Shot by Both Sides Quest Guide

Unlock the thrilling Shot by Both Sides side job in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and dive into a web of corporate intrigue, narrow escapes, and moral dilemmas set in the chaotic streets of Dogtown. This exclusive DLC quest tasks you with aiding a journalist uncovering dark secrets, leading to intense decisions that shape the story’s end. Our original guide breaks down every phase, from initiation to finale, helping you maximize rewards and explore all paths.

Quest Overview and Prerequisites

The Shot by Both Sides mission emerges as a gripping side job unique to the Phantom Liberty expansion. It activates automatically after progressing through key main story beats, pulling you into a narrative rich with betrayal and high-stakes action. Mr. Hands, the enigmatic fixer, reaches out via a direct message, setting the stage for your involvement with Bree Whitney, a tenacious reporter fleeing corporate hunters.

• Unlock Requirements: Finish the main quests ‘The Damned’ and ‘Get It Together’ in Phantom Liberty.
• Location Focus: Starts in Night City proper, shifts to Dogtown’s underbelly.
• Level Suggestion: Mid-game build with solid combat and technical skills for smoother navigation.
• Rewards Tease: Experience points, potential iconic gear, and branching dialogue impacts.

This job isn’t just fetch-and-escort; it layers environmental puzzles, stealth segments, and a climactic choice that echoes Phantom Liberty’s themes of loyalty versus self-preservation.

Initiating the Mission: Bree’s Night City Hideout

Your journey kicks off with a ping from Mr. Hands directing you to Bree Whitney’s apartment in Night City’s Watson district. Pin the marker on your map and fast-travel if possible to cut travel time amid the neon sprawl.

1. Arrive at the Complex: Approach the high-rise; security is lax, but stay vigilant for patrolling scavs.
2. Ascend via Elevator: Select the floor indicated—expect a quick ride with ambient chatter building tension.
3. Gain Entry: The door’s locked. Options include:
   • Technical Ability perk (Level 3+): Hack the panel silently.
   • Body/Force check (Level 3+): Shoulder-charge for a noisy breach.
   • Avoid alarms to prevent early complications.

Inside, the apartment reveals clues to Bree’s paranoia: scattered notes on Militech ops, a flickering holo-screen. Your objective centers on a peculiar bamboo plant in the corner. Interact to reveal a hidden compartment containing an access card—crucial data Bree needs for her exposé.

Pro Tip: Scan the room with your Kiroshi optics for extra lore shards detailing Bree’s Militech feud, enriching immersion without quest impact.

Message Mr. Hands with the card’s acquisition. Optionally, respond to a cryptic text from ‘The Stranger’ (Dante), hinting at future encounters—ignore for now to maintain pace.

Dogtown Rendezvous: Escort Through Peril

With the card secured, head to Dogtown for the meetup. The district’s warzone vibe amps up: bombed-out buildings, roving Barghest gangs, and oppressive fog.

Meet Bree: She’s at a rundown safehouse. Dialogue reveals her desperation—corpos are closing in, and she needs your muscle to reach a hidden lab. Agree to escort, triggering a multi-phase tail.

Navigating the Tunnels and Defenses

The escort unfolds in Dogtown’s labyrinthine underbelly. Follow Bree closely; she’s fragile, drawing enemy fire.

Key moments include repeated ‘scan for threats’ interactions—use your scanner to tag foes like Netwatch agents or automated sentries. Bree comments throughout, building rapport or suspicion based on your style.

Paths involve dropping into crawlspaces, right-turn ramps, and ladder climbs. One route demands crawling through a vented corridor before emerging into a defended hallway—flank left for advantage.

The Laboratory Showdown: Critical Choice

After deactivating final defenses, you enter the lab. Bree interfaces with a terminal, but tension erupts as Dante—the Stranger—confronts her. Revelations hit: Bree sold data to Netwatch, dooming your escape and sparking betrayal accusations.

Pivotal Decision: With guns drawn, choose:

• Protect Bree (Kill Dante): Shoot Dante swiftly. Bree survives, expresses regret, but hands over two iconic weapons as thanks—game-changers like a modded pistol and sniper.
• Side with Dante (Let Him Kill Bree): Stand down. Dante executes Bree; quicker exit, but fewer rewards and a colder Mr. Hands payout. No iconic loot.

Post-choice, converse with the survivor (or none), then exfil the lab. Quest wraps with Mr. Hands’ approval text, ~5000 XP, and street cred.

All Endings and Consequences Explored

Shot by Both Sides offers binary outcomes, each with ripple effects:

• Bree Lives Path: Moral high ground? Debatable—her Netwatch deal invites future gigs. Iconics: ‘Defender’ pistol (high fire rate) and ‘Long Shot’ rifle (piercing).
• Bree Dies Path: Pragmatic; avoids betrayal fallout. Dante vanishes, potential setup for unrevealed arcs. Standard XP only.

No major story locks, but choices flavor Dogtown rep and fixer relations. Replay via save for both.

Build Recommendations and Combat Strategies

Tailor your V for success:

• Netrunner: Quickhacks like Contagion clear rooms silently.
• Solo: Shotguns for close escorts; mantis blades for crawls.
• Techie: Essential for doors/turrets; craft grenades on-site.

Stock health items; Dogtown heals are scarce. Sandevistan for Dante fight dodges bullets effortlessly.

Hidden Secrets and Collectibles

Beyond objectives:

• Shards: Lab terminal yields Militech emails.
• Stash: Bamboo plant area has rare components.
• Easter Eggs: Stranger texts reference Phantom Liberty lore.

Full clear nets extra eurodollars.

Common Pitfalls and Fixes

• Bree dies in escort? Reload; hug her position.
• Stuck in vents? Check scanner for blocks.
• Miss iconics? Bree-live path mandatory.

FAQ

Q: When does Shot by Both Sides start?
A: Post-‘Get It Together’; Mr. Hands messages automatically.

Q: What if I kill Dante?
A: Bree lives, two iconics rewarded.

Q: Is Technical Ability required?
A: Helpful for doors/defenses, but force works.

Q: Any missable rewards?
A: Iconic weapons only on Bree survival.

Q: Does this affect main story?
A: Minor rep changes; no blocks.

Mastering Shot by Both Sides enhances your Phantom Liberty run, blending action, choice, and loot. Dive in and choose your side wisely.