Updated October 25th, 2023, by Christopher Norman Worcester: The Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 update has brought with it a complete overhaul of the Cyberware system. This update will address all the changes made to the process of acquiring Cyberware items of specific rarities/tiers. Along with that, a video guide will be included to ensure players have the best possible information.
Cyberpunk 2077 offers players two main choices for leg Cyberware, the Fortified Ankles and the Reinforced Tendons. Whether or not players prefer Double Jump or Charge Jump, the fact remains that only the Fortified Ankles have an Epic Variant. Players that want to try and get their hands on one will need to be careful about the decision they make in one of the game's main jobs.
Epic Fortified Ankles Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 Update
The Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 update has fundamentally changed the way players acquire and implement their Cyberware. Previously, players had to visit individual Ripperdocs in the hope that a specific item would be available. Now, all Ripperdocs carry all items. The only exception to this rule is found in Dogtown, where several special Iconic Cyberware items are found as part of Phantom Liberty.
Street Cred no longer plays any role in determining when a piece of Cyberware can be used. Instead, item rarity is tied to player level. This means that Tier 1 items, what used to be Common, are now available at level 1-9. This means that when visiting a Ripperdoc at any of these levels, all items for sale will be Tier 1. Tier 2 will be available at levels 10-19, Tier 3 is 20-29, Tier 4 is 30-39, Tier 5 is 40 and above. This means that the Epic Fortified Ankles will now be seen as Tier 4 Fortified Ankles, and will now be available at all Ripperdocs once the player hits level 30.
Upgrading Cyberware in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0:
Aside from purchasing Tier 4 Fortified Ankles, players will also be able to acquire them using 2.0's new upgrade system. Each piece of Cyberware can now be upgraded at the Ripperdoc using the appropriate Item Components. Each tier now has a second stage, which is shown with a 'plus' symbol. Upgrading Tier 3 Fortified Ankles will first become Tier 3+ Fortified Ankles before reaching Tier 4. Using this system is both a way to avaoid purchasing the item, as well as a way to get it early.
How to Get Epic Fortified Ankles in Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077's Main Job entitled "The Space in Between" sees players on the hunt to find Evelyn. During this quest, they'll come face to face with a Ripperdoc named Fingers. The man is an absolute sleezeball, so when players are given the option to punch him, it will be very difficult to pass it up.
Unfortunately, doing so will cause him to lock up his store and never sell to V again. As it happens, this back alley Ripperdoc is the only one with access to the Epic Fortified Ankles mod and several other useful Cyberware items as well. With that in mind, it's best not to punch him, and players that already have are unfortunately out of luck.
For those that managed to keep a level head during Fingers' interrogation scene while trying to find Evelyn Parker, he can be found in the same building as before. His Ripperdoc shop is in Westbrook, more specifically Japantown, and is a little ways off the beaten path. The best way to find it is to simply mark it on the map and then follow the marker. Players can identify the correct building by the big Fingers MD sign on the front.
Once inside, talk to Fingers and resist the urge to punch him yet again. Instead, navigate to the Trade tab and find the Epic Fortified Ankles upgrade there. Like the Rare Fortified Ankles upgrade, the Epic variant allows players to perform a Charge Jump, but now they can also hover at the top of their jump as well. This bridges the gap between the two jump mods, providing both verticality and maneuverability for the ultimate jumping experience. It's just a shame that such an awesome mod is locked behind not punching a character this shady.
Many players that have already made this decision are only juts now finding out that these powerful Cyberware upgrades are unavailable to them, and the reaction has not been a positive one. The general consensus is that it doesn't seem to make sense that Fingers would have upgrades as great as these, especially considering no other Ripperdoc has managed to get them in stock apparently.
Cyberpunk 2077 is available now on PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One, and later on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
