Things you need to know before starting: Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty

Dogtown is the new district introduced in Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty, and it is unlike any other district in Night City. Although it is located within the city’s borders, it operates differently from the rest of the city. In this article, we will provide readers with everything they need to know before starting Phantom Liberty for the first time.

Starting Phantom Liberty is easy, but there are a few ways to do it. Players can skip right to the beginning of the expansion when starting a new game. If they have already finished Cyberpunk 2077, they can load up an old save and receive a call from Songbird.

However, if they want to start a new save or have not finished the main story, they need to complete the Voodoo Boys Arc in the main story. This article will cover all the essential information players need to know before starting Phantom Liberty, including how to start it, what to expect, and key takeaways.

Starting Phantom Liberty

To begin playing Phantom Liberty, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, there are several ways to start the expansion, but the easiest is to start a new game and skip right to the beginning of the expansion. This will put the player at level 15 with some Perk and Attribute points to use, as well as some cash to spend.

If the player has already finished Cyberpunk 2077, they can load up an old save and should receive a call from Songbird. If the player has not finished the game or wants to start a new save, they must complete the Voodoo Boys Arc in the main story. The Journal will indicate which quests to prioritize in order to access Phantom Liberty.

It is recommended to start fresh and familiarize oneself with all the changes in 2.0, as there are decisions from the main quests that affect Phantom Liberty’s story.

Once in Dogtown, the player is stuck there for the first few missions. It is recommended to tie up any loose ends before meeting Songbird. Mr. Hands will eventually give permission to enter and leave the district whenever desired.

Entering Dogtown

When entering Dogtown, it is important to keep in mind that it operates as its own entity within Night City’s borders. As such, things work a little differently here. To start Phantom Liberty, there are a few ways to find and initiate it. The easiest way is to start a new game and skip right to the beginning of the expansion. This will put the player at level 15 with a handful of Perk and Attribute points to utilize, as well as some cash to spend.

Emergency Caches

As players explore Dogtown, they will come across red pillars of smoke which indicate emergency airdrops containing cash, weapons, and resources. These drops spawn infinitely, so players need not worry about missing any. However, players should be prepared for a fight as the new military faction patrols these drops and will shoot on sight if players get too close.

Additionally, players should pay attention to areas marked by skulls as they contain high-level enemies and tend to house high-tier loot. These battles take place in interesting locations such as a dilapidated Air and Space Museum.

It is recommended that players explore every inch of Dogtown as there are plenty more secrets to uncover.

Relic Tree

One of the exciting new features in the game is the Relic Tree, a skill tree that offers various abilities you can unlock using Relic points.

You’ll initially get three Relic points from Songbird in Phantom Liberty, and you can earn more by finishing missions and discovering them in Militech crates around Dogtown. These abilities are potent, so it’s essential to carefully consider your choices before spending your points.

In addition to the Relic Tree, players will also encounter red pillars of smoke throughout Dogtown that signify emergency airdrops containing cash, weapons, and resources. These drops spawn infinitely, but players should be prepared for a fight as the new military faction, Bar Guests, patrols them and will attack on sight.

Gigs and Side Quests

Phantom Liberty introduces a variety of new content, including gigs and side quests. These missions are engaging and offer a chance to explore the world of Dogtown, Night City’s newest district.

Skull Icons

Skull icons in Dogtown mark areas that contain high-level enemies and offer high-tier loot. These battles usually take place in interesting locations such as a dilapidated Air and Space Museum. It is recommended to explore every inch of Dogtown as there are plenty of secrets to uncover.

It is important to note that these areas should be approached with caution as the enemies are challenging. The battles can be intense but the rewards are worth the effort. In addition, most of these battles take place in unique locations, making them an exciting experience for players.

Players should keep an eye out for these skull icons and prioritize exploring these areas to obtain valuable loot and experience.

Carjackings

As players explore Dogtown, they may come across a car with a blue steering wheel icon. If they jack one of these cars, El Capitan will call them and ask them to bring it back to his chop shop.

Yet, it’s not merely about moving from one spot to another. Enemies will relentlessly pursue them. Players must now apply their newfound vehicular combat abilities to survive this challenging situation.

It might require some practice, but one of the most effective tactics is to aim backwards and fire. The lock-on system should take care of the rest. After finishing the initial carjacking mission, various carjacking missions will become available across Night City. Completing these missions will grant players cash and, over time, the opportunity to acquire some of Phantom Liberty’s new vehicles.

It’s certainly a worthwhile endeavour unless players have a preference for motorcycles. Players should also keep in mind that car trunks link directly to their stash if they need to swap out weapons.

Major Decision

In the last third of Phantom Liberty, players will encounter a significant decision that will impact the game’s outcome. Without spoiling any details, it is advised to save before making this decision, as both routes are equally interesting.

Furthermore, both routes have a decision that can lead to a new ending for the original game, so it is recommended to save frequently. It is not necessary to start the Nocturne mission to access this ending. After completing Phantom Liberty, players can wait for a couple of weeks, and things will fall into place.

Food Vendors

Food vendors in Dogtown now sell food items that give permanent buffs, which can be expensive, usually costing 10K or more, but are worth it. These food items will have the same background as iconic weapons and gear and will be used immediately upon purchase.

In the original game, food vendors did not serve much of a purpose, but now they have become an important part of Phantom Liberty. The food items they sell can provide characters with permanent buffs, making them a valuable resource for players looking to enhance their characters’ abilities.

Players can find food vendors scattered throughout Dogtown, and they should be on the lookout for items that provide buffs that are relevant to their play style. These vendors can be expensive, but the buffs they provide can be well worth the investment.

Jumping Abilities

In Phantom Liberty, the player’s jumping abilities can be greatly improved through the use of cyberware. Reinforced tendons or fortified ankles can be installed to allow the player to jump higher and reach new areas of the game world. These upgrades are particularly useful in Dogtown, where traversal can be challenging without them.