Unlock the Ultimate Cyberpunk 2077 Firestarter Walkthrough: Deciding the Fate of Songbird and Reed

The plan to rescue Songbird is in motion with Firestarter, a gripping mission in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. In this critical task, players are faced with a decision that will dramatically shape the future of the expansion and potentially influence the outcome of Cyberpunk 2077. Be prepared for significant consequences, regardless of the choices made by V and Johnny.

With the successful neutralization and impersonation of the Cassel Netrunner twins, it is now time for V and Alex to navigate their way to Hansen's secure compound. Here, they will come face to face with the man himself and engage in covert operations. However, this encounter goes beyond a mere conversation as danger lurks within every word spoken and defining actions taken later on.

Drive to the Stadium

Having taken on the identities of Aymeric and Aurora, V and Alex now have to make their way to the EBM Petrochem Stadium, where Hansen operates. It is important for them to exercise caution while driving, avoiding any incidents that may attract unwanted attention, such as hitting pedestrians or damaging the high-end car they are driving.

Aurora, played by Alex, will provide some guidance to V since this is their first time posing as an FIA spy. Their main objective is to simply follow the given instructions and waypoints until they reach the stadium. Once there, their task will be to find a suitable spot to park the vehicle.

Follow Alex

Upon exiting the car, players can access Aymeric's dossier by pressing the right button on the D-Pad. This comprehensive dossier provides insights into Aymeric's personality and life, thereby facilitating a more effective impersonation. The dossier can be accessed at any point while walking alongside Alex and Hansen's trusted associate, Murphy.

Murphy will guide Alex and V through the heavily fortified Barghest base, which appears prepared for combat. During the journey to Hansen's exclusive lounge, players have the option to engage in conversation with Murphy. However, whether players choose to converse with him or not is inconsequential. The only conversations that hold significance are those with Hansen.

Talk to Hansen

We have plenty of time.

I do not waste energy.

We won heaps of Eddies. (If the twins won big at the roulette table in the You Know My Name quest.)

Your stadium is impressive.

A Porsche 911.

[Don’t take the drink.] (The dialogue option doesn’t matter, as long as players refuse the alcoholic shot.)

Can I see your knife?

Selecting these dialogue options in this specific sequence will effectively reduce Hansen's wariness and prevent him from becoming suspicious about conversing with the two FIA agents he seeks to apprehend. Consequently, players can advance further in the game, allowing Alex to stay with Hansen while V descends to the laboratory with Songbird to establish a connection with the mainframe.

Help Songbird or Help Reed?

Outcome 1: Help Songbird Escape

At this point, it's advisable to create a manual save as players will soon be faced with a decision. They will be asked whether they should assist Songbird or Reed. The options are either activating the ICEbreaker to aid Reed in capturing Songbird or completing the tasks at the mainframe to help Songbird escape. These choices have a significant impact on the main missions in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and lead to unique endings for the DLC, base game, and the characters involved. It's crucial for players to make the choice that aligns with their preferences. Will they lend a hand to Songbird or Reed? Just like in typical Cyberpunk 2077 fashion, both options have dire consequences, and this Phantom Liberty Firestarter mission guide will provide details on both outcomes.

In the event that players opt to assist Songbird in her escape, they will proceed as usual. Songbird will extract the crucial data from the mainframe, while V will discreetly signal to Alex to eliminate Hansen. Alex skillfully completes her mission by eliminating Hansen, enabling Songbird to assume control of the Stadium's defenses, effectively rendering them inoperable. Alex is a witness to V and Songbird's act of defection, but she is powerless to intervene and consequently decides to flee.

Players are then given the task of escaping the Stadium, which can be achieved rather effortlessly. Upon reaching the exit gate, players will come across an assortment of weapons, including the Overture revolver and Kyubi rifle. Alternatively, players have the option to stealthily navigate this section with the assistance of Songbird, who can activate helicopter blades or robots to aid in combat. To progress further, players should jump up the scaffolding to the right upon entering the room with the helicopter blades. There, they will discover a green unlocked door where they first encountered Hansen. Inside, they will have the opportunity to acquire Hansen's iconic gun. However, it has been reported that this particular item is currently glitched and inaccessible for numerous players.

Escape the Stadium

As players ascend the stairs following the wreckage of the helicopter, they can retrieve their weapons from the locker where they had previously stowed them. They will then proceed beyond the next gate, where Murphy and several henchmen from the Hansen gang await near the Panzer tank. Dispatching Murphy will grant players the unique Murphy's Law club weapon. Opting for a guns-blazing approach is advisable during this section, given the abundance of guards that discourages stealth and enhances the tension of the escape.

Players must battle their way through the bustling Market and continue their escape from the Stadium. Songbird, a helpful guide, will lead V down a narrow corridor via a maintenance shaft. It is important to mention that deviating from this path and opting to take a right towards the Garage elevator will result in an unexpected encounter with Reed, resulting in instant death—a delightful hidden surprise for fans. However, the true way to reach the sewers and encounter two innocent civilians is by venturing down the maintenance shaft. Pay no attention to the workers below and eliminate any approaching drones.

Players only need to navigate through the sewer to reach the Badlands after leaving Dogtown. Mi will be escorted to a secure location by car, while V must wait for Songbird to send a signal in order to commence the Killing Moon mission, which can take a few in-game hours or days.

By aiding Songbird's escape in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, players have unlocked a new main mission quest chain and a distinct ending.

Outcome 2: Help Reed Capture Songbird

If players opt to assist Reed in capturing Songbird, they will activate the ICEbreaker to neutralize her. However, Songbird grows suspicious of an impending altercation and alerts Hansen that he is actually standing beside Alex, not Aurora. In a gruesome act, Hansen kills Alex by lifting her off the ground and tearing off her face. This brutal death is only the beginning, as So Mi defies the ICEbreaker by extending her reach beyond the Blackwall, becoming possibly the most formidable Cyberpsycho ever known. When players regain consciousness after this assault, Songbird has vanished, leaving behind a trail of devastation. It is time to rise, grab a weapon near the gate, and make a swift escape.

Escape the Market

Although Songbird has eliminated a significant number of Hansen's soldiers, the majority of the opposition stems from the Black Sapphire faction. Consequently, V will face a formidable challenge as they attempt to escape. Fortunately, they can retrieve their weapons just beyond the wreckage of the helicopter, up the stairs, and within the room containing the toppled lockers. Reunited with their arsenal, it is time for V to become mobilized and eliminate any and all obstacles who dare to impede their progress, following the path of destruction left by Songbird.

Fight Hansen

After successfully reaching the Stadium exit, a grenade is suddenly rolled through the gate. Hansen, accompanied by a few soldiers, bursts in and initiates a challenging boss battle with the leader of Dogtown. Facing off against Hansen is no easy task, so players are advised to be at the maximum level. Hansen is both merciless and determined to kill V. When at 100% health, he will take cover on high ground with his gun. To counter this, players should seek cover behind the statue in the back middle of the room and use long-range shots aimed at his head.

As Hansen's health drops to 70%, he will switch to using his knife for the remainder of the fight. Hansen possesses the ability to dash, dodge, and throw his knife to stun V, followed by a finishing move. Players who find themselves too close to Hansen will be susceptible to his powerful attacks, which can easily result in V's death. The most effective strategy to defeat Hansen is to maintain distance, make use of dashing and dodging techniques, and occupy higher ground. It is important to have an ample supply of healing items and employ powerful long-range weapons to prevent Hansen from getting too close with his knife. When Hansen's health reaches 1%, he will succumb to his injuries and fall to his knees. At this point, players are given the choice to either kill Hansen or spare him.

Should You Kill Kurt Hansen Or Not?

Once defeated, Hansen will wait for his fate on his knees. Whether players kill Kurt Hansen or not, it has no impact on the gameplay, as he will not pursue V after their encounter. However, eliminating him may be justifiable as he is a criminal, a dictator, and the murderer of Alex. If players choose to kill Hansen, Solomon Reed will express gratitude for avenging Alex. Additionally, there will be a visually striking kill animation, where V uses Hansen's iconic knife, Fang, to stab him through the face.

If players opt to spare Hansen's life, they will still receive the same loot as if they had killed him. After looting Hansen's iconic items, players can also retrieve the essential access shard from his body. The decision regarding Kurt Hansen's fate rests with the player, yet in this playthrough, V took the life of Hansen to both avenge Alex and facilitate Mr. Hands's takeover of Dogtown.

Escape With Reed

After defeating Hansen and obtaining the access code for the gate, players are eager to progress towards the Garage floor in the elevator. As they make their way, a few drones appear, but players swiftly eliminate all three of them and quickly reach the garage. It is in the garage that Reed, driving in his car, joins them. Disregarding the enemies, the players waste no time and directly board Reed's car, which speeds away, enabling their escape from the Stadium.

Songbird's transformation into a full Cyberpsycho, possibly due to being influenced by a rogue AI, has become apparent. In response, Reed decides to tail MaxTac, who have just arrived in Dogtown to handle the dangerous situation. The players observe as MaxTac apprehend and remove Songbird from the scene. Following this, the players embark on the Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos mission, requiring them to contact a Netrunner. However, if the players possess an intelligence level of 10, a Netrunner is not necessary.

In choosing to help Reed in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, players have opened the path to a new main mission quest chain, and a different ending.

Should You Help Songbird Or Help Reed?

At this juncture, players are faced with the pivotal choice of aiding either Songbird or Reed. Cyberpunk 2077 frequently presents moral dilemmas that lack a clear-cut resolution, allowing players to opt for their preferred path. Johnny Silverhand himself confesses to V his perplexity in this situation, acknowledging his trust in both parties and their veracity. It is advisable to save the game before making this decision, in order to witness the divergent outcomes or follow the lead of the most truthful individual. Ultimately, V must decide if their actions are driven by the desire to be a hero or mere survival.

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