eliminate a specific target, Samson. For a Netrunner, this transition is seamless. The same suite of combat quickhacks used to dominate firefights (like Short Circuit or System Reset) can be deployed to disable the target's vehicle or directly attack the driver, making this potentially tricky mission much more manageable.
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Resource Efficiency: Winning races traditionally might require investing in better vehicles or spending Eddie's on performance upgrades. The Netrunner method bypasses this entirely, relying on intelligence and cyberware.
The State of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2026
Fast forward to 2026, and Cyberpunk 2077 stands as a testament to post-launch redemption. The game has been transformed through years of updates and the acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion, which reinvigorated the community with its spy-thriller narrative and the revamped district of Dogtown. While developer CD Projekt Red has confirmed that a sequel, codenamed Orion, is in the early conceptual stages, the studio's primary development focus remains on the next installment of The Witcher series. This means fans eager to return to Night City have the current, polished version of Cyberpunk 2077 as their playground for the foreseeable future. The game's deep RPG systems, including the Netrunner build, continue to offer fresh and entertaining ways to experience its content, whether you're a new player or a veteran starting another run.
Build Diversity: More Than Just Hacking
While the Netrunner build offers a unique advantage for specific challenges like street races, it's important to note the diverse build options available in 828828
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