Meredith Stout, a high-ranking Militech agent in Cyberpunk 2077, offers a unique yet fleeting romance opportunity for players who make the right choices in The Pickup quest. Unlike other long-term romance options in the game, Meredith's romance is a one-time encounter that requires aligning with Militech during the mission. This guide will walk you through every step needed to unlock her romance scene, from key dialogue choices to mission outcomes.
Meeting Meredith Stout
Who Is Meredith Stout?
Meredith Stout is a high-ranking agent of Militech, one of the most powerful megacorporations in Cyberpunk 2077. As a no-nonsense and ruthless corpo, she represents the aggressive and militaristic nature of Militech in Night City. Her storyline intertwines with V's early missions, particularly during the The Pickup quest, where players have the chance to interact with her and potentially set the stage for a romance.
First Encounter – The Pickup Quest
Players first meet Meredith Stout during The Pickup, a main quest in Cyberpunk 2077. This mission involves negotiating with the Maelstrom gang to secure a stolen Militech robot, the Flathead. Stout is an optional contact in this quest, but speaking with her can significantly impact both the mission and V’s potential romance options.
To initiate a meeting with Meredith, V must agree to her request to discuss the Maelstrom situation. She can be found in a secluded location in Night City, where she arrives with a team of Militech operatives. During this conversation, she offers V a credit chip to use as payment for the Flathead—though there are hidden consequences to accepting it.
Key Dialogue Choices with Meredith
If players want to unlock the romance path with Meredith, they need to make specific dialogue choices that impress her. Some important steps include:
- Agreeing to cooperate with her and taking the Militech credchip.
- Successfully hacking or removing the virus from the chip before using it to avoid conflict with Maelstrom.
- Completing the mission in a way that benefits Militech (e.g., eliminating Maelstrom members).
- Maintaining a professional but slightly flirtatious tone during interactions.
Earning Meredith’s Trust
To set up a future romantic encounter with Meredith Stout, players must ensure that Militech emerges victorious in The Pickup. If the deal with Maelstrom goes south, and Militech forces storm their hideout, Meredith will be promoted within the corporation. If V plays their cards right, this will lead to a later encounter where she expresses her "gratitude" in a unique way.
If the player betrays Militech, refuses to take the chip, or supports Maelstrom fully, Meredith will lose her position within the company and will no longer be available as a romance option.
The Pickup Quest Requirements
Before players can access the "Venus In Furs" side quest and pursue a romance with Meredith Stout in Cyberpunk 2077, they must first complete "The Pickup" main quest under specific conditions. This section outlines the key requirements and choices necessary to unlock this opportunity.
Meeting Meredith Stout
Meredith Stout is a high-ranking Militech agent involved in corporate espionage and power struggles. She plays a significant role in "The Pickup," a main quest where players must secure a combat bot from the Maelstrom gang. To establish a connection with her, players must:
- Receive a call from Meredith Stout early in the quest.
- Agree to meet her before heading to the Maelstrom hideout.
- Accept the Militech credchip she offers, which can be used to pay for the bot.
Key Choices in "The Pickup"
To trigger the romance path with Meredith, players must make specific decisions during "The Pickup":
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Use the Militech Credchip – Players should use the chip provided by Meredith to pay for the Flathead bot. The credchip contains a virus designed to sabotage Maelstrom, aligning V with Militech’s interests.
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Defeat Royce and Maelstrom – If the virus is used, this will trigger a conflict with the Maelstrom gang. Players must eliminate Royce, the gang’s leader, and his followers to complete the mission.
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Ensure Meredith Survives – If the Militech plan succeeds and Royce is defeated, Meredith captures Maelstrom’s operations. This secures her position within Militech and keeps her as a potential romance option.
Post-Quest Interaction
After completing "The Pickup" under the above conditions, Meredith will send a message to V later in the game. This message is essential for unlocking the "Venus In Furs" side job. To ensure this happens:
- Do not antagonize Meredith during initial conversations.
- Follow dialogue choices that show compliance or flirtation.
- Wait for an encrypted message from her after the quest.
By meeting these conditions, players will successfully unlock the "Venus In Furs" quest, allowing them to explore a romance with Meredith Stout.
Romance Requirements
Romancing Meredith Stout in Cyberpunk 2077 is a unique and somewhat hidden option that requires specific choices during the game's early stages. Unlike other romanceable characters, Meredith's romance is a one-time encounter rather than a full relationship. Below are the key requirements and steps to successfully initiate a romance with her.
Initial Meeting and Prerequisites
To unlock the possibility of romancing Meredith Stout, players must first interact with her during the "The Pickup" main job. This mission involves dealing with the Maelstrom gang to acquire a stolen Flathead bot. Before meeting her, ensure you follow these steps:
- Call Meredith Stout when given the option before heading to the Maelstrom hideout.
- Agree to meet her at the designated location in Watson.
- Accept the militech credit shard she offers, which contains a virus meant to sabotage the Maelstrom gang.
- Avoid being hostile or overly aggressive during the conversation.
Key Dialogue Choices
During your interaction with Meredith, making the right dialogue choices is crucial to securing the romance encounter later. Keep the following in mind:
- Maintain a neutral or cooperative stance rather than showing distrust or aggression.
- Accept her shard and consider using it during The Pickup mission.
- Avoid siding with Dum Dum (a Maelstrom lieutenant) over Meredith.
Important Decision Points
The most critical factor in romancing Meredith is how you handle The Pickup mission:
- Use the militech credit shard to pay for the Flathead bot. This causes a confrontation between Militech and Maelstrom but ensures Meredith's trust.
- If Royce (Maelstrom's leader) is still alive, eliminate him to further cement your alliance with Militech.
- If Meredith contacts you after the mission and expresses interest, you've successfully set up the romance path.
Romance Triggers and Flags
After completing The Pickup with the correct choices, Meredith may send a message to V later in the game. Respond positively to her messages to receive the "Venus in Furs" side job.
- If Meredith texts you "Got a proposition. You in?", reply affirmatively to trigger the romance scene.
- Follow the quest marker to a motel location in Night City.
- Engage in the romantic encounter with Meredith, which is a one-time event.
Relationship Outcomes
Unlike other romanceable characters in Cyberpunk 2077, Meredith Stout's encounter does not lead to a long-term relationship. After the Venus in Furs quest, she does not play a significant role in V’s story. However, this unique romance option provides a distinct experience that adds to the game's depth and replayability.
Romance Scene
Initiating the Romance with Meredith Stout
Romancing Meredith Stout in Cyberpunk 2077 is unique compared to other romance options in the game. Unlike characters with long-term relationship potential, Meredith's romance is a one-time encounter that is tied to specific choices made earlier in the game.
To initiate the romance, players must side with Meredith during the Maelstrom job in the main questline. This requires accepting her infected Militech credit chip and using it to pay Royce during the The Pickup mission. If the player successfully navigates this encounter and defeats Maelstrom, Meredith will later send a message expressing interest in meeting up.
The Venus In Furs Side Job
The actual romance scene with Meredith takes place during the Venus In Furs side job. After completing The Pickup in her favor, Meredith will text the player later in the game, inviting them to a private rendezvous at a motel. Accepting her invitation initiates the scene.
Upon arriving at the specified location, the player finds Meredith waiting in a hotel room, dressed in a dominatrix-style outfit. She takes control of the situation, emphasizing her assertive and dominant personality. The scene plays out as a brief but intense encounter, after which Meredith leaves, making it clear that this was a one-time affair.
Aftermath and Consequences
Unlike other romanceable characters in Cyberpunk 2077, Meredith does not form a long-term relationship with V. After the encounter in Venus In Furs, she does not continue to interact with the player in any meaningful way. However, completing this romance path grants players a unique experience, along with some minor story implications.
Meredith's involvement with Militech means that siding with her may affect certain corporate-related interactions later in the game. Additionally, the romance scene itself stands out due to its distinctive tone and presentation, making it a memorable moment for players exploring all available romance options.
Additional Tips and Outcomes
Maximizing Romance with Meredith Stout
Meredith Stout’s romance is a unique one-time encounter in Cyberpunk 2077, making certain decisions crucial to securing the scene. To ensure success:
- Always side with Meredith during "The Pickup" mission when dealing with Maelstrom. Accepting her infected Militech chip and using it against Maelstrom is the key trigger for unlocking the romance.
- Remain professional and supportive in dialogues. Avoid any hostile or dismissive responses to her directives.
- Check your messages. After completing The Pickup, Meredith will send a text. Reply positively to indicate interest.
Ensuring You Receive the Venus In Furs Quest
If done correctly, Meredith will send a message inviting you to a private meeting. Here’s what you need to do to ensure you get the Venus In Furs quest:
- Wait a few in-game days after The Pickup.
- Check your phone and respond positively when Meredith texts.
- If the quest doesn’t trigger, try completing more side missions and returning later.
Outcomes of Romancing Meredith
Since this romance is a single-event encounter, it does not lead to a long-term relationship. However, it does have some interesting consequences:
- You gain access to an exclusive one-night scene in a motel room.
- There's no long-term involvement with Meredith, meaning she does not become a recurring romantic partner.
- The encounter does not impact the main story, but it provides additional lore on Militech and her involvement in Night City’s corporate world.
Additional Roleplay Considerations
For players looking to immerse themselves in the corporate intrigue of Cyberpunk 2077, romancing Meredith can fit well with certain playstyles:
- Corpo lifepath V fits naturally with her character, as both have a background in corporate dealings.
- Tech-heavy builds with hacking skills align well with Militech’s cyber warfare tactics.
- Choosing a mercenary-style approach throughout the game can make the interaction with Meredith feel more organic.
Bugs and Common Issues
Some players have reported issues with Meredith’s text messages not arriving. To avoid this:
- Ensure you completed The Pickup correctly by siding with Meredith.
- Try waiting in-game time or fast traveling to different locations.
- Reload a previous save before The Pickup and attempt different choices.
By following these tips, players can successfully experience one of Cyberpunk 2077’s most exclusive romance encounters while adding depth to their V’s story.
Romancing Meredith Stout in Cyberpunk 2077 is a short yet memorable experience that requires precise choices in The Pickup quest. By siding with Militech, accepting the credchip, and ensuring Militech's victory, players can unlock the exclusive Venus In Furs side quest and enjoy one of the game's most unique romance scenes.
