In Cyberpunk 2077, having the best weapons is key to survive the dangers of Night City. While powerful guns dominate open combat, melee weapons become far more effective in stealth-focused situations.
With the city’s strong Japanese-inspired aesthetic, it is no surprise that katanas stand out as some of the best melee options in the game. There are several powerful choices available, each offering unique strengths. Therefore, here is a complete ranking of the top katanas you can get.
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Cyberpunk 2077 Best Katanas: All Ranked
For chooms looking to channel their inner samurai and impress Johnny Silverhand, top-tier katanas are a must-have. These weapons support high-reward playstyles. Moreover, they let you cut through enemies up close while taking advantage of the unique bonuses and effects tied to Iconic gear.
Jinchu-maru
Jinchu-maru is a katana that leans into a aggressive combat style with a traditional feel. Its unique modifier makes it especially effective against Elite enemies. The weapon also encourages combo-based play. Its final strike in a sequence deals guaranteed critical damage.
For players looking to push its damage even further, Optical Camo pairs well with this setup. It offers stealth advantages and boosts critical damage during its active duration.
Byakko
The Byakko katana in Cyberpunk 2077 stands out thanks to its unique mobility-focused ability. It lets you chain leap strikes between enemies. On top of that, it increases your melee attack range slightly and gives an additional 15% chance to apply Bleeding.
Scalpel
For players who want a more precise, build-focused katana in Cyberpunk 2077, Scalpel is a strong choice. However, it really shines only when paired with Sandevistan cyberware.
With Sandevistan active, time slows dramatically. As a result, V move and strike with extreme precision while enemies can barely react. In this state, Scalpel boosts performance by greatly increasing critical hit chance and bleeding chance.
The result is a highly controlled, burst-style melee build where enemies are often taken down before they even have time to respond.
You may also like: Cyberpunk 2077 Best Handguns
Satori
The Satori is a powerful katana in Cyberpunk 2077, designed for high burst damage and critical-focused builds. Each strike deals heavy physical damage, with both increased critical hit chance and high critical damage potential. It also has a 20% chance to inflict Bleeding.
Beyond its combat strength, the Satori carries historical significance within the game’s lore. it originally belonged to Saburo Arasaka and was forged in the early 20th century.
Cocktail Stick
The Cocktail Stick is a visually striking katana in Cyberpunk 2077, known for its bright pink design that easily stands out in combat. It can appear in multiple rarity tiers, including rare, epic, legendary and iconic versions. It also comes with three mod slots for customization.
In terms of performance, it is a highly damaging melee weapon. It deals roughly 91–111 physical damage per hit. It also has a 20% chance to inflict Bleeding.
Errata
The Errata katana in Cyberpunk 2077 features a distinctive bright red blade that stands out in combat. It is not suitable for stealth playstyle. But raw power more than makes up for it.
Its iconic effect allows you to lunge directly at enemies, closing gaps quickly to stay aggressive in fights. It also has a 10% chance to apply Burning and any enemy affected by Burn is guaranteed to receive critical hits.
Katana
The standard katana in Cyberpunk 2077 is a basic melee weapon you can easily pick up in the early stages of the game.
It does not have any unique or iconic effects. But it still offers solid utility through armor penetration and a chance to inflict Bleeding on enemies. It also comes with at least one mod slot for customization and can be found in different color variants.
However, compared to iconic katanas, it lacks special abilities or standout modifiers. It is more of a reliable early-game option rather than a late-game powerhouse.
Tsumetogi
The Tsumetogi is a fast, high-pressure katana in Cyberpunk 2077 designed for rapid melee combat. Its attack speed allows you to strike up to five times per second. It is especially effective in close-range duels.
It also enhances your electrical damage output and gives a chance to apply the Shock effect to enemies. On top of that, it provides 10% resistance to Electricity.
Black Unicorn
The Black Unicorn is a unique katana in Cyberpunk 2077. It features a distinctive design inspired by rune motifs from The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt. While its appearance stands out, its real strength lies in its combat utility.
Stat-wise, it performs similarly to a standard katana, but its iconic effect is what makes it special: your attack speed is not affected by stamina. This means your melee combos stay fast and consistent even when your stamina is low.
Tip: To obtain the Black Unicorn in Cyberpunk 2077, you first need to link your game to a GOG or CD Projekt RED account. This can be done through the “My Rewards” option in the main menu. Once your account is connected, the weapon will be unlocked and added to your inventory or stash automatically.
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