Which DLC are a must?

[icanhazheadshot]

Just bought the game, I love strategy/board-games like this one. Never played any of the Paradox games so going in blind :) Which DLC's are a must for better gameplay/immersion?

[Avalone]

Charlemagne and old gods will give you longer gameplay

[Nehebsis]

WoL, Charlemagne, Old Gods.

[klionh87]

Sunset Invasion is...a travesty, many would say. It add a completely fantasy event chain involving a massive Aztec invasion that will mess up Western Europe. I strongly suggest avoiding it, especially as a beginner.

Sword of Islam, The Republic, Rajas of India only add new playable rulers (Muslim, Republics, and Indians). They will be fully functioning as AIs anyway, so you can completely ignore these DLC if you don't plan to play those rulers.
For that reason I'd suggest getting them later, when you are bored with the rest and want to try something new, or if you are really interested in playing the affected countries.

Legacy of Rome is slightly more important because it enables the Retinues [www.ckiiwiki.com] Mechanic. They have been nerfed a bit in the latest patches but it's still a useful option. Otherwise, most of the content is exclusive to the Byzantine Empire.

Sons of Abraham and Way of Life start getting interesting. They add many events that help with roleplay and immersion. Good picks if you like to play that way. The added gameplay mechanics are also nice, although not crucial.

Charlemagne add the earliest start date(769), a storyline for the titular character and, more importantly, the Viceroy system and Custom Kingdoms and Empires. Also enables Zunist rulers. A decent pick.

Old Gods is similar, as it adds the 867 start date and many age-related events, but it also enables play as a Pagan or Zoroastrian ruler. Many swear that Pagans are the most fun to play thanks to their raiding mechanic, and there's plenty to choose from in the new start date. The best DLC to expand your options.

All the rest is purely cosmetic DLC, and should be considered as a donation to Paradox, basically.

[hiddenranger]

I recommend strongly to get all the content DLCs, they may be expensive together, but on a 75% off sale its realy not all that bad.

[Esty6]

a must? none. The original game with all the updates is perfectly fine and enjoyable. It should give you hundreds of hours of fun.

Recommended:
- Legacy of Rome: Adds retinues, so I'd recommend it first.
- The Old Gods: Enables raiding, playing as tribal kingdoms, and lowers starting date.

Recommended once you've played hundreds of hours as Catholic kingdoms:
- Sword of Islam: Enables playing as Muslim ruler.
- The Republic: Enables playing as a Merchant Republic (Venice, Genoa, etc)
- Rajas of India: Enables playing as an Indian ruler.

Limited recommendation:
- Sons of Abraham: Enables some options to get money from Jews and the Pope which helps in the early game if you start as a Count or small petty kingdom
- Way of Life: Enables focusing of ambitions.
- Charlemagne: lowers starting date again (game didn't really need this) and adds events if you play as Charlemagne, also enables viceroys (sort of like vassal kingdoms that are loyal to you when you are an emperor).

Only buy if money is burning your pocket:
- Aztec Invasion: creates a Mongol invasion in the west (but Aztecs).

[icanhazheadshot]

ha thanks for all the replies! Just closed the game after a 4 hour "WHAT THE HELL DO I HAVE TO DO" session...

I love it

First real game tomorrow ;)

[hiddenranger]

I would start as Ireland if I where you. Its relatively quiet there (avoid nothern Ireland though, because you might have problems with Scotland).

[G-Man]

ire is boooooring...

if have u no dlc´s...i say...starts in germany...1067 is the right year to learn the game as a good vassal of the mighty holy roman empier...give ur lord whats he want, and u be save. but beware...dont crap to many holdings in hre, the "lord protector" will banish u, if u to mighty.