The First Encounter with Julianna — Deathloop Walkthrough

The First Encounter with Julianna

Your journey through Blackreef is about to get a whole lot more complicated. Shortly after Colt awakens on the beach and completes the initial tutorial segments, Julianna Blake, your primary antagonist and fellow Visionary, will make her dramatic entrance. This isn't just a narrative beat; it's a pivotal moment that introduces core gameplay mechanics, sets the tone for the entire game, and throws you into your very first player-versus-player (PvP) encounter (or AI equivalent if playing offline).

Julianna's Grand Entrance and the Reprise Slab

Julianna's first communication will be a series of taunts and condescending remarks broadcast directly into Colt's head. She's not just there to annoy you; she's also delivering crucial information. Pay close attention, as she'll explain the concept of the time loop and, more importantly, introduce you to your very first Slab: Reprise.

• Reprise Slab: This invaluable ability is automatically equipped to Colt, and it's what prevents immediate game overs. Reprise grants you two "do-overs" per district. If you die, you'll respawn at a nearby safe location, retaining your equipped weapons and Slabs. Only after your third death in a single district does the loop truly reset, sending you back to the beginning of the day.
• Strategic Advantage: Reprise is your safety net. It encourages experimentation and aggressive play, as the consequences of a single death are significantly reduced. Use it to learn enemy patrol routes, test new weapon combinations, or explore dangerous areas without fear of losing all progress.

The First Invasion: Surviving Julianna's Hunt

Almost immediately after her initial taunts, Julianna will declare her intent to hunt you down. This marks your very first invasion. While this particular encounter is typically against an AI-controlled Julianna (unless you've enabled online play and a human player happens to invade at this exact moment), it serves as a crucial tutorial for how invasions work and how to deal with them.

Initial Objectives and Environmental Cues:

Your primary objective during this segment will be to reach a specific location or complete a simple task, often involving navigating through a building or across an open area. As Julianna invades, several key environmental and UI cues will appear:

• "Julianna Has Invaded" Message: A prominent on-screen notification will confirm her presence.
• Locked Tunnels: All exit tunnels from the district will be locked down. You cannot leave until Julianna is defeated or you manage to hack the antenna.
• Julianna's Broadcasts: She'll continue to taunt you over the comms, sometimes giving away her general proximity or intentions.
• Enemy Reinforcements: Expect additional Eternalists to be deployed in your vicinity, often converging on your position.

Surviving the First Hunt: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Stay Alert: Julianna is a formidable opponent, even when AI-controlled. She uses Slabs like Aether (invisibility) and Shift (teleportation), and is equipped with powerful weapons.
2. Prioritize Cover: Immediately seek cover. Buildings, dense foliage, and elevated positions are your best friends. Avoid open areas where you can be easily flanked or sniped.
3. Listen for Cues: Julianna often announces her presence with a distinctive sound effect when she uses her Slabs. Listen for the shimmer of Aether or the whoosh of Shift.
4. Scan the Environment: Use Colt's ability to tag enemies (by aiming at them) to keep track of Julianna and any Eternalists.
5. Hack the Antenna: Your primary goal to escape the invasion (without directly confronting Julianna) is to hack the antenna. This antenna is usually located in a prominent, often elevated, position within the district. Follow the objective marker. Hacking it will unlock the exit tunnels.
6. Engage or Evade:
   • Evade: If you're low on health, ammo, or simply want to avoid a direct confrontation, focus on stealthily making your way to and hacking the antenna. Use the environment to your advantage: climb rooftops, sneak through back alleys, and use distractions to draw Eternalists away.
   • Engage: If you feel confident, you can try to take Julianna down. She drops valuable loot, including Residuum (for infusing gear) and often a powerful weapon or even a Slab.
7. Use Reprise Wisely: Don't be afraid to die once or twice. Use your Reprise charges to learn Julianna's patrol patterns or to test different approaches.

Recommended Tactics for Beginners:

• Stealth First: For your very first encounter, it's often best to prioritize stealth. Julianna is a tough fight early on when your arsenal is limited.
• Environmental Awareness: The game encourages using the environment. Look for tall grass, crates, and corners to hide behind. Use ledges and rooftops for verticality.
• Basic Controls Refresher: This is a good time to solidify your understanding of basic controls:
  • Movement: Left Stick (PC: WASD)
  • Aim: Left Trigger (PC: Right Click)
  • Shoot: Right Trigger (PC: Left Click)
  • Melee: Right Stick Click (PC: F) - useful for silent takedowns on Eternalists.
  • Sprint: Left Stick Click (PC: Left Shift)
  • Crouch: B (PC: Left Ctrl) - essential for stealth.
  • Slab Use: Left Bumper (PC: Q)
  • Weapon Swap: Y (PC: 1, 2, 3)
• Don't Forget the Hackamajig: You'll have access to the Hackamajig early on. Use it to hack turrets, cameras, and even Julianna's antenna. Hacked turrets can provide excellent cover fire or distractions.

Successfully surviving or defeating Julianna in this first encounter will not only advance the narrative but also solidify your understanding of Blackreef's unique challenges. You'll gain valuable experience in dealing with invasions, a core mechanic that will recur throughout your journey.