Key Takeaways
Ambition is a Phantom Liberty-era Iconic Tech pistol built around charged shots and a chance to blind targets. Its value comes from combining Tech weapon behavior with a weapon-specific control effect, rather than from a permanently superior damage profile.
Iconic Tech pistol
Ambition belongs to the Tech pistol category and uses the post-2.0 weapon framework. Its defining identity is the combination of charge-based firing, cover interaction and an Iconic modifier that rewards accurate charged shots.
Charged shots can blind enemies
Its special effect gives fully charged shots a chance to blind enemies, with accurate headshots improving the weapon's opportunity to trigger that effect. The blind effect is conditional rather than a guaranteed result on every hit.
Phantom Liberty availability
Ambition is tied to Phantom Liberty content in Dogtown and is associated with the Prototype: Get It gig. Its acquisition depends on completing that content and following the relevant reward path rather than finding it as a standard unrestricted world weapon.
Strong for controlled engagements
The pistol is most useful when V can charge shots deliberately, exploit Tech weapon cover behavior and use blindness to disrupt groups or create safer follow-up opportunities. This makes it more distinctive than a conventional sidearm with only a damage-focused modifier.
Charge commitment is its main limitation
Ambition asks the player to manage charge timing and accuracy. Its signature crowd-control effect is chance-based, so it should not be treated as a guaranteed defensive tool or as a substitute for consistent damage in every encounter.
Its Iconic effect defines progression
Ambition should be evaluated as an Iconic weapon whose special behavior remains central as its tier advances under the current upgrade system. It is not interchangeable with an ordinary Tech pistol simply because both weapons share the same class.
Different from burst-focused Tech pistols
Compared with Lizzie, another Iconic Tech pistol, Ambition emphasizes charged-shot control through blindness, while Lizzie is associated with a more projectile-focused burst pattern. The better choice depends on whether the build values disruption or concentrated offensive output.
Overview
Ambition is an iconic Tech pistol in , added with . It rewards charged, accurate fire with a chance to apply the quickhack, giving the weapon a distinct anti-cyberware role rather than functioning as a conventional sidearm.
Ambition is a Phantom Liberty-era iconic pistol associated with Dogtown and the side job Shot by Both Sides. Its identity is tied to the post-2.0 weapon system: it is a Tech weapon, so its defining behaviour is built around charged shots and precision rather than the ricochet patterns of or the guided targeting of . The weapon’s place in progression therefore depends on access to the expansion’s Dogtown content, not simply on finding an ordinary pistol in Night City.
Its signature effect gives headshots a chance to apply the Cyberware Malfunction quickhack, with the chance improving as the shot is charged. That makes Ambition more than a pistol with an Iconic label: it links accurate weapon play to a specific quickhack effect. The result is especially relevant when fighting enemies whose cyberware can be disrupted, while the charge requirement creates a deliberate trade-off between firing immediately and preparing a more reliable special-effect attempt.
In practical use, Ambition suits a player who is comfortable lining up headshots and incorporating charged attacks into a pistol-oriented loadout. It is less naturally suited to constant hip-fire or rapid uncharged shooting, where its special effect is less central to the weapon’s identity. The pistol also occupies a different niche from Iconic Power handguns that emphasise ricochets, raw shot volume or close-range burst damage; Ambition’s distinction is the interaction between Tech charging, headshot accuracy and Cyberware Malfunction.
Ambition is therefore best understood as a specialised iconic sidearm rather than a universal replacement for other pistols. Its value depends on the encounter, the target’s susceptibility to the associated quickhack and the player’s willingness to use charged precision shots. Because it belongs to Cyberpunk 2077’s current post-2.0 framework, its exact combat figures should be read at the weapon tier and upgrade state shown in-game rather than treated as tierless values. No separate base-game version is implied by the name; the notable context is its Phantom Liberty availability.
Statistics
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Class | Pistol |
| Subtype | Pistol |
| Technology | Tech |
| Ammo | Handgun Ammo |
| Stat Scaling | Tier-dependent |
| Iconic | Yes |
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Content Scope | Base game / free update |
Figures verified against Consolidated Game Weapons Database.
Compared to similar pistols
| Attribute |  Ambition | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class | Pistol | Pistol | Pistol | Pistol | Pistol |
| Technology | Tech | Smart | Power | Power | Power |
| Ammo | Handgun Ammo | Handgun Ammo | Handgun Ammo | Handgun Ammo | Handgun Ammo |
| Iconic | Yes | Yes | — | — | — |
How to Obtain
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty; Shot by Both Sides must be available in Dogtown.
- Progress through the Phantom Liberty campaign far enough for Mr. Hands to offer the Shot by Both Sides gig.
- 01Travel to Dogtown and accept the Gig: Shot by Both Sides from Mr. Hands. Follow the gig until the confrontation involving Bree Whitney and Dante; Ambition is tied to this mission rather than a world pickup, regular vendor inventory, or enemy drop.
- 02During the confrontation, choose the route that results in Dante being killed. After the fight, search Dante's body and collect Ambition. This is the direct guaranteed acquisition route; the weapon is not obtained by purchasing it from a standard vendor.
- 03If you resolve Shot by Both Sides without killing Dante, do not assume Ambition will be available afterward. Verify the mission outcome before leaving the area, because the weapon's availability is tied to this choice and no general post-mission recovery route is established here.
Availability
Base game without Phantom Liberty
Ambition is not part of the base-game weapon pool.
- Requires
- Phantom Liberty is required.
Phantom Liberty — Dogtown
Its direct acquisition depends on the outcome of that mission. It is not a general vendor-stock weapon or a difficulty-gated reward.
- Requires
- Reach the Phantom Liberty content and resolve the side job Shot by Both Sides.
Mechanics and Handling
Ambition is not a melee weapon. In Cyberpunk 2077, it is an Iconic Tech pistol, so its handling is defined by semi-automatic pistol fire and charge timing rather than a melee moveset. Its distinctive mechanic is the interaction between fully charged shots and its blinding effect.
The weapon rewards deliberate trigger control. Ordinary shots preserve the familiar responsiveness of a pistol, while charged shots require the player to hold the trigger until the weapon reaches full charge. That extra commitment matters when an enemy is pushing the player’s position, so Ambition is more effective when used from cover, at controlled sightlines, or against targets whose movement can be predicted.
Charge timing and Tech weapon behaviour
Ambition’s charged-shot behaviour gives it a different rhythm from a conventional pistol. Holding the trigger builds a shot rather than immediately releasing the weapon’s attack, and a full charge is the important threshold for its Iconic effect. The player therefore has to choose between quick follow-up fire and a slower, more deliberate shot with greater utility.
As a Tech weapon, Ambition can use charged fire to take advantage of Tech-pistol penetration behaviour where the target and cover arrangement allow it. This makes cover less absolute than it is for an ordinary sidearm, but charge time still creates a vulnerability: firing through protection is useful only if the player can safely complete the charge and maintain a clear line toward the target.
Blind chance on fully charged shots
A fully charged shot has a chance to inflict Blind on its target. The chance improves with consecutive shots, making Ambition more rewarding when the player keeps pressure on one enemy instead of repeatedly switching targets. The effect is chance-based rather than a guaranteed result, so the pistol should not be treated as a dependable crowd-control weapon on every shot.
Blind creates the weapon’s main tactical opening. A successful proc can interrupt the target’s ability to contest the player’s position and gives a precision-focused user a safer moment to aim. Because the trigger is conditional on full charge, the effect belongs to Ambition’s deliberate firing cycle rather than its fastest point-blank response.
Practical handling in combat
Ambition is best handled as a precision sidearm for players who are comfortable alternating between immediate shots and charged shots. Use quick fire when an enemy is already exposed or closing rapidly; use a full charge when cover, distance, or a predictable target gives enough time to complete the shot. The consecutive-shot aspect of its blind chance also favours sustained attention on a priority target.
The pistol is less convenient when several enemies are attacking from different angles and there is no time to hold the trigger. Its special effect cannot be planned as a guaranteed opener, and charge commitment makes missed or poorly timed shots more costly. In those situations, a weapon with immediate damage output or broader area coverage may be easier to control.
What makes Ambition distinct
Ambition’s identity comes from combining Tech-pistol charge timing with a conditional Blind effect. It is not simply a higher-damage version of a standard handgun: its value depends on creating safe opportunities to complete charged shots, then using the resulting disruption to maintain precision pressure. Players choosing it should therefore evaluate charge tolerance, target selection, and cover usage rather than judging it only by the pistol’s displayed damage.
Upgrades and Variants
Strengths, Weaknesses and Best Uses
Strengths
- Ambition’s Iconic effect gives accurate headshots a chance to blind the target, creating temporary control rather than relying only on raw weapon damage.
- As a Tech pistol, it can benefit from Cyberpunk 2077’s charged-shot and cover-penetration mechanics, allowing attacks against enemies who are not fully exposed.
- Its effect rewards deliberate aiming, so players who consistently target heads can create safer openings against individual human opponents.
- The weapon fits a precision-oriented loadout without requiring the player to commit to a melee range or close-quarters engagement.
Weaknesses
- Ambition’s signature effect depends on landing headshots, so its practical value falls when enemies are moving unpredictably, heavily obscured, or difficult to target precisely.
- Charged Tech shots require more preparation than immediately firing an uncharged weapon; aggressive enemies can punish the time spent charging or lining up a shot.
- Blinding is a control effect rather than a universal answer to every encounter, and it does not by itself replace armour penetration, crowd control, or sustained area damage.
- Its strengths are less relevant to builds that do not invest in pistol accuracy, headshot consistency, or Tech-weapon support.
Best uses
- Use Ambition for controlled engagements against human targets where headshots are practical and blindness can interrupt an enemy’s pressure.
- Pair it with a pistol-focused or Tech-weapon archetype that can exploit charged shots, cover penetration, and deliberate positioning.
- Choose it when the encounter rewards disabling priority targets one at a time rather than clearing dense groups with explosives or sustained automatic fire.
- Treat Ambition as a precision sidearm for players who want a ranged control option; it is not correctly classified as a melee weapon.
Compared With Similar Weapons
| Attribute | Ambition |  Lizzie |  Pariah |  Her Majesty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class and technology | Charge-oriented pistol gameplay; compare at the same weapon tier | More aggressive close-to-mid-range Tech-pistol option | Tech-pistol alternative built around charged shots and precision engagement | Stealth-oriented pistol handling with Smart-weapon targeting |
| Core handling | Weapon-specific Iconic effect makes it more than a standard Tech-pistol sidegrade | Charged attacks alter its projectile output, giving it a different burst profile from Ambition | Its Iconic behaviour changes how charged attacks are used, making it a direct role comparison rather than a melee alternative | Its Smart-weapon and stealth functionality changes the engagement requirements compared with Tech pistols |
| Distinctive mechanic | Choose when an Iconic Tech pistol with its own combat effect is preferred over a general-purpose option | Prefer for heavier burst pressure rather than Ambition’s weapon-specific utility | Compare with Ambition when selecting between specialized Iconic Tech pistols | Prefer when stealth and guided targeting matter more than Tech charge mechanics |
| Best comparison use | — | — | — | — |
Used In
- Go Your Own WayThe side job associated with receiving Ambition after the relevant Dogtown storyline choice.
- Prototype in the ScraperThe Dogtown gig that introduces the circumstances leading to Ambition's acquisition.
- HasanThe character connected to Ambition's acquisition and the choice that determines whether the weapon becomes available.
Lore and Design
Ambition has a documented connection to *Shot by Both Sides*, a Phantom Liberty side job set in Dogtown. Its narrative significance comes from that quest association rather than from an extensively developed character, faction, or historical backstory attached to the weapon itself.
The weapon’s role in the quest places it within the expansion’s broader setting of corporate interests, mercenary work, and competing agendas in Dogtown. That context supports treating Ambition as a story-linked Iconic weapon, but does not establish a deeper canonical relationship with a particular faction or character beyond its appearance in the side job. No reliable developer commentary or official design material is established for Ambition, so claims about real-world inspiration, intended symbolism, or the developers’ design goals should not be treated as canon.
