What triggers Chippin' In?

[Tokenn]

I'm trying to do as much as possible in the base game before entering Dogtown, but although I've finished the whole Takemura quest (parade, Hanako,etc.) and Johnny now wants to go after Smasher, so far Chippin' In hasn't triggered.

I'm complete with Panam, River/the Peralez's, Judy except for Pyramid Song...so far, no Johnny appearance at the Afterlife to talk to Rogue. Any ideas, chooms?

[Bjørn]

It should have become available after "Tapeworm", which starts automatically after Takemura's mission, "Search and Destroy", which you mention you've done?

Is Tapeworm in your completed quest log? It's a short mission, where you just talk to Johnny in the motel room after Search and Destroy.

https://www.powerpyx.com/cyberpunk-2077-tapeworm-walkthrough/

But it also says in the mission info for Chippin' In that Rogue / Johnny wants to go after Smasher, so it sounds like you should already have it...? Strange.

https://www.powerpyx.com/cyberpunk-2077-chippin-in-walkthrough/

[Tokenn]

Hmmm...isn't there a Tapeworm segment after finishing up with the VDBs? I didn't want to do that because it leads directly to a certain phone call. I will study the matter further. (Tapeworm is not in my completed list).

Is it a problem if I don't respond to the phone call right away? I did respond immediately in my first (and only) play into Dogtown, and I want to do something different this time.

[Bjørn]

I'm not sure if it's related. Pretty new to the game myself, and only started playing after the DLC, so not sure how it was before. Started a new game now, before I completed my first one, so only done the DLC once, and also Chippin' In and other things, but not completed main game.

I answered a phone call regarding Dogtown when the criteria was met in my first game (the "Phantom Liberty" mission was fully checked), but I waited a long time before I actually went to the meeting place. Leveled maybe 20 levels before I finally went, so it should be ok to answer the call even if you don't plan on entering Dogtown yet.

[EricHVela]

Tapeworm is a returning quest triggered at different points that will end just prior to Nocturne.

Chippin' In requires the Tapeworm segment after Search and Destroy. You have to agree to Johnny's request to see Rogue.

[Tokenn]

Originally posted by Bjørn:

I answered a phone call regarding Dogtown when the criteria was met in my first game (the "Phantom Liberty" mission was fully checked), but I waited a long time before I actually went to the meeting place. Leveled maybe 20 levels before I finally went, so it should be ok to answer the call even if you don't plan on entering Dogtown yet.

I think that's what I need to know, thank you. It's possible I still need to to complete the VDB segments and have the convo with Johnny at the Pistis Sophia before Chippin' In will start. It's amazing, but confusing, that a player can do the various main quests out of order.

I plan to complete Chippin' In and the Samurai reunion and then head to Dogtown.

[Vela Darney]

Just so you don't lock yourself out of the PL quests in your playthrough - you will have to answer Songbird's phone call as fast as possible and play the DLC in Dogtown to a certain point, after which you'll be able to move freely through Night City again or else, you'll fail that questline and will lock yourself out of the DLC. But you can totally finish the VDB stuff, then take care of the first segment of the DLC and then, do the "Johnny quests" before you go for the rest of the DLC. I'm not sure, though, whether there's any time restrictions on the Tapeworm and Chippin' In stuff - been a while ...

[Bjørn]

Originally posted by Vela Darney:

Just so you don't lock yourself out of the PL quests in your playthrough - you will have to answer Songbird's phone call as fast as possible and play the DLC in Dogtown to a certain point, after which you'll be able to move freely through Night City again or else, you'll fail that questline and will lock yourself out of the DLC.

Just wanted to clarify that there is no rush starting the DLC after the call, like I mentioned above. It's nice to know you can't wait too long before taking the call, though, as I didn't know that when I first played. But I leveled about 20 levels and several weeks in game after the call, before I finally went to the meeting place and did the Phantom Liberty intro missions.

So it's a known / confirmed thing that you have to take the call within a certain time, or you'll be locked out of the DLC? Seems a bit brutal.

I don't remember much either from the first time, since everything was new to me then, but I've started a new game now, and I'm getting close to fulfilling the criteria for the Phantom Liberty 'checklist' mission, so I'll get the call soon, I guess.

[Tokenn]

Looks like I'll complete the VDB segment, make a manual save IMMEDIATELY so I can return to before the critical phone call. I still want very much to do at least Chippin' In before hitting Dogtown.


Later -- Yes, When V and Johnny have their heart-to-heart at the Pistis Sophia AFTER the whole episode with the VDBs, that is when Johnny requests 'taking the wheel' to talk to Rogue about finding Smasher. Funny how I didn't remember, but I'm old. Maybe someday soon I'll be able to hide my own Easter Eggs!

Oh, and there appears to be no way to make a save before getting the phone call from Songbird...The instant Tapeworm ends, Hanako calls V, and as soon as that convo ends, the phone immediately receives the next call. Guess I'll see what happens.