First time player - Which DLC to enable and which to save for later?

[tripecac]

Hi, I'm new to Crusader Kings 2 (and any Paradox games). I've played the tutorial and am ready to start my first real game. I've got most of the DLC. However, I'm aware that some of the DLC might steepen the learning curve, so I'd like to know which DLC I should disable (while learning the game) and which I should leave enabled,

(I'm guessing it's safe to leave all the cosmetic and music DLC enabled, so am primarily concerned with the bigger, gameplay-changing DLC).

Thanks!

[The Cure]

Enable them all except for Sunset Invasion (unrealistic Aztec invasion of Europe), Conclave and Reaper's Due.

[al_x_ator2411]

Some say it's best to learn all the mechanics at once so you don't have to re-learn the game each time you enable a new DLC. Other's feel that Conclave is too difficult for new players and they might be right. I'd certainly disable the Aztec invasion (and maybe defensive pacts and serious illnesses) for my first playthrough. But to do that you don't need to disable the DLC, you can just disable the options in the starting new game panel.

[XS]

Good DLC to start with:

Way of Life (More events)
Legacy of Rome (Greek update)
Old Gods (Pagans and Vikings)

Good variety of playable options and new features.



Stuff I would Avoid for New Players:

- Conclave (Managing your council would get in the way of learning)

- Horse Lords (Adds Nomad tribes, competely new mechanics)

- Sunset Invasion (Certain new players would enjoy 100k stack invasion from sea

[matthewdavies1985]

100% agree with XS i only recently got conclave myself and and id disable the new on too REEPER WHATEVER.

not thats its difficult but I'm playing first conclve and reeper now and reeper with the extra building upgrades and people dying all the time haha you need to have learned mechanics well to plan inheritence on multiple fronts in the likley scenario your heir gets the pox or plague

[Pippin123]

Would probably only disable Conclave and Sunset Invasion until you get confortable with the game.

A lot of the DLC are only "gating" access to some government types : all the mechanics are there for the AI, you just can't access them as a player : Republic, Sword of Islam, Rajas of India, Old Gods
If you have them, keep them enabled, but your first games should be as Irish Catholics in Hastings start ( aka "Noob Island" )

Required are Legacy of Rome for the retinues and sons of Abraham / Way of Life for the increased options /Roleplay

Reapers due revamp of diseases can be enabled from the start, I feel.

[tripecac]

Thanks! Any recommendations of a starting country, given that I'll have all the DLC enabled except Conclave, Reaper, Sunset, and maybe Horse Lords?

[jfoytek]

Personally I would learn on the vanilla game and understand the vanilla game...

Then I would turn on Way of Life and stick to playing a Christian Feudal ruler so I understand
what Way of Life brings to the game...

Then I would turn on Son's of Abraham and again play as a Christian Feudal ruler so you again understand what Sons of Abraham brings to the game....

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Then Get

Old Gods and play a game as a Viking

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Then Get

Charlegmagne and go back to being a Christian Fuedal Ruler starting in 769 and learn what its like to be on the recieving end of the viking Raids....

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*****Note Legacy or Rome, does not add much content to the game other then Retinue's, Unless you play as an Orthodox player****** But Retinue's are a great addition to the game and you could activite this DLC immediately as learning to play with and or without a Retinue isn't a big leap in the learning curve!!!

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Sunset Invasion bring an unrealistic alternate reality mode where aztecs invade europe save your money don't bother with it....

Conclave Changes many of the core concepts of the game and arguably not for the better or for the worse, it doesn't make the game harder, except for the time period you spend having to relearn basic game mechanics! Really conclave is like a spice you put on food you either like it or you don't.... So again save this for the very end so you know what KFC's Original Recipe tastse's like before you decide to try Extra Crispy!!!

[tripecac]

Thanks, that sounds like a cool plan!

What country should I be for learning Vanilla? Ideally, something other than Spain, since I already tried Spain for the tutorial.

[susannag]

Irish count (Ireland in 1066 is also known as "newbie island"), or a vassal in the HRE (Holy Roman Empire) are both good options.