In Cyberpunk 2077, having the best weapons is key to surviving 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.
Table of Contents
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
Byakko is built for fighting groups. It adds 1 meter of melee reach, increases Bleed chance by 10%, and lets you leap toward enemies. Its best trick triggers after neutralizing an enemy: for 10 seconds, your attack speed rises by 17.5% and the pause in the three-hit light attack combo is removed, so each takedown can set up the next.
How to get it: Complete all eight of Wakako Okada’s gigs. The follow-up side job, Professional Widow, then puts Byakko in your stash.
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
Don’t let the pink blade fool you. With Optical Camo active, every hit causes Bleeding, and the effect lasts longer than usual, making it a nice weapon for stealth builds.
How to get it: Pick it up in the dressing room at Clouds, next to Evelyn’s jacket, during Automatic Love.
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
Errata wants you in the middle of the fight. It lets you leap toward enemies, and attacks against Burning enemies are guaranteed Critical Hits. Since the katana can also inflict Burn, it can trigger that bonus on its own, although another reliable source of Burn makes the effect easier to use.
How to get it: Find it in the furnace room of the Electric Corporation power plant during Disasterpiece. If you already finished the quest, the area can still be revisited, although the return route may require opening a Technical Ability door. With Phantom Liberty, you can also buy a missed Errata from Herold Lowe at the Black Market in Dogtown.
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
Tsumetogi is the electric option. It slightly increases Electrical damage, gives you a chance to apply Shock, adds 10% Electrical Resistance, and deals extra damage with non-standard attacks.
How to get it: Pick it up from the display in Hiromi Sato’s office during the Pisces side job. This is the room where Maiko meets with Hiromi and the Tyger Claw bosses.
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 automatically.
Cyberpunk 2077
