Should I Kill The Netwatch Agent?

Short Answer

In Cyberpunk 2077, the decision to kill or spare the Netwatch agent is a branching story choice tied to the Voodoo Boys storyline. It is usually a good fit for players who want to side with the Voodoo Boys or play a distrustful corporate-skeptic character. It is less suitable for players who want to maximize rewards from Netwatch, explore every outcome, or avoid closing off quest branches. The best path depends on your role-playing goals, desired loot, and whether you value short-term gains or long-term narrative options.

When It Makes Sense

  • Good fit: You are role-playing a streetkid, nomad, or corporate-cynic V who distrusts Netwatch and sees the Voodoo Boys as the lesser threat in the Pacifica conflict.
  • Good fit: You want the Voodoo Boys to remain friendly and open additional dialogue or quest options with characters such as Placide later in the story.

When You Should Avoid It

  • Warning sign: You prefer to maximize rewards or unique loot, because siding with Netwatch can provide different payouts, gear, or access to information that the Voodoo Boys path does not.
  • Warning sign: You dislike being locked out of dialogue branches or future encounters; killing a named faction agent can make some characters hostile and close off content.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Siding with the Voodoo Boys often preserves your standing with the local Pacifica faction and can unlock additional missions or character interactions.
  • The choice may fit a more aggressive or anti-corporate playthrough, improving immersion for characters who view Netwatch as a surveillance threat.

Cons

  • Killing the agent can remove a potential corporate ally and may cut off alternative quest resolutions, including access to certain rewards or endings tied to Netwatch.
  • The immediate combat encounter can be difficult depending on your level, cyberware, and build, potentially creating a frustrating checkpoint situation.

Decision Checklist

  • Am I playing for role-play immersion, or am I trying to collect every reward and achievement?
  • Have I saved the game recently so I can reload and see the alternative outcome?
  • Does my current build and level make the resulting combat or escape manageable?

Alternatives to Consider

If you are unsure, the most practical approach is to make a hard save before entering the meeting room, then experience both choices. If you prefer not to reload, a diplomatic or non-lethal path may still be possible depending on your current quest state and dialogue choices. You can also consult an up-to-date community wiki or video walkthrough for your specific game version, since patches may change rewards and branching.

Final Recommendation

Kill the Netwatch agent if you want to side with the Voodoo Boys and play a character who distrusts corporate agents. Spare or side with Netwatch if you care more about rewards, alternate quest branches, or a less confrontational outcome. Because Cyberpunk 2077 is a single-player game with no permanent account penalty, saving before the choice is the safest way to explore both paths. For detailed version-specific outcomes, check a current fan wiki or guide.

FAQ

Should I kill the Netwatch agent?

It depends on your goals. Kill the agent if you want to side with the Voodoo Boys and play an anti-corporate character. Spare or side with Netwatch if you care more about potential rewards, alternate quest paths, or avoiding faction hostility.

What should I consider before I kill the Netwatch agent?

Consider your role-play direction, whether you want to preserve both quest branches, your current level and combat readiness, and whether you have a recent save to reload. Patches can change rewards, so checking a current walkthrough is also helpful.

Does killing the Netwatch agent affect the main story ending?

The choice primarily affects the Pacifica quest branch and faction interactions. It does not directly determine the game's final ending, but it can change which characters are alive and available later.

References

  1. Cyberpunk 2077 official game guide and community-maintained wiki pages for the Voodoo Boys and Netwatch quest branches

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