If you’re diving into Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty expansion in 2026, the Mk. 47 Mutant assault rifle, Kongou shotgun, and Yukimura sniper rifle stand as the top‑tier weapons, each excelling in damage, stability, and versatility across combat scenarios. This tier list breaks down every new and returning armament added by the expansion, ranking them from S‑ to C‑Tier with exact stats, acquisition methods, and upgrade paths so you can equip the most effective gear for your playstyle.
S-Tier Weapons
The S‑Tier is reserved for weapons that combine superior damage output, manageable recoil, and useful modular slots. At the apex sits the Mk. 47 Mutant, an assault rifle introduced in Phantom Liberty. Base stats: 120 damage per hit, 600 rounds per minute (RPM), 30‑round magazine, and a stability rating of 85/100. With the "Precision Barrel" mod (+15% headshot damage) and "Extended Magazine" (+10 rounds), its effective DPS climbs to roughly 1,200 points per second, making it ideal for mid‑range engagements against both infantry and light armor. Its versatility is further boosted by three mod slots, allowing players to tailor it for stealth or raw power.
Next, the Kongou shotgun earns S‑Tier status thanks to its devastating close‑range punch. Base numbers: 250 damage per pellet (eight pellets per shot), 90 RPM, 6‑shell tube, and a spread of 3.5 degrees. Equipping the "Choke Barrel" reduces spread to 2.0 degrees, tightening the pellet pattern for consistent hits up to 8 meters. With the "Shell Loader" mod (+2 shells) and "Recoil Spring" (+10% stability), Kongou can sustain a damage output of roughly 1,050 DPS in tight corridors, outperforming most shotguns in the base game.
Finally, the Yukimura sniper rifle claims S‑Tier for long‑range dominance. It delivers 180 damage per shot, 45 RPM, a 5‑round magazine, and a base stability of 90/100. Adding the "High‑Velocity Barrel" (+20% bullet speed) and "Mark IV Scope" (+25% zoom) pushes effective range beyond 200 meters with minimal bullet drop. When paired with the "Stealth Coating" mod (reduces enemy detection by 15%), Yukimura becomes a silent killer capable of eliminating foes before they react.
A-Tier Weapons
A‑Tier weapons are strong contenders that may fall short in one area—such as magazine size, mod flexibility, or niche utility—but still provide excellent performance when built correctly.
The Otomo katana, a melee addition from Phantom Liberty, sits at the top of A‑Tier. Base damage: 140 per swing, attack speed: 1.2 swings per second, and a stagger value of 70. With the "Monofilament Edge" (+25% damage against armored foes) and "Balanced Hilt" (+15% attack speed), Otomo can achieve roughly 210 DPS in close combat, rivaling many firearms while consuming no ammo. Its three mod slots allow for elemental effects like fire or shock, adding versatility.
Another A‑Tier pick is the Mjolnir heavy pistol. Stats: 200 damage per shot, 250 RPM, 10‑round magazine, and a recoil rating of 70/100. Equipping the "Compensator" reduces recoil by 20%, while the "Hollow Point Rounds" (+30% damage to unarmored targets) pushes its effective DPS to about 830. Though limited by low ammo capacity, Mjolnir excels in quick‑draw situations and as a backup weapon for netrunner builds.
B-Tier Weapons
B‑Tier weapons are reliable but often outclassed by higher tiers in either raw damage or adaptability. They remain viable for specific builds or playstyles.
The Freon submachine gun offers a high rate of fire but sacrifices per‑shot damage. Base: 45 damage per hit, 900 RPM, 40‑round magazine, and stability 60/100. With the "Extended Mag" (+15 rounds) and "Stabilizer" (+15% stability), Freon can maintain a steady DPS of roughly 620, making it suitable for close‑quarter spray‑and‑pray tactics, especially when paired with the "Silencer" mod for stealth runs.
Another B‑Tier option is the Nekomata (returning from the base game but rebalanced in 2.0). It deals 110 damage per shot, 500 RPM, 20‑round magazine, and stability 78/100. Adding the "Smart Link" mod enables homing projectiles (+15% hit chance), while the "Armor Piercing Rounds" (+20% damage against armor) boosts its effectiveness against heavily fortified enemies. Its moderate ammo consumption and solid handling keep it in B‑Tier.
C-Tier and Situational Weapons
C‑Tier weapons are generally outclassed but can shine in very specific scenarios or for role‑playing purposes.
The Deringer light pistol, despite its iconic appearance, offers only 55 damage per shot, 400 RPM, and a 6‑round magazine. Even with the "Laser Sight" (+10% accuracy) and "Grip Tape" (+10% stability), its DPS hovers around 220, making it a poor choice for prolonged firefights. However, its low weight and quick draw time make it a fun sidearm for stealth‑only runs or when conserving heavier ammo.
The Stinger electric rifle also lands in C‑Tier. Base stats: 70 damage per shot, 600 RPM, 25‑round magazine, and stability 55/100. While its chain‑lightning effect can hit multiple enemies, the low per‑shot damage limits overall output to roughly 420 DPS. It shines only when facing clustered, lightly armored foes or when built around shock‑damage synergies.
How to Obtain and Upgrade Weapons
All Phantom Liberty weapons can be acquired through a combination of story progression, side‑job rewards, and purchases from specific vendors.
The Mk. 47 Mutant is first awarded upon completing the side job "Mysterious Signal" in the Badlands, after which it becomes available for purchase at the Ripperdoc in Watson for 22,000 eddies. Upgrading it to Legendary requires the "Crafting Spec: Mk. 47 Mutant" (found in a hidden stash near the abandoned gas station) and 15 units of "Crystal" and "Titanium" components.
The Kongou shotgun drops as a reward from the main quest "The Killing Moon" after defeating the boss "Kolvig" in Pacifica. It can also be bought from the Weapon Dealer in Heywood for 18,500 eddies. To reach its highest tier, apply the "Legendary Crafting Spec" obtained from the "Collector’s Cache" in the Heywood industrial zone, needing 12 "Carbon" and 10 "Ceramic" pieces.
The Yukimura sniper rifle is unlocked by completing the gig "Sniper’s Paradise" in the City Center, then purchased from the Nomad Trader in the Badlands for 24,000 eddies. Its Legendary upgrade path uses the spec found in a locked locker at the Arasaka Waterfront facility, requiring 8 "Graphene" and 14 "Tungsten" units.
Upgrading any weapon follows the same pattern: access the crafting menu, select the weapon, choose the desired rarity (Common → Rare → Epic → Legendary), and allocate the required components. Each upgrade tier adds +10% base damage and unlocks an additional mod slot, directly impacting the weapon’s placement in this tier list.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right weapon in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty can dramatically alter your survivability and combat efficiency in Night City’s ever‑shifting conflicts. The Mk. 47 Mutant, Kongou, and Yukimura form the backbone of an S‑Tier arsenal, offering unmatched damage, stability, and mod flexibility across short, medium, and long ranges. A‑Tier options like the Otomo katana and Mjolnir pistol provide strong niche alternatives, while B‑ and C‑Tier weapons serve situational or role‑playing purposes.
By following the acquisition paths and upgrade guidelines outlined above, you can ensure your loadout stays competitive throughout the expansion’s content, from street‑level skirmishes to high‑stakes corporate infiltrations. Keep an eye on patch notes, as CD Projekt Red occasionally tweaks weapon stats; however, the core hierarchy presented here has remained stable since the 2.0 release and is expected to hold through 2026.
For more deep‑dives into Cyberpunk 2077 mechanics, check out our related guides: Dragon's Dogma 2 weapons tier list, Dragon's Dogma 2 armor locations, and Dragon's Dogma 2 FPS settings. Official sources for weapon data include the Steam store page, CD Projekt Red website, and the Cyberpunk wiki.