New here. should I do my first playthrough with expansions?

[Skala]

Hi all. Do the expansions add content for a complete playthrough, or do they only add end-game stuff? I'm trying to determine if I should get them now, or later

[gNuff!~©~gNom3™]

imo expansions are very much worth having from the start because they add a bunch, a big thing ofc being different classes
that said it isn't mandatory/100% necessary to have expansions, and basegame can give you meni meni hours of play and entertainment on its own

[Gezrard]

You could complete the base game on normal difficulty first. If you like it, buy the expansions. If you want to try the added classes, make a new toon

[Neit]

The main bonus you will get from DLCs during first playthrough is the ability to play DLC-only classes and it also allows you to get some DLC-only items, etc.

Storywise, DLCs take place after the base game (and you are notified when you are starting DLC-related quest), so if you like to avoid that stuff until you complete the base game, it's fairly easy. Ashes of Malmouth story only triggers after you finish the base game, but you can play Forgotten Gods content as soon you complete Act 1 (but I would advise not doing that, as it does not make that much sense storywise).

I would say it's definitely worth it to have the DLCs ready from start, but you will be probably okay without them for a while (unless you want DLC class). However they definitely do not only add "end-game stuff".

TLDR: You probably want to get them ASAP, but it's not absolute necessity.

[TheLightningYu | Mike]

Phew, i find this Question hard everytime it comes up. Because AoM and FG are such strong expansion so for its Value itself, i'd argue it does worth it... but that doesn't help somebody who might not like the basegame... so i'm quite often like, play it for a bit, possible save up the second mastery choice if you might want to have one of the Expansion Classes "if" you get them, and when you comfortable with the game grab them.

[Childe Roland]

Originally posted by TheLightningYu | Mike:

Phew, i find this Question hard everytime it comes up. Because AoM and FG are such strong expansion so for its Value itself, i'd argue it does worth it... but that doesn't help somebody who might not like the basegame... so i'm quite often like, play it for a bit, possible save up the second mastery choice if you might want to have one of the Expansion Classes "if" you get them, and when you comfortable with the game grab them.

Yeah, I'd recommend getting the base game only at first, because it's not likely that you're going to be able to say for certain that you don't like it enough for a refund in just two hours of playtime, so it's best to limit the investment in case it isn't your cup of tea. Then if you do like it, you can get the expansions and the Crucible DLC on a discount by buying the Definitive Edition if you're playing on Steam. And if you're on GOG and don't want to pay full price, well, sales seem to be pretty common and there's probably enough content to keep you busy exploring Base until one comes along.