Should You Betray the Voodoo Boys in Cyberpunk 2077? A Comprehensive Guide
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Cyberpunk 2077 presents players with a multitude of choices, each rippling with consequences that shape V’s journey through Night City. One of the most pivotal decisions comes during the “Transmission” questline when you’re tasked with working with the Voodoo Boys. The question of whether to betray them or stick to the plan is complex, laden with moral ambiguity and gameplay considerations. The short answer? It depends on your priorities, but generally, sticking with the Voodoo Boys until they betray you might yield more beneficial gameplay outcomes, even if it means a temporary dip in Johnny’s approval.
Understanding the Voodoo Boys and NetWatch
Before diving into the decision, it’s crucial to understand the key players involved: the Voodoo Boys and NetWatch.
The Voodoo Boys: Masters of the Old Net
The Voodoo Boys are a gang of netrunners residing in Pacifica. They specialize in navigating the treacherous regions of the Old Net, seeking to connect with the Alt AI and unlock its secrets. They’re led by Brigitte, a highly skilled and somewhat enigmatic figure, and her second-in-command, Placide. Their motives are often shrouded in mystery, and their methods are ethically questionable. They hired Evelyn Parker to steal the Relic from Arasaka, which led to V’s current predicament.
NetWatch: Guardians of the Modern Net
NetWatch is a global organization dedicated to policing the Net and preventing cybercrimes. Funded by governments and corporations, they act as a kind of digital police force, combating rogue AIs, preventing data breaches, and generally maintaining order in the digital world. Their agent, Bryce Mosley, approaches V with an offer: help them purge the Voodoo Boys from the Net, and they’ll sever the connection to the Relic, potentially saving V’s life.
Weighing the Consequences: Sticking with the Voodoo Boys
Here’s a breakdown of the consequences if you initially side with the Voodoo Boys:
- Initial Benefits: Sticking with the Voodoo Boys allows you to proceed further into their questline, unlocking unique story elements and insights into their goals.
- The Betrayal: The Voodoo Boys will betray you. After you help them connect to Alt Cunningham, they attempt to use you as a bridge, subjecting you to a near-fatal data overload. This is unavoidable regardless of your choices leading up to this point.
- Johnny’s Disapproval: While working with the Voodoo Boys, especially in the initial stages, might cause slight disapproval from Johnny Silverhand, it’s not a significant long-term issue, and you can easily regain his favor through other choices.
- Revenge and Access: Surviving their betrayal allows you to exact revenge on the Voodoo Boys. You can kill Placide and other members, which can provide a sense of satisfaction and closure.
Weighing the Consequences: Siding with NetWatch
Now, let’s examine the potential outcomes of siding with NetWatch:
- Avoiding the Betrayal: Working with NetWatch allows you to circumvent the Voodoo Boys’ betrayal, preventing the dangerous data overload.
- Johnny’s Dislike: Johnny vehemently dislikes the idea of working with NetWatch due to their corporate affiliations and policing methods. This can negatively impact your relationship with him.
- Limited Story: Siding with NetWatch cuts short the Voodoo Boys’ questline, depriving you of unique story elements, interactions with Brigitte, and deeper understanding of their motives.
- Moral Ambiguity: While NetWatch presents themselves as the “good guys,” their methods are also questionable. They are a corporate-funded organization, and siding with them aligns you with their potentially self-serving agenda.
The Best Course of Action
Based on gameplay and story considerations, a balanced approach is often the most rewarding:
- Initially cooperate with the Voodoo Boys. This allows you to experience their storyline, meet interesting characters, and gather valuable information.
- Anticipate their betrayal. Be prepared for the data overload sequence and have necessary cyberware or consumables to mitigate the damage.
- Revenge or Reconciliation? After surviving the betrayal, you can choose to eliminate the Voodoo Boys or find a way to reconcile. This decision depends on your personal roleplaying preferences.
- Manage Johnny’s Approval. While siding with the Voodoo Boys early on might slightly displease Johnny, you can easily compensate for this by making choices he approves of in other quests and conversations.
Ultimately, the choice of whether to betray the Voodoo Boys is a matter of personal preference. There is no objectively “right” or “wrong” answer. Consider your priorities, weigh the consequences, and choose the path that aligns best with your vision for V’s story. Remember that the world of Cyberpunk 2077 is morally grey, and every choice has its own set of trade-offs.
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Cyberpunk 2077: Voodoo Boys FAQs
1. Does killing the Voodoo Boys affect Phantom Liberty?
No, killing the Voodoo Boys in the main Cyberpunk 2077 story does not directly affect the events or outcomes of the Phantom Liberty DLC. Your choices regarding them are self-contained within the main narrative.
2. Does Johnny care if you side with NetWatch?
Yes, Johnny Silverhand strongly dislikes siding with NetWatch. He sees them as corporate puppets and an extension of the system he despises. Siding with NetWatch will negatively impact your relationship with him.
3. What should I do with the NetWatch agent?
The game provides different options, but allowing the NetWatch Agent, Bryce Mosley, to take the data might be the more pragmatic choice. While Johnny won’t be happy, it can prevent an immediate conflict and allow you to progress through the storyline more smoothly.
4. Is it better to side with NetWatch or Voodoo Boys?
From a gameplay perspective, initially siding with the Voodoo Boys tends to offer more content and story progression. However, both choices have moral implications and consequences that should be considered based on your roleplaying preferences.
5. Is NetWatch agent telling the truth?
The NetWatch agent is telling a version of the truth, but he is also manipulative and has his own agenda. He is not entirely trustworthy, just as the Voodoo Boys are not entirely trustworthy.
6. Does helping NetWatch affect Johnny?
Yes, if you agree to share the data with the NetWatch agent, it will negatively affect your relationship with Johnny Silverhand. He will express his disapproval and disappointment.
7. Should I let Brigitte look at the chip?
Allowing Brigitte to look at the chip doesn’t have significant consequences. It’s more about progressing the storyline and gathering information. It doesn’t fundamentally alter the main outcome.
8. What happens if you spare Placide?
If you spare Placide, he will later message V through the Net. However, this doesn’t have a major impact on the overall narrative.
9. What does NetWatch do in Cyberpunk 2077?
NetWatch is a global organization that polices the Net, prevents cybercrimes, and combats rogue AIs. They work in tandem with governments and corporations to maintain order in the digital world.
10. Who is Brigitte in Cyberpunk 2077?
Brigitte, also known as Maman Brigitte, is the leader of the Voodoo Boys. She is a highly skilled netrunner and has her own plans for the Relic biochip.
11. What is the NetWatch agent’s name in Cyberpunk 2077?
The NetWatch agent’s name is Bryce Mosley.
12. What happens if V sides with Johnny?
If V lets Johnny Silverhand take over V’s body, the ending will generally align with the events that would transpire if V had attacked Arasaka with Rogue’s help.
13. Is Brigitte evil in Cyberpunk 2077?
Brigitte can be considered an antagonist, but whether she’s truly “evil” is subjective. Her motivations are complex, and she is primarily concerned with the interests of the Voodoo Boys and their goals of connecting with Alt Cunningham.
14. Should I tell Judy Johnny is on the biochip?
Telling Judy Alvarez that Johnny Silverhand is on the biochip will allow you to progress the storyline and build your relationship with both Judy and Johnny. It opens up further dialogue options and story developments.
15. Does V get rid of Johnny in Cyberpunk 2077?
Yes, depending on the choices you make, particularly during the ending sequences, V can choose to get rid of Johnny Silverhand, such as by following the Arasaka path and taking the Omega Blockers.