In the Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077, players are introduced to the dangerous walled district of Dogtown and a gripping spy-thriller storyline. Early in the narrative, the protagonist V is given the option to swear an official oath to the New United States of America to become a secret agent. This pivotal scene forces players to choose between aligning themselves with corporate governance or maintaining their independent mercenary ideals.
The Immediate Consequences of Your Choice
When standing before President Rosalind Myers, you must decide whether to repeat the formal pledge or refuse to speak the words. Choosing to swear the oath triggers unique reactions from Johnny Silverhand, who strongly dislikes government establishments and expresses his vocal disapproval immediately. However, refusing to take the pledge does not lock you out of the main expansion missions, as Myers will still accept your help out of sheer necessity.
Opting to skip the pledge entirely will slightly alter the tone of the conversations that follow with both Myers and Reed. Players who value experiencing different dialogue branches might want to use to log their narrative progress and review alternative choices. Ultimately, the story advances along the same major path regardless of whether you officially state the words or choose to decline them.
How Johnny Silverhand Reacts to the Pledge
Johnny Silverhand represents the ultimate anti-establishment mindset in Night City, making his perspective highly critical during this tense interaction. If V decides to take the pledge, Johnny will mock the decision openly, viewing it as a submission to the very corporate systems he fought against. His sarcastic commentary provides an excellent narrative contrast to the rigid military professionalism displayed by President Myers.
For players who prefer building a harmonious relationship with the engram inside their head, refusing the oath is a solid roleplaying decision. It demonstrates that V retains an independent streak and refuses to be owned by political figures. However, even if you anger Johnny by taking the oath, it will not negatively impact your ability to achieve his specific endgame endings later in the core campaign.
Long Term Impacts on Phantom Liberty Endings
Many players worry that swearing loyalty to the NUSA will permanently lock them into a specific narrative path or restrict their freedom of choice near the conclusion. Fortunately, developers designed this specific scene to serve primarily as a thematic tool rather than a restrictive mechanical gate. Your choice here will not prevent you from betraying or supporting specific characters when the final operational decisions arrive.
The major branching paths of the expansion rely entirely on choices made during much later missions involving Solomon Reed and Songbird. The early pledge acts mostly as a roleplaying foundation, allowing you to define what kind of mercenary V truly is. You are free to break the spirit of the pledge later on without facing immediate systemic penalties or early game-over screens.
Making the Best Decision for Your V
Deciding whether to take the oath comes down to how you choose to construct your character's personal philosophy and worldview. If you are playing a V who is desperate for a cure at any cost, swearing allegiance to a powerful president might feel like a logical necessity. On the other hand, a Streetkid or a hardened mercenary might find the idea of serving a government entity completely repulsive.
Both options provide rich dialogue opportunities and maintain the excellent narrative tension that defines the dark world of Night City. Experimenting with both pathways during different playthroughs offers a deeper appreciation for the nuanced writing in the expansion. Whichever path you choose, the unfolding corporate espionage story remains incredibly engaging and mechanically rewarding.
