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On a standard save, Phantom Liberty unlocks after the main-story job Transmission: Songbird calls V and adds Dog Eat Dog to the journal. For a first playthrough, a good story-conscious time to begin is after that call and before Nocturne OP55N1, the base game’s endgame point of no return. That timing is a recommendation, not a mandatory quest order or level requirement.
When can I start Phantom Liberty in Cyberpunk 2077?
On the normal story path, complete Transmission, the Voodoo Boys job in Pacifica. Songbird then contacts V, and the expansion’s opening job, Dog Eat Dog, appears in the journal. The quest-start sequence is described in the Cyberpunk 2077 Wiki’s Phantom Liberty start guide; it is a secondary guide, not a developer-mandated order.
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You do not have to start Dog Eat Dog as soon as it appears. You can leave it in the journal and continue other base-game activities. The reviewed sources establish the unlock trigger, but not a deadline for accepting Songbird’s call or a required character level.
What is the best story point to begin the expansion?
If this is your first playthrough and you want the base game’s setup before the expansion, finish Transmission, then start Dog Eat Dog before beginning Nocturne OP55N1. This places the expansion after the Pacifica and Voodoo Boys storyline while leaving room to experience it before the base-game finale. It is a spoiler-conscious suggestion, not an official canonical order.
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Phantom Liberty takes place in Dogtown and is framed by CD PROJEKT RED as a spy-thriller story. Its premise involves the NUSA president and Solomon Reed. That is enough context to understand the expansion’s setup without revealing later story developments. See the developer’s Phantom Liberty announcement and launch announcement.
Should I play Phantom Liberty before or after the main story?
For one integrated story run, start it before Nocturne OP55N1. The sources reviewed do not prescribe a single developer-approved order, so the choice depends on whether you want the expansion’s events woven into a playthrough that has not yet reached the finale.
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If your current save is already past Transmission, the start guide reports that Songbird’s call should arrive after you load that save with the expansion installed. If you have already completed the base-game finale, the reviewed sources do not establish a recommended post-ending route. Use a pre-finale save if you have one, or begin a new game; the official skip-ahead option is another way to reach the expansion without replaying the opening sequence.
Can I start Phantom Liberty immediately?
Yes. CD PROJEKT RED’s Update 2.0 announcement says expansion owners can choose a new-game option that starts directly in Phantom Liberty with an adequately leveled character. It uses a preset progressed character rather than carrying forward the earlier sequence of your own playthrough. The same announcement says existing saves can continue, so choosing the skip-ahead route is not required to keep playing a current save. The developer later referred to saves created with the skip-ahead option in its Patch 2.02 notes.
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The developer described the option as an alternate way to begin; the cited announcement does not establish a specific level threshold. If story context matters to you, continue your regular save and wait for Dog Eat Dog after Transmission.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which platforms were listed at launch?
CD PROJEKT RED’s September 25, 2023 launch announcement listed PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Those are the platforms named at launch, not a guarantee of current availability or compatibility for every edition, store, or platform. Check the relevant platform’s current listing before purchasing or installing.
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