Generally, there isn't a single "best" ripperdoc in Night City because the inventory of available cyberware is largely consistent across most clinics. However, players who own the Phantom Liberty expansion will discover unique cyberware options exclusively offered by ripperdocs found in Dogtown.
Uniformity Across Night City
For a significant portion of Night City, the ripperdocs provide the same selection of cyberware to V. This means that whether you visit Viktor Vektor in Watson, Cassius Ryder in Northside, or any other ripperdoc outside of Dogtown, you will find an identical array of implants, upgrades, and modifications. Therefore, convenience often dictates which ripperdoc is "best" for a player, as their primary function is to install cyberware and perform upgrades, not offer exclusive items.
- Key takeaway: Most ripperdocs serve the same purpose, offering the same items.
- Benefit: Players don't need to search for a specific ripperdoc for a particular piece of cyberware unless it's a Dogtown exclusive.
The Dogtown Exception (Phantom Liberty DLC)
The only significant deviation from this uniformity comes with the Phantom Liberty expansion. Ripperdocs located within the new Dogtown district introduce a fresh set of cyberware that is unique to that area and accessible only to players who have installed the DLC.
This means that if you are looking for the latest and most specialized cyberware introduced with Phantom Liberty, your journey will inevitably lead you to Dogtown. This makes the Dogtown ripperdocs the "best" in terms of exclusive inventory for those who own the expansion.
Dogtown vs. Standard Ripperdocs
To clarify the distinction, consider the following:
| Ripperdoc Location | Cyberware Inventory | Required DLC |
|---|---|---|
| Night City (General) | Standard range of cyberware, consistent across all clinics. | None |
| Dogtown (Specific) | Standard range plus exclusive, new cyberware introduced with the expansion. | Phantom Liberty |
Important Note: Regardless of location, ripperdocs are essential for managing V's cyberware, allowing for installation, upgrades, and removal to fine-tune combat abilities, exploration, and stealth.
