Key Takeaways
Achilles is a Tech precision rifle whose value comes from charged shots and cover-piercing potential rather than a universally fixed damage figure.
Tech precision rifle
Achilles belongs to the Tech weapon family, so its handling is defined by charging rather than by ordinary Power-weapon behavior.
Charge before difficult shots
Charging is central to the rifle’s role: a properly charged shot can use Tech-weapon penetration behavior against targets protected by cover.
Tier affects its stats
Achilles does not have one universal damage profile. Its displayed values depend on the weapon tier and the current post-2.0 game state.
Useful at controlled mid-to-long range
The rifle suits deliberate precision fire from cover, where its charge mechanic can matter more than the convenience of an immediately firing weapon.
Less convenient under pressure
Its charge timing makes Achilles less straightforward than a precision rifle that fires immediately, especially when enemies are close or targets move unpredictably.
Widow Maker is the related Iconic alternative
Widow Maker is the notable Iconic weapon associated with the Achilles platform; it should be treated as a separate weapon with its own acquisition and modifier rather than as a simple tier upgrade.
Overview
Achilles is a Tech precision rifle in Cyberpunk 2077, built around charged shots and the Tech weapon system’s emphasis on penetrating fire. It is a standard base weapon rather than an Iconic, but it is also the parent model for the Iconic Widow Maker. Its appeal is controlled mid- to long-range pressure rather than the immediate handling of a conventional assault rifle.
As a precision rifle, Achilles occupies a middle ground between fast-firing rifles and slower, more specialized sniper weapons. It rewards deliberate aiming and charge timing, giving the user a way to place powerful shots while retaining more practical engagement flexibility than a dedicated long-range rifle. Its role is therefore defined by how its firing system shapes encounters, not by a single universal damage value.
The weapon’s defining identity is its Tech classification. Charging is central to Tech firearms in the current post-2.0 weapon framework, and Achilles is best understood as a rifle whose effectiveness depends on using that behaviour deliberately. Tech interactions can matter more here than a simple comparison of displayed damage, especially when choosing between it, a Power rifle with conventional projectile behaviour, or a Smart weapon with targeting assistance.
Achilles is not an Iconic weapon in its base form, so it belongs to the ordinary progression of Cyberpunk 2077’s tiered arsenal rather than to a fixed, story-defined equipment path. Its displayed performance can therefore vary with weapon tier and other current-system context. The base model is useful for players who want a Tech precision rifle without committing to the particular rules of an Iconic variant.
Its most important related weapon is Widow Maker, the Iconic variant derived from the Achilles platform. That relationship makes Achilles relevant even when the player’s eventual goal is a named Iconic: the two belong to the same weapon family, but they should not be treated as interchangeable versions. Achilles is the straightforward standard option; Widow Maker is the distinct variant to evaluate when its unique effect and acquisition context are the deciding factors.
How to Obtain
- Cyberpunk 2077 post-2.0 weapon vendors; the Achilles is not restricted to Phantom Liberty, NG+, or a specific mission.
- 01Purchase the M-179E Achilles from a weapon vendor in Night City when it appears in the vendor’s inventory. Vendor stock is progression- and tier-dependent, so check multiple weapon vendors or revisit a vendor after your character’s inventory refreshes. The standard Achilles is a regular firearm rather than a quest reward, enemy drop, or Phantom Liberty-exclusive weapon; the displayed tier and stats depend on the current post-2.0 progression system.
Availability
Base game, post-2.0 weapon system
No universal price is listed because vendor pricing varies with weapon tier and game progression.
- Requires
- No Phantom Liberty requirement. Exact availability depends on the vendor's current stock and the weapon tier offered.
Phantom Liberty / Dogtown
Do not treat Achilles X-MOD2 as the same availability entry as the standard Achilles.
- Requires
- The standard Achilles does not require the Phantom Liberty expansion.
Mechanics and Handling
Paired-projectile firing pattern
Achilles is a Tech precision rifle with a distinctive two-projectile firing pattern rather than a conventional single-projectile precision shot. The paired rounds give each trigger pull a wider hit pattern, so the rifle is more forgiving when both projectiles can connect but less tidy when the target is distant or only partly exposed. Deliberate aiming remains important; the pattern does not remove the need to place shots accurately.
Charging and cover penetration
Like other current-system Tech weapons, Achilles can be charged before firing. An uncharged shot is useful when an immediate hit matters, while a fully charged shot is intended for the weapon's Tech behaviour, including penetrating suitable cover. Charge timing therefore matters more than simply holding the trigger: the player trades responsiveness for the ability to make a more committed shot through protection. The exact result still depends on the cover and target involved.
Range and practical handling
Achilles is best handled as a precision weapon for controlled medium- to long-range engagements rather than as a general-purpose automatic rifle. Its paired projectiles can help against exposed targets, but the spread is more consequential when only a small head or limb is visible. At close range, quick uncharged shots are generally more practical than waiting for a charge unless cover penetration is the reason for taking the shot. The rifle's value comes from combining precision aim with Tech charge mechanics, not from treating every trigger pull as an ordinary single round.
Upgrades and Variants
Strengths, Weaknesses and Best Uses
Strengths
- Tech weapon behavior gives fully charged shots the ability to penetrate cover, letting Achilles pressure enemies who are protected behind hard cover.
- Its precision-rifle format suits deliberate aimed fire at medium and long range, where controlled shots are easier to place than close-range weapons.
- The charge mechanic provides a choice between firing immediately and committing to a charged shot when penetration or greater impact is more useful.
Weaknesses
- Charging delays the next effective shot and makes missed or poorly timed charged attacks more costly during fast exchanges.
- As a precision rifle, Achilles is less forgiving in close quarters than automatic weapons and shotguns, especially when several enemies can pressure the player at once.
- Its main advantage depends on useful sightlines or enemies using cover; against exposed targets, the Tech penetration feature offers less practical value.
Best uses
- Use Achilles for medium- to long-range engagements where aimed shots and controlled follow-up fire are practical.
- Choose it when enemies regularly fight from hard cover and a charged shot can reach them without requiring a flank.
- Pair it with a playstyle that can maintain distance and time charges, rather than one built around constant movement and point-blank engagements.
Compared With Similar Weapons
| Attribute | Achilles |  SOR-22 |  Widow Maker |  Breakthrough |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class and technology | Charged mid-to-long-range precision fire | Semi-automatic precision fire | Aggressive precision damage at mid-to-long range | Long-range penetration and overwatch |
| Role | Tech charging supports deliberate shots and cover-oriented play | A straightforward non-Iconic Tech precision-rifle alternative | Its Iconic behavior modifies the standard precision-rifle role with additional projectile output | Trades the precision-rifle format for a more dedicated Tech sniper role |
| Distinguishing behavior | Players who want a controllable Tech precision rifle without relying on Smart targeting | Players who prefer a conventional precision-rifle handling profile | Players seeking a more specialized Iconic alternative to Achilles | Players prioritizing distant, cover-penetrating shots over flexible mid-range handling |
| Best fit | — | — | — | — |
Used In
- Widow MakerIconic tech-precision-rifle counterpart associated with the Achilles weapon family; acquired during the Ghost Town quest.
- Ghost TownThe quest connected to obtaining Widow Maker, the notable Iconic weapon associated with Achilles.
