Navigating the narrative climax of Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty expansion forces players to make a pivotal moral decision: side with Solomon Reed or Song So-Mi. Both choices carry heavy emotional consequences and unlock completely distinct mission paths, iconic gear, and base-game endings. Deciding who to betray depends largely on whether you prioritize personal loyalty, exclusive gameplay rewards, or obtaining a potential cure for V.

What Happens When You Betray Solomon Reed

Choosing to help Songbird during the Firestarter mission sets you on a high-stakes escape route alongside the netrunner. This decision keeps Alex alive and leads to a tense final confrontation at the spaceport. Keeping up with daily gaming news often highlights how this ending offers one of the most cinematic and emotionally satisfying resolutions for players who despise government control.

However, siding with Songbird means you must ultimately face off against Solomon Reed directly. If you refuse to surrender So-Mi to the FIA, you will be forced to eliminate Reed, which locks you out of the new FIA base-game ending option.

What Happens When You Betray Songbird

Deciding to side with Reed in the stadium completely shifts the tone of the DLC's final act. This choice triggers a dark, survival-horror style mission where V must navigate a deep bunker while evading an unbeatable rogue AI robot. Sadly, this path results in Alex's immediate death, though it grants access to unique iconic gear such as the Erebus SMG or Militech Canto cyberdeck.

At the end of this branch, you can choose to grant Songbird's final request for mercy or deliver her alive to President Myers. Handing So-Mi over grants V access to the new FIA ending, curing your condition at a significant personal cost.

Choosing the Best Outcome for Your Playthrough

The definition of the best outcome depends heavily on what your character build and moral compass value most. If you want exclusive top-tier Cyberware, high-intensity horror gameplay, and a guaranteed path to a base-game cure, betraying Songbird is the route to take.

On the other hand, if you value anti-establishment themes and want to give Songbird a chance at freedom away from the NUSA, helping her reach the moon provides the ultimate cyberpunk story beats. Whichever path you choose, Phantom Liberty ensures there are no purely clean victories in Night City.