Phantom Liberty in 2026: A Practical Prep Guide for Night City Edgerunners

More than two years after Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty arrived on September 26, 2023, the expansion is no longer a countdown event. It is a fixed destination in Night City, and for players starting fresh in 2026, the real question is how to enter Dogtown with a V who can survive its black markets, hostile Netrunners, and spy-thriller set pieces. The following guide draws on pre-launch recommendations that still hold up, with adjustments for the post-launch reality. 🎮

Start a new save, even if it hurts

The most important step remains the same: begin a new save. Players may be attached to their existing V, but Phantom Liberty is designed to sit inside the middle of the campaign, and a clean slate produces the most coherent experience. The expansion did not merely add a new story, location, and cast. It arrived alongside sweeping changes to cyberware mechanics and the police system, among other systems. In 2026, those overhauls are simply part of the game, but a new save lets players feel how they shape progression from the beginning rather than inheriting a V built under old assumptions.

Explore Pacifica before entering Dogtown

Phantom Liberty takes place in Dogtown, a newly accessible sub-district of Pacifica once known as the Combat Zone. Before crossing into Dogtown, V benefits from exploring the wider region. Even in the current version of the game, walking around the home of the Voodoo Boys yields interesting hints about Dogtown, its residents, and its culture. Pacifica also offers a small taste of the lawlessness that defines Dogtown, making it a useful primer for what awaits beyond the wall.

Stock up on the best quickhacks

The Voodoo Boys are dangerous and skilled Netrunners, and Dogtown is an even more lawless and unstable environment. That combination makes hostile Netrunners a serious concern. Players should therefore stock up on some of the best quickhacks in Cyberpunk 2077 before playing Phantom Liberty. A stronger hacking toolkit gives V more options in a district where brute force is common and digital ambushes are rarely far away.

Collect Johnny Silverhand items

Keanu Reeves reprises his role as Johnny Silverhand in the expansion, and the Samurai rockerboy remains one of the game's most divisive yet iconic characters. Players who appreciate Johnny should collect all Johnny Silverhand items before starting Phantom Liberty. The gear is not just cosmetic fan service; it allows V to represent a connection to Night City legend while opening the door to more interactions and reflections on Johnny's life, thoughts, and personality.

Treat The Hunt and Dream On as warm-ups

Phantom Liberty is a spy-thriller expansion that explores espionage and power politics. Two base-game side quests make excellent warm-ups. The Hunt involves saving River's nephew from a sadistic kidnapper and ranks among the most tense and emotional side quests in the game. Dream On follows Elizabeth and Jefferson Peralez through an investigation that uncovers a web of lies and deeply unsettling events. Since Jefferson is running for mayor, the stakes are high, and the mission helps prepare V for the even more daunting task of saving NUSA President Rosalind Myers.

Finish romance arcs

Phantom Liberty did not rewrite the base game's romance map, but that should not stop curious players from experiencing those relationships. Depending on V's gender, two different relationships are available, alongside a brief fling with the bisexual Meredith Stout. Each offers a unique storyline and experience. The downtime before Dogtown is a good opportunity to take things to the next level with a current crush and see those arcs through.

Build an eddie cushion for the Black Market

One of Dogtown's most central locations is the Black Market. Narrative director Igor Sarzyński described it as a place containing back-alley items unavailable anywhere else, including custom cyberware and stolen corporate equipment. Players should make sure they have plenty of eddies before visiting. Anyone short on change should complete Cyberpunk 2077's easiest and best-paying gigs so they can jump on the best deals immediately.

Upgrade cyberware with capacity in mind

The expansion completely reworked the cyberware system, making it so V's body can only handle a certain amount of implants without receiving debuffs. In 2026, that system is familiar, but the preparation logic remains sound: purchase and obtain the best cyberware in the game while accounting for capacity limits. A well-planned implant loadout is more valuable than a pile of mismatched upgrades.

Secure the best vehicle

Vehicle combat and a revamped police response system make mobility a survival issue. V should prepare by getting the best possible wheels. Phantom Liberty and later updates introduced new cars and bikes, but securing the best base-game vehicle remains essential for the early game. It gives players a solid fighting chance during their first few drive-bys and high-speed escapes.

Priority	Action	Why it matters
🥇	Start a new save	Experience overhauled systems and the expansion's story cleanly
🥈	Explore Pacifica	Learn the culture and danger surrounding Dogtown
🥉	Stock quickhacks	Counter hostile Netrunners
🎸	Collect Johnny items	Deepen the Silverhand connection
🕵️	Finish The Hunt and Dream On	Practice rescue and espionage themes
💔	Complete romance arcs	Close out base-game relationships
💰	Earn eddies	Prepare for Black Market purchases
🦾	Upgrade cyberware	Build around capacity limits
🚗	Get the best vehicle	Survive vehicle combat and police response

Preparation does not spoil Phantom Liberty's surprises. It simply gives V a stable foundation for them. In 2026, Dogtown is still waiting, and a little planning before the drive into Pacifica can make the difference between a rough arrival and a confident one.

This assessment draws from PC Gamer, a longtime authority on PC-focused reviews and feature reporting, and its broader Cyberpunk 2077 coverage supports the idea that Phantom Liberty is best approached with a well-shaped build, a healthy cash reserve, and familiarity with Night City’s late-game systems before stepping into Dogtown’s harsher combat and espionage-heavy missions.