In the sprawling, chrome-plated metropolis of Night City, where every neon sign flickers with a promise and every back alley hides a betrayal, the quest for a legend's legacy is paved with difficult choices. For the mercenary known as V, one of the most pivotal and emotionally charged turning points arrives not in a blaze of gunfire against a corporate titan, but within the plush, deceptive halls of the Clouds pleasure club. The 'Pisces' side job, a crucial chapter in Judy Alvarez's personal crusade, is a masterclass in narrative consequence, forcing players to navigate a web of loyalty, ambition, and the soul of a community. It's the moment where a simple raid transforms into a referendum on what, and who, you're really fighting for.
Initiating the Tidal Wave: How to Start Pisces
This aquatic-themed operation doesn't just swim into your journal. It requires patience and prior commitment. The quest activates only after you've completed the 'Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution' mission and, most importantly, agreed to help Judy with her audacious plan. Once that's settled, you'll need to let the digital sands of Night City's clock fall for a total of twelve in-game hours across two separate intervals. First, Judy will send a text, and after another six-hour wait, the mission marker will finally appear.
Your rendezvous point is the imposing H8 Megabuilding in Watson. Judy suggests meeting around 4 PM, proving that even revolutions have a schedule. Upon arrival, the plan is set in motion: clear the initial elevator of its three unsuspecting guards to allow Judy to hack the system and grant you access to the roof. From this high vantage point, the real infiltration begins. Your target is the luxurious penthouse below, accessible via a daring drop onto a balcony where a solitary Tyger Claw guard patrols. A swift, silent takedown is recommended here, as the interior holds four more guards who are equally susceptible to a stealthy approach. For those who find the balcony route troublesome, a keen eye can spot a manual shutter on an exterior wall, offering an alternative point of entry. It's a classic setup: get in, get quiet, get ready for the real storm.
The Heart of the Storm: Confrontation in the Penthouse
The atmosphere shifts from tense stealth to high-stakes dialogue once you breach Hiromi's office. Here, you're greeted not by a battalion of gangsters, but by Maiko Maeda, Judy's former colleague and a woman with a plan of her own. This is the crux of 'Pisces', a branching path with ramifications that echo through the rest of V's time in Night City. Maiko presents a proposal: follow her lead, take a payout, and orchestrate a seemingly clean takeover. What follows is a choice with three distinct outcomes, each rippling out to affect your relationship with Judy, the fate of Clouds, and the immediate need for violence.
Let's break down the consequences, because in Night City, there's no such thing as a simple 'yes' or 'no':
| Your Choice | Judy's Reaction | Fate of Clouds | Boss Fight? | Questline Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accept Maiko's Payment | She is furious and feels betrayed. | Maiko installs herself as the new boss. | No fight with Tyger Claw bosses. | Permanently locked out of Judy's remaining quests. A professional, but deeply personal, failure. |
| Refuse Payment but Follow Her Plan | She is pleased with your integrity. | Maiko still becomes the new boss. | No fight with Tyger Claw bosses. | Full access to Judy's subsequent quest, 'Pyramid Song'. The revolution is co-opted, but your friendship remains. |
| Reject Maiko's Plan Entirely | She is thrilled and empowered. | Clouds remains under the dolls' collective control. Maiko must be dealt with (spare or kill). | Yes, a mandatory fight against the Tyger Claw leadership. | Full access to 'Pyramid Song'. This is the 'purest' revolutionary path, but also the bloodiest. |
This decision matrix is a brilliant piece of game design. There's no universally 'good' ending. Want to avoid a tough combat scenario? You sacrifice Judy's dream. Want to make Judy happy? You might have to put down Maiko and her enforcers. It's a messy, morally gray dilemma that perfectly captures the cyberpunk ethos.
The Ripple Effects: Life After the Raid
Assuming you didn't burn your bridges with Judy (so, you avoided that first, lucrative but friendship-ending option), the aftermath of Pisces is surprisingly serene. Approximately 24 hours after the dust settles, your phone will buzz with a message from Judy. It's not a demand for another firefight or a cryptic clue; it's an invitation. She'll ask you to join her for something completely different: a diving trip in the sunken ruins of Laguna Bend. This transition from the claustrophobic, violent tension of Clouds to the haunting, quiet beauty of the flooded city is one of the game's most poignant tonal shifts. It underscores that 'Pisces' was never just about a building; it was about Judy's trauma, her hope, and her need to connect with someone she trusts. The quest serves as the critical emotional bridge to the deeply personal and arguably most memorable side story in the entire game.
Why Pisces Still Resonates in 2026
Years after its release, the 'Pisces' quest remains a standout example of how Cyberpunk 2077 uses its side content to build a world that feels alive and reactive. It's more than a simple 'go here, kill that' gig. It's a character study wrapped in a heist, with a side of ethical philosophy. The quest leverages the game's systems—stealth, dialogue, and combat—not as isolated mechanics, but as tools for expressing player agency in a narrative context. Whether you're a netrunner frying synapses from the shadows, a sandevistan-blur slicing through guards, or a smooth-talker trying to negotiate a peaceful resolution, your build informs your approach, but the core choice remains a human one.
For players navigating Night City in 2026, with the game's legacy firmly cemented and its systems polished to a shine, 'Pisces' stands as an essential play. It's a microcosm of the entire Cyberpunk 2077 experience: gritty, glamorous, heart-wrenching, and utterly unforgettable. Just remember, when Maiko offers you that eddy, think twice. Some currencies are far more valuable than eurodollars.