Key Takeaways
Nekomata is a Tech sniper rifle for deliberate, long-range shots rather than sustained close-quarters fire.
Tech sniper rifle
Its defining system is Tech weapon charging: holding the trigger charges the shot, enabling the rifle’s distinctive penetration-focused role when used against suitable cover.
Tier-dependent performance
Nekomata’s damage and other displayed weapon values vary with its current Tier and upgrade state, so no single damage figure represents every copy.
Strong through-cover option
When fully charged and used from a stable position, Nekomata can punish enemies who would otherwise be protected by cover, making it well suited to planned long-range engagements.
Charge time is the trade-off
The rifle’s charge requirement delays its shot and makes missed attempts costly, while its sniper-rifle handling is less forgiving in hurried close-range fights.
Tech-focused synergy
Nekomata fits Tech Weapon playstyles and benefits from investment in the current charge-weapon perk framework rather than Smart Weapon targeting systems.
Iconic alternative
Breakthrough is an Iconic Tech sniper rifle associated with the Nekomata’s weapon role; it should be treated as a distinct named alternative with its own acquisition and modifier, not as a universal upgrade to every Nekomata.
Overview
Nekomata is a standard Tech sniper rifle in Cyberpunk 2077, built for deliberate long-range shots rather than rapid fire. Its defining role comes from the Tech weapon system: charging a shot can let it penetrate cover, giving it a tactical option that conventional Power and Smart sniper rifles do not share.
The Nekomata occupies the precision end of Cyberpunk 2077’s firearm roster. It is a conventional inventory weapon rather than an Iconic with a named character history or a unique quest identity, so its value comes primarily from its weapon class and Tech designation. That makes it relevant to characters who want a sniper rifle that rewards preparation, sightlines, and controlled trigger timing instead of continuous fire or close-range pressure.
As a Tech weapon, the Nekomata’s charged shots are intended to interact with cover rather than simply stopping at the first surface. This gives the rifle a distinct role in encounters where enemies are protected by walls, barriers, or other obstacles. The mechanic does not make every shot universally effective: the practical result depends on the weapon’s charge state, the target’s position, and the current Tech-weapon rules and supporting perks.
The rifle is therefore best understood as a precision tool with an alternate way to reach targets, not merely as a higher-damage replacement for every other sniper rifle. Power sniper rifles emphasise conventional projectile behaviour and can offer a more direct shooting rhythm, while Smart sniper rifles trade some manual aiming demands for guided targeting. Nekomata instead asks the player to create a clear firing opportunity and decide when a charged, cover-piercing shot is worth the time.
Nekomata is part of the post-2.0 weapon framework, where ordinary firearms use tiered progression and weapon technology affects handling and build choices. Its core identity applies in the base game and remains relevant in Phantom Liberty, but tier, available attachments or mods, and perk interactions should be checked in the specific version and item state being used. The weapon suits a stealth or overwatch approach, yet it can also support an open fight when cover penetration creates a safe angle or prevents enemies from resetting behind protection.
Statistics
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Class | Sniper Rifle |
| Subtype | Sniper Rifle |
| Technology | Tech |
| Ammo | Sniper Ammo |
| Stat Scaling | Tier-dependent |
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Content Scope | Base game / free update |
Figures verified against Consolidated Game Weapons Database.
Compared to similar sniper rifles
| Attribute |  Nekomata | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class | Sniper Rifle | Sniper Rifle | Sniper Rifle | Sniper Rifle | Sniper Rifle |
| Technology | Tech | Power | Smart | Power | Power |
| Ammo | Sniper Ammo | Sniper Ammo | Sniper Ammo | Sniper Ammo | Sniper Ammo |
| Iconic | — | — | — | Yes | Yes |
How to Obtain
- Cyberpunk 2077’s post-2.0 weapon system; the available tier and vendor stock depend on current progression. No separate DLC, NG+, or named-quest requirement is established for the standard Nekomata.
- 01Check weapon vendors in Night City for the Nekomata and buy it when it appears in their inventory. Vendor stock and the weapon’s tier follow the post-2.0 progression system, so this is not tied to one named shop, fixed price, or universal character level.
- 02The Nekomata can also appear as ordinary firearm loot from containers and defeated enemies as you progress. These appearances are not a guaranteed drop or quest reward; no specific mission, boss, or one-per-playthrough pickup is required for the standard weapon.
Availability
Cyberpunk 2077 base game, post-2.0 weapon system
Nekomata is not DLC-exclusive. Vendor stock and displayed weapon tier can vary with progression and the current loot/vendor tier system; no universal price or single unlock level is stated here.
Mechanics and Handling
The Nekomata is a precision Tech sniper rifle built around deliberate, charged shots rather than rapid follow-up fire. Its single-shot firing pattern rewards preparing the shot before exposing yourself: line up the target, begin charging, and release when the weapon has reached the charge state needed for the intended effect. This makes positioning and timing more important than simply maintaining pressure on an enemy.
Charging and cover penetration
The Nekomata’s defining mechanic is Tech-weapon charge. Holding the trigger builds the shot, and a fully charged shot can penetrate cover, allowing the rifle to reach enemies who are protected by suitable environmental obstacles. Penetration is not a reason to fire blindly: the target still needs to be identified, and intervening geometry can affect whether the shot has a viable path. Charging also leaves the shooter committed for longer than an ordinary uncharged shot, so taking cover or using distance helps reduce the risk during preparation.
The rifle is most consistent when used from a stable position with a clear sightline. Its sniper-rifle role gives it a natural long-range focus, while the charge requirement makes hurried close-range engagements awkward. If an enemy is already exposed, an immediate precision shot may be preferable to waiting unnecessarily for a charged penetration attempt; if the enemy is behind cover, the extra preparation can convert that protection into a disadvantage.
Firing rhythm and reload handling
The Nekomata’s slow, deliberate attack rhythm limits its tolerance for missed shots. After firing, the user must account for the weapon’s follow-up and reload cadence rather than expecting assault-rifle-style sustained fire. This encourages choosing high-value targets, breaking line of sight after a shot, and re-engaging when the next round is ready. Its practical damage output therefore depends heavily on accuracy and target selection, not just the rifle’s displayed damage.
The Nekomata does not have a separate weapon skill or alternate attack pattern that replaces its core charged-shot behaviour. Its handling is instead defined by the interaction between scope-based precision, charge timing, cover penetration, and limited opportunities for rapid follow-up fire. Tech-weapon perks or cyberware that alter charging or support precision shooting can change how comfortably it fits a build, but those effects come from the wider character system rather than from an inherent Nekomata-only mode.
Upgrades and Variants
Strengths, Weaknesses and Best Uses
Strengths
- Tech-weapon charging gives the Nekomata a way to send fully charged shots through suitable cover, allowing it to pressure enemies who are not directly exposed.
- Its sniper-rifle format supports deliberate, long-range engagements where precision and target selection matter more than rapid follow-up shots.
- A scope and precision-focused handling make it suitable for isolating dangerous enemies before they can close the distance.
Weaknesses
- Charging delays the shot and can leave the user exposed while holding an angle; releasing early reduces the benefit of the weapon's defining mechanic.
- Its slow, deliberate firing rhythm is poorly suited to several enemies at close range or to fights that require constant movement and rapid target switching.
- Cover penetration is situational: it depends on the shot, the intervening cover and the enemy's position, so the weapon cannot treat every obstacle as irrelevant.
Best uses
- Long sightlines where the user can charge safely and exploit precision against distant targets.
- Opening an encounter by attacking enemies behind partial cover before switching weapons for closer threats.
- Tech-weapon or precision-focused loadouts that can create time and space for charged shots rather than demanding continuous close-range fire.
Compared With Similar Weapons
| Attribute | Nekomata |  Rasetsu |  Ashura |  Overwatch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | Charge-based shots support precision fire and wall penetration | Iconic Tech alternative with a distinct charged-shot effect; Phantom Liberty content | Smart targeting reduces the need for manual precision but depends on Smart-weapon support | Power-weapon behavior favors conventional precision fire rather than Tech charging |
| Handling and shot behavior | Players who want deliberate long-range shots and Tech-weapon synergy | Tech builds seeking a more specialized Iconic option | Long-range players who prefer guided projectiles and target assistance | Players who want a straightforward sniper rifle without Tech or Smart requirements |
| Best suited to | — | — | — | — |
Trivia
- “Nekomata” is the name of a Japanese yōkai traditionally associated with cats that have undergone a supernatural transformation. In Cyberpunk 2077, the term is used for a named sniper-rifle model; the game does not establish a direct lore connection between the firearm and the folkloric creature.
