Do I need Forgotten Gods for a first playthrough?

[Detrian]

I've played Grim Dawn before and liked it but really had time to play a lot of it. I think it's finally time but FG is the only expansion I'm missing. Is it a must have as far as QoL features go, even for new characters?

[mamba]

It has some nice QoL, a new mastery and the items that come with it, so I’d either start with it, or not get it at all.

That does not make it a must have really, but if you intend to get it either way, then I would do so now

[HellSlayer]

Not really needed but its quite nice land with few characters that you get. Cyclone is very fun skill to play on normal and it somewhat carries in later difficulty.

For cyclone best is to just level up some in crucible and then playing on veteran difficulty otherwise it takes too long to unlock that skill.

[Defmonkey]

Not really a question of "need" as you can play absolutely fine without it but i think it does enhance the experience for the better. You can access the forgotten gods campaign itself and shattered realms straight after completing the first act but other features such as the new class and monster totems you can get into from the get go.

Depends on how much time you plan to invest as all the base content and expansions together is quite a lot of content to get through. I do agree with Mamba that if you are intending to get it regardless at some point then would be best to do so now.

It may also depend on your current financial standing i suppose. Even at full price its essentially just a couple of beers and there is a lot of material here so i think its very much worth it.

[DeMasked]

Grim Dawn's base game does a good job in showing humanity trying to survive during a power struggle between 2 alien factions where you have a few instances of coming across Aetherial plots to gain power in a region and then culminating towards a Cthonic plot in the final act that is hinted at throughout the earlier acts. The main aetherial plot line sorta ends at Port Valbury with hints of a larger conclusion in the next expansion.

Ashes of Malmouth expands on the effect Aetherials have had in the Grim Dawn while not really touching much with the Cthonic's beyond some resolution from the effects of the end in the base game - it does still showcase the animosity between the two factions as they continue to vie for control over Cairn (Grim Dawn's world).

Story wise Forgotten God's stems from a few minor plot lines that you come across in the base game supported by Ashes of Malmouth. It introduces a new threat beyond that of the Aether vs Cthon that is much more prevalent in the previous expansion and base game.

Content wise you do get a lot when it comes to a new class, new game mode (though Crucible is really good for leveling up new characters quickly and attaining devotion points earlier on) and answers to a number of questions and plot lines that you come across from before.


I'd say buy it if you are in a good financial spot, otherwise play through what you already have and then decide later on or wait for a sale. Grim Dawn is a great ARPG and Crate Entertainment developers definitely deserve the recognition and appreciation for all their hard work. I am looking forward to their future games and projects.

[Enfild]

If you have AoM you are fine for now. Since there is no level increase in FG your gear will be relevant if you get DLC, and most features are more for endgame/old players its not something you should worry about right now.