XenGamer's Guide to "Firestarter": A Netrunner's Gambit in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Alright, choombas, settle in.

Alright, choombas, settle in. We're diving into "Firestarter," a pivotal quest in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty that could make or break your fragile alliance with Songbird. Forget the fluff; this is Night City, and time is eddies. I’m going to lay out a straightforward, no-bullshit guide to infiltrating the Black Sapphire, rescuing Songbird, and getting out alive. This isn’t some tourist brochure; this is hard-earned intel from someone who's been on both sides of the corporate firewall. We're assuming you're running a Netrunner/Body hybrid build, because frankly, anything less is just asking for trouble in Dogtown.

Character Build: The Ghost in the Machine

Before we crack skulls, let’s talk spec. You're aiming for a build that can fry circuits with a thought and rearrange faces with a well-placed shotgun blast. Here’s the baseline:

• Type: Netrunner/Body hybrid.
• Starting Stats (Level 30): Intelligence 12, Reflexes 10, Technical Ability 8, Cool 8, Body 12.
• Key Cyberware (Tier 4/5): You want to be a walking, talking Swiss Army knife of destruction.
  • Operating System: Tetratronic Rippler Mk.4 (for quickhacks). This is your bread and butter.
  • Frontal Cortex: Memory Boost (increased RAM). More RAM means more mayhem.
  • Ocular System: Kiroshi Optics Mk.3 with threat detection and target analysis mods. Knowing where the threats are before they know you exist is crucial.
  • Circulatory System: Adrenaline Converter (for healing and speed boosts after takedowns). Chain kills become health fountains. Delicious.
  • Skeleton: Bionic Joints (for increased carrying capacity). Because lugging around weapons and cyberware ain't gonna happen with a weak spine.
  • Hands: Smart Link (for smart weapon integration). Turn your SMG into a guided missile launcher.
  • Legs: Reinforced Tendons (for double jump). Because sometimes you just need to be somewhere else, fast.
• Weapons: Prototype: Shingen Mark V (smart SMG), Order (powerful shotgun), and a Monowire (Tier 4/5). Adapt to the situation, choomba.

Walkthrough: "Firestarter" – Burning Down the House

Now, let’s get to the meat of it. "Firestarter" is a pressure cooker, and you're the demolition expert.

1. Initial Approach:

Forget the front door. We’re going in through the service entrance on the west side. Look for the rain-slicked alleyway, bathed in the sickly glow of failing neon. It's not pretty, but it's functional. That's the Night City way.

2. Security System Bypass:

This is where your Tetratronic Rippler earns its keep. Remotely disable the cameras and turrets in the main lobby. Prioritize the ones marked with a high threat level in your Kiroshi Optics. Patience is a virtue, and so is not getting ventilated by a rogue turret.

3. Confronting the Guards:

You have two options here: stealth or a frontal assault.

*   **Option 1: Stealth.** Use "Optical Camo" to ghost past the guards or perform stealth takedowns. The Adrenaline Converter will keep you topped off as you move through the casino.
*   **Option 2: Direct Combat.** If subtlety isn't your style, equip the Order shotgun and go to town. The Adrenaline Converter will turn those kills into a speed boost and health regen. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.

4. Locating Songbird:

Follow the marker to the VIP lounge. Expect a significant increase in resistance. This is where your Monowire shines. Dispatch enemies quickly and efficiently. A quick flick of the wrist and they're down for the count.

5. Dialogue with Songbird:

When you finally reach Songbird, tread carefully. Her situation is… complicated. Choose dialogue options that prioritize understanding her motivations rather than jumping to conclusions. Selecting "Trust Songbird" can unlock unique gameplay opportunities later on. Remember, everyone has an angle.

6. Escape Sequence:

Time to bounce. A helicopter will arrive for extraction on the roof. The escape route will be heavily guarded. Listen to Songbird's instructions; she knows the layout better than you do.

Tips and Tricks from a Night City Veteran

• Quickhacks are your friends. "Cyberware Malfunction" shuts down enemy implants, leaving them vulnerable. "Short Circuit" fries heavily armored targets.
• Headshots. Aim for them. Always.
• Take cover. It’s not cowardly; it’s practical. Regenerate health and RAM.
• Listen to Songbird. She has valuable intel. Ignore it at your peril.
• Exploit the environment. Exploding barrels, electrical panels, anything you can use to your advantage. Night City is a weapon, use it.

PC-Specific Enhancements: Squeezing Every Drop of Performance

• DLSS 3 Frame Generation: If you're running an RTX 4000 series card or later, enable DLSS 3 Frame Generation. The performance boost is substantial, especially in crowded areas.

• Ray Tracing: Experiment with ray tracing settings. Start with ray-traced reflections and ambient occlusion. Find the sweet spot between visual fidelity and playable framerates.

• Recommended Mods:

  • "Better Hacking Netrunning" (Nexus Mods): Improves the hacking mini-game and adds new quickhacks. Because more options are always better.
  • "Cyberware EX" (Nexus Mods): Adds new cyberware options and customization. Fine-tune your build to perfection.
  • "Appearance Menu Mod" (Nexus Mods): If you care about aesthetics, this is a must-have.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Job

Successfully completing "Firestarter" opens up new quests and moves the Phantom Liberty storyline forward. You'll also get access to new cyberware mods and weapon blueprints. But more importantly, you’ll have made a choice that will define your relationship with Songbird – and potentially, the fate of Night City. Just remember, in this game, there are no easy answers, and everyone pays the piper eventually. Now get out there and make some eddies.