XenGamer's Guide: Cracking NetWatch & Infiltrating the Voodoo Boys in Cyberpunk 2077's "Transmission" (PC Edition) Welcome, fellow netrunners and chrome-plated crusaders!

Welcome, fellow netrunners and chrome-plated crusaders! Today, we're diving deep into one of Cyberpunk 2077's juiciest quests: "Transmission." Forget brute force; we're approaching this mission with the finesse of a seasoned penetration tester. We'll dissect the NetWatch agent interrogation, infiltrate the Voodoo Boys' hideout in the Grand Imperial Mall, and exploit every vulnerability along the way. Consider this your comprehensive, technically-detailed, and slightly sardonic guide to dominating "Transmission" on PC. Buckle up, choombas – it's gonna be a wild ride.

The Target: Alt Cunningham and a Tangled Web

Before we get started, let’s set the stage. You're hunting for answers about Alt Cunningham and the mysteries surrounding the Relic. The Voodoo Boys believe NetWatch holds the key, and that means extracting information from a compromised NetWatch agent. This isn't just about shooting your way through; it's about skillful hacking, strategic choices, and exploiting the vulnerabilities in the NetWatch infrastructure (and their poor agent). The information we glean here is crucial for understanding Alt and navigating the treacherous waters ahead. Failure isn’t an option; we need that data.

Step 1: NetWatch Interrogation – A Hacking Masterclass

This isn't your average dialogue tree. The NetWatch agent is a walking, talking firewall, and we're about to perform a full-blown penetration test. The goal? Extract maximum intel with minimal collateral damage (i.e., avoiding overwhelming NetWatch countermeasures). Here's the sequence, designed with a pentester's mindset:

1. "Ping": Start with "Ping." This is your reconnaissance. It establishes a connection and reveals basic vulnerabilities. The dialogue choice to complement this? Something innocuous, like "Why are you here?" or "What does NetWatch want?" We're just feeling out the system at this point.
2. "Memory Wipe": This is where things get interesting. "Memory Wipe" acts as a data exfiltration prevention technique in reverse. We're not trying to steal data; we're trying to loosen his grip on the information he's withholding. The dialogue should follow with a more direct question, such as "What do you know about Alt Cunningham?" or "Tell me about the Relic." This forces him to try and recall the information, increasing the strain on his compromised memory.
3. "Request Backup": This is a honeypot test, plain and simple. By feigning a request for backup, we observe NetWatch's response. Are they actively monitoring this agent? How quickly do they react? This tells us about the overall security posture of their network. The dialogue should be something along the lines of, "I need assistance," mimicking a distress call.
4. "Contagion": The final payload. "Contagion" is the key to overloading his system. By now, his defenses are weakened, his memory is fragmented, and NetWatch's response (or lack thereof) has given us valuable insight. This quickhack delivers a cascading failure, forcing him to cough up the necessary information. Dialogue: A simple, forceful "Tell me everything!" leaves no room for ambiguity.

Why this Sequence? We're mimicking a real-world attack: recon, exploit, observe, and detonate. Deviating from this sequence could trigger stronger daemons, alert NetWatch prematurely, or simply result in a failed interrogation. Treat this like a red team exercise, and stick to the plan.

Step 2: Infiltration of the Voodoo Boys Hideout (Grand Imperial Mall)

Now that we have the intel, it’s time to breach the Voodoo Boys' digital and physical defenses. The Grand Imperial Mall is their playground, and we're about to crash the party. Stealth is paramount here. Think of this as a social engineering exercise combined with a network intrusion.

Enemy Types and Patrol Patterns: The Voodoo Boys rely on numbers and cyberware. Watch out for:

• Netrunners: These guys can fry your circuits faster than you can say "kernel panic." Prioritize taking them out first.
• Heavies: Cybered-up bruisers with heavy weapons. Avoid direct confrontation if possible.
• Standard Goons: Cannon fodder. Perfect for practicing your stealth takedowns and distraction techniques.

Route Optimization: The map above shows the optimal routes. Stick to the shadows, use cover, and exploit blind spots.

Hacking the Environment: This is where your netrunning skills shine. Cameras are your first target. A well-placed "Short Circuit" will disable them temporarily, buying you precious time. Junction boxes can be hacked to create distractions or, even better, trigger explosions. Think of it as a denial-of-service attack on their security system.

Step 3: Boss Fight Preparation - The Final Exploit

Without spoiling too much, you'll face a significant threat at the end of this infiltration. Before you even think about pulling the trigger, prep the battlefield with your quickhacks.

• Identify Vulnerabilities: Scan everything. Look for devices you can exploit. Are there cameras overlooking the arena? Junction boxes ripe for overloading? Enemy cyberware that can be disrupted?
• Cyberware Malfunction: This is your trump card. The Voodoo Boys rely heavily on their cyberware, and "Cyberware Malfunction" can turn their enhancements against them. Disable their optics, cripple their movement, or even force them to attack each other. It's pure chaos, and we're here for it.

Tips and Tricks: Level Up Your Netrunning Game

Now, let's move beyond the basics and delve into some advanced techniques.

Quickhack Optimization: Crafting is your friend. Experiment with combining different quickhacks to create custom payloads. For example, a Tier 3 "Short Circuit" combined with a Tier 2 "Sonic Shock" ensures target neutralization and prevents alerts. It’s like creating your own custom exploit.

Stealth Tactics: The "Optical Camo" cyberware is a game-changer. Combine it with distraction hacks to bypass security checkpoints undetected. Think of it as a sophisticated man-in-the-middle attack, fooling their sensors into thinking you're not there.

Exploiting the Game's AI: The Voodoo Boys, for all their bravado, are predictable. They rely on NetWatch's network, which we've already compromised. Use this to your advantage. Trigger environmental hazards, manipulate their patrol patterns, and watch them walk right into your traps.

PC-Specific Enhancements: Maximize Your Hacking Potential

Alright, let's talk about optimizing your Cyberpunk 2077 experience on PC. These tweaks will give you a crucial edge in the digital battlefield.

INI File Tweaks: Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Cyberpunk 2077\engine\config\platform\pc and open the user.settings file. Add these lines to disable annoying visual effects and boost performance:

[Rendering]
FilmGrain=false
ChromaticAberration=false

Increase the gpu_resource_heap_size setting to improve quickhack rendering performance and reduce input lag. Experiment with values like gpu_resource_heap_size = 2048 or 4096 depending on your VRAM.

Recommended Mods:

• Cyber Engine Tweaks: Essential for scripting and console access.
• Better Netrunning: Improves the quickhack UI and targeting.

Install them by placing the files in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Cyberpunk 2077\mods.

Network Analysis (Wireshark): Disclaimer: This is for advanced users. Messing with network traffic can have unintended consequences. Proceed with caution.

You can use Wireshark to analyze the game's network traffic during hacking sequences. Capture and filter packets to identify communication patterns between V's cyberware and enemy systems. This allows you to see the raw data being transmitted, including quickhack commands and their associated data payloads.

Performance Tweaks: Lowering crowd density and volumetric fog can significantly improve framerate during intense hacking sequences.

Conclusion: Knowledge is Power (and a Buttload of XP)

By successfully completing the "Transmission" quest using these hacking strategies, you unlock crucial information about Alt Cunningham and advance the main storyline. More importantly, you’ve honed your netrunning skills and learned to think like a true cybercriminal. Mastering these advanced hacking techniques gives you a significant advantage in the rest of the game, allowing you to control the battlefield and manipulate your enemies with ease. So go forth, choombas, and exploit the system! The Net is your playground.