I never thought I’d be standing outside Dogtown’s gates again, pistol in hand, wondering whether to start over or resurrect my old V. In 2026, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty still pulls me back because the expansion is not a separate campaign—it weaves into the main story of Night City. That means the first real decision is not which weapon to carry, but how to open the gate.
After some trial and error, I found three practical ways to reach Dogtown.
Three Ways to Approach Phantom Liberty
✅ Start a fresh V from the beginning.
This is the classic path: create a new mercenary, climb Night City’s ladder, and let Phantom Liberty appear naturally inside Act 2. The free 2.0 update changed the feel of the game, so a fresh run helped me re-learn the revamped cyberware system, rebalanced perks, and skill-tree choices without punishing old muscle memory.
💾 Reload an old late-game save.
If you already have a V you love, you can continue where you left off. The downside in my case was clear: update 2.0 forced me to reassign all of V’s perk points. It’s not broken, but it can be jarring to respec a character you used to know inside out.
⚡ Start a new character specifically for Phantom Liberty.
The game now lets you jump directly to the expansion. This is the fastest way, but it tosses you into Dogtown at Level 15 with basic equipment. I tried this route once and quickly felt like a street kid punching above their weight.
| Access route | Best for | My experience |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh playthrough | New and returning players who want the full story | Felt like playing a smarter, sharper Night City |
| Previous save | Attached to an existing V | Strong but required perk reassignment |
| New Phantom Liberty character | Quick access only | Fast, but Level 15 felt underpowered |
Why I Recommend a Full Fresh Start
The stadium outside Dogtown glows like a warning and an invitation at the same time. I stood there in Pacifica, remembering that Songbird only calls V after a specific moment in Act 2: you have to rescue Evelyn Parker and deal with the Voodoo Boys. That timing is the key.
By playing from the beginning, I gave my V room to breathe. I unlocked perks, saved eddies, tested new cyberware, and bought weapons that fit my style. By the time Songbird reached out in Pacifica, I had a solid loadout and enough context to care about the story. Phantom Liberty does not require a max-level demigod, but walking into Dogtown with a well-equipped and more experienced V made everything feel dangerous without being hopeless.
The Fast Path Is a Trap, Not a Shortcut
I respect the idea of jumping straight into Phantom Liberty. The game absolutely lets you do it. But that new-character route only drops you at Level 15 with basic gear. Dogtown’s hardened gangers, security mechs, and more aggressive encounters can chew through a lightly equipped V. It is not impossible, but for a regular player like me, it felt like skipping the warm-up before a street brawl.
Light spoiler warning: the expansion’s opening moments are much more satisfying when you already understand why V is in Pacifica and why Songbird’s call matters.
How I Would Do It Again
If I woke up tomorrow as a returning player in 2026, I would:
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Start a brand-new V and play through the 2.0 systems slowly.
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Finish Act 2 up until after Evelyn Parker and the Voodoo Boys in Pacifica.
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Invest in cyberware and perks before heading toward Dogtown.
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Keep a late-game save backed up in case I wanted to compare builds.
The beauty of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is that it gives players choice. But for me, the best story happened when I didn’t rush the gate. I entered Dogtown as a merc with history, and the neon nightmare finally felt like home. 🌆