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Like many modern RPG's, Cyberpunk 2077 features several ways to improve the skills and abilities of its protagonist, V. Aside from the basic methods of completing quests and destroying enemies to gain XP points, Cyberpunk 2077 also features a method that fits in with the lore of the world. These items take the form of the shards that individuals in the world of Cyberpunk insert into their necks. These are known as Progression and Perks shards, which target specific abilities and skills in V's repertoire.
Cyberpunk 2077's Progression Shards target specific skills, and are by far the more common of the two upgrade shard types. These XP boosters will add a specific amount of XP to one of the five skill categories, which are Headhunter, Netrunner, Shinobi, Solo, and Engineer. Players will progress through these categories naturally by completing associated tasks. For example, headshot kills will add XP to the Headhunter category. Progression Shards simply add a large chunk to the category. Perk Shards, instead of adding XP, simply add a single Perk Point for V to use however they see fit. This guide will show players how and where to find each type of upgrade shard.
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How To Get Progression Shards in Cyberpunk 2077
One of the key ways to find upgrade shards in Cyberpunk 2077, will be to loot them off of dead bodies, or from various chests found in-world. While Perk Shards remain much harder to find, the 2.0 update has vastly increased the amount of Progression Shards found in this manner. And due to the update's complete overhaul of the Cyberware system, there has also been new progression shards introduced 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:
There are several places V will loot these shards from. Keep an eye out in these key locations:
- Hansen's Airdrops (Phantom Liberty): These are extremely reliable for at least one type of shard. The enemies that guard them also seem to have a higher chance than most enemies.
- Bosses and Cyberpsychos: Bosses will almost always leave behind upgrade shards.
- High-Level Enemies: When V sees a Skull over the health bar of an enemy, they will know they have found a target with a good chance to leave behind upgrade shards.
- 'Assault in Progress' Stash: It may not be 100% reliable, V will certainly find upgrade shards in these stashes at least some of the time.
- All Enemies and Stash Locations: V can often get lucky and find low-to-mid-level progression shards on any enemy or stash they find.
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
Perk Shards are much rarer than Progression Shards, and can be reliably found in several locations. V will get as single Perk Point for each Perk Shard they acquire. As of Cyberpunk 2077's 2.01 update, there are 13 Perk Shards available in Cyberpunk 2077.
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
- For sale in the Junk Shop.
Location 2: Dogtown - Longshore Stacks
- On the level below the Longshore Stacks Junk Shop, almost directly beneath the shop's icon on the map, there is a small corridor blocked by boxes. Smash the boxes to get by.
Location 4: Night City - Watson, Northside
- This Perk Shard is found in a warehouse with the letters A, B, and C, on the front facade. When standing in the street looking at the warehouse, the large Biotechnica building can be seen in the background. Destroy the drones inside the warehouse, then head to the back to find the crate.
Location 5: Night City - Westbrook, Japantown
- Just east of the Japantown:South fast-travel location, V will find an 'Assault in Progress' marker. The Perk Shard is the main reward for completing this, and can be found on a corpse in the back of a car.
Location 6: Night City - City Center, Corpo Plaza (Two Shards)
- Just east of te Metro: Republic Way fast-travel, V will find a Drop Point. The Perk Shard is found across the street from the Drop Point, on top of the small buildings above the sidewalk. The buildings have several air conditioning units, and the shard is found on a dead body resting between them.
- A second Perk Shard can be found at the 'Assault in Progress' located in the Metro: Memorial Park station at the circular center of the area.
Location 7: Night City - Heywood, The Glen
- The eighth Perk Shard is found as the reward for completing an 'Assault in Progress' just northwest of the Ventura & Skyline fast-travel marker.
Location 8: Night City - Santo Domingo, Arroyo
- This Perk Shard is found as the reward for completing an 'Assault in Progress' southeast of the Red Dirt Bar fast-travel location.
Location 9: Night City - Santo Domingo, Rancho Coronado
- Found in the far eastern corner of the region during 'Reported Crime: Welcome to Night City'
Location 10: Night City - Arasaka Industrial Park, Santo Domingo, Arroyo
- V can acquire a Perk Shard in the guard tower during the 'Gimme Danger' main quest. Some players have claimed that it is no longer available in the 2.0 (and beyond) update, though several say it is still present in their games. It is included on this list for this reason. It is found in a briefcase on the top floor of the central guard station.
- The older shard that was available underground is now gone.
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Location 11: Badlands - North of Edgewood Farm
- North of the Edgewood Farm, about halfway to the intersection, looking west will reveal a destroyed car. There will be a drone hovering near it, and the shard will be on a dead body found outside the car.
- A second Perk Shard can be found at the 'Assault in Progress' located northeast of Edgewood Farm fast-travel
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
