In Cyberpunk 2077 2.0, the best Sandevistan gives you bullet time, any time

by Josh Tolentino on 14 December, 2023

In Cyberpunk 2077, no character-building choice is more consequential than an Operating System Cyberware. Whether you prefer a netrunning-enabled Cyberdeck, the unstoppable juggernaut that is a Berserk-equipped melee fighter, or the time-slowing Sandevistan module, your OS unlocks the core "superpower" around which your combat style might revolve.

To that end, we've come up with a quick guide to helping you pick the best Sandevistan in Cyberpunk 2077, as of the massive 2.0 update and the Phantom Liberty expansion.

What's a Sandevistan and how does it work in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0?

In essence, a Sandevistan allows you to slow down time on command. Unlike the more limited Kerenzikov Cyberware, Sandevistans (or "Sandis") will slow down time no matter what you're doing, for the full duration of their effect. Thus, you can change your actions, take careful aim, or unleash powerful melee moves while maintaining greater situational awareness.

Sandevistan modules also tend to boost V's stats in various ways, making it a potent mode through which to deal damage and take out enemies.

One excellent change CD Projekt RED made with the Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 update was to allow all Sandevistan models to be shut off at will after activation. Players no longer need to use the entire charge of their Sandi, and will benefit from a shorter recharge time if they opt to prematurely end the effect.

Even better, the top-tier models of Sandevistan can be activated with even a partial charge level, allowing players to use their effects in short bursts at any time. These changes make Sandevistans far more versatile and compatible with a wider range of character builds and weapons.

Which Cyberpunk 2077 Sandevistan Builds Work Best?

Here's a sample Sandevistan-centered combat build (including Perks from Phantom Liberty). Though this build focuses on mobility and uses pistols, blades, and thrown weapons as their main armament, Sandis are actually quite versatile, and reallocating your perks will work almost as well for SMGs and Assault Rifles, as well as Blunt weapons, shotguns, and LMGs. You'll only need to respec Attributes if you want to use Smart weapons, as the best perks to enhance those weapons are nested in the Intelligence tree.

Check out our full build guide for more tips, and our master Cyberware list for more info about other Cyberware options.

Preferred Perks:
- Reflexes: Dash, Air Dash, Tailwind, Slaughterhouse, Flash and Thunderclap, Aerial Acrobat
- Body: Adrenaline Rush, Juggernaut, Dorph-head, Calm Mind
- Technical Ability: Edgerunner, License to Chrome, Cyborg, Chrome Constitution, Extended Warranty, Renaissance Punk
- Cool: Ninjutsu, Style over Substance, Run N' Gun, Deadeye, Juggler, Killer Instinct
Preferred Cyberwear:
- Newton Module, Proxishield, Heal-on-Kill, Stabber, Kerenzikov, Defenzikov, Kerenzikov Boost System, Microrotors, Dense Marrow, Blood Pump, Microgenerator, Ballistic Coprocessor, Optical Camo, Fortified Ankles
Preferred weapons:
- Pistols, Blades, Shotguns, Revolvers. Blunt weapons and other weapons can be used, as can automatic weapons like SMGs and Assault Rifles, but these weapons benefit less from the unique bonuses of most Sandi models.

Playstyle tips for using a Sandevistan

While the Sandevistan's time-slowing effect is useful in almost any combat situation, it should be noted that not everything speeds up when a Sandi is activated. This is particularly true of guns, which are as beholden to their programmed firing rates as ever. That means that automatic weapons like the Lexington Pistol and most of the game's assault rifles will feel less effective under a Sandi's influence, since they'll feel like they're firing "slower".

With that in mind, a Sandevistan-using player may wish to favor slower-firing, high-power guns like precision pistols, revolvers, some tech weapons (especially those with a fast charge time), semi-automatic rifles, and shotguns. Though these weapons are slower to fire, they're well-suited to the switch-on-switch-off style of play enabled by higher-level Sandis and mesh well with conservative Sandi usage at lower levels.

By contrast, melee attack speeds aren't as affected by the Sandevistan time-dilation. Fast-swinging melee weapons like katanas, machetes, mantis blades, and gorilla fists all greatly benefit from the effective speed boost while time is slowed, allowing V to dish out as much damage as her stamina can handle.

What's the Best Sandevistan in Cyberpunk 2077?

Though like the Berserk in that their itemization is more linear in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0, Sandevistans are slightly more differentiated by style, though not nearly as much as Cyberdecks are. That being said, there is one undisputed top-end Sandevistan in the game these days: The Militech "Apogee" Sandevistan model available at Tier 5. Befitting the name, it outclasses every other model, and once it's available there's no reason to use any other one unless sorely lacking in Cyberware capacity.

Before the Apogee lands in V's spine, though, the other lower-tier models do have some notable differences worth going over below.

Dynalar Sandevistan

Starting Tier: Tier 2 (Level 10)
Tier 5 Stats
- Cyberware Capacity Cost: 18
- Slows down time by 50%
- +15% crit chance
- +15% crit damage
- Duration: 8 seconds
- Cooldown: 55 seconds

The Dynalar Sandevistan is the bottom-rung basic model, with no particular standout qualities. It does contain a respectable bonus to crit chance and damage, which helps a V starting out or missing the capacity to equip the Zetatech.

Zetatech Sandevistan

Starting Tier: Tier 2 (Level 10)
Tier 5 Stats
- Cyberware Capacity Cost: 20
- Slows down time by 30%
- +12% damage
- When active in midair:
- Slows time by 60%
- +24% damage
- +40% headshot and weakspot damage
- -30% Fall Damage
- Duration: 6 seconds
- Cooldown: 45 seconds

The Zetatech Sandevistan is a more specialized Sandi that favors midair activation. All of its stat bonuses double when activated while airborne, making it useful for quick hits while running. At early levels it's more of a toss-up between the Dynalar and the Zetatech, but higher-level characters with a lot of air dashes can make strong use of it.

QianT "Warp Dancer" Sandevistan

Starting Tier: Tier 3 (Level 20)
Tier 5 Stats
- Cyberware Capacity Cost: 14
- Slows down time by 20%
- +24% Mitigation Chance
- +12% Mitigation Strength
- 50% resistance to Thermal, Chemcial, and Electrical Damage
- Duration: 9 seconds
- Cooldown: 70 seconds

Once the best Sandi in the game, the QianT has mutated into a niche, defensive-use-only Sandevistan. It has a long duration and doesn't slow down time by too much, making it ideal for activating when combat starts to get hairy for greater survivability. However, with Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 Sandevistan play still favoring close-range offense, an ability specialized for "panic button" usage patterns feels like an underutilization of the concept. It might be worthwhile, though, for players that prefer treating combat like a more mundane shooter, without much use of "superpowers".

Militech "Falcon" Sandevistan

Starting Tier: Tier 4 (Level 30)
Tier 5 Stats
- Can be activated at any charge level.
- Cyberware Capacity Cost: 39
- Slows down time by 70%
- +10% damage
- +15% Crit Chance
- +10% Crit Damage
- Neutralizing enemies while active gives:
- +5% extended duration
- +12% health
- Duration: 10 seconds
- Cooldown: 30 seconds

The Militech "Falcon" Sandevistan is the second-best Sandevistan on the list, and is the first of the Sandevistan selection that can be activated at any charge level. That means it can be toggled on or off at any time, as long as there's at least a little bit of charge available. That makes it an excellent companion to gun users, as well as ideal for melee fighters, in all the ways that Sandis tend to be. It's also got a massive time-slow effect compared to the other models, while buffing damage output, crit chance, and crit damage. Scoring kills while it's active also increases its duration and heals V slightly.

Militech "Apogee" Sandevistan

Starting Tier: Tier 5 (Level 40)
Tier 5 Stats
- Can be activated at any charge level.
- Cyberware Capacity Cost: 44
- Slows down time by 85%
- +20% headshot damage
- +20% Crit Chance
- +20% Crit Damage
- Neutralizing enemies while active gives:
- +10% extended duration
- +22% Stamina
- Duration: 6 seconds
- Cooldown: 25 seconds

Welcome to Peak Sandevistan. In keeping with its name, the Apogee is the best Sandevistan in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0. In nearly every respect it's a straight upgrade from the Falcon, with only a shorter duration time and no heal effect setting it apart in terms of effectiveness. Geared even more for offence thanks to its stamina restoration, the Apogee practically begs players to use it to get quick kills and extend its duration, as well as favor "tapping the trigger" by using it to slow down time for a couple of headshots before toggling it off again. Once both are available, the only reason to favor the Falcon is if you're lacking in Cyberware capacity.

As a bit of trivia, this model matches the one used by Cyberpunk: Edgerunners protagonist David Martinez.

Cyberpunk 2077 is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Check out more of RPG Site's guides to the game, and our official review of Phantom Liberty.