Image source: CD Projekt Red
Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.0 update brought about a slew of substantial changes to the game’s core mechanics. These updates included improvements to police AI, vehicle combat, skill trees, and a revamped Cyberware system. Annoyingly, though, it became no longer possible to remove weapon mods in Cyberpunk 2077. We’ve recently updated this article so that it is relevant to the latest version of the game.
Weapon Mods Can No Longer Be Removed
As mentioned above, in previous iterations of Cyberpunk 2077, players had the freedom to remove weapon modifications from their firearms. While this action would destroy the mod, it allowed players to swap in newer, more advantageous modifications as they saw fit. This feature was particularly valuable when players stumbled upon a weapon that perfectly suited their playstyle but needed a different set of modifications.
The Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 update, however, has changed all that. Once a modification has been applied to a weapon, it becomes permanent, and players can no longer remove or replace it. If you wish to utilize a newer, more powerful modification, your only option is to discard the old weapon and search for a new one. The only exception was in the case of Iconic weapon mods.
This new feature has not changed following the more recent Patch 2.12. You are still unable to remove weapon mods unless it’s an iconic variety.
This change may seem counterintuitive in a game that encourages customization and adaptability in other aspects, such as the skill tree system, which allows players to reallocate skill points at any time to suit their evolving playstyle.
Cyberpunk 2077 2.1 Weapon Mod Removal Changes
Following 2.0, crafting items no longer requires technical skills, making it easier for players to craft mods. However, the components needed for crafting are either scarce or priced very high by vendors. This makes the crafting of mods more challenging due to the high cost and limited availability of components.
For Update 2.1, the game economy was adjusted to provide players with more money, making it easier to purchase weapons, mods, and cars. Players are encouraged to sell unwanted weapons and clothing, as their appearances get saved for future use.
Other balancing changes have made it easier to acquire Tier 5 (T5) and higher weapons with two free mod slots, either through crafting or purchasing from vendors. This change is significant as it allows high-level players more flexibility in weapon customization.
Unfortunately, T5 weapons found at vendors or after fights often come with lower-tier mods already installed, which cannot be changed or removed. This limits the usefulness of these high-tier weapons if they are equipped with undesired mods.
Cyberware Has Gone the Opposite Direction
What makes this change even more perplexing is the introduction of the new Cyberware system in the 2.0 update. The overhauled mechanics allow the ability to significantly increase Cyberware capacity, allowing for extensive customization of V’s body with various cybernetic enhancements. But why not weapon mods? It doesn’t make a great deal of sense to restrict the ability to modify weapons when the game allows such extensive modifications to V’s own body, which should logically come with greater risks and consequences.
Alternate Options to Removing Weapon Mods
While the removal of the ability to remove weapon mods might be frustrating, there are ways to work around it. Night City is teeming with weapons, ranging from common to rare. With such a diverse selection available, players can frequently find new firearms to replace their permanently modified ones. You can check out what we consider the best weapons in the game.
So, while it does suck for those who wish to modify rare or unique weapons, common weapons can easily be replaced with newer, better ones. This approach may impact your inventory and storage over time, but it allows you to adapt to the changes brought by the 2.0 update.
Related:
5 Best Pistols in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0
The decision to make weapon modifications permanent in Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.0 update does stand out as a rather odd change, especially when compared to the extensive customization allowed with cyberware. And, unfortunately, it hasn’t been reverted with more recent patches. On the plus side, Night City’s vast array of weaponry, you can still find ways to work around this limitation and continue to enjoy the many other improvements the update has brought to the game.
