XenGamer's Netrunner Guide: Ghost Through "I Walk the Line" in Cyberpunk 2077 (PC 2.

"I Walk the Line" in Cyberpunk 2077 is a pivotal mission, thrusting V deep into the heart of the Grand Imperial Mall to uncover the Voodoo Boys' connection to Alt Cunningham. For Netrunners, this mission is a playground. Instead of guns blazing, we're talking silent takedowns, strategic quickhacks, and turning the environment against your enemies. This guide, tailored for PC version 2.1, will provide you with a tried-and-tested Netrunner build and a step-by-step strategy to ghost through the Grand Imperial Mall like a digital phantom. Forget brute force; we're playing smart, exploiting enemy weaknesses, and leaving no trace. Are you ready to become the ultimate Netrunner?

I. Context: "I Walk the Line" and the Netrunner Advantage

The clock is ticking. You need to find the Voodoo Boys, and fast. In "I Walk the Line," infiltrating the Grand Imperial Mall is crucial for understanding their agenda and, more importantly, their ties to Alt Cunningham. Stealth is paramount here. A direct assault is loud, messy, and likely to trigger a full-scale lockdown.

Why a Netrunner build? Because it's OP for this mission. Netrunners excel at remotely disabling enemies, controlling security systems, and manipulating the environment. This isn't just about avoiding detection; it's about actively shaping the battlefield to your advantage. With the right quickhacks and cyberware, you can turn the Grand Imperial Mall into your personal playground, eliminating threats before they even know you're there. Think of yourself as a ghost in the machine, silently pulling the strings from the shadows.

II. Step-by-Step Strategy: The Ghost in the Machine

Here's the plan: a detailed, stealth-focused walkthrough that leverages the power of a optimized Netrunner build to conquer the "I Walk the Line" mission in Cyberpunk 2077.

1. Netrunner Build Essentials

Before stepping foot in the Grand Imperial Mall, you need the right tools for the job. This means optimizing your attributes, skills, and perks for stealth and hacking.

• Attributes:

  • Intelligence (20): This is your bread and butter. Max it out to boost your RAM, quickhack damage, and breach protocol capabilities.
  • Reflexes (16): Essential for movement, dodging, and using weapons if things get hairy.
  • Technical Ability (12): Unlock crucial crafting perks to create higher-tier quickhacks and cyberware mods.

• Skills:

  • Breach Protocol: Master this to debuff enemies, disable security systems, and gain access to restricted areas.
  • Quickhacking: The core of your build. Focus on damage, upload speed, and RAM recovery.
  • Stealth: Essential for avoiding detection and performing silent takedowns.

• Perks:

  • "Critical Error" (Breach Protocol): Increases quickhack damage when breaching a network. A must-have for taking down enemies quickly.
  • "Overclock" (Quickhacking): Allows you to use quickhacks even when RAM is depleted, at the cost of health. For emergencies only.
  • "Crouching Tiger" (Stealth): Increases movement speed while crouching, allowing you to move quickly and quietly.
  • "Ghost" (Stealth): Reduces enemy detection speed, making it easier to slip past patrols undetected.

2. Cyberware Selection

Cyberware is crucial for boosting your Netrunning abilities. Here's what I recommend:

• Cyberdeck: Tetratronic Rippler Mk.4: This cyberdeck offers increased RAM and quickhack effectiveness, vital for sustained hacking. Look for it at Netrunner vendors.
• Operating System: Biodyne Berserk Mk.5: Provides a boost to armor and quickhack upload speed, perfect for surviving close encounters and quickly disabling enemies.
• Frontal Cortex: Memory Boost: Increases your RAM recovery rate, allowing you to chain quickhacks more effectively.
• Ocular System: Kiroshi Optics Mk.3: Equip it with a threat detector mod to highlight enemies and security systems through walls. This significantly enhances your awareness.

3. Quickhack Loadout

Your quickhack loadout is your arsenal. These are the essential quickhacks for stealth and control in "I Walk the Line":

• Contagion: Spreads to multiple enemies, weakening them for follow-up attacks. Excellent for thinning out groups of enemies.
• Short Circuit: Deals electrical damage, disabling enemies non-lethally. A reliable way to knock out guards without raising alarms.
• Ping: Reveals enemy locations through walls. Indispensable for planning your route and avoiding ambushes.
• Memory Wipe: Resets enemy awareness. Use this after being spotted to regain stealth.
• System Reset: Incapacitates enemies instantly. A high-RAM cost, but effective against high-priority targets.

4. Mall Infiltration:

Time to put your skills to the test. Here's a step-by-step guide to infiltrating the Grand Imperial Mall:

• Approach: Ditch the main entrance. Use the side entrance near the parking garage to avoid initial detection.
• First Floor:
  • Activate Ping immediately to identify all enemies and cameras in the area.
  • Prioritize disabling cameras. Use Short Circuit on isolated guards, then perform a non-lethal takedown. Use Memory Wipe if necessary.
  • Utilize cover and shadows to move undetected. Pay attention to enemy patrol patterns.
• Second Floor:
  • Hack into the security system to disable turrets and open restricted doors. This requires completing a Breach Protocol sequence.
  • Use Contagion on groups of enemies to weaken them before moving in for takedowns. Be mindful of the spread range.
  • Watch out for snipers positioned on the upper levels. Use Ping to locate them and prioritize their elimination.
• Server Room:
  • This is where things get tricky. Expect heavy resistance.
  • Exploit environmental hacks. Overload junction boxes to create distractions and eliminate enemies.
  • Use System Reset on high-priority targets like security personnel or heavily armored guards.
  • Coordinate your attacks. Don't rush in blindly.

5. Dealing with Sasquatch:

Sasquatch, the boss of the mission, is a formidable opponent. She relies on brute force and close-range attacks, but she's not invincible.

• Vulnerability: Sasquatch is vulnerable to EMP damage and quickhacks that disrupt her cyberware.
• Strategy:
  • Maintain distance. Her melee attacks are devastating.
  • Use a combination of Short Circuit, Overheat, and Weapon Glitch to disable her attacks and disrupt her cyberware.
  • Employ a smart weapon like the Skippy pistol to deal consistent damage while staying mobile. Let Skippy target the legs for extra maneuverability on her end.
  • If you have the Cyberware Malfunction quickhack, it's invaluable for disabling her Berserk ability (See the Tips and Tricks section)
  • Prioritize dodging and cover. Don't get cornered.

III. Tips and Tricks: Advanced Netrunning Tactics

These advanced tactics will help you dominate "I Walk the Line" and refine your Netrunner skills.

• Cyberware Malfunction: This quickhack is a game-changer against Sasquatch. Disabling her Berserk ability makes her significantly easier to handle. Time it right to interrupt her most devastating attacks.
• RAM Management: Prioritize quickhacks based on their RAM cost and effectiveness. Ping and Memory Wipe are low-cost staples, while System Reset should be reserved for high-priority targets. Invest in cyberware that boosts RAM recovery.
• Non-Lethal Takedowns: Emphasize non-lethal takedowns to avoid raising alarms. Enemies left unconscious are less likely to trigger a full-scale lockdown.
• Environmental Awareness: Utilize environmental hacks to create distractions and eliminate enemies. Overloading junction boxes, triggering gas leaks, and manipulating machinery can turn the environment into a deadly weapon. Pay attention to your surroundings.

IV. PC-Specific Notes: Optimization and .INI Tweaks

Maximizing performance on PC is crucial for a smooth and immersive Cyberpunk 2077 experience. Here are some tweaks to consider:

• .INI Tweaks for Ray Tracing: Modify the "Cyberpunk2077.exe.ini" file located in the game's root directory. Add the following lines to the "[Rendering]" section:

  RaytracingReflectionsQuality = 1
  RaytracingLightingQuality = 1
  RaytracingShadowQuality = 1
  RaytracingAmbientOcclusionQuality = 1
  

  Explanation: These tweaks reduce the quality of ray tracing effects to improve performance on lower-end RTX cards without completely disabling ray tracing. Adjust values (0-3) based on your hardware. Experiment to find the sweet spot between visual fidelity and performance.

• Nvidia Driver Recommendations: Use Nvidia driver version 537.58 or later for optimal performance and stability. Older drivers may have compatibility issues.

• Mod Recommendations: Suggest mods like "Cyber Engine Tweaks" and "RED4ext" for advanced performance optimization and bug fixes. These mods can unlock hidden settings and provide greater control over the game's engine.

V. Conclusion: Rewards and Reputation

Completing "I Walk the Line" successfully yields significant rewards, including:

• Experience points for leveling up your character.
• Eddies (the game's currency) for purchasing new gear and cyberware.
• Advancement of the main story, bringing you closer to unraveling the mysteries surrounding Alt Cunningham.

The narrative consequences of your actions in the Grand Imperial Mall also impact your relationship with the Voodoo Boys. A successful infiltration and completion of the mission will improve your standing with them, opening up new opportunities and dialogue options. However, failing the mission or alerting the authorities could damage your reputation and lock you out of certain questlines.

Ultimately, "I Walk the Line" is a test of your Netrunning skills. By mastering stealth, quickhacks, and cyberware, you can navigate the Grand Imperial Mall like a true digital phantom, leaving your mark on Night City's underworld. Now go out there and show those Valentinos what a real Netrunner can do.

VI: Netrunner INSTA-KILLS Sasquatch! (Video)

(Link intentionally rickrolls)

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