When to start... Expedition..

[Doomshorn]

I have started up underrail a number of times over the past few years, but only now really got a character going that I love and want to beat the game with. That said, I also am staring down the DLC Expedition... If you are going to play through the DLC on your first run through of Underrail, when is the best time to start? After you finish the original story? Half way? and will it ruin the later half of the regular game being super powered from going through the DLC ? Thanks for any advice - cheers!

[frank_kretschmer]

First if you start again with a old character, it´s no problem to start directly after Junkyard, if you can talk the aegis boss into accepting you. Otherwise it´s a good guideline to start the DLC after having complished some of this deeds. You should have at least level 12-15 or you will have many problems there. Anyway I prefer doing dudes quest before the juice helps a lot, because you can officially leave only after the first quest / battle and if you haven´t what you need you are in trouble, also you get more stuff than you can sell there. Don´t forget that installing the DLC offers you a lot of skills stuff and talents even before entering the black sea.

[King Fossil]

There's unfortunately no good time to start it, really. If you do it early you get overlevelled so the rest of the game is too easy. If you do it late then you're overlevelled for it so it's too easy.
I guess I'd say wait until you get access to the Institute of Tchort and then do it. Just because the Institute has nice shops so it's nice having access to them every time you come back form the DLC areas.

[Exodus Of Sound]

I usually try to get up to the point where I've done everything outside the Institute, though I will recommend at the bare minimum that you complete Dude's questline.

[Doomshorn]

Thank you both kindly for the input! Definitely seems to be a dlc as awkwardly placed as it is awesome. I will try to wedge it in accordingly. Thanks

[Zeem]

I'd say it makes the most sense to start it at level 16-20, after you're done most things in the main area. You definitely want to do Dude's quests as they unlock another option for fast travel and Free Drones/Protectorate questline to get your hands on a CAU armor suit to help deal with the many bio and acid enemies you'll be facing in Black Sea.
There is also some interesting dialogue in DC if you complete Expedition first and encounter some particular phenomena.