Cyberpunk 2077: Build David Martinez Like a True Edgerunner in 2026

Even in 2026, chooms are still firing up Cyberpunk 2077 to pay tribute to Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. The anime might have dropped back in 2022, but its emotional gut punch—and its protagonist, David Martinez—still hits like a truck. If a player wants to mold their V into Night City's favorite chrome-fueled tragic hero, it's not just possible; it's preem. Here's how to do it right.

Lifepath: Street Kid or Bust

When players start a new game, they pick a Lifepath. For a David Martinez run, there is only one correct answer: Street Kid. David grew up in the shadows of Santo Domingo, raised by a single mom who worked herself to the bone. He hustled, scraped, and did some less-than-legal gigs to survive. That is the Street Kid story in a nutshell. Corpo or Nomad? Those paths are about as fitting as a suit in a scav den.

Armor & Armor Mods: The Jacket That Started It All

David's look isn't overly complicated, but it has one absolute must-have: his big yellow jacket. Players can grab David's Jacket by completing the Over the Edge side mission, which was added as free DLC alongside the anime. In 2026, that mission is still in the game, and the transmog system means players can wear it without sacrificing stats. Pairing it with a black shirt and dark pants gives off the instantly recognizable vibe.

For mods, the classic guide points to the Fortuna Clothing Mod, which boosts Crit Chance by 15%. That mod can be obtained by dismantling clothing with the Waste Not Want Not perk. However, after Cyberpunk 2077's 2.0 update, clothing mods work differently. Players on the latest patch should look for crit-boosting cyberware or weapon mods instead. The spirit of the build remains the same: stack crit, hit hard.

Weapons & Weapon Mods: Fists First, Lexington Second

David's primary weapon in Edgerunners is his own two hands. After enough cyberware, those hands become lethal. That's why this build focuses on melee, specifically fists. Players should invest in Gorilla Arms and punch their way through Night City like a true brawler.

That said, David does use a pistol—the one Maine gives him. In-game, the closest match is the Lexington. It can be purchased from the Mobile Camp weapons vendor in the Badlands, east of the Rocky Ridge Fast Travel point. But honestly, the Lexington is a starter tool. Once the chrome kicks in, fists should do the talking.

Cyberware & Cyberware Mods: Gorilla Arms and Sandevistan

This is where the David Martinez build comes alive. The two non-negotiable pieces of cyberware are:

• Gorilla Arms – for raw brawling power 💪

• Sandevistan – for that signature speed burst ⚡

In the show, David's Sandevistan makes him a blur. In the game, it's an operating system that slows time and lets V close the gap fast. Players should also grab cyberware mods that boost Sandevistan's crit chance and reduce its cooldown. In 2.0 and beyond, cyberware capacity matters, so prioritize these pieces and upgrade them as V levels up.

Skills & Perks: Brawl, Move, Repeat

The original 2023 guide suggested spreading points across Street Brawler, Athletics, Cold Blood, Annihilation, Ninjutsu, and Engineering. That advice still works in spirit, but the 2.0 perk overhaul changed the names and trees. Here's a modernized breakdown:

Attribute	Key Perks	Why It Fits David
Body	Street Brawler, Annihilation	Boosts fists and heavy weapons
Reflexes	Ninjutsu, Assault	Improves mobility and crit
Cool	Deep Breath, Ninjutsu	Helps with stealth and survivability
Technical Ability	Engineering	Synergizes with cyberware
Intelligence	Optional	Not a priority for this build

Cold Blood as a standalone tree is gone in the current version, but players can still find crit-stacking perks in the Cool tree. The goal is simple: make V fast, tough, and deadly with their hands.

Final Thoughts: Go Out With a Bang

Building David Martinez in Cyberpunk 2077 is about more than stats. It's about capturing a feeling—the scrappy Street Kid who rises too fast, loves too hard, and burns too bright. Whether players are on the latest 2026 patch or revisiting an older save, this build delivers that fantasy. So players should chrome up, choom. Night City is waiting, and it doesn't hand out second chances. But for David? Players can give him one anyway. 🎮