Cyberpunk 2077: King of Swords Ending Guide - Phantom Liberty Walkthrough The "King of Swords" ending in Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty DLC offers a unique, albeit bittersweet, conclusion to V's journey in Dogtown.

The "King of Swords" ending in Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty DLC offers a unique, albeit bittersweet, conclusion to V's journey in Dogtown. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for achieving this ending, assuming you've already committed to siding with Songbird during the "Firestarter" mission. Whether you're a seasoned Netrunner or just looking for a different perspective, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to navigate the treacherous path ahead. Prepare for difficult choices, intense combat, and a conclusion that will leave you pondering the true meaning of freedom in Night City.

Firestarter (Post-Choice): Embracing Songbird's Cause

After making the crucial decision to help Songbird escape, the stadium becomes a hot zone. Stealth is your greatest asset here.

• Prioritize Stealth: The goal is to escape undetected.
• Quickhack Arsenal: Utilize quickhacks strategically.
  • "Optical Camo" for invisibility.
  • "Short Circuit" to silently neutralize enemies.
  • "Cyberware Malfunction" to disable cameras and turrets.
  • "Reboot Optics" to blind enemies.
  • "Contagion" to eliminate groups if detected.
• Dialogue with Reed: When Reed confronts you, reaffirm your loyalty to Songbird. Choose dialogue options that express distrust towards Reed and highlight Songbird's desperate situation. Examples include, "She's running out of time," or "Reed is using her."

Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos: Fighting Through Barghest Territory

This mission ramps up the intensity, requiring a mix of stealth and combat prowess.

• Stealth is Still Key: Maintain a low profile whenever possible. Use "Memory Wipe" on enemies who spot you to reset their awareness.
• Combat Tactics: When forced into open combat, target enemy mechs and heavy infantry with "Overheat" and "System Reset." Disable their weapons systems first to minimize incoming damage.
• Barghest Commander Boss Fight:
  • Prioritize dodging the commander's attacks.
  • Use "Cyberware Malfunction" to disable his cybernetics, creating an opening for attack.
  • Utilize a Monowire or smart weapons for follow-up damage.

Somewhat Damaged: Surviving the Cerberus

This mission tests your survival instincts and stealth capabilities as you navigate a maze patrolled by the relentless Cerberus AI.

• Avoid Direct Confrontation: The Cerberus is a formidable opponent. Stealth is your best bet.
• Environmental Awareness: Use the environment to your advantage. Hide behind cover and use "Distract Enemies" to lure Cerberus drones away from your path.
• Emergency Combat: If forced to fight, use "EMP Grenades" and "Short Circuit" to temporarily disable the drones.
• Final Escape Sequence: Prioritize speed and agility. Use "Synapse Burnout" on any Cerberus drones blocking your escape route.

The Final Choice: A Difficult Decision

Upon reaching the exit, Songbird will ask for your help to permanently connect her to the Neural Matrix. This is the point of no return.

• Commit to Your Choice: Proceed to connect Songbird, knowing that this action solidifies the "King of Swords" ending. This also results in the final decision where V must kill Songbird.

Netrunner Build Optimization for the King of Swords Ending

To excel in these missions, optimize your Netrunner build.

• Maximize RAM and Quickhack Upload Speed: Crucial for effective hacking.
• Prioritize Perks: Focus on perks that reduce Quickhack cooldowns and increase their damage.
• Cyberware:
  • Equip cyberware like the "Tetratronic Rippler Mk.4" for increased Quickhack damage and spread.
• Cyberdeck Selection:
  • The "Netwatch Netdriver Mk.5" excels with its bonus to Quickhack damage and upload speed.
  • The "Raven Microcyber Mk.4" offers superior RAM recovery.

PC-Specific Optimization: Maximizing Performance

Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Tracing can be demanding. Optimize settings for smooth gameplay:

• RTX 3070: Ray Tracing: Low/Medium, DLSS: Quality, Frame Generation (optional).
• RTX 4070: Ray Tracing: Medium/High, DLSS: Quality/Balanced, Frame Generation (recommended).
• RTX 4080: Ray Tracing: Ultra/Psycho, DLSS: Quality/Balanced, Frame Generation (recommended).
• DLSS and Frame Generation: Experiment to find the best balance.
• Driver Updates: Keep your Nvidia or AMD drivers updated.
• Visual Tweaks: Disable motion blur and film grain for a sharper image; adjust shadow quality to improve performance.

Conclusion: A Bitter Victory

By following this guide, you'll successfully navigate the final missions and achieve the "King of Swords" ending. While the ending frees Songbird, it comes at a great cost, and offers a different perspective on Cyberpunk 2077.