Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty expands Night City with a darker, spy-thriller narrative and the dangerous Dogtown district. The new content reshapes gameplay with unique missions, powerful relic abilities, and improved systems. To thrive, players must adapt strategies, build smarter characters, and navigate Dogtown’s brutal politics. This comprehensive guide offers tips and guides arranged step by step, from starting out to advanced mastery, helping you make the most of Phantom Liberty.

Getting Started in Dogtown

The Phantom Liberty expansion drops you into Dogtown, a militarized zone full of black markets and deadly mercenaries. Starting here requires preparation and a different approach compared to Night City’s open districts.

Begin by upgrading your character before diving into Dogtown. Focus on mid-game levels (15–20) to ensure you have decent perks and cyberware. Once you enter, remember that resources are scarcer, so careful exploration and looting become essential. The district punishes reckless movement but rewards patient scavengers.

Understanding the New Relic Skill Tree

The expansion introduces the Relic Skill Tree, a powerful system tied to V’s unique cyberware. Relic abilities open up new playstyles and enhance both stealth and combat.

1: Core Relic Abilities

  • Jailbreak unlocks hidden potential in cyberware.
  • Emergency Cloaking helps with stealth disengagement.
  • Sensory Protocol slows time when spotted.

2: Strategy for Relic Use

Prioritize relic abilities that align with your playstyle. Stealth builds benefit from cloaking, while aggressive builds lean toward cyberware-enhancing perks. Invest gradually rather than spreading points too thin.

Building the Right Character

Phantom Liberty encourages hybrid builds. Dogtown’s enemies are tougher and often cyberware-heavy, requiring flexibility in combat.

Balance between Body, Reflexes, and Intelligence for best results. Body ensures survivability, Reflexes improve mobility and gunplay, and Intelligence powers hacking efficiency. A balanced build gives you options against both tech-heavy mercs and melee brutes.

Mastering Combat in Dogtown

Dogtown’s enemies fight smarter and hit harder. Combat requires more tactical awareness than the base game.

Combat Tips

  • Use cover frequently; open areas are dangerous.
  • Mix hacking with gunplay to disable turrets and drones.
  • Keep grenades ready—Dogtown enemies group tightly.

Weapon Choices

Silenced pistols or SMGs excel for stealth, while shotguns and smart rifles dominate close-range fights. Adjust based on the mission’s environment.

Exploring Dogtown Efficiently

Dogtown is dense, vertical, and full of secrets. Efficient exploration provides gear, crafting components, and story insights.

Exploration Checklist

  • Search abandoned buildings for hidden caches.
  • Check rooftops and underground tunnels for shortcuts.
  • Visit black market vendors for unique gear not found elsewhere.

Thorough exploration often leads to high-value rewards and shortcuts during missions.

Handling Phantom Liberty Missions

The story missions in Phantom Liberty demand careful choices. Each decision has lasting consequences on V’s alliances and outcomes.

1: Mission Tips

  • Save before big dialogue choices to explore multiple outcomes.
  • Use stealth when possible—loud approaches often trigger overwhelming reinforcements.
  • Manage resources wisely; long missions may limit resupply.

2: Key Allies

Pay attention to allies like Songbird and Reed. Their trust can alter mission strategies and endings significantly.

Upgrading Cyberware and Equipment

Phantom Liberty refines the cyberware system, emphasizing limits and meaningful upgrades. Choosing the right implants drastically affects playstyle.

Cyberware Priorities

  • Arms Cyberware: Gorilla Arms or Projectile Launch for aggression.
  • Neural Cyberware: Relic synergy upgrades.
  • Leg Cyberware: Reinforced tendons for mobility.

Keep an eye out for Dogtown-exclusive cyberware—some grant unique abilities unavailable elsewhere in Night City.

Managing Resources and Economy

Dogtown operates on scarcity. Eurodollars, ammo, and crafting materials are harder to stockpile, making resource management critical.

Tips for Economy

  • Sell excess junk but disassemble rare items for crafting.
  • Prioritize upgrading one or two main weapons instead of many.
  • Visit black markets regularly—some items are time-limited.

Survival in Dogtown depends on spending wisely and avoiding waste.

Stealth vs Aggression Playstyles

Phantom Liberty rewards both stealth and full combat approaches, but each requires distinct preparation.

Stealth Tips

  • Use silenced weapons and optical camo.
  • Upgrade relic abilities that favor stealth disengagement.
  • Exploit vertical routes to bypass patrols.

Aggression Tips

  • Stack Body and Reflexes for tank builds.
  • Carry shotguns and explosives for maximum damage.
  • Time ultimates like Berserk for boss fights.

Choosing a dominant playstyle improves efficiency, though hybrid strategies often provide flexibility.

Endgame Strategies and Replayability

Once you finish Phantom Liberty, the expansion offers multiple endings and replay value. Endgame preparation ensures you maximize your experience.

Endgame Tips

  • Experiment with alternate story paths to unlock different outcomes.
  • Push your build to the limit by testing high-level cyberware combinations.
  • Explore all hidden side quests—some are easy to miss.

Replayability shines in Phantom Liberty thanks to branching choices and unique character interactions.

Conclusion

Phantom Liberty transforms Cyberpunk 2077 into a more intense, tactical, and choice-driven experience. By mastering the Relic tree, building balanced characters, adapting combat styles, and making careful decisions in Dogtown, you’ll not only survive but thrive in this new expansion. With smart strategies and resource management, every mission becomes a thrilling test of skill.