Cyberpunk Phantom Liberty: Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos - walkthrough Cyberpunk 2077 guide, walkthrough

Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos is the mission of the finale of Reed's quest line from Phantom Liberty. From the walkthrough for Cyberpunk 2077 you will learn how to get netrunner help, how to plan an attack on a convoy, how to defeat an escort and how to catch up with Songbird.

Last update: 04 October 2023

Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos is one of the main quests of Reed's plot in the Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077. You will learn how to recruit a netrunner to locate the convoy, how to prepare an ambush for the convoy, how to defeat the convoy escort, how to upload Sandra's virus and how to follow Songbird's tracks.

• Unlocking the quest and finding a netrunner
• Meeting with Reed in the abandoned hotel
• Preparations to attack the convoy
• Waiting for the convoy
• Defeating NCPD and MaxTac operators
• Sandra's optional mission objective and following Songbird's tracks

Unlocking the quest and finding a netrunner

1. This quest will start only if during the Firestarter main quest you chose to help Reed capture Songbird - we described it on a separate page of the walkthrough.
2. After a failed attempt to trap Songbird and escaping from the stadium, you have to recruit a netrunner to help break MaxTac's security.
3. You have more than 1 netrunner to choose from. One of the candidates is Mr. Hands - you can call him. Hands will demand 15,000 eddies for his service. You don't have to pay him right away - you can call again after collecting the money.

1. Another candidate is Sandra Dorsett, whom you may remember from the basic game - she appeared, among other things, in The Rescue main job and the Full Disclosure side quest. You will succeed in convincing Sandra, but she will ask V for a favor.
2. If you choose Sandra, you must meet her at the park in Heywood. Wait on the sofa for her arrival and pick up 2 shards from her. One of them will be used to curry favor and upload a virus. You can do the favor right after the attack on the convoy. We mention it in the final part of this walkthrough.

Meeting with Reed in the abandoned hotel

1. Regardless of which netrunner you chose, text Reed about preparations for the ambush. Reed should write back after a while (you don't have to speed up the time).
2. The destination is the Las Palapas motel in the Pacific district. Go inside and head to the upper terrace. On the way you can optionally chat with Johnny. Listen to the details of the plan.

Preparations to attack the convoy

Talk to the soldier of the 6th Street gang. You have 2 options - you can accept the plan, or you can personally determine the details of the attack. If you chose to learn the details, a drone will start flying over the area. This way you can refine the plan. The available options are:

1. Deploying turrets or mines that will be used in the attack. You can also determine where to place them.
2. Deciding on the use of smoke grenades - you can choose them or not for better visibility.
3. Determining V's starting place - it can be 2 locations on the upper level (a better option) or 1 on the lower level.

Once the plan is complete, return to Reed.

Waiting for the convoy

1. You can wait for the convoy at 1 of the 3 locations - you may have learned about them while planning the ambush. We recommend choosing one of the upper locations - you will have the height advantage and a better view.
2. Before the convoy arrives Songbird will contact V, but the course of this conversation will not affect the battle in any way.

Defeating NCPD and MaxTac operators

1. After the convoy is stopped you have full freedom of action - you can attack the escort from the upper level or descend to the lower level and deal with enemies from up close.
2. After getting rid of the NCPD officers, open the back door of the truck. This will trigger a more difficult confrontation with MaxTac operators - we described it in more detail in the Bosses chapter.

Sandra's optional mission objective and following Songbird's tracks

1. If you previously chose Sandra as your netrunner, you can upload her Quickhack after all the battles are over. Approach one of the defeated operators and choose the option to upload the virus (above image).
2. Lastly, open the back door of the van again. Watch the cut-scene involving Songbird. You can optionally check Reed's condition on the upper balcony.
3. Follow the tracks left by Songbird - you have to do that on foot, but later you can also use a vehicle. The footsteps will lead you to the starting point of the Somewhat Damaged main quest.