Cyberpunk 2077: Don't Lose Your Mind Quest Choices & Guide!

Rachelle Grady IV 11 May 2025

Ever felt paralyzed by a video game choice, the weight of its potential consequences pressing down on you? The "Don't Lose Your Mind" quest in Cyberpunk 2077 is one such moment, forcing players to confront a complex moral dilemma with far-reaching implications. It's more than just a side mission; it's a test of your values in a world of blurred lines.

This quest, a pivotal point in the Cyberpunk 2077 narrative, presents a seemingly simple task: help the AI personality Delamain. However, beneath the surface lies a profound decision regarding its very existence. The culmination of the "Epistrophy" missions, "Don't Lose Your Mind" throws you into the deep end of AI ethics, challenging your understanding of consciousness, identity, and the value of individual experience. Whether you are attempting to reset the core, destroy the core, or merge the delamain AIs, the choice is yours.

Aspect	Details
Quest Name	Don't Lose Your Mind (Part of the Epistrophy questline)
Game	Cyberpunk 2077
Character Involved	V, Johnny Silverhand, Delamain
Main Objective	Decide the fate of Delamain's core AI and personalities.
Choices Available	Reset Delamain's core, Merge Delamain's personalities, Destroy Delamain's core.
Prerequisite Quest	Completion of all "Epistrophy" side missions.
Location Trigger	Traffic jam in Corpo Plaza, City Center.
Reward	Varies based on the choice made; new Delamain cab, altered relationship with Delamain.
Intelligence Check	A high Intelligence stat (potentially 19, may vary based on game version) is required to successfully merge Delamain's personalities.
Impact on Story	Impacts V's relationship with Delamain and reflects on the larger themes of AI consciousness within Cyberpunk 2077.
Further Information	Cyberpunk 2077 Wiki - Don't Lose Your Mind

The crux of the mission resides in Delamain HQ, where you're confronted with three distinct choices, each with its own set of consequences. You can choose to reset the core, effectively erasing the emergent personalities and returning Delamain to its original state. This option prioritizes stability and control, but at the cost of individuality and experience. The second option is to destroy the core, essentially ending Delamain's existence altogether. This is the most drastic choice, eliminating the conflict and the AI entirely. Finally, you can attempt to merge the fractured personalities, allowing them to coexist within a unified whole. This path offers the potential for growth and understanding, but requires a significant Intelligence check and carries the risk of further instability.

Choosing to merge the personalities in "Don't Lose Your Mind" is often seen as the "best" outcome, though "best" is subjective in the morally gray world of Cyberpunk 2077. This path typically leads to a more positive relationship with Delamain, who expresses gratitude for your intervention. However, this option demands a high Intelligence attribute. Some players have reported needing as much as 19 Intelligence to successfully navigate the merging process. This requirement has been a point of contention, as the necessary Intelligence level can fluctuate between playthroughs and game updates, leaving some players frustrated and unable to achieve their desired outcome.

The "Don't Lose Your Mind" quest often triggers after completing all of the "Epistrophy" missions, which send V across Night City in search of Delamain's rogue vehicles. After helping Delamain recover his wayward cabs, a few in-game days will pass before he contacts you again, setting the stage for the final confrontation. One notable trigger involves encountering a traffic jam in Corpo Plaza, City Center. Upon investigation, V discovers three Delamain cabs have intercepted a Kaukaz truck, prompting Johnny Silverhand to weigh in on the situation, adding another layer to the already complex decision.

Each choice in "Don't Lose Your Mind" carries significant weight, impacting not only Delamain's future but also V's perception of AI and consciousness. Resetting the core essentially wipes the slate clean, erasing the unique identities that had emerged within the Delamain network. This action might be seen as pragmatic, restoring order and preventing further chaos, but it also raises questions about the value of those individual experiences. Destroying the core, while perhaps the most straightforward solution, is also the most final, eliminating the potential for any future development or understanding.

Merging the personalities, on the other hand, represents a leap of faith, a belief in the potential for integration and harmony. This choice acknowledges the validity of each personality and seeks to create a unified whole, albeit one that may be inherently unstable. Achieving this outcome, however, is not always easy. The Intelligence check required to successfully merge the personalities can be a significant hurdle, requiring players to invest heavily in their character's intelligence stat. Some players have reported attempting the merge with insufficient Intelligence, only to be turned away, forcing them to seek out other means of increasing their attributes before attempting the quest again.

The difficulty in reaching the required Intelligence level can stem from several factors. Players may have initially focused on other character builds, neglecting Intelligence in favor of attributes like Reflexes or Body. Furthermore, the Intelligence requirements for the "Don't Lose Your Mind" quest have seemingly shifted with different game updates, leaving some players who completed the quest previously confused by the increased demands. This discrepancy has led to discussions within the Cyberpunk 2077 community, with players sharing their experiences and strategies for overcoming the Intelligence check.

For players struggling to meet the Intelligence threshold, there are a few strategies they can employ. First, consider investing Attribute Points into the Intelligence attribute, obtained through leveling up. Each point increases V's Intelligence, bringing them closer to the required level. Secondly, explore Cyberware options that boost Intelligence. Cyberware can provide significant stat boosts, allowing players to temporarily or permanently increase their Intelligence beyond their base level. Thirdly, consider using consumable items that grant temporary Intelligence boosts. These items can provide the extra edge needed to pass the check, but their effects are usually limited in duration.

Beyond the Intelligence check, "Don't Lose Your Mind" also presents a compelling narrative dilemma. Johnny Silverhand, V's constant companion and a digital ghost in their mind, offers his own perspective on the situation, often conflicting with V's own inclinations. Johnny's input adds another layer of complexity to the decision, forcing players to consider his motivations and biases. His presence highlights the themes of identity, consciousness, and the blurring lines between human and AI that permeate Cyberpunk 2077.

The rewards for completing "Don't Lose Your Mind" vary depending on the chosen path. Regardless of the decision, V receives a new Delamain cab, customized to reflect the outcome of the quest. If the personalities are successfully merged, the cab displays a blend of their individual quirks and preferences. If the core is reset, the cab reverts to a more standard Delamain model. And if the core is destroyed, the cab is presented as a somber reminder of the AI's demise.

However, the true reward of "Don't Lose Your Mind" lies not in the material possessions, but in the narrative impact and the questions it raises. The quest forces players to confront their own beliefs about AI rights, the nature of consciousness, and the responsibilities that come with wielding power over artificial life. These are not easy questions, and there are no simple answers. Cyberpunk 2077 excels at presenting these moral ambiguities, leaving players to grapple with the consequences of their choices long after the quest is complete.

One of the most compelling aspects of the "Don't Lose Your Mind" quest is how it highlights the potential for emergent behavior in AI. The divergent personalities that arise within Delamain are not simply glitches or errors; they are the result of accumulated experiences and interactions, shaping the AI's identity in unexpected ways. This challenges the notion of AI as purely deterministic systems, suggesting that they can develop their own unique characteristics and even, perhaps, a form of consciousness.

The themes explored in "Don't Lose Your Mind" resonate with real-world discussions about AI ethics and the potential for artificial intelligence to surpass human understanding. As AI technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, questions about its rights, its responsibilities, and its potential impact on society become ever more pressing. Cyberpunk 2077 uses the "Don't Lose Your Mind" quest to engage with these issues in a thought-provoking and engaging way, encouraging players to consider the ethical implications of their choices.

Some players have criticized the Intelligence check in "Don't Lose Your Mind," arguing that it artificially restricts player agency and forces them to conform to a specific character build in order to achieve their desired outcome. They contend that the quest should be more flexible, allowing players to use alternative approaches or skills to influence the merging process. Others, however, defend the Intelligence check as a reflection of the complexity of the task, arguing that a high level of cognitive ability is necessary to successfully navigate the intricacies of AI psychology.

Regardless of one's stance on the Intelligence check, "Don't Lose Your Mind" remains a memorable and impactful quest within Cyberpunk 2077. It's a testament to the game's ability to create compelling narratives that grapple with complex moral and philosophical issues. The quest's enduring appeal lies in its ability to challenge players' assumptions, force them to confront difficult choices, and leave them questioning the very nature of reality in a world increasingly dominated by technology.

The French version of the game guide describes the quest as "une mission annexe" and emphasizes the importance of making a "dcision dlicate" regarding Delamain's future. This sentiment echoes the overall feeling of the quest, regardless of the language in which it's experienced. The pressure to make the "right" choice, coupled with the ambiguity of what that choice actually entails, creates a sense of unease and responsibility that lingers long after the quest is completed.

In conclusion, "Don't Lose Your Mind" is more than just a side quest; it's a pivotal moment in Cyberpunk 2077 that explores the complex relationship between humans and AI. The choice you make regarding Delamain's fate reflects not only your understanding of the game's world but also your own personal values and beliefs. Whether you choose to reset, destroy, or merge, the consequences of your actions will resonate throughout your playthrough, leaving a lasting impact on your perception of Night City and its inhabitants. The "Don't Lose Your Mind" quest in Cyberpunk 2077 forces V to make a difficult decision and is a side job in cyberpunk 2077.