Firestarter Quest Guide: Phantom Liberty

The **Firestarter** mission stands as a cornerstone of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, thrusting players into high-stakes intrigue within Dogtown’s volatile underbelly. This main job unfolds at Petrochem Stadium, where V must impersonate a netrunner, navigate tense interrogations, and make a game-changing decision that splits the expansion’s narrative into distinct paths. Whether aiding Songbird’s desperate flight or aligning with Reed’s capture plan, every step demands precision amid Barghest enforcers and cybernetic chaos.

Unlocking the Firestarter Mission

Firestarter activates automatically after completing “I’ve Seen That Face Before”, the preceding main job in Phantom Liberty’s storyline. In that mission, V and Alex infiltrate the Black Sapphire party, abducting netrunner twins Aymeric and Aurore to assume their identities for the stadium meetup. Songbird orchestrates the neural matrix upload, with Reed providing covert support. Progress through Phantom Liberty’s early quests naturally leads here, marking the point of no return for story branches.

Arriving at Petrochem Stadium

Head to the marked location in Dogtown, where Murphy, a Barghest guard, escorts V (as Aymeric) and Alex (as Aurore) past security. Surrender all weapons to a locker before entering the Colonel’s domain—Kurt Hansen awaits. This initial segment is linear: follow Murphy, stash gear, and prepare for dialogue that tests your cover story.

• Pro Tip: Equip non-lethal options if planning stealth, but combat is inevitable regardless of path.
• Retrieve items from lockers later; they’re essential for the escape.

Impressing Kurt Hansen: The Quiz Challenge

Hansen’s interrogation is a verbal minefield. Convince him of your netrunner credentials using Aymeric’s backstory. Correct responses build trust, easing progression to the neural matrix. Songbird signals readiness via comms, confirming you’ve passed.

Flub answers? No mission failure, but heightened suspicion may trigger alerts. Save beforehand for experimentation.

The Pivotal Choice: Songbird or Reed?

Descending to the neural matrix, Songbird reveals the escape blueprint. Here, select your allegiance:

• Help Songbird Escape: Upload access codes. Alex eliminates Hansen; Songbird’s hacks aid your breakout. Unlocks The Killing Moon, barring Reed’s arc. Leads to King of Wands/Swords endings.
• Help Reed Capture Songbird: Deploy ICEbreaker. Hansen kills Alex; Songbird cyberpsychos out. Fight Hansen solo, then flee to Reed. Unlocks Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos, sealing Songbird’s path. King of Cups/Pentacles endings.

Recommendation: Manual save pre-choice. Both yield unique achievements, loot, and narrative depth—replay for full experience.

Songbird Escape Path: Stealth and Synergy

Opting for Songbird triggers immediate action. Grab crate weapons, then purge Barghest forces. Songbird disables turrets, cameras, and foes remotely—coordinate via quickhacks.

1. Clear initial rooms; reclaim locker gear.
2. Confront Murphy in the tank bay—loot Murphy’s Law (iconic pistol) post-defeat.
3. Push through market: stealth past patrols or quickhack drones.
4. Shift crates blocking a side gate, enter tunnels.
5. Destroy patrolling drones; exit via sewer grate to Badlands vehicles.

Songbird departs; await her signal for The Killing Moon. This route emphasizes teamwork, yielding lighter combat.

Reed Capture Path: Brutal Boss Battle

ICEbreaker locks Songbird; chaos erupts. Hansen terminates Alex, and Songbird rampages briefly before MaxTac intervenes. Retrieve gear amid gunfire, then face Hansen at the exit—a melee terror.

Defeating Kurt Hansen

Hansen wields superhuman speed, knife throws, and grabs. Phase 1: Dodge charges. Phase 2: He closes for slams—circle-strafe, target legs.

• Melee Builds: Match his aggression; parry throws.
• Ranged Builds: Maintain distance, use cover outlines.

Victory loots Fang (knife), Bald Eagle (revolver), Wild Dog (LMG), and Stadium datashard. Elevator to garage: ignore guards, enter Reed’s car. Overlook cutscene previews Songbird’s fate, launching Black Steel.

Key Loot and Rewards

XP and street cred vary by kills/stealth; both paths offer ~10k+ rewards.

Story Implications and Endings

Firestarter forks Phantom Liberty into dual arcs, each culminating in unique base-game endings. Songbird’s path explores betrayal’s cost; Reed’s delves loyalty and NUSA schemes. No ‘best’ choice—narrative richness prevails.

• Songbird: The Killing Moon → King of Wands (freedom-focused) or Swords (sacrifice).
• Reed: Black Steel → King of Cups (duty) or Pentacles (power).

Tips for Success

• Build Prep: Netrunning for Songbird path; blades/guns for Hansen.
• Quickhacks: Contagion/Cyberware Malfunction shred groups.
• Stealth: Air vents bypass early fights.
• Saves: Pre-Hansen, pre-choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch paths after Firestarter?

No—choice is permanent, locking questlines.

Does Hansen fight change by path?

Only Reed path; Songbird’s Alex handles him.

Best weapons for Hansen?

High-DPS rifles or gorilla arms; exploit stagger.

Replay for all endings?

Yes, post-2.0 updates make NG+ viable.

Impact on base game?

Alters final missions, new Phantom Liberty endings integrate.

Advanced Strategies

For min-maxers: Songbird path maxes stealth XP; Reed nets boss loot. Cyberware like Kerenzikov dodges Hansen seamlessly. Pair with Monowire for drone/turret clears.

Firestarter encapsulates Phantom Liberty’s essence: moral ambiguity, explosive action, branching fates. Dive in, chooms—Night City’s watching.