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MissionmajorMain storyHard

For Whom the Bell Tolls

For Whom the Bell Tolls is a main-story ending mission in Cyberpunk 2077, following the path in which V asks Rogue and Johnny Silverhand to lead an assault on Arasaka Tower.

RoleA branching endgame mission that begins the Rogue-led assault on Arasaka Tower and leads directly into the final sequence of Johnny Silverhand's chosen ending route.
Statusreleased
Importancemajor
  • GameCyberpunk 2077
  • Mission typeMain story
  • RouteRogue-led ending
  • Primary locationAfterlife and Arasaka Tower
  • PrerequisiteNocturne OP55N1
  • MissableYesIt depends on the endgame route selected by the player.
  • DifficultyHardThe assault is an endgame combat sequence.

This mission is part of an ending sequence and should be approached as a point-of-no-return commitment.

Key takeaways

This mission is best understood as the start of an ending route rather than as an isolated side operation.

  • An ending-path mission The mission is available only after the endgame decision in Nocturne OP55N1 and is not part of the ordinary open-world quest rotation.
  • Rogue is the route leader 's experience, contacts and history with Arasaka define the operation's approach, while Johnny's connection to her gives the mission much of its emotional weight.
  • Expect a point of no return Starting this route moves V into a dedicated endgame sequence. Finish outstanding exploration, contracts and optional activities before committing if you want to keep the wider game available.
  • Combat becomes more demanding The assault combines movement through hostile corporate spaces with direct firefights. Build and equipment choices that worked comfortably in free roam may need more deliberate use here.
  • Later decisions still matter Completing the operation does not erase the importance of subsequent ending decisions. The mission establishes the route, but its final consequences are resolved later.

For Whom the Bell Tolls overview

For Whom the Bell Tolls is the first major mission in Cyberpunk 2077's -led endgame route. It begins after V decides that Rogue and Johnny Silverhand should make the assault on Arasaka Tower, turning the personal conflict between V, Johnny and Arasaka into a final operation.

The mission follows the decision made during Nocturne OP55N1. V returns to the Afterlife and meets Rogue, whose history with Johnny Silverhand and Arasaka makes her the natural leader for this approach. The objective is not a conventional contract: it is the opening movement of an ending path, and the mission's events lead into the final assault rather than back into Night City’s ordinary quest structure.

Much of the mission is concerned with preparation and control of the operation. V, Johnny and Rogue establish the plan at the Afterlife before moving toward Arasaka Tower. The route contains both conversation and combat, with the combat sections becoming more demanding as the assault progresses. Players should treat each transition as part of a one-way endgame sequence and avoid assuming that normal free-roam access will remain available.

The mission is closely tied to Johnny Silverhand's relationship with Rogue and to V's decision to trust Johnny with the body for the operation. Its immediate continuation is . The route can ultimately produce a different ending outcome depending on later decisions, including whether V accepts or rejects the option presented after the Arasaka operation.

Where this sits

Endgame decisionChoose the Rogue route
PreparationRegroup at the Afterlife
AssaultAdvance on Arasaka Tower
ContinuationProceed to Knockin' on Heaven's Door
  1. 1Nocturne OP55N1previousThe mission where V chooses the endgame approach.
  2. ●For Whom the Bell TollscurrentThe Rogue-led operation covered here.
  3. 3Knockin' on Heaven's DoornextThe next mission in the route.

The mission begins the Rogue and Johnny Silverhand route selected during the endgame conversation.

Requirements

For Whom the Bell Tolls is unlocked through the endgame sequence rather than through a conventional level or equipment requirement.

  • RequiredComplete Nocturne OP55N1Reach the endgame decision at Embers and select the option that asks Rogue and Johnny Silverhand to lead the assault.
  • RecommendedPrepare before committingComplete any optional missions, gigs, exploration or equipment upgrades you still want to do before beginning the ending route.
  • RecommendedBring a reliable combat buildThe mission leads into an extended hostile operation, so healing supplies, ammunition and a familiar weapon setup are useful.

Objectives

  1. Meet Rogue at the AfterlifeReturn to the Afterlife and report for the operation.
  2. Prepare for the assaultFollow the route's conversations and setup sequence before the team departs.
  3. Reach Arasaka TowerAdvance with the assault team through the hostile approach to the tower.
  4. Fight through Arasaka forcesUse cover, positioning and the environment while moving toward the operation's objective.
  5. Continue into Knockin' on Heaven's DoorThe mission concludes by handing the player into the next stage of the ending route.

Walkthrough

  1. 01

    Select the Rogue-led approach

    Commit to Rogue's plan at the endgame decision

    During Nocturne OP55N1, choose the plan that places Rogue and Johnny Silverhand in charge of the assault. This choice leaves the normal open world behind and begins the dedicated ending sequence.

    Location: Embers

    TipFinish any remaining optional content before making this decision if you want to keep access to Night City activities.

  2. 02

    Meet Rogue

    Return to the Afterlife

    After the route begins, go to the Afterlife and meet Rogue. The club serves as the staging point, so follow the objective marker and let the preparation dialogue play out before trying to leave.

    Location: Afterlife

    Watch outThis is an endgame commitment rather than a standard mission start; do not begin it while planning to complete unrelated quests first.

  3. 03

    Prepare for the assault

    Listen to the operation briefing

    Stay with Rogue and the team as the assault is discussed. The briefing establishes the route toward Arasaka Tower and gives the mission its tactical context, so avoid rushing away from the marked conversation area.

    Location: Afterlife

    TipUse the preparation period to confirm that your preferred weapons, cyberware and healing items are equipped.

  4. 04

    Proceed with Johnny's plan

    Allow Johnny to take part in the operation

    The route depends on Johnny Silverhand's involvement, and the mission uses the relationship between Johnny and Rogue as part of its setup. Follow the dialogue prompts that keep the chosen plan moving rather than attempting to return to free roam.

    Location: Afterlife

    Watch outThe exact dialogue presentation can vary with earlier choices, but abandoning the route is not treated like cancelling an ordinary side job.

  5. 05

    Reach the target

    Move with the assault team toward Arasaka Tower

    Once the operation leaves its staging area, stay near the marked route and advance with the team. The approach is structured around the mission objective, so detours that would normally be harmless can leave you separated from allies or expose you to fire.

    Location: Approach to Arasaka Tower

  6. 06

    Fight through Arasaka forces

    Break through the first hostile positions

    Use cover and let the assault team draw attention while you clear the immediate Arasaka resistance. Prioritize enemies who can pressure your position at close range, then move forward only after the current area is secure.

    Location: Arasaka approach

    TipAvoid sprinting into the next space; the endgame encounters punish open movement more than ordinary street fights.

  7. 07

    Advance through the assault

    Push deeper through the corporate defenses

    Continue following the objective path through the tower-side combat sections. Check corners before crossing open areas, reload during safe pauses and use your strongest abilities when several enemies can attack from different elevations.

    Location: Arasaka Tower

    Watch outIf you move too far ahead of the team, enemies can surround you before the next encounter has fully settled.

  8. 08

    Proceed to Knockin' on Heaven's Door

    Complete the assault and continue to the next mission

    Finish the final objective marker in this mission and follow the transition into Knockin' on Heaven's Door. The conclusion is part of the ending sequence, so do not expect to return immediately to the map after the handoff.

    Location: Arasaka Tower

    Checkpoint

Mission mechanics

The mission's defining mechanic is its route structure. Unlike a normal mission that returns V to free roam after a completed objective, For Whom the Bell Tolls begins a continuous ending sequence. The safest way to approach it is to treat the opening decision, the Afterlife preparation and the tower assault as parts of one commitment.

Combat is shaped by the assault environment rather than by open-world patrols. Advance from cover, watch for enemies positioned beyond the first visible group and use the team as a moving source of pressure. A build that relies on stealth, hacking, close-range weapons or mobility can work, but the player must adapt when the mission forces a more direct push.

Dialogue remains important even when the objective appears straightforward. Rogue and Johnny's shared history is central to the route, and the conversations surrounding the operation provide context for why this particular assault is possible. Do not skip preparation scenes if you want the full narrative connection between Johnny, Rogue and V.

The mission also functions as a progression gate. Once the operation is underway, ordinary contracts, exploration and unrelated character arcs are no longer the focus. Save before committing if you want a clean point from which to revisit the wider game or compare other ending routes.

What works and what does not

Strengths

  • It gives Rogue and Johnny Silverhand a shared endgame operation built around their established history.
  • The transition from the Afterlife briefing to the assault creates a clear sense of escalation.
  • The mission provides a distinct alternative to other Cyberpunk 2077 ending routes.
  • Its linear structure keeps the final operation focused and prevents the ending from being diluted by unrelated activities.

Weaknesses

  • The mission is missable because it depends on the endgame choice made in Nocturne OP55N1.
  • Players who enter without preparing their build may find the extended combat sequence less forgiving than ordinary missions.
  • The point-of-no-return structure means that unfinished optional content must be postponed or completed from a prior save.
  • The route's full consequences are resolved across later ending missions, so this mission does not provide a self-contained conclusion.

Best uses

  • Choose it when you want the ending route most closely associated with Rogue and Johnny Silverhand.
  • Use a prior save to compare it with the other endgame approaches without replaying the whole story.
  • Treat the Afterlife section as the final preparation window before the assault.

Phases

  1. 1

    Afterlife preparation

    Starts: Begins when V returns to the Afterlife after selecting the Rogue route.

    This phase is conversation-led and establishes the assault before the operation moves into combat.

    • Stay with the marked characters until the briefing is complete.
    • Use this transition as your last opportunity to confirm equipment and supplies.
  2. 2

    Approach to Arasaka Tower

    Starts: Begins when the team leaves the Afterlife staging area.

    The route becomes a structured advance toward Arasaka Tower, with the player moving alongside the assault team.

    • Arasaka defensive fireTell Hostile fire begins as the team reaches defended areas.Answer Use available cover, clear immediate threats and avoid crossing exposed ground without a plan.
    • Keep the objective marker and allied team in view.
    • Do not rush ahead into spaces that have not yet been cleared.
  3. 3

    Tower assault

    Starts: Begins after the team reaches the corporate defenses around Arasaka Tower.

    The mission's main combat section requires V to push through resistance while maintaining forward momentum.

    • Close-range pressureTell Enemies can collapse onto V when the player stays in one position too long.Answer Reposition after each exchange and check side routes before advancing.
    • CrossfireTell Opponents positioned across connected spaces can attack while V focuses on the nearest target.Answer Clear angles methodically and use the environment to break lines of sight.
    • Conserve healing and high-impact abilities for crowded sections.
    • Follow the route instead of exploring as though the area were a normal open-world location.

Choices and consequencesSpoilers

  • Choose Rogue and Johnny Silverhand's plan during Nocturne OP55N1

    This unlocks For Whom the Bell Tolls and the Rogue-led assault route instead of the other available endgame approaches.

    Spoiler
  • Continue through the mission into Knockin' on Heaven's Door

    V proceeds with the assault on Arasaka Tower and remains in the dedicated ending sequence.

    Spoiler
  • Make the later ending decision after the assault

    The final outcome is not determined solely by For Whom the Bell Tolls. Later choices affect whether V's body, Johnny's future and the resulting ending follow different paths.

    Spoiler

Checklist

  • Complete optional missions you want finished before the ending routeThe route is a point-of-no-return sequence.
  • Make a manual save before choosing Rogue's planThis makes it easier to compare ending paths.
  • Confirm your equipped weapons and cyberwareThe mission leads into sustained endgame combat.
  • Carry sufficient healing supplies and ammunitionDo not rely on ordinary street-fight preparation.
  • Listen to the Afterlife briefingIt provides the mission's operational and character context.
  • Stay near Rogue and the assault teamThe route is structured around advancing with the operation.
  • Follow the objective marker through Arasaka defensesUnnecessary detours can expose V to additional fire.
  • Prepare for the transition into Knockin' on Heaven's DoorThe mission does not immediately return V to ordinary free roam.

Failure conditions

  • V is incapacitated during the assaultAs in other combat missions, dying during the Arasaka operation sends the player back to the latest available checkpoint or save.
  • V falls too far behind the operationThe assault is objective-driven. Leaving the active route or separating from the team can disrupt progression and may require returning to the marker or reloading.
  • The Rogue route is not selectedIf V chooses another plan during Nocturne OP55N1, For Whom the Bell Tolls does not begin; a different ending sequence replaces it.

On failure

Make a manual save before the endgame choice and use checkpoint reloads during the tower assault rather than relying on a single autosave.

Characters in this mission

AftermathSpoilers

The assault is not the final decision

For Whom the Bell Tolls begins the Rogue-led endgame route, but its consequences continue through the missions that follow. The operation leads into Knockin' on Heaven's Door, where the assault's outcome and the future of V and Johnny Silverhand are developed further. Keep a save from before the route choice if you want to explore different endings.

Trivia

  • The mission title is shared with the title of a well-known Ernest Hemingway novel, continuing Cyberpunk 2077's use of literary and musical references for mission names.
  • The Rogue route makes the Afterlife especially important because Rogue's identity as a fixer and her history with Johnny are directly tied to the operation.
  • For Whom the Bell Tolls is part of a chain of ending missions rather than a regular mission that returns V to the open world after completion.

Relationships

characters