How essential is the DLC?

[Ubiquitous]

I have enjoyed Crusader Kings 2, which I guess is a similar kind of grand strategy experience to HOI3, and have a long-standing interest in WW2. However, I am reluctant to pick up the whole DLC collection because I have a huge games backlog and don't know if and when I will ever get round to HOI. How much would I miss out on if I only bought the base game? Is it still a good experience?

[ExiledSakura]

if you play with counters then the sprite packs are not really needed but some of the others are expansions they are a must

[realist123]

Just bought the game again yesterday on Steam to get the DLC. Almost everybody says you need the 3 main DLC to make the game more fun, I haven't tried it yet, I'm about too.

I got around 70 hours out of the Vanilla and enjoyed the very hard difficulty. I am thinking you should go with everybody elses' advice though that the DLC is important.

I don't know what the Steam sale plans are. You could just buy the base game to see if you like it. And then next sale, (summer, winter, or paradox sale) pick up the DLC. It also depends on your monetary situation and if $10 isn't a lot to you, compared to just the base game of $2.49.

Maybe I will get back to you in an hour or 2, to give you my basic impressions of the DLC.

CK II some DLC seemed vital to me to enjoy the game, like having retinues, but like I said I got 70 hours out of plain HOI3.

[realist123]

I can' really give informed advice since I've only played the DLC 10 minutes. I see some statistical graphs that aren't in the base game.

It seems to me the base game is easier to understand than the DLC with the extras. If I could guarantee the DLC would be this cheap again, I would say just get the base game and get proficient with that. Then pick up the DLC next sale. Although you could be screwed and not see the DLC on sale again if you go that route, but I doubt it. There was a sale last fall on HOI3 and DLC although not everthing this cheap: Their finest hour was still around $6.99.

The game still seems great to me like it did in the past (I really like good strategy games though), but I don't have the time to dedicate to it right now.

I am inclined to say just get the base game to save some money then wait for the summer, fall, or Christmas sale to get the DLC.

[d@rkWolf]

It´s a Paradox game and it´s a "collectors game" like few of my friends say, which in case of Paradox game means you "constantly collect new patches". And because this game was made few years ago, when they failed to be able to make it patch after expansion was released, u essentially have to buy base HoI III, the Sember Fi expansion, For the Motherland expansion and Their Finest Hour expansion. It´s to only way to get the game updated to it´s most finished state. I think it´s version 4.02 after Their Finest Hour.

This is different from latest Crusader Kings 2 and EU IV, which both can be (and become) updated with new patches even without DLCs. They get repairs and changes, without DLC content. With HoI3, without expansions, no updates after new expansion was released for ya(there were usually about 3 patches after each expansion).

So with this whole week action price, better buy whole set of base game and all 3 expansions. U dont need sprite packs if u play with counters. (I do have the sprite packs and dont think Ive ever saw em, because I´ve learned playing with counters after moving from HoI2 to HoI3 cause theres way too many units to watch freaky sprites running around.

[realist123]

Well the menus seem a little neater with all the DLC, instead of base HOI 3. It seems to be eaiser to find the temperature, and making your own drawn out battle plans also looks good.

Also noticed the DLC has an extra mobile AA unit on top of what 3 has, something pulled on two wheels, while basic HOI 3 has mobile AA, but heavier which I assume is more sluggish to move.

I don't think you can go wrong either way. With basic you'll save $8. But with the DLC it is more polished.

[Ubiquitous]

Thanks all for the input; I bought the full DLC package. Now I just need to find time enough to learn to play...