Unleashing Mayhem: Ultimate Cyberpunk 2077 Guide for a Chaotic Thrill Ride!

In the Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty mission, time is of utmost importance. Following the events of Firestarter, if the player chose to assist Reed in capturing Songbird, things did not go as planned, resulting in Songbird becoming a full-fledged Cyberpsycho. In the subsequent mission, Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos, there is no time for mourning as the primary objective is to retrieve Songbird. However, this task becomes considerably more difficult as Songbird has been apprehended by MaxTac, the most formidable Cyberpsychos known. Dealing with MaxTac is always a risky move, as they specialize in handling dangerous individuals like Cyberpsychos. Despite the risks, V and Solomon Reed have no other choice but to confront them head-on.

(Optional) Call a Netrunner

After finishing Firestarter, players are required to contact either Mr. Hands or a Netrunner. The option to call a Netrunner only becomes available if players have advanced in the main story of Cyberpunk 2077. It is important to note that not every player will have access to these Netrunners as they are obtained through optional side quests. However, for those curious about the outcome of contacting a Netrunner in Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos, here are the consequences:

Carol Emeka - If players have successfully completed the Aldecaldos side quest, they will have the ability to contact Carol Emeka. Although she will not assist V in hacking MaxTac's data fortress, she will leave a beneficial item, such as Cyberware or a firearm, in a designated stash location that will be marked on the minimap.

Chang Hoon Nam – If players rescue Chang-Hoon from a Gig, they can enlist his assistance in this mission. However, it is not advisable to call upon him, as he will sustain irreversible damage from hacking MaxTac, ultimately resulting in his permanent departure from Night City.

Nix – Nix, a close associate of Rogue, extends aid to the player if they have previously assisted him in the Afterlife. With his adept hacking skills, Nix effortlessly bypasses MaxTac and bestows V with valuable classic Cyberware, making him a favorable option.

Sandra Dorset – Players may recognize Sandra Dorset as the woman they rescued from the Scavs during the first mission. Upon completing her side mission later in the game, players have the option to contact her and request a favor. Sandra is skilled at hacking MaxTac, but she asks for something in return – players are required to send her data on MaxTac.

Since not all players have access to these characters in their playthrough, it is advisable to prioritize the objective of contacting Mr. Hands. This is because there is a risk of MaxTac investigating these characters, especially if V has developed a strong connection with them and appreciates that they owe a favor. Alternatively, players with an Intelligence level of 10 can hack MaxTac themselves.

Call Mr. Hands

If players are not interested in contacting a Netrunner, they have the option to use their phone to reach out to Mr. Hands. They will need to inquire about the MaxTac convoy and request the assistance of a skilled Netrunner. In exchange for his services, Mr. Hands requires a payment of 15,000 Eurodollars. This fee should be easily affordable, especially considering the various Gigs and items available for sale. Just make the payment to Mr. Hands to proceed. He will then instruct V to head to Kabuki in ten hours to meet the designated Netrunner.

Talk With Yoko

At Kabuki Market, players can venture up the staircase leading to the Quickhack shop to engage in a conversation with Yoko, a familiar character from the main story of Cyberpunk 2077. Yoko openly shares her triumph in successfully hacking MaxTac, although recognizing the formidable challenge it posed. In exchange for V's assistance, Yoko generously offers the invaluable datashard containing the coordinates of the MaxTac transport truck harboring Songbird. However, she also seeks a favor from V upon completion of the convoy mission - namely, procuring the whereabouts of the deceased MaxTac agents - a task that yields financial rewards for both Yoko and Mr. Hands. It is crucial to note that this particular undertaking remains entirely optional.

Meet Reed at the Abandoned Hotel

Send the data to Reed, who will promptly respond with an address. Players should make their way to the vicinity of the West Wind Apartments located in the bottom left area of Pacifica. As they ascend the stairs in search of Reed, they will have the option to engage in a conversation with Johnny to gain his perspective on the situation. Regardless of their choice, they will then proceed through the hotel infested with 6th Street gang members. Inside, they will find Reed conversing with the leaders of 6th Street, where it becomes apparent that 6th Street acts as the clandestine arm of the NUSA, performing illicit tasks in return for monetary rewards and resources.

Talk to the 6th Street Gang Member and Plant Traps

Accompanying Reed outdoors, V will encounter a 6th Street gang member overseeing a drone. The gang member elucidates that traps can be arranged either by them or manually by V using the drone. Employing the drone to execute the task is recommended as it grants greater command over the battlefield. Here is a breakdown of each trap's functionality and the ones to utilize:

Roads can be effectively blocked by placing mines, preventing the passage of vehicles. Placing mines strategically at the stairs and hotel entrance can also effectively hinder the convoy from infiltrating. However, using mines may not be worthwhile as the vehicles will likely not be able to move anyway.

For optimal coverage around NCPD and MaxTac, it is advisable to spread out turrets. Aligning them in a line allows for concentrated suppressing fire from a single direction. Turrets are the superior choice and their strategic dispersal creates additional chaos and confusion for enemies.

Smoke grenades can disrupt MaxTac's optics and hinder Reed's visibility as a sniper. It is advisable to refrain from using smoke grenades as Reed's sniper is crucial for the impending battle.

When it comes to positioning, there are a few options to consider. Opting for the terrace provides a secure and sheltered environment with ample cover. Taking the stairs is advantageous for engaging in long-range combat, while the sky bridge allows for a more intimate and immediate encounter with the threat. In this particular playthrough, V chose the sky bridge to exert greater control over the ground assault.

Start the Ambush

Once the traps are set up, players have the option to leave the drone and advance towards Reed. Following a short dialogue with Reed and Johnny through the Relic, players can position themselves strategically to initiate the ambush and await the arrival of the convoy. At this juncture, players have the choice to send the coordinates to Mr. Hands as an additional objective.

Fight The NCPD

Once the ambush commences, the vehicles will detonate, trapping all inside within a perilous death zone. Players will have the opportunity to eliminate the guards accompanying the convoy using their arsenal of weapons. The first wave of attackers consists of Night City Police Department officers, who can be easily dispatched by players. Additionally, the group is aided by NCPD bots that may call for reinforcements. However, reinforcements are absent in Pacifica, allowing players to concentrate their firepower on these units before proceeding towards the convoy holding Songbird.

Defeat MaxTac

Upon opening the MaxTac truck containing Songbird, a group of four MaxTac members will emerge, signaling the start of the real battle. Engaging with MaxTac feels like facing a formidable boss, as each member possesses distinctive abilities, AI pathing, and strengths that elevate the difficulty beyond a typical boss or police encounter. Underestimating MaxTac would be unwise, but fortunately, V has the esteemed assistance of renowned FIA agent Solomon Reed, observing from a vantage point above, who can aid in countering MaxTac's onslaught.

To defeat MaxTac, players must pay close attention to Reed's laser sight on his sniper rifle. Once Reed takes a shot at any of the four MaxTac soldiers, they become vulnerable, as Reed targets their Cyberware to stun them momentarily. Effective tactics involve concentrating firepower solely on the MaxTac official hit by Reed's sniper, as those unaffected by his shot possess the agility to evade bullets and attacks with remarkable speed.

There are a total of four MaxTac enemies. The first three, Faye Russo, Dallas Foster, and Asher Peterson, will all engage in close combat and attempt to fight V from a short distance. However, the fourth enemy, Jasper Collins, is relatively easier to eliminate and should be prioritized as he takes cover and uses Quickhacks on V's Cyberware. During these moments, Jasper can be harmed without relying on Reed's sniper.

Follow Traces Left By Songbird

With the defeat of MaxTac, Songbird will seize control of the escort truck and swiftly escape along the roads. In her wake, a trail of destruction has been left behind, resulting in Solomon Reed sustaining injuries. Players have the choice to undertake an optional objective of checking on Reed, an act that may not yield significant rewards but presents an opportunity for a meaningful interaction with a trusted ally.

Irrespective of whether players have investigated Reed or not, they will inevitably feel compelled to traverse the paths of devastation caused by Songbird, either on foot or by using a vehicle. This journey will lead them to a critical point where two cars have collided, forming a crossroad. On the right side, a massive breach in the wall is visible, a result of the MaxTac truck's impact, signaling the initiation of the Somewhat Damaged mission. It is important for players to note that they cannot diverge and pursue other activities at this moment since the Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos and Somewhat Damaged quests are interconnected and must be sequentially completed.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is currently available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.