🕵️ Phantom Liberty Guide — Dogtown, Songbird & All Endings
Complete Phantom Liberty expansion guide: how to start, Songbird character profile, all 4 endings explained (King of Wands/Swords/Cups/Pentacles), the new Tower ending for the base game, and Dogtown exploration tips.
Published September 1, 2026 · Last updated September 2, 2026
Quick Answer: Phantom Liberty Overview
Phantom Liberty is the major expansion for Cyberpunk 2077, released alongside Update 2.0. It adds a spy-thriller storyline set in the new district of Dogtown (a lawless enclave in Pacifica controlled by the Barghest militia under Kurt Hansen). New characters include Songbird (So Mi), a highly skilled netrunner, and Solomon Reed (played by Idris Elba), an FIA agent. The expansion introduces the Relic Skill Tree, new weapons, vehicles, cyberware, gigs and activities. It features four main endings that can also unlock a new ending path for the base game. Recommended level is around 15-20+ when starting normally, or use the Skip Ahead option from the main menu.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Release | Alongside Update 2.0 (September 2023) |
| New District | Dogtown — walled-off zone in Pacifica, controlled by Barghest militia |
| New Characters | Songbird (So Mi), Solomon Reed (Idris Elba), Kurt Hansen, Alex |
| New Systems | Relic Skill Tree, Vehicle Contracts, Increased Criminal Activity, Airdrops |
| New Content | Iconic weapons, vehicles (weaponized), cyberware, gigs, side jobs |
| Endings | 4 main endings + new base-game ending path (Tower ending) |
| Length | Main story ~15-25 hours; fuller exploration significantly longer |
| Recommended Level | 15-20+ (normal) or Skip Ahead option |
How to Start Phantom Liberty
There are two main ways to begin the expansion.
| Method | Details | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| New Game — Skip Ahead | From main menu, jump directly into the expansion with a preset character | Players who want to experience PL immediately without base-game story |
| Normal Path | Progress base game until after Transmission (Voodoo Boys mission). Songbird calls you, leading to Dog Eat Dog. | Players who want full base-game context before PL |
Songbird (So Mi): Character Profile
Songbird is a highly skilled netrunner and one of the central characters of Phantom Liberty. Her fate is one of the most important decision points in the expansion.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | So Mi |
| Role | Netrunner, central PL character |
| Connection | Deep connection to the Blackwall (AI firewall); suffers severe consequences from prolonged exposure |
| Relationship with Reed | Complex and strained by past events |
| Romance | Cannot be romanced |
| Fate | One of the most impactful decisions — determines which PL endings and potentially a new base-game ending you can access |
| Quest | Contacts V to rescue the NUSA President after a plane crash in Dogtown |
Main Story Structure & Key Decisions
The Phantom Liberty main story follows a branching path. The critical choice happens in the Firestarter mission, which splits the story into two main paths.
| Main Job | Stage | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Eat Dog | Opening | First contact with Songbird, enter Dogtown |
| Hole in the Sky | Act 1 | President rescue mission |
| Spider and the Fly | Act 1 | Infiltration and deception |
| Lucretia My Reflection | Act 1-2 | Story progression |
| The Damned | Act 2 | Rising stakes |
| Get It Together | Act 2 | Preparation |
| You Know My Name | Act 2 | Revelations |
| Birds With Broken Wings | Act 2-3 | Consequences unfold |
| I've Seen That Face Before | Act 3 | Approaching the climax |
| Firestarter | ⚠️ CRITICAL CHOICE | Help Songbird escape OR help Reed capture her |
The Critical Choice in Firestarter
Near the end of Firestarter, when alone with Songbird extracting the Neural Matrix, you must make the decision that determines the entire second half of the expansion.
| Choice | Dialogue | Leads To | Ending Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Help Songbird Escape | "I'm with you." | The Killing Moon | King of Wands or King of Swords |
| Help Reed Capture | "One more second…" (stall / upload ICEBreaker) | Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos → Somewhat Damaged | King of Cups or King of Pentacles |
All Phantom Liberty Endings Explained
There are four main endings, commonly referred to by Tarot names. Two of them unlock a new base-game ending path (Tower ending).
| Ending | Firestarter | Final Choice | Key Outcomes | Unlocks New Base Ending? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King of Wands | Help Songbird | Kill Reed, let Songbird go to the moon | Songbird escapes, Reed dies, Alex lives | ❌ No |
| King of Swords | Help Songbird | Hand Songbird to Reed | Songbird captured by FIA, Reed lives, Alex lives | ✅ Yes (Tower) |
| King of Cups | Help Reed | Kill Songbird (at her request) | Songbird dies, Reed lives, Alex dies | ❌ No |
| King of Pentacles | Help Reed | Spare Songbird | Songbird lives (FIA custody), Reed lives, Alex dies | ✅ Yes (Tower) |
The Tower Ending (New Base-Game Ending)
Available only after completing Phantom Liberty with the King of Swords or King of Pentacles ending. This unlocks two additional missions that provide a completely new conclusion to V's story.
| Mission | Details |
|---|---|
| Who Wants To Live Forever | Reed contacts V. Go to Misty's Esoterica rooftop (point of no return). |
| Things Done Changed | V undergoes surgery. Wakes up 2 years later. Cured but lost all cyberware. All contacts have moved on. Johnny Silverhand is gone. V is "a face in the crowd." |
Phantom Liberty Tips
- Make manual saves before Firestarter and before the final decision points in The Killing Moon or Somewhat Damaged.
- Both major paths offer compelling storytelling — there is no single "correct" choice.
- If you want the new base-game ending (Tower), keep both Reed and Songbird alive (King of Swords or King of Pentacles paths).
- Explore Dogtown thoroughly for loot, gigs, Relic points, airdrops and Increased Criminal Activity zones.
- The expansion is designed to be playable mid-game or as a standalone jump-in via the Skip Ahead option.
- Relic Skill Tree points come from Militech Data Terminals scattered throughout Dogtown — collect them all.
- Dogtown has its own Fixer (Mr. Hands), gigs, vendors and activities separate from Night City.
- The Chimera and Kurt Hansen are the main boss encounters — prepare appropriate builds.
- Weaponized vehicles from El Capitan's Vehicle Contracts are Dogtown-exclusive.
- Blackwall Iconic weapons (Erebus or Militech Canto Mk.6) are available in specific ending paths.