In Cyberpunk 2077, if it's possible for you to hack people, it's also possible for them to hack you back from afar.
When an enemy starts hacking you, an overheat bar appears on your screen. Once this one is full, you then undergo continuous fire damage.
Be aware that the hacker at the origin of the attack isn't necessarily a netrunner. You can also be hacked by the security cameras near you. You must be able to identify where the danger comes from in order to put an end to the overheating.
There are several ways to stop a hacker and stop overheating.
The give-and-take technique
Netrunners are usually far behind, so you have to be as discreet and stealthy as possible.
The Intelligence branch of your skill tree will help you improve your stealth by spending perk points on Breach Protocol and Quickhacking.
In the Quickhacking tree, you'll find the 'I Spy' perk, which allows you to reveal the presence of an enemy netrunner when he tries to hack you. This technique is very useful and and accessible from the first levels.
As soon as you start getting hacked, try to spot the enemy — or the camera — behind the attack. If it's a netrunner, you'll have to sneak up to him discreetly and hack him as quickly as possible. It's easier to stop a hack coming from the cameras because they are easier to destroy — you just have to shoot them.
Using the camera network of the area potentially allows you to have a vision on the hacker. It's very useful if you want to quickly get the location of the netrunner. Also be aware that the enemy hacker can also see you via the cameras, so disabling them after using them is a good plan.
Tank
Make the tank
A simple and effective technique is simply to confront the hacker face to face. But beware, as the netrunner is usually located behind his allies, there will be a period of time during which you risk taking serious overheating damage.
Unless you increase your constitution — and thus your health points, your stamina and the damage you inflict — it won't be easy to go directly to the netrunners to stop any hack attempt at the beginning of a fight.
Hide & heal
Since running away from the fight to stop overheating is not a long-term solution, you can also take your time and hide behind barricades, walls or objects while waiting for the effects of the hack to fade away.
To overcome burn damage due to overheating, use treatments such as Maxdoc MK.1 that allow you to recover 40% of your health. Keep an eye out because Night City is full of these heals, you can easily keep about 30 of them on you at all times.
When overheating damage appears, hide for a few moments and use heal. Progress slowly but surely, eliminating your enemies one by one until you reach the hacker.
Become a super hacker
As the game progresses, players who have decided to optimize the Intelligence branch as much as possible will notice that netrunners are no longer a big problem and that it's easy to avoid overheating damage.
Once your hacking skills are advanced and your netrunner gear obtained, it's possible to hack enemies through walls and obstacles.
Original content by Célia "Lolisa".
