Cyberpunk 2077 is a thrilling and immersive game that is full of action and adventure. One of the most exciting aspects of the game is hacking, which allows players to access enemy networks and breach hostile areas.
Whether you’re using physical or remote connections, hacking requires you to solve puzzles through mini-games.
If you’re new to the game, it can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on Breach Protocols and hacking puzzles in Cyberpunk 2077.
We’ll explain everything you need to know to become an expert hacker and take down your enemies with ease. So, get ready to dive into the world of hacking and become a master of the digital battlefield
Cyberpunk 2077 Hacking Guide – How to Solve Puzzles, Breach Protocols, Connection Types
Breach Protocol is a method for hacking enemy networks. When exploring hostile areas and enemy outposts, you will encounter two types of breach targets, based on whether your connections are physical or remote. Both connections require you to play the same minigame, but that’s about all they have in common. The following table lists the features specific to each connection type.
| Features | Physical Connections | Remote Connections |
| Hacking Process | Triggered automatically. | Triggered only if you cast the Breach Protocol quickhack. |
| Hacked target | A specific device such as an access point, a computer, etc. | Any enemy of a generic device such as a vending machine. |
| Cyberdeck requirement | None | A cyberdeck must be equipped. |
| Mini-game objective/reward | Procurement of data mining resources; primarily money and, if you unlocked the relevant Perks in the Breach Protocol skill tree, quickhack components or even quickhacks. | Applications of one or more daemons in the network, in accordance with the Perks that you have unlocked in the Breach Protocol skill tree; this can, for example, disable all surveillance cameras for three minutes. |
| Effect on the network | none | All enemies or devices in the network are affected by the uploaded daemon (s) |
How to Solve Hacking Mini-Game
Hacking mini-game puzzles in Cyberpunk 2077 require you to reproduce the sequence of numbers shown on the right of the display (each sequence corresponds to a daemon program you can upload).
In the matrix on the left, you can select the numbers (known as nodes). This adds them to your buffer. You receive a reward if your buffer matches a daemon’s sequence.
Starting from the top row, you can only select a number from the currently active row or column. Activating the next column depends on which number you select first.
Follow this pattern of alternating between rows and columns to add the correct sequence to your buffer.
You must plan your moves in advance to activate the correct sequence since your buffer has a limited capacity. Leveling up your character will increase the size of your buffer.
The higher your Intelligence stats, the lower the difficulty of the mini-game.
Starting from the end can sometimes prove helpful if you struggle to identify a “path” through the matrix: look for the last number in the sequence, and then work out the route from there. Mastering the hacking puzzle mini-game will allow you to explore more areas and open opportunities for stealth approaches.
Best Hacking Abilities for Breach Protocols
- Head Start: Automatically activates the first daemon in the sequence
- Compression: Reduces the length of the daemon sequence by one
- Transmigration: Increases the hacking time by 50%
- Advanced Datamine: Upgrades The Datamine Daemon, Increasing The Amount Of Eurodollars Acquired From Access Points By 50%
- Datamine Mastermind: Upgrades The Datamine Daemon, Increasing The Amount Of Components Acquired From Access Points By 50%
- Buffer Optimization: Increases The Duration Of Daemon Effects By 100%
- Mass Vulnerability: Unlocks The Mass Vulnerability Daemon, Which Reduces The Physical Resistance For All Enemies In The Network By 30% For 3 Minutes
- Mass Vulnerability: Quickhacks: Upgrades The Mass Vulnerability Daemon, Causing Enemies In The Network To Also Take 30% More Damage From Quickhacks
Note
Quickhacks
Cyberpunk 2077’s quickhacks enable players to manipulate devices within their immediate vicinity.
As players scan a target and select a quickhack from their cyberdeck, they can unleash a variety of effects with varying memory (RAM) costs. Memory can be viewed as a pool of magic points, with each quickhack serving as a spell.
In stealth scenarios, these hacks are especially useful. To bypass a guard, players may remotely activate a vending machine to create a distraction.
With improved cyberdecks, quickhacks, and perks, players can perform more complex and devastating maneuvers, such as crippling foes with more powerful effects or even forcing them to die. Using hacking skills along with stealth techniques can help players succeed even more.
For example, if they can’t safely approach a pair of guards, they might distract them with a device nearby They can also lure the guards to a single spot and use a quickhack to make one of them detonate a grenade.
Players can purchase cyberdecks from ripperdocs and acquire quickhacks from netrunners or through crafting, looting, or datamining. Character progression depends on upgrading these tools regularly.
Tip
How to Get More RAM
To increase your available RAM in Cyberpunk 2077, you’ll need to save up some eurodollars and visit a Ripperdoc. Check out the Operating System section to see what upgrades are available (or consult the Ripperdoc Locations and Abilities List).
Different Ripperdocs will have different stock, so you should shop around before buying. It is best to have a Rare Operating System rather than an Uncommon one for your first upgrade.
