Unleash Your Power in Cyberpunk 2077: Mastering Perk and Progression Shards (20 and Phantom Liberty)

In Cyberpunk 2077, players can enhance the skills and abilities of their character, V, in various ways. Aside from traditional XP gain through quests and combat, the game introduces a unique method that aligns with its lore. These enhancements come in the form of shards that characters in the Cyberpunk world insert into their necks. Known as Progression and Perks shards, they target specific abilities and skills in V's repertoire.

Progression Shards in Cyberpunk 2077 focus on improving specific skills and are more commonly found compared to the other type of upgrade shard. These shards provide a predetermined amount of XP to one of the five skill categories: Headhunter, Netrunner, Shinobi, Solo, or Engineer. Players naturally progress through these categories by completing related tasks. For example, getting headshot kills will earn XP for the Headhunter category. Progression Shards significantly boost the XP gained in a particular category. On the other hand, Perk Shards do not grant XP but instead provide V with a single Perk Point that they can allocate as desired. This guide will assist players in locating both types of upgrade shards.

How To Get Progression Shards in Cyberpunk 2077

One of the primary methods for acquiring upgrade shards in Cyberpunk 2077 is by looting them from deceased individuals or chests scattered throughout the game world. Although Perk Shards are more challenging to come by, the 2.0 update has significantly augmented the number of Progression Shards obtained through this means. Additionally, the update's comprehensive revision of the Cyberware system has introduced new progression shards into the game.

All Upgrade Shards:

Perk Shards: Adds a single Perk Point

Skill Progression Shards: Adds XP to one of the five skill categories

Cyberware Capacity Shard: Adds various amounts to overall Cyberware Capacity Limit

Carrying Capacity Shard: Increases overall carrying capacity.

Where to Loot Progression Shards:

Look out for these key locations where V can obtain the shards:

- Hansen's Airdrops (Phantom Liberty): These airdrops are known to be highly reliable for acquiring at least one type of shard. Additionally, the enemies guarding them have a higher likelihood of carrying shards compared to other enemies.

Bosses and Cyberpsychos tend to frequently drop upgrade shards.

Encountering high-level enemies marked with a Skull icon above their health bar indicates that there is a high probability of obtaining upgrade shards upon defeating them.

'Assault in Progress' Stash: While not completely foolproof, V will undoubtedly discover upgrade shards in these stashes on most occasions.

All Enemies and Stash Locations: V frequently has the opportunity to chance upon low-to-mid-level progression shards when encountering any enemy or stumbling upon a stash.

The Junk Shop in the Black Market (Phantom Liberty) carries a single Progression Shard for each of the five categories. V can purchase them as soon as the market is accessible.

All Perk Shard Locations in Cyberpunk 2077

Progression Shards are more common than Perk Shards and can be easily obtained from various sources. However, Perk Shards are considerably rarer and can only be reliably found in specific locations. For every Perk Shard acquired, V will receive a single Perk Point. Currently, Cyberpunk 2077's 2.01 update includes a total of 13 available Perk Shards.

Location 1: Dogtown - Stadium Parking

This is extremely easy to miss. Near the start of 'Dog Eat Dog,' V can find a Perk Shard in the trunk of a dilapidated car.

Location 2: Dogtown - Black Market Junk Shop