Cyberpunk 2077 – Melee Stealth Build / Monowire or Mantis Blades?

What cyberware is the superior option for a Melee Stealth Build?

Introduction

Note: Credit goes to Microsoft Office Word 2007

This is just a short, simple guide explaining which cyberware is the superior option for a stealth build and why.

I’ve tried to make a melee stealth build focused on the Monowire, and another one focused on the Mantis Blades. I’ve concluded that the Monowire is by far the best option, for the following reasons.

Monowire vs Mantis Blades

First, the Monowire deals more damage in a single strike (which is all you need for stealth) thanks to the charging mechanic. Once you have the Ninjutsu perk you’re going to be one-shotting most enemies with both weapons, but the Mantis Blades can struggle with some of the stronger ones, specially on hard.

Second, the Monowire is far more versatile thanks to its long reach. Sometimes you can even kill enemies below you while on top of a roof.

Third, if you go Mantis Blades you’ll have to invest in Cool and Reflexes, but you’ll still want Body for the added melee damage and to help when stealth isn’t an option. Since Monowire is considered a blunt weapon and uses the Street Brawler skill, you only need to invest in Cool and Body and are free put the extra points in Intelligence to make the build a bit more flexible.

Fourth, Monowire damage scales with the Cool stat, which is a nice bonus since you need 20 Cool anyway for Ninjutsu.

Fifth, and by far the most important point, the Mantis Blades make too much noise. Everything else I could endure, but this is what made me stop playing that build completely. It’s not like the entire building is going to hear you poking your pals, but it does make killing enemies in the same room or area while remaining undetected far more work than it’s worth, and doing it without enemies going into an alerted state next to impossible. The Monowire is seemingly completely silent as long as the enemies aren’t holding hands and whispering sweet nothings into each other’s ears.

Conclusion

These are the reasons why you really want to go with the Monowire for a Melee Stealth Build instead of the Mantis Blades. You’re free to try both as you wish, but I’d say going with the Mantis Blades is a waste of time since it doesn’t feel like you’re being that stealthy at all and ends up being pretty unsatisfying.