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This is a ranking by role, not a claim that one deck wins every build. The detailed Tier 5++ figures below are values reported by RPG Site’s 2.0-era guide, not results from current hands-on testing. Update 2.0 substantially changed netrunning, and CD Projekt RED’s Update 2.31 notes, dated 2025-09-11, do not provide a cyberdeck stat table confirming those figures remain unchanged. Check the current in-game description before treating a listed value as definitive.
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Cyberdeck comparison at a glance
| Deck | Best fit | Reported Tier 5++ RAM / capacity / slots | Key trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tetratronic Rippler Mk.5 | Flexible netrunning | 20 RAM / 16 capacity / 8 slots | Rewards varied quickhack queues and Overclock use. |
| Arasaka Mk.5 | Stealth and trace control | 9 RAM / 14 capacity / 8 slots | Trace and covert-hack benefits rather than a large RAM pool. |
| Raven Microcyber Mk.3 | Spreading hacks across groups | 9 RAM / 20 capacity / 8 slots | Most attractive to a heavily Intelligence-focused build. |
| Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 | Camera, device, and vehicle hacking | 13 RAM / 25 capacity / 8 slots | Specialized remote-hacking benefits; less compelling for direct combat. |
| Biotech Sigma Mk.4 | Damage over time and Monowire | 9 RAM / 16 capacity / 8 slots | Favors sustained effects over burst damage. |
| Militech Paraline | Smart weapons and Monowire alongside hacking | not stated in cited guide | A flexible starter option; the cited guide is inconsistent about its model number. |
| Militech Canto Mk.6 | Blackwall Gateway | 10 RAM / 33 capacity / 4 slots | Trades capacity and half the usual slots for a distinctive quickhack. |
Capacity is the cyberware capacity cost reported by the guide. “Not stated” means the cited material does not establish a comparable Tier 5++ stat line for Paraline; it is not a claim that the game omits those stats.
1. Tetratronic Rippler Mk.5 — best general-purpose cyberdeck
For a flexible netrunner, the Rippler is the broadest default pick in this comparison. RPG Site’s 2.0-era guide reports 20 RAM, eight quickhack slots, buffer size 12, and 16 cyberware capacity at Tier 5++. Its listed bonuses make it useful for alternating quickhack types and combining hacking with weapon damage.
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- Enemies affected by non-Combat quickhacks take 15% more weapon damage.
- A Combat quickhack deals 40% more damage when it immediately follows a non-Combat quickhack in the queue.
- Its bonus RAM brings the reported total to 20.
- When Overclock activates, it automatically uploads Reboot Optics and Weapon Glitch to enemies within 8 m.
The guide says the Rippler can appear at Ripperdocs early because its base rarity is Tier 1, and it can be upgraded with components. Its RAM makes it a practical option even if Intelligence is not the centerpiece of the build. Its queue and Overclock bonuses are most useful when you deliberately mix quickhack types rather than relying on one effect.
2. Arasaka Mk.5 — best for stealth and trace management
Pick Arasaka when staying covert matters more than maximizing RAM. The guide reports 9 RAM, eight slots, buffer size 12, and 14 capacity at Tier 5++.
- Enemies take 100% longer to trace V.
- Covert quickhacks cost 2 less RAM.
- Takedowns restore 5 RAM.
- During Overclock, hacks do not increase trace progress, although they still initiate tracing.
That last distinction matters: Arasaka can help control trace progress, but it does not make hacking untraceable. The guide lists it in base Ripperdoc inventory. It is a stealth specialist, not a high-RAM alternative to the Rippler.
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3. Raven Microcyber Mk.3 — best for spreading quickhacks
Raven is built around spread rather than a large RAM pool. RPG Site reports 9 RAM, eight slots, buffer size 12, and 20 capacity at Tier 5++.
- Quickhack spread distance is increased by 100%.
- Quickhacks spread immediately to valid enemies.
- During Overclock, any quickhack has a 15% chance to spread to two nearby enemies.
The guide says Raven appears at Ripperdocs once Tier 3 components are unlocked. Its spread bonuses are not equally useful for every build: without the Spillover perk at 20 Intelligence, the guide cautions that Contagion is the only quickhack that can spread. Raven therefore makes more sense for a heavily Intelligence-focused netrunner than for a generalist.
4. Netwatch Netdriver Mk.1 — best for cameras and devices
Choose Netwatch if you want to hack remotely through cameras or make device and vehicle quickhacks a larger part of your approach. Its reported Tier 5++ stats are 13 RAM, eight slots, buffer size 12, and 25 capacity.
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- Quickhacks uploaded through cameras are 20% less traceable.
- Device and Vehicle quickhacks cost 50% less RAM.
- Combat quickhacks uploaded through devices gain 30% damage and 50% effect duration.
The guide says it begins appearing around level 40 because its base rarity is Tier 5. Its strongest benefits depend on using cameras and devices; a player who prefers direct combat may get less from it.
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5. Biotech Sigma Mk.4 — best for damage over time and Monowire
Biotech Sigma favors sustained damage effects and a Monowire follow-up. RPG Site reports 9 RAM, eight slots, buffer size 12, and 16 capacity at Tier 5++.
- Combat quickhacks last 60% longer.
- Quickhack damage over time increases by 10%.
- Monowire deals 25% more damage against enemies affected by damage over time.
- Activating Overclock resets quickhack damage-over-time durations.
The guide says Ripperdocs sell it starting at Tier 2. Overheat or Contagion can benefit from the sustained-damage focus, while the Monowire bonus supports closing in on affected enemies. It is less suited to burst damage or quickly clearing large groups of weaker enemies.
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6. Militech Paraline — best smart-weapon and Monowire hybrid
Paraline remains a credible choice if hacking is one part of a build that also uses smart weapons and Monowire. CD Projekt RED’s official Hack-&-Slash Netrunner Build Breakdown, published 2024-03-30, calls its starting Paraline “one of the best” options and describes it as flexible for both Monowire and smart weapons, while noting its comparatively light cyberware capacity. The build advice recommends upgrading the deck or checking Ripperdoc inventory as the character advances.
RPG Site’s guide lists bonuses for quickhack damage, Monowire damage that scales with RAM spent, faster hack uploads when shooting the target with a Smart weapon, and bonus electrical damage to Smart weapons and Monowire during Overclock. Its heading identifies the deck as Mk.5, but its stat bullet calls it Mk.4, so the model number is not settled by that guide. CD Projekt RED’s recommendation also means replacing the starting deck immediately is not mandatory for this hybrid playstyle.
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7. Militech Canto Mk.6 — best for Blackwall Gateway
Canto is a specific-mechanic choice, not the most flexible deck. The RPG Site guide describes it as a Phantom Liberty-exclusive Iconic cyberdeck, with reported Tier 5++ stats of 10 RAM, four quickhack slots, buffer size 12, and 33 capacity. Its unique Blackwall Gateway quickhack can spread to up to five enemies.
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The guide says its crafting spec is found on one ending path during “Somewhat Damaged.” Phantom Liberty requires the base game, as CD Projekt RED’s official game page explains. The four-slot limit and high reported capacity cost are meaningful trade-offs if you want a broad quickhack loadout.
How to choose the right cyberdeck
- Want one flexible default? Start with Rippler for its reported RAM pool and bonuses that reward queueing varied hacks.
- Want covert play? Choose Arasaka for trace management and cheaper Covert quickhacks.
- Want hacks to jump between enemies? Consider Raven if your build invests heavily in Intelligence and the relevant spread options.
- Rely on cameras, devices, or vehicles? Netwatch is the specialist pick for that remote-hacking loop.
- Use sustained effects and close in with Monowire? Biotech Sigma supports damage over time and rewards attacking affected enemies.
- Mix hacking with smart guns and Monowire? Keep Paraline as a viable hybrid option rather than replacing it automatically.
- Want Blackwall Gateway specifically? Canto supplies that mechanic, but requires Phantom Liberty and gives up quickhack slots and capacity flexibility.
Why older cyberdeck rankings may disagree
Update 2.0 substantially reworked netrunning and cyberware, so a pre-2.0 ranking may describe different effects or balance. Dot Esports’ November 2023 ranking reflects an earlier balance context and should not be treated as a definitive guide to the post-2.0 comparison. Likewise, the detailed Tier 5++ figures here come from an RPG Site guide written in the 2.0 era; CD Projekt RED’s 2025-09-11 Update 2.31 notes list vehicle, photo-mode, and general fixes, but do not confirm a current cyberdeck stat table.
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