How To Unlock The Secret Ending In Cyberpunk 2077

What Is The Secret Ending?

Don't Fear The Reaper is Cyberpunk 2077's hidden ending route.

Instead of relying on Rogue, Panam, Hanako, or the Aldecaldos, V and Johnny launch a direct assault on Arasaka Tower completely alone.

Many players consider this the most challenging and most rewarding ending path in the game.

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Important Requirement

The secret ending is unlocked entirely through dialogue choices during the Chippin' In side job.

Contrary to popular rumors, your friendship percentage with Johnny Silverhand does not matter.

Whether your relationship is 70%, 50%, or lower, the only thing that matters is choosing the correct dialogue options.

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How To Start Chippin' In

To unlock Chippin' In, you must:

• Progress through the main story.
• Complete Search And Destroy.
• Reach Act 3.
• Agree to Johnny's request to speak with Rogue at the Afterlife.

Eventually Johnny will take V to the Oil Fields, where the crucial dialogue occurs.

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Correct Chippin' In Dialogue Choices

During the Oil Fields conversation, select these responses in order:

• "[Sit] D'ya expect a headstone?"
• "[Inscribe Johnny's initials] Let's do something about that."
• "The Guy Who Saved My Life."
• "Nah, fucked that up too."
• "What do you want from me?"
• "OK. But as second chances go, this is your last."
• "You were a real dick in the beginning."
• "When you said you let down your friends..."
• "Smasher biz really got to her."
• "Yeah, I'll call Rogue."

Missing these responses will prevent the secret ending from becoming available.

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How To Trigger Don't Fear The Reaper

After completing Chippin' In, continue the story until Nocturne Op55N1.

Proceed through the mission until Misty brings V to the rooftop above Misty's Esoterica.

During the conversation with Johnny:

• Do not select any dialogue.
• Do not leave the conversation.
• Simply wait for approximately five minutes.

Eventually Johnny will begin speaking and propose a new plan.

Choose:

• "Let's hear this plan."
• "[Attack Arasaka Tower] Means goin' out with a bang - I like it."

This immediately starts the secret ending mission.

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Why The Secret Ending Is Hard

The secret route is intentionally more difficult than every other ending.

Several factors increase the challenge:

No Allies

No one accompanies V.

You won't have help from:

• Rogue
• Panam
• Saul
• Hanako
• The Aldecaldos

Every enemy must be handled alone.

Reduced Health

V begins the mission with reduced maximum health.

Throughout the mission, Relic Malfunction effects gradually reduce health even further.

No Manual Saves

Manual saving is disabled.

You'll need to rely entirely on checkpoints.

Death Has Consequences

If V dies during the mission:

• The credits roll immediately.
• The ending attempt fails.
• You'll need to restart from before Embers.

This makes preparation extremely important.

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Recommended Preparation

Before attempting the secret ending:

• Reach a high level.
• Upgrade your favorite Iconic Weapons.
• Install strong cyberware.
• Bring powerful healing options.
• Consider equipping Blood Pump.
• Stock up on ammunition and consumables.

The final battle against Adam Smasher is especially demanding when faced completely alone.

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What Ending Do You Get?

Don't Fear The Reaper is not a separate final outcome.

Instead, it provides a unique route to Mikoshi.

After reaching Mikoshi, you'll still choose between:

The Sun

Keep V's body and become a legend of Night City.

Temperance

Allow Johnny Silverhand to keep V's body.

The biggest difference is that characters such as Rogue and Saul survive because they never participate in the assault.

For many players, this makes the secret ending route the most satisfying version of the game's finale.