Should I Do Phantom Liberty Before Nocturne Op55n1?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You enjoy a linear narrative that builds on every story beat, and you want the additional world‑building and character development that Phantom Liberty offers before the high‑stakes Nocturne Op55n1 quest.
• Good fit: Your schedule allows for a longer play session, so you can finish the entire Phantom Liberty arc without breaking immersion, ensuring you enter Nocturne with a fresh perspective on V’s motivations.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You are keen on preserving the surprise and emotional impact of the secret ending, as Phantom Liberty contains plot hints that could diminish the twist of Nocturne Op55n1.
• Warning sign: Your primary goal is to complete the main storyline as quickly as possible, and adding a sizable DLC would significantly increase total playtime and potentially delay reaching the ending.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Phantom Liberty expands the game world with new districts, characters, and side missions, deepening your overall immersion before the climax.
• The DLC introduces additional skill trees and gear that can make the challenging combat encounters in Nocturne Op55n1 easier to manage.

Cons

• Key narrative clues in Phantom Liberty may spoil the mystery surrounding the secret ending, reducing its narrative payoff.
• Playing the expansion first adds roughly 10–15 hours of content, which could be a deterrent if you have limited gaming time.

Decision Checklist

• Do I prefer to experience the story in strict chronological order, or am I comfortable receiving extra context after the ending?
• How much additional playtime am I willing to devote before reaching the final secret quest?
• Will the new gear and abilities from Phantom Liberty meaningfully improve my ability to complete Nocturne Op55n1 without feeling forced?

Alternatives to Consider

If you want the benefits of Phantom Liberty without risking story spoilers, you could complete the main game and Nocturne Op55n1 first, then return to the DLC for a post‑ending replay. Alternatively, you might explore community‑created guides that summarize the DLC’s mechanical upgrades without revealing narrative details.

Final Recommendation

For players who value comprehensive world‑building, enjoy extra gameplay mechanics, and have the time to absorb a large DLC, tackling Phantom Liberty before Nocturne Op55n1 is a sensible choice. Conversely, if preserving the secret ending’s surprise and minimizing total playtime are higher priorities, postpone the expansion until after you’ve completed the main story and the Nocturne quest. In either case, assess your own preferences and schedule before committing, and remember that you can always revisit the DLC later without penalty.