Essential DLC for a beginner?

[TheRetroDJ]

So I have CK2, but no DLC. Is there any DLC that you would consider essential to make the game better?

[al_x_ator2411]

All major DLC (expansions) make the game better (or at least deeper/richer) in some way. And some of the cosmetics and music help too but leave those for last.

Most people consider "Way of Life" essential because it adds interesting RP mechanics/events for all characters (you can seduce or duel people). "Monks'n'Mystics" is similar but less essential (it adds societies and artifacts).

Most other DLC unlock something.
For instance you need "Sword of Islam" to play Muslims,
"The Republic" to play as Venice/Genoa etc(it has absolutely no other use),
"Horse Lords" to play as nomadics (Mongols!),
"Rajas of India" to play Indian cultures/religions,
& "Sons of Abraham" to play as Jewish characters (this last one also adds events like borrowing money & pilgrimages for Christians and Muslims so it's rather good even if you don't care about Jewish characters).

If you want to play Pagans (Vikings!) & Tribals and an earlier start date get "The Old Gods." Pagans also get a lot of new features (basically custom religions) with the latest DLC "Holy Fury" which also adds random and shattered worlds!

For Byzantine flavor and Retinues (standing armies that help a lot with realm mamagement) you'll need "Legacy of Rome." For an even earlier start date and more mechanics that help the Byzantines and all big empires (viceroys & imperial admin) get "Charlemagne."

After getting Horse Lorde & Rajas of India and if you enjoy playing at the eastern side of the map you might consider "Jade Dragon" which adds China as an off map power you can interact with (lots of fun after you learn the basics). It also adds new CBs (reasons to go to war) that help a lot with making small realms bigger fast.

Finally my favorite DLC are "Conclave" (deaper and more rational realm management) & "The Reaper's Due" (The Plague!). I just left them for last because they can be too much for new players. But once you know the basics I consider them essential.

PS There's also "Sunset Invasion" (the Aztecs attack Europe in a reverse history senario) but that is only needed as a monotony breaker when you've tried everything else.

https://ck2.paradoxwikis.com/Downloadable_content

[galadon3]

basically what al_x said, but to clarify while they enrich the game, they aren't essential to enjoy the game, the base game can stand on its own, just gets even better with the DLCs

[Sean]

I don't know... I got the base game free and found it pretty dull, then on new years got up some dutch courage and bought all the DLC in one go, I don't even know what adds what to the game and now the game is awesome.
That being said, I'm a big Byzantine fan so for me the best DLC is probably the one that lets you reform Rome and Holy Fury because proper Roman religion.

[Wokelander]

I find that The Old Gods is by far my favourite and adds enough stuff that it's almost a whole new game... If you play a Pagan tribal

[Sean]

Originally posted by Khorvale:

I find that The Old Gods is by far my favourite and adds enough stuff that it's almost a whole new game... If you play a Pagan tribal

It depends what kind of pagan you want to be. I wanted to do a Roman revival so for me Holy Fury was a must. But like I said I just got everything and regretted it next time rent was due lol

[GameChanger]

I got this game when IR released and after I got hooked I purchased IC and I am enjoying every single expansion.
For me most essentials are.
1)Way of Life
2)Reaper's March
3)Holy Fury
4)Conclave
All other expansions are either pure awesome or situationally awesome.

[Cheese]

Way of Life is the most important imo, adds something for everybody, RP elements and more stuff to do.

Holy Fury and The Old Gods are next on my list.

[Bruce Wayne]

All of it

[Ketsa]

imo all the main expansions are worth it, but the first dlc I bought were way of life and the old gods since it allowed you to play as vikings. You really ought to choose the one that fits your interest and then expand from then on. You can't really go wrong in way of life though, it adds some more control for your characters.

[goobacks]

Old Gods let you play as a viking, and it's much more beginner friendly than playing as a Christian. It's easier to wage war, loot, fight, make gold, and you don't have a pope that you always need to please.

[JC]

way of life is must have no matter what..


But old god's with tribes is my favorite game changer. (add charlemagne for an early start date meaning more tribes!)