Vehicle Combat Explained

Learn vehicle combat in cyberpunk 2077: how to shoot, weapon restrictions, and using quickhacks. Weaponized vehicles have fixed MGs and missiles.

To start shooting from a vehicle in cyberpunk 2077, enter any vehicle and press the appropriate button to bring up a reticle, provided you have a ranged weapon equipped or are driving a weaponized vehicle. Weapons function the same as when on foot, but there are restrictions.

Restrictions:

• Melee weapons cannot be used in cars or trucks, only on motorcycles and other unroofed vehicles.
• Two-handed weapons, including shotguns, assault rifles, and sniper rifles, cannot be used. Pistols, SMGs, revolvers, and one-handed melee weapons are permitted.
• Grenades cannot be thrown while driving.
• Arm-based cyberware like Gorilla Arms, Mantis Blades, Monowires, and Projectile Launchers cannot be used.

Disabling vehicles can be difficult as they absorb significant damage. The most effective tactic is to eliminate the driver, though armored windows can complicate this. Tech pistols and SMGs that can pierce armor, especially those that don't require charging like the Raiju, are effective. Charging weapons requires holding buttons for aiming and firing, which is difficult while driving.

Vehicle Combat Controls:

1. Press a button to draw a weapon.
2. (With weapon drawn) Cycle through weapons.
3. Reload.
4. Shoot.
5. Fast Attack / (Hold) Strong Attack (motorcycle only).
6. Scanner (when not in combat mode).
7. Aim.
8. (Hold) Block (motorcycle only).
9. Press + (combat mode) to use Scanner.
10. Holster Weapon.

Weaponized vehicles typically have fixed heavy machine guns that deal significant damage but cannot be aimed directly. Some also feature indirect fire missiles.

Weaponized Vehicles:

Vehicles with built-in armaments are marked with a special icon when selecting them (hold the right button to view owned vehicles). You'll be notified when entering a weaponized vehicle. These usually have heavy machine guns (50 rounds before a long reload) and missile salvos that arc and land where your reticle was aimed. Missiles replenish over time, with up to three salvos available. You cannot use V's equipped weapons in these vehicles.

While powerful, weaponized vehicles have downsides. Missiles have limited supply and their area of effect makes them risky in Night City streets, potentially attracting law enforcement if civilians are hit. The fixed machine guns require you to face your target and be on level ground, limiting their usefulness against chasing enemies.

Quickhacking and Vehicle Combat:

If you have a netrunner cyberdeck, you can use quickhacks during vehicular combat. Press the scanner button (or + in combat) to target an enemy driver and access the quickhacking menu. Eliminating drivers with quickhacks is an efficient method, as enemies typically do not switch seats. The effectiveness depends on your cyberdeck, quickhacks, and perks. Targeting passengers with quickhacks like Contagion also works.

Some vehicles have combat shields that prevent targeting occupants. The "Carhacker" perk in the Intelligence tree allows direct vehicle targeting with a limited selection of default quickhacks, including "Self Destruct," which has a significant RAM cost.

Vehicle Combat Perks:

Patch 2.0 introduced new vehicle-focused perks across all perk trees, with each tree featuring one dedicated perk. For example, the "Fury Road" perk in the Body tree increases in-vehicle collision damage to enemy vehicles and occupants by 50% while reducing your damage taken by 50%.