The Best Time to Start Phantom Liberty DLC in Cyberpunk 2077

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For those who possess the “Phantom Liberty” expansion for “Cyberpunk 2077”, they will recognize that the enigmatic Songbird summons V with a pledge to rescue their life. Players seeking a more immersive experience within the narrative may be curious about when the optimal time is to initiate the expansion, allowing V a canonical reason to visit Dogtown and fully engage with the “Phantom Liberty” DLC without compromising the main game’s campaign flow. Herein lies the ideal moment for players to embark on “Phantom Liberty”, potentially discovering a means to save V from the clutches of the Relic.

Potential spoilers ahead for Cyberpunk 2077’s base game campaign.

When’s the Best Time to Start Phantom Liberty?

What’s the Canon Time to Start Phantom Liberty in Cyberpunk 2077?

In the game Phantom Liberty, players have several options to begin their adventure. Those who aren’t concerned with maintaining a seamless storyline between the main game and the expansion can start with Phantom Liberty before completing Nocturne Op55N1, which is the final mission of Act Three. This way, their character V will reach the highest level possible, offering some excellent endgame gear. Starting with Phantom Liberty first allows for a slightly easier experience in Dogtown, as new threats emerge in this isolated section of Night City that might not be a walk in the park for many players.

When considering the storyline of Cyberpunk 2077, there are several perspectives to ponder regarding its lore and narrative. Throughout their adventure, your character, V, has a singular aim: preventing the Relic from taking control of both mind and body. In this scenario, Johnny Silverhand serves as an uncooperative driver, gradually erasing V’s essence. The optimal moments to embark on “Phantom Liberty” can be narrowed down to two instances:

  • Start Phantom Liberty after completing Chippin’ In, an Act 3 mission with Johnny Silverhand that furthers the bond between V and the tapeworm in their head. This is arguably the best time to start Phantom Liberty for a few reasons. Firstly, this occurs when V is in the midst of Act 3, meaning V is running out of time and options, as all that’s left is an invitation from Hanako Arasaka, which is almost certainly not to be trusted. Another reason is that after Chippin’ In, Johnny and V become close friends. Taking this relationship into Phantom Liberty will help make their buddy-like dialogue and trust in the expansion feel more earned, and it’s an opportunity to learn more about Johnny as the expansion progresses to show how far the duo has come since their first meeting in V’s apartment.
  • Start Phantom Liberty after Transmission, the final Voodoo Boys mission in Act 2. After exhausting all options with the Voodoo Boys and discovering the terrors that lurk beyond the Blackwall, V is given a new lead that could save their life thanks to Songbird’s strange call. Venturing to Dogtown after the Voodoo Boys questline provides a canon motivation for risking it all, as V has just been left in the rain by the Voodoo Boys, so Songird might be the last hope.

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2025-07-22 03:05