The Phantom Liberty expansion introduces one of the most intense narrative divides in Cyberpunk 2077 during the Firestarter mission. Players must choose between siding with Solomon Reed or helping Songbird escape, a decision that drastically alters the final missions, gameplay mechanics, and character outcomes. Understanding the core differences between these choices helps players tailor their story path to match their preferred playstyle and moral alignment.

Siding With Songbird: The Path to Freedom

Choosing to help Songbird allows V to assist her in escaping the claws of both Dogtown and the NUSA. This decision leads to The Killing Moon mission, where you infiltrate a high-tech spaceport to secure a flight to Luna. During this sequence, combat shifts toward stealthy infiltration and tactical encounters across a brand-new facility.

However, siding with Songbird reveals dark truths about her motivations and trust. Players must ultimately face a standoff with Solomon Reed, leading to major consequences regarding who survives. If you choose to follow this narrative route, you can explore the Cyberpunk 2077 Reed Or Songbird Choice Differences And Story Paths to analyze every cinematic outcome.

Siding With Solomon Reed: The Path of Duty

Betraying Songbird in favor of Reed completely changes the tone of the expansion's climax. Instead of the spaceport, players engage in a grueling boss fight against Kurt Hansen and enter a horror-inspired underground sequence featuring a relentless military robot. This path offers deeper lore regarding Songbird's backstory and her connection to the Blackwall.

This route leads to missions such as Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos and Somewhat Damaged. Players are forced to make a final decision regarding Songbird's life, determining whether she becomes a NUSA asset or gets granted peace. It offers intense gameplay variations that contrast sharply with Songbird's escape route.

Unlocking Unique Rewards and Alternate Endings

Beyond story consequences, your choice dictates the unique gear and ending paths available to V. Siding with Reed can unlock powerful weapons like the Erebus submachine gun or the Militech Canto cyberdeck. Furthermore, keeping Songbird alive for Reed opens up a completely new main game ending for V called The Tower.

Conversely, supporting Songbird provides distinct iconic items like the Pariah pistol and the Quantum Tuner cyberdeck. While this path may lock V out of the new NUSA medical ending, it offers a deeply emotional resolution for Songbird's character arc. Weighing these unique rewards helps players determine which final outcome best aligns with their playthrough goals.