Firestarter - one of the main story quests, during which the protagonist, V, will have to make an important decision and choose whose side to take: Solomon Reed or Songbird. Additionally, the fate of the de facto leader of Dogtown, Kurt Hansen, whom Mr. Hands has long opposed, needs to be decided.

In this guide, you will learn the consequences of each choice and the motivations of your companions.

How to Start the Firestarter Quest

The mission will start automatically after the previous task - “Identity Crisis” (I've Seen That Face Before), during which V eliminated two netrunner twins and, along with Alena Xenakis (Alex), kidnapped their identities to infiltrate the stadium.

The task description perfectly captures its essence:

"I think it's clear by now that this story won't end well. I told you: if you pick up a gun, you'll have to decide whose head to point it at... Think before choosing."

Get into the netrunners' car with Alex, and the new quest will start immediately after.

Firestarter: Walkthrough

Head to the Stadium

Your destination is the EBM Petrochem Stadium. Nearby, there is a small abandoned lot – a parking area. The territory is under Kurt Hansen's control.

After exiting the car, Alex will remind V to act according to the behaviors of the kidnapped identities - Aurore or Aymeric Cassel. Aurore, the netrunner, is bold, confident, and a bit sarcastic. You need to choose dialogue options that match this. Aymeric, on the other hand, recently gave up alcohol, unlike his sister.

To better understand the behavior and characteristics of a netrunner, first examine the records under the "V" button, otherwise, you risk revealing your true identity.

Meet with Kurt Hansen

In the parking lot elevator, meet Murphy. Chat with him as you ascend to Hansen. Alex will lead most of the conversation.

As soon as you enter the next room, approach the lockers and deposit your weapons. This is a mandatory requirement to continue and get to Hansen. After an identity check, you will finally be able to meet with the leader.

Speak with Kurt Hansen

You'll be seated with the leader in a small relaxation zone. Alex will sit next to Hansen, and V will sit opposite.

In the conversation, for each identity – Aurore and Aymeric, there will be questions to which you must give the correct answer, otherwise you'll be exposed.

If you're in the role of Aurore:

• Say that you don't know who Rakel is;
• When asked about the tailor, name Kerry Eurodyne.

If you're in the role of Aymeric:

• When asked about the car, name the Porsche 911 model;
• Refuse alcohol or pass it to Aurore – Aymeric doesn't drink;
• When Hansen asks about the reason for leaving, blame it on forgetfulness.

The other response options won't differ for each twin and won't affect the dialogue.

After finishing the conversation, Songbird will appear, who, according to the plot, betrayed President Rosalind Myers and sided with Hansen. Alex will stay with the leader, and V will follow Songbird.

Choice: Songbird or Solomon Reed

The girl will ask you to go to the adjacent room to connect to the server. A projection of Songbird will appear. The girl will start hacking the device and decide to abandon cooperation with Hansen in order to get the medicine and heal.

It is at this stage that you must make an important decision, fundamentally affecting the further course of the game and the appearance of quests:

• "I'm with you". You'll help Songbird escape and agree to collaborate with her;
• "Wait a minute". V chose Solomon's side, deciding to capture Songbird and hand her over to the FIA.

Each option will lead to a unique development of events and begin the path to one of the story endings.

• Chose Songbird. Somy will be grateful that V decided to support her. Now you have to ensure her safety and help get rid of the influence of all the above-mentioned persons: Solomon, Rosalind, and Hansen. And the main task is to find the medicine that will help both Songbird and V to survive. If you sided with her, you'll be able to avoid the fight with the mission's boss – Kurt Hansen. The girl will help you escape safely and bypass the security systems. You'll still face a couple of enemies, but Songbird will definitely help you;
• Chose Solomon Reed. Somy will be furious about your decision and betrayal. She'll experience "cyberpsychosis" - the girl will start destroying everything in her path and escape. V will have to find a way out of the stadium on his own, and the fight with Hansen is inevitable. Fortunately, you'll be able to get weapons and prepare a little for the battle. Another event that will follow the choice in favor of Solomon is the killing of Alex.

We'll break down the walkthrough of each option in more detail.

Leave the Stadium with Song So Mi

Song So Mi will stay in place to complete the stadium hack. The girl's projection will give further instructions.

In the same room, search the boxes where weapons will be stored – you'll need them moving forward. Exit the room and be prepared to fend off enemies who will attack immediately.

Fight back and make your way to the exit. Your task is to protect Song So Mi and ensure a safe retreat. Climb to the second floor using the stairs and retrieve your personal weapon, which you previously left in a locker during the check-in.

During the battle with the enemies, you can communicate with Song So Mi and ask her to help neutralize Hansen's people. This will significantly ease your journey and fight against the foes. Just follow the same way you came in – there will be no turns. Exit the room through the locked door with a "No entry" sign, which Song So Mi will help to unlock.

You will find yourself in the mines. Move forward, go down (near the pipes) into the sewer. After passing through a corridor with drones, exit the building. Get in the car brought by Song So Mi, and leave the area.

After this, you will need to wait a few days until Song So Mi contacts you again, and the quest "The Killing Moon" will start. During this mission, you will reach one of the endings in Song So Mi'sstoryline - "King of Wands" or "King of Swords," and decide your friend's fate.

Escape the stadium after Song So Mi's breakout

will flee, leaving V alone to deal with all the troubles. Without hints from your companion, you'll need to find the escape route on your own.

During her escape, Somi will kill several of Hansen's and Alex's henchmen. Search their bodies to acquire weapons and ammunition. The actions of the netrunner will take a toll on the protagonist's health. Johnny Silverhand will contact you, explaining what happened to the girl and the consequences. In short: it's not good news, and the netrunner needs to be caught and neutralized.

Contact Reed and inform him that Somi has managed to escape and the plan is close to failing. Exit the room the same way as before – get to the second level with lockers. Keep in mind, without Songbird's support, you'll encounter many more of Hansen's henchmen along the way.

Your path remains unchanged. Just follow the marker straight to the main staircase and exit. However, escaping won't be that easy – a smoke screen will appear, from which Kurt Hansen and his support group will emerge.

How to kill Hansen:

• As long as Hansen's health does not drop below 70%, he will attack from a distance. Arm yourself with a powerful long-range weapon and retaliate;
• When his health is below 70%, phase two begins. Kurt will approach and start attacking with a knife. His special skill – high mobility and agility. His attacks become more potent and devastating. It's advised to hide near the giant statue.

Once Hansen's health drops to 0%, approach him and decide: either finish off the criminal or spare his life to fulfill Rosalind's requirement and hand him over to the authorities. Kurt will ask you to end his life, but if you sincerely want to serve the FRU, have mercy on him. Essentially, Hansen is just a pawn of Rosalind, affected by the Black Veil, just like Songbird. And he despises this role – he'd prefer death.

• If you kill Kurt. Rosalind and Solomon won't approve of your decision, but Hansen will be free.
• If you spare Kurt. A fate worse than death awaits the former leader. Myers will be pleased with your decision, leading to a new quest.

After deciding Kurt's fate, follow the same route through the mines and deal with the drones. At the parking lot, get into Reed's car and leave the territory.

After choosing Solomon's side, the next plot quest will begin - "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos." You will have to intercept the "MAX-TAC" convoy, in which Song So Mi is hidden, and return her to the FRU. The task will lead to the endings "King of Pentacles" and "King of Cups".

We recommend saving the game after talking to Hansen and before the dialogue with Song So Mi. You can always return to this save and try a new storyline development.