This guide is made for the steam version of the game and windows 10.

You will need the game, an unzipping tool (depending on if you decide to manually install anything), and a mod manager (unless you want to manually do it all which is what I've been doing like a mad man until now because screw redmod) I use Winrar[www.win-rar.com] but many people prefer 7zip as usual use what you prefer. As for mod managers as usual I use NMM unless the game requires a specific MM Nexus Mod Manager[github.com]

Finally you'll need a nexus account so you can download the mods on there. Nexus website for Cyberpunk 2077[www.nexusmods.com]

I'll do my best to keep this guide updated if any mod becomes outdated and i haven't tweaked feel free to notify me. Whenever you download a mod whether its from this guide or on your own volition check the requirements and make sure you meet them ahead of time as some of these essential mods require files that aren't on nexus but they will give you a download link.

You guys are always welcome to suggest new mods to this guide like any of my guides.

These are all core mods that are building blocks for pretty much the majority of the mods available. Like in my other modding guides if I provide no specific installation instructions assume a mod manager install. If something needs to be installed manually I will mention it.

Cyber Engine Tweaks[www.nexusmods.com]
Not only a core mod but allows you to disable annoying things like intro movies/logos, get rid of vignette etc.

RED4ext[www.nexusmods.com]
Script extender baby!

redscript[www.nexusmods.com]
Script compiler.

ArchiveXL[www.nexusmods.com]
Basically allows multiple mods to play nice.

TweakXL[www.nexusmods.com]
TweakDB modifications loader and script extensions

Codeware[www.nexusmods.com]
Script extensions.

Native Settings UI[www.nexusmods.com]
Allows mods to have in game settings.

Mod Settings[www.nexusmods.com]
Similar to the previous mod but relies on RED4ext instead of CET.

Material and Texture Override[www.nexusmods.com]
Allows the game to load new textures & materials. Use the legacy version (this guide is not a redmod guide).

Input Loader[www.nexusmods.com]
Merges input xml files for you.

Optional RadioExt[www.nexusmods.com]
Allows custom radio stations.

These are mods that I personally think bring the game up to the next level and I strongly recommend. As usual cherry pick what you like but these mods will really make you feel like a cyberpunk (at least the gameplay overhauls).

Equipment-EX[www.nexusmods.com]
Powerful transmog system with 30+ clothing slots / Outfit manager.

Cyberware-EX[www.nexusmods.com]
Cyberware slot expansions as in the lore V essentially has little to no limits.
Choose between 3 different variants (I use override as I rather just pay for the unlocks as its in line with how in this universe having money basically allows you to really chrome tf up).
Use Cyberarm Cycle[www.nexusmods.com] with this mod if you have multiple cyber arms. Requires KingCode[www.nexusmods.com] Get the bypass patch as well if you want to bypass body checks with gorilla arms.

More Cyberware Capacity per level[www.nexusmods.com]
Adam himself will cry at the amount of chrome V's rocking.

Better Vehicle Handling[www.nexusmods.com]
Makes the handling for vehicles a bit better.

Car Modification Shop[www.nexusmods.com]
Allows you to upgrade your cars stats at a physical shop.

Cyberpunk 2077 HD Reworked Project[www.nexusmods.com]
This is the same modder that did the mods of a similar vein for witcher 3 and starfield. As usual it hits hard.

Edgerunners Lucy NPC - Spawns in Night City plus AMM and Nibbles Replacer[www.nexusmods.com]
For us Edgerunners fans that can't let go... Adds Lucy to a few different locations.

2077 More Gore V2.5[www.nexusmods.com]
More Blood Splatters[www.nexusmods.com]
More Frequent Dismemberment[www.nexusmods.com]
These three together bring some much needed gore into the fold.

Enhanced Craft[www.nexusmods.com]
Crafting Overhaul.

Spicy HUDs - More UI and HUD colors[www.nexusmods.com]
Allows you to have different color schemes for your hud.

Silent Silencers and Throwing Knives[www.nexusmods.com]
Stealth no longer breaks if you do not one shot enemies.

JB - TPP MOD WIP third person[www.nexusmods.com]
Very janky TPS mod. Decent for drip checks and walking around the city.

Panam Body Enhanced 2.1[www.nexusmods.com]
Overhauls Panam's body and a requirement for Alternative Clothes for Panam Body Enhanced[www.nexusmods.com] ( I use Underboob with Ripped Jeans - OPTIONAL SET.) I recommend a manual install for this one especially if your grabbing a version that has multiple outfits as NMM will install them both (you can also install it and then delete the outfit you don't want).

Panam Romanced Enhanced[www.nexusmods.com]
Adds a bit more to the romance post completion. If using this mod with panam body enhanced you must add a z_ to this mods archive file.


spawn0 - BODY MOD 2.0 - in game better body shape[www.nexusmods.com]
Body mods for NPCs. I only use the ones for Evelyn and Judy which require
Framework - Unique Evelyn Body Shape - Rig[www.nexusmods.com] &
Framework - Unique Judy Body Shape - Rig[www.nexusmods.com]
Either manual install the bodies you want or after installing with your MM delete the extra bodies from your ...\Cyberpunk 2077\archive\pc\mod folder.

Judy Romanced Enhanced[www.nexusmods.com]
Adds a bit more to the romance post completion. For users that want to romance her with a male V. That mod was taken down (very funny since the panam romance for female V is still up. Good to see nexusmods being hypocritical as usual) the next best thing is to input this into the console right before pyramid song. Game.GetQuestsSystem():SetFactStr("judy_romanceable", 1)

Arasaka Cyberarms[www.nexusmods.com]
Requires Cyberarms Patch[www.nexusmods.com]
This mod allows you to not only customize how your cyber arms look but also customize the appearance of the type of arm ie color of your mantis blades or monowire. I have installed this mod multiple times manually and man it sucks. It it so nice to use a manager for once lol.

Enhanced DualSense Support[www.nexusmods.com]
Requires DSX (version 2)
The game didn't always have haptic feedback and adaptive triggers so this mod was basically needed for those features. Now it does have these features. However many would argue the mod does it better (and is very customizable).

The 24.7 I Really Want To Stay At Your House Radio (RadioExt)[www.nexusmods.com]
Fantastic radio mod that has a station that only plays different variations of this song. Unfortunately it has been moved to Schaken-Mods[schaken-mods.com] which is a paid mod site.

Actual Chrome Compression[www.nexusmods.com]
Due to v 2.11 lowering the cyberware cap to 450 (480 w edgerunner) this mod is now essential for anyone who is doing a fully decked out chrome build.

Pathtracing and Raytracing Optimized INI Tweaks[www.nexusmods.com]
A little extra performance for people who use ray tracing.

These are mods that I used to use and no longer do so either because they are broken and need to be updated or I have replaced them with a better mod.

Broken Let There Be Flight[www.nexusmods.com]
One of the most ambitious and amazing mods for this game ever. It hasn't been updated in a while though so still currently broken.

Replaced Optimized Raytracing[www.nexusmods.com]

Obsolete Playstation Prompt cyberfix[www.nexusmods.com]
No longer required as the game now has playstation prompts natively.

Obsolete System-EX[www.nexusmods.com]
Replaced by Cyberware-EX.

Deleted Romanceable Judy for male V [www.nexusmods.com] Taken down by nexusmods. Input this into the console right before pyramid song. Game.GetQuestsSystem():SetFactStr("judy_romanceable", 1) for substitution.

Q: I need further 1 on 1 help and this comment section won't cut it.

A: The random FRs are killing me so here is my YT/Modding Discord[discord.gg] I will be able to help you out much further if the situation is beyond comments and if you gotta upload photos for better support.

Q: Dude why does this game run so bad?

A: The game could be more optimized but the game is very CPU bound. You just need a nice build if you want to run it on higher settings. There's nothing you can do than using dynamic res or DLSS/FSR/Intel XESS.

Q: How long before this guide is like your other guides?

A: If you mean a massive mod list. I just personally haven't ran into a lot of mods I want. By all means recommend me a few mods and if they interest me enough I can test it with this list.

Q: NMM sucks use MO2

A: You couldn't pay me to use MO2

Q: Why do I need to do so much work to play this game. This is ridiculous

A: Try manually modding this game heck manual modding in this game isn't even that bad. There's a lot of other games with very difficult modding scenes.

Q: Can I update mods mid save/playthrough ?

A: I've done it so many times with no issues (recently I did brick a skyrim save tho) but you always risk ruining a save file so only do it knowing the risk that it may work out, you might have bugs later or you may lose the file.

Q: Can I remove mods or add mods mid save/playthrough?

A: See previous question. Certain mods though are safe for removal mid run and the mod author will make note of that. YMMV at the end of the day.

Q: This guide helped me how I can show my thanks?

A: Leaving feedback and a Thank you is more than enough for me. I made these guides to help people so by leaving feedback you make the guide more visible to more people that could use the help. And if that's not enough for you I do make content on YT checking out a video would mean a lot to me but do not feel obligated to do so. As I said before feedback and a thank you is already more than enough.

Q: Can you make a modding guide for X game?

A: If there is demand for it and I have experience modding the game. Yes I will. Just bear in mind these guides are a massive time sink and helping people troubleshoot does take a lot of time so you guys gotta let me know. Put the demand into it. You want a modding guide for a game please comment, let me know on the discord etc. The more demand it has the higher it will go on.

And thats about it for now at least. May add or remove things as time goes on.

So if you do run into issues feel free to drop a comment I'll do my best to help troubleshooting but if you are not using NMM there won't be much I can do unless its a simple fix as these MMs work differently and can cause different issues. Thanks for reading everyone and I hope this helped your Cyberpunk 2077. Whether you came here for the whole enchilada or 1 small piece of information or mod that's enough for me knowing I helped you out just a little.


As I write up more mod guides I will link them below:

Morrowind 2024 Essential Modding Guide

Oblivion 2024 Essential Modding Guide

Fallout 3 2024 Essential Modding Guide

Fallout New Vegas 2024 Essential Modding Guide

Fallout 4 2024 Essential Modding Guide

Skyrim SE 2024 Essential Modding Guide

Starfield 2024 Essential Modding Guide (WIP)

Baldur's Gate 3 2024 Modding Guide (WIP)

The Witcher 3 2024 Modding Guide