how to start phantom liberty Start the Phantom Liberty DLC Step by Step

The highly anticipated Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077 introduces players to the dangerous, walled-off district of Dogtown. Accessing this spy-thriller content requires specific progression within the main story, meaning players cannot simply wander into the new zone from the start of the game. Understanding the precise steps to trigger the expansion ensures a seamless transition into one of Night City's most thrilling narratives.

Reaching the Main Story Prerequisite

To start the DLC organically, players must progress through the base game's campaign until they complete the full Pacifica questline. The crucial turning point occurs at the conclusion of the mission titled Transmission, which involves the Voodoo Boys and Alt Cunningham. Once this specific mission concludes, a mysterious character named Songbird will contact V via a holo-call to kick off the expansion.

If you are an experienced mercenary returning to an older save file where this mission is already finished, the call should trigger almost immediately after loading in. Walking around the city blocks for a few moments or skipping time forward using the in-game menu can help force the call to activate if it does not happen right away. This seamless integration allows veteran players to dive directly into the fresh content with their established characters.

Utilizing the Main Menu Skip Feature

For players who want to bypass the early hours of the base game completely, CD Projekt Red implemented a convenient shortcut option. When selecting a new game from the main menu, you can choose to skip straight to the expansion content. This option instantly configures your character to the appropriate level and automatically sets up the required narrative choices.

Choosing this shortcut assigns your character an optimal baseline of attributes, cyberware, and starting equipment suitable for the challenges ahead. You are also given the freedom to completely redistribute your attribute points immediately upon spawning into the game world. This method is highly recommended for those who simply want to experience the new spy-thriller storyline without repeating prior acts.

Navigating to the Dogtown Checkpoint

Once Songbird establishes contact during the opening sequence, she will direct V to a heavily fortified checkpoint located on the edge of the Pacifica district. Following the custom quest marker will guide you directly to the entrance of the lawless enclave known as Dogtown. It is vital to follow Songbird's specific operational instructions carefully to bypass the strict security forces guarding the perimeter gates.

Successfully sneaking past the initial guard outposts triggers the high-stakes introductory mission where V must rescue the President of the New United States. Completing this intense opening sequence permanently unlocks full access to the district, its unique market vendors, and many rewarding side activities. From this point forward, players can freely explore the dense vertical layout of Night City's deadliest neighborhood.