Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Guide | How To Start The Phantom Liberty DLC
Everything you need to know to jump into Phantom Liberty seamlessly.
Game Guide by Monarch on Mar 05, 2025
You're about to dive into Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty expansion, along with the massive 2.0 update. With new mechanics, revamped systems, and an expanded storyline, there's a lot to take in.
To help you navigate it all, here are some essential tips and tricks that will make your experience smoother. Let's jump right in.
Do You Need an Old Save?
If you're wondering whether you need to have played the base game or have an old save to access Phantom Liberty, the answer is no.
When starting a new game, you have two options. You can begin at the very start of Cyberpunk 2077, playing through the base game until you reach Phantom Liberty by progressing through the main story and completing the quest Transmission.
Alternatively, you can use the "Skip Ahead and Play Phantom Liberty" option, which jumps you straight into the expansion's storyline while keeping all content from both Phantom Liberty and the base game available. If you're eager to jump into the new content, this is the way to go.
The New Cyberware System & Capacity Cap
Your cyberware menu now includes a bar that increases as you level up, find cyberware capacity shards, or unlock the Edgerunner perk. Every piece of cyberware has a cost, and you won't be able to exceed your capacity cap.
Early and mid-game, you won't have enough capacity to equip Tier 4 or 5 cyberware in every slot. Prioritization is key. If you rely on quickhacks, cyberware that boosts RAM should be your focus. If survival is your concern, a strong blood pump will keep you alive.
If melee combat is your style, powerful arms like Tier 5 Mantis Blades should take priority. Choose wisely because you can't equip everything at once.
The New Relic Skill Tree
The Phantom Liberty expansion introduces the Relic Skill Tree, packed with powerful perks, some of which require specific cyberware to be effective.
For example, one perk upgrade is active camouflage, but it's useless if you don't have that cyberware installed. The same applies to perks for Mantis Blades, Gorilla Arms, or Monowire. Make sure your points are going toward skills that actually benefit your current build.
A great starting choice is the Weak Point perk unless you plan to focus on melee combat. Relic skill points are earned through expansion missions and can also be found in collectible stations scattered throughout Dogtown.
Vehicle Combat & Vendors
Vehicle combat is a game-changer, making car chases and shootouts much more engaging. Some perks across different skill trees enhance your vehicle's combat abilities, including a skill that allows you to use quickhacks on enemy vehicles.
Unlike before, you no longer get vehicles from fixers calling you. Instead, vehicle vendors sell them directly. Vehicles at these vendors have icons indicating built-in weapons, and if your car is equipped with guns, you can cycle between them while driving instead of using your own weapons.
Dynamic Events in Dogtown
The expansion introduces dynamic events outside of traditional gigs and side quests. Two of the most notable are airdrop events and courier missions.
Airdrops randomly crash-land in Dogtown, marked by red smoke and a loud beeping noise. They offer valuable loot, but how you retrieve them varies.
Sometimes, you'll need to defeat a few guards, while other times, you'll have to survive an ambush—or, if you're lucky, the airdrop will be completely unguarded. Some airdrops even have unique narrative elements.
Courier missions involve stealing marked vehicles and delivering them to a designated location. These missions can trigger enemy chases or have additional conditions like completing the job within a time limit, avoiding damage, or hacking a car before retrieving it.
The Revamped Skill Tree
The 2.0 update completely reworked the skill tree, resetting all perk points. If you're returning with an old save, you'll need to reassign your perks.
The new system makes each skill tree feel more impactful to gameplay. For example, the Body skill tree has perks that enhance the Blood Pump cyberware, which provides a healing effect during combat.
Investing in these perks allows for overhealing, which grants adrenaline boosts that increase movement speed, damage, and resistance while making you immune to certain effects. If survivability is your priority, this skill tree is a great choice.
Changes to Consumables
Healing items and grenades now function as cooldown-based abilities rather than limited resources. Once acquired, they recharge over time instead of requiring crafting or purchases.
Because of this, getting Tier 5 healing items or grenades early on can give you a major advantage. Once you have them, you'll always have access—you'll just need to wait for the cooldown to reset.
Major Choices & Story Impact
Phantom Liberty is a self-contained story that unfolds during Cyberpunk 2077's main narrative, but it also introduces a brand-new ending for the base game.
At a crucial point in the expansion, you'll face a major decision that branches into two different storylines, each leading to its own unique missions, enemies, and locations. Your choice at this moment will also determine whether you unlock an entirely new ending for the game.
If you want to experience both paths, saving before making this choice is highly recommended. Since the expansion significantly expands the game's replayability, you may want to explore both outcomes through multiple playthroughs.
Final Thoughts
These are the major changes you need to know before jumping back into Cyberpunk 2077 and experiencing Phantom Liberty. Hopefully, these tips will help you navigate the new content more smoothly.
Also, check our Cyberpunk 2077 Review, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Review, and other guides below:
Editor, NoobFeed
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