How to Master the David Martinez Edgerunner Build in Cyberpunk 2077

To build David Martinez in Cyberpunk 2077, focus on three pillars: the Militech Apogee Sandevistan for time manipulation, 20 points in Technical Ability to unlock the "Edgerunner" perk, and Gorilla Arms for high-impact melee combat. This build prioritizes extreme mobility and survivability, allowing you to push past the standard cyberware limits just like the protagonist of the Edgerunners anime.

The 2.1 update significantly changed how armor and cyberware interact, making the David Martinez playstyle more viable than ever. By shifting armor from clothing to subcutaneous implants, the game now rewards the "all-in" chrome approach that defines David’s descent into legend.

Core Philosophy of the David Martinez Build

The essence of David Martinez is "speed meets sacrifice." In gameplay terms, this means utilizing the Sandevistan operating system to move while enemies are frozen, while using the Technical Ability tree to equip more cyberware than the human body is designed to handle.

Our testing shows that while many players attempt to build David as a pure brawler, the most effective version incorporates "Technical Ability" as the primary stat. This allows for the "Edgerunner" perk, which grants a chance to enter a "Fury" state—increasing damage and crit chance at the cost of maximum health, perfectly emulating David’s struggle with cyberpsychosis.

Recommended Attribute Distribution

Reaching the level cap (Level 50 in the base game or Level 60 with Phantom Liberty) requires a specific allocation to maximize David's potential.

Starting Attributes

• Body: 6 (For initial durability and shotgun use)
• Technical Ability: 6 (To start the path of the Edgerunner)
• Reflexes: 4 (For basic dash capabilities)

End-Game Goal (Level 60)

• Technical Ability: 20 – Essential for the Edgerunner perk and maximum cyberware efficiency.
• Body: 20 – Provides the "Adrenaline Rush" mechanic, which acts as a second health bar to offset the health penalties from being over-chromed.
• Reflexes: 15-20 – Unlocks "Air Dash," mimicking David’s high-speed thruster movements seen in the later episodes.
• Cool: 15 – Boosts critical damage and improves handgun performance for early-game roleplay.
• Intelligence: 3 – David is not a netrunner; ignore this entirely.

Essential Perks for the Edgerunner Path

Technical Ability: The Chrome King

The center tree of Technical Ability is mandatory.

• All Things Cyber: Increases cyberware stat bonuses and reduces capacity costs.
• License to Chrome: Grants a third skeleton slot and provides significant armor buffs.
• Edgerunner: The capstone perk. It allows you to exceed your cyberware capacity at the cost of -0.5% Max Health per point over. When in combat, you have a chance to enter "Fury," which is the closest the game gets to a controlled cyberpsychosis state.

Body: The Tank

David survived hits that would kill a normal merc.

• Adrenaline Rush: Found in the center tree. It converts healing items into temporary "Adrenaline" health. This is vital because the Edgerunner perk will lower your base HP.
• Painkiller: Grants slow health regeneration during combat.
• Quake: While using Gorilla Arms, this allows for the iconic ground-slam attack.

Reflexes: Speed and Maneuverability

• Dash & Air Dash: These perks change the fundamental movement of the game. Combined with the Sandevistan, you can cross an entire combat zone before an enemy can pull a trigger.
• Lead and Steel: If you choose to use a blade occasionally, this helps, but for David, it's mostly about the "Slippery" perk to make you harder to hit while moving.

The Chrome: Essential Cyberware

Cyberware is the heart of this build. In our testing on "Very Hard" difficulty, the choice of operating system determines whether you are playing as David or just a generic merc.

Operating System: Militech "Apogee" Sandevistan

This is the holy grail. Unlike other variants, the Apogee allows you to toggle it on and off at will, with no minimum charge requirement. It provides:

• 85% time dilation.
• Increased headshot damage.
• Extended duration for every enemy neutralized while active.
• A massive stamina boost upon activation.

Arm Slot: Gorilla Arms

While David used the Projectile Launch System in his "Skeleton" phase, Gorilla Arms represent his core identity as a street brawler. They increase your Body attribute for checks and provide devastating physical damage that scales with your level.

Skeleton and Integumentary System

To survive the "Edgerunner" health penalty, you must stack armor here:

• Epimorphic Skeleton: Massive boost to base health.
• Dense Marrow: Increases melee damage at the cost of higher stamina consumption.
• Cellular Adapter: (Requires 20 Tech Ability) This provides a huge boost to armor and explosion resistance.
• Biomonitor: Automatically uses your healing item when health falls below 35%. This is a "must-have" for the high-intensity David playstyle.

Weapons of the Legend

David’s arsenal evolved throughout his career. To stay lore-accurate while maintaining combat efficiency, we recommend a three-weapon rotation:

1. M-10AF Lexington (Early Game): David’s first pistol. In the early game, use a high-tier Lexington to mimic his training with Maine.
2. DB-2 Satara (Tech Shotgun): Later in the anime, David favors high-impact tech weapons. The Satara penetrates cover and benefits from the Technical Ability perks you are already taking.
3. Gorilla Arms (End Game): Once your "Chrome" is fully optimized, your fists become your primary weapons. Under Sandevistan, a flurry of punches from Gorilla Arms can dismantle a heavy Smasher-class enemy in seconds.

How to Get David's Jacket

You cannot truly call it a David Martinez build without the iconic yellow jacket.

• Travel to Megabuilding H4 in Santo Domingo (Arroyo).
• Find a trash can near the entrance containing a brain dance (BD) with an "Edgerunners" clip.
• Wait for a message from El Capitan.
• Complete the side quest "Over the Edge." This will eventually lead you to a crate containing the "Martinez's Jacket." It provides decent armor and is the cornerstone of the look.

Combat Strategy: Playing Like a Cyberpsycho

The David Martinez build is not meant for cover-based shooting. It is an aggressive, "in-your-face" style that relies on momentum.

The Initial Engagement

Start by identifying the most dangerous threats (snipers or netrunners). Activate the Apogee Sandevistan and use Dash to close the gap instantly. With the time dilation active, use your Gorilla Arms to land heavy attacks or "Quake" slams.

Managing the Edgerunner Fury

When the "Fury" state triggers, your screen will glitch with a yellow/orange hue, and you'll hear David's laughter. During this window, your damage is peaked. Do not retreat. Use the Blood Pump and Biomonitor combo to stay alive while staying offensive. The more enemies you kill, the longer your Sandevistan stays active due to the Apogee's unique "neutralization" bonus.

Stamina Management

One weakness of the Gorilla Arms/Sandevistan combo is stamina exhaustion. Avoid spamming light attacks. Instead, use "Dash" to reposition and "Charge" attacks to break guards. The "Body" tree perks will help replenish stamina upon kills.

Why This Build Works in Version 2.1

Before the 2.0 overhaul, "Cyberpsychosis" was just a story element. Now, with the Cyberware Capacity system, the game actually punishes you for over-chroming while giving you the tools to survive it. This build leverages that risk/reward mechanic perfectly. By hitting 20 Technical Ability, you aren't just getting more stats; you are changing the rules of the game to match the "built different" nature of David Martinez.

Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play this build without the Phantom Liberty DLC?

Yes, but you will be limited to Level 50. You should prioritize 20 Technical Ability and 20 Body first. You will likely have to sacrifice some points in Reflexes or Cool, meaning you might miss out on "Air Dash," but the core Sandevistan/Gorilla Arms loop remains intact.

Is the "Apogee" Sandevistan available early?

No. The Tier 5 Apogee usually begins appearing at Ripperdocs once you reach Level 40. Before that, use the Dynalar Sandevistan or Qiant "Warp Dancer" as viable mid-game alternatives.

How do I handle Netrunners?

Since this build has 3 Intelligence, you are vulnerable to quickhacks. Use the Self-ICE cyberware or the Reflector to mitigate incoming hacks. Better yet, use your speed to kill the Netrunner before they finish their upload.

Does the "Edgerunner" perk actually make you go crazy?

Not literally. It triggers the "Fury" buff, which includes visual and audio effects that simulate David's state in the anime, but you never lose control of your character. It is purely a combat buff with a thematic cost.

Should I choose Street Kid, Nomad, or Corpo?

For the most authentic David Martinez experience, choose the Street Kid lifepath. It aligns with his backstory in Santo Domingo and provides dialogue options that fit his personality.