Cyberpunk 2077 Throwing Knives: Best Picks & Locations
For a quick answer: the best throwing knives in Cyberpunk 2077 are the Nehan (found during the main job “The Pickup”) and the Stinger (purchased from the weapon vendor in The Glen, Heywood). For a stealth or crit build, Headhunter (bought from the same vendor) is a top choice. This guide covers every iconic throwing knife, where to find them, and how to choose based on your build.
Why Throwing Knives Are Worth Using
Throwing knives are a unique weapon class in Cyberpunk 2077, added to give stealth and melee builds a ranged option that doesn’t rely on ammunition. Unlike guns, knives are retrieved automatically after a short cooldown (about 2 seconds) if you pick them up from a body or the ground. They scale with the Reflexes attribute and the Blades skill tree, making them a natural fit for netrunners or solo builds that want silent takedowns.
Their main advantages are:
- Silent kills – no sound, no alert, perfect for stealth.
- No ammo cost – infinite use as long as you retrieve them.
- High crit potential – many knives have bonus crit damage or chance.
- Versatility – can be thrown or used in melee.
The downside is that they are single-target and require precision. Missing a throw leaves you vulnerable, and the retrieval mechanic can be clunky in combat. Still, with the right perks, they can one-shot most enemies.
All Iconic Throwing Knives and Where to Find Them
There are exactly five iconic throwing knives in the base game (plus a sixth in the Phantom Liberty expansion). Each has a unique perk and a specific location or acquisition method.
- Nehan – Found during the main job The Pickup, inside the Maelstrom hideout (All Foods factory). It’s on a table near the cyberpsycho fight. This knife has a chance to apply bleed and returns to your hand faster.
- Stinger – Sold by the weapon vendor in The Glen, Heywood (near the fast travel point). Costs around 1,500 eddies. It deals bonus damage to poisoned enemies and has a chance to poison on hit.
- Headhunter – Also sold by the same vendor in The Glen. It has a high crit damage multiplier and a chance to instantly kill non-boss enemies below 15% health.
- Blue Fang – Dropped by a cyberpsycho in the Badlands, near the “Santo Domingo” area. It applies a strong poison and is great for a toxic build.
- Jackie’s Wrench (not a knife, but often confused) – Not a throwing weapon; it’s a blunt melee weapon. Ignore it.
- Claw (Phantom Liberty) – Found in Dogtown, inside a locked room during the mission “The Damned”. It returns to your hand instantly and has a chance to dismember.
Note that in the base game, the vendor in The Glen only stocks Stinger and Headhunter. The others are world drops or quest rewards.
How to Choose the Right Knife for Your Build
Your choice depends on your playstyle and stats:
- Stealth/crit builds – Headhunter is the best due to its high crit damage and execute chance. Pair it with the Blades perk “Killing Blow” for extra crit chance.
- Poison/DoT builds – Stinger or Blue Fang. Stinger is easier to get early; Blue Fang is stronger but requires a trip to the Badlands.
- Bleed builds – Nehan is the only knife with bleed chance. It’s also the earliest you can get, making it a good starter.
- Phantom Liberty owners – Claw is objectively the best due to instant return, but it’s a late-game item.
Also consider the mod slots. All iconic knives have two mod slots. Use mods like Pax (non-lethal) or Crunch (damage) depending on your needs.
How Throwing Knives Work: Mechanics Explained
Throwing knives are classified as Blades weapons, so they benefit from the Blades skill tree perks. Key mechanics:
- Throwing – Hold the attack button to aim, release to throw. You can also quick-throw with a tap.
- Retrieval – After throwing, you must walk over the knife (or the enemy’s body) to pick it up. The cooldown is about 2 seconds, but perks like “Juggler” reduce it.
- Stealth multiplier – Thrown knives deal 3x damage from stealth if you have the “Silent Takedown” perk.
- Crits – Knives have a base crit chance of 5%, but can be boosted with mods and perks.
One common misconception is that knives are affected by the Cool attribute. They are not – they scale with Reflexes only. So don’t invest in Cool for knife damage.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Players often run into these issues:
- Knife not returning – If you throw a knife and it lands on a ledge or in water, you can’t retrieve it. Always aim for flat ground or enemies.
- Low damage – Knives have low base damage compared to guns. Use them for stealth kills or as a finisher, not as a primary weapon.
- Missing throws – The aiming is projectile-based, so lead your target. Practice in the Badlands on animals.
- Confusion with melee – Some knives (like Nehan) can be used in melee, but they are weaker than dedicated melee weapons. Stick to throwing.
If you’re struggling, consider the Throwing Knife perk in the Blades tree (it increases damage and reduces cooldown). Also, the Sandevistan cyberware slows time, making throws easier.
Comparing Throwing Knives to Other Weapons
Throwing knives are niche. Compared to:
- Silenced pistols – Pistols have longer range and are easier to aim, but they use ammo and make noise (though silenced). Knives are silent and infinite.
- Melee weapons – Knives have less DPS but offer ranged options. They are better for stealth.
- Tech weapons – Tech weapons can shoot through walls, but they are loud. Knives are quiet but require line of sight.
For a stealth build, knives are superior to pistols because they never alert enemies. For loud combat, they are suboptimal. Use them as a secondary weapon.
Costs and Availability
Only Stinger and Headhunter are purchasable. Prices are around 1,500 eddies each (may vary with your level). The others are free but require exploration. Nehan is the easiest to get – just play the main story. Blue Fang requires a fight with a cyberpsycho, which can be tough at low level. Claw is in Phantom Liberty, which is a paid expansion.
If you’re on a budget, Nehan is your best early option. Save your eddies for cyberware or ammo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get throwing knives early in the game?
Yes, the Nehan is available during the main story mission “The Pickup” (around level 5-8). You can also buy Stinger from the Glen vendor as soon as you have 1,500 eddies, which is usually by level 10.
Do throwing knives scale with level?
Yes, iconic weapons scale to your level when you acquire them. However, if you get them early, they may become underpowered later. You can upgrade them at a crafting station to keep them relevant.
Are throwing knives affected by the Cool attribute?
No, they scale with Reflexes and the Blades skill. Cool only affects stealth damage for weapons that specifically say so (like the “Silent Takedown” perk, which works with any weapon).
What is the best throwing knife in Phantom Liberty?
The Claw is the best, as it returns to your hand instantly and has a dismember chance. It’s found during the mission “The Damned” in Dogtown.
Can I use throwing knives without a stealth build?
Yes, but they are less effective. You can use them to soften enemies before switching to a gun. The damage is decent, but the retrieval mechanic slows down combat.
Do throwing knives count as melee for perks?
Yes, they are considered Blades, so they benefit from Blades perks like “Crimson Tide” (bleed) and “Judge, Jury, Executioner” (crit damage). They do not count as fists or blunt weapons.
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