Cyberpunk 2077 Free Mod Gameplay Expansion Handily Boosts Perks

A new Cyberpunk 2077 mod has massively expanded the gameplay by giving you new abilities and unique perks.

Cyberpunk 2077’s skill trees are pretty deep, but one modder has seen an opportunity to expand it with new features and playstyles that CD Projekt Red hasn’t touched on yet.

Developed by a Cyberpunk modder known simply as Q, the mod titled “Merc Protocol - Perk Gameplay Expansion” seeks to address this by rewarding your mercenary work with new combat abilities.

By completing gigs, side jobs, and NCPD activities, you’ll unlock points for 12 unique perks across all five attributes.

As the mod description explains, Merc Protocol adds a new progression system that rewards you with entirely new combat opportunities. Instead of simple stat boosts, each perk unlocks new mechanics and playstyles which fundamentally change how you approach combat.

Some of these perks include headshot kills triggering an automatic dash toward the nearest enemy, enemies below a health threshold emitting a fear aura which reduces their accuracy, and excess damage against dead enemies converting to temporary armor.

Q

The mod also emphasises making meaningful choices, where you can only earn half of the total perk points needed to max every new perk. So, if you want all of them, you'll have to sacrifice perks from the base game to get them.

These are also all earned through gameplay, where your perk points come from completing mercenary missions across Night City rather than just playing regular gameplay.

Merc Protocol Dramatically Changes Up Your Skill Builds In Cyberpunk 2077

The mod has also taken heavy inspiration from RMK’s Stealthrunner mod, and Q acknowledges that “significant portions of the UI framework, notification systems, and menu integration are built upon RMK's excellent work”.

To access the new perks added as part of Merc Protocol, you can find them via the Character screen, where you’ll see a new “Additional Perk Trees” option.

From there, you can view your milestone progress, available perk points, and purchase perks at any time.

If you’re also adding this mod in the middle of a playthrough, Merc Protocol can also be safely installed mid-save without anything breaking.

So you won't have to worry about having to start over with a new character.

For those who are interested in playing Cyberpunk 2077 with the Merc Protocol - Perk Gameplay Expansion mod installed, you can check it out now as a free download via Nexus Mods.