Can DLC/mods be applied to an ongoing save?

[jsilva]

Do you know whether DLC and mods can affect an ongoing save, or they require starting a new game?

I only have the base game and an ongoing save. I'm not that far along, but I'd rather not start again if I don't have to. If I buy the CoM DLC, does the new content (Farmstead, districts, etc.) appear in my ongoing save? If I get, say, the Inventory Stack mod from the Workshop, will it affect my ongoing save?

[Narrowmind]

It will often work midgame, yes.

[RopeDrink]

You can activate DLC mid-save, but I highly recommend doing a new save instead.

Most of the additional content is designed to be played during a fresh run, so activating them mid-way will dilute the experience in one way or another - Crimson Court especially.

Conversely, doing mid-run changes may impact specific mods in some ways.

[lawjax]

The general rule of thumb with game-overhaul mods is that any that alter a significant feature of gameplay, or add a large scope of content, should be applied on a new save. Content and mods adding one thing, such as a new character, should be perfectly fine to update on an existing save while something altering actual gameplay mechanics should be loaded in on a new save.

[GenBrien]

if you buy&install the DLCs, but dont activate them in your game, will you have the new characters without the changes to the game mecanics?

[jsilva]

@GenBrien: You may want to start a new discussion specifically for your question. I fear it might get lost in this old post and I don't know the answer.

Thanks to the others for the answers to my question. I ended up picking a couple "safe" mods (some of which were even specifically indicated as being safe to add to an ongoing game, like those that slight increase to inventory stacks, to reduce some of the grind).
Didn't go for the DLCs or for mods with a greater impact on the gameplay.

[Narrowmind]

Originally posted by GenBrien:

if you buy&install the DLCs, but dont activate them in your game, will you have the new characters without the changes to the game mecanics?

No, you won't.

That said, for a slight nuisance that reduces your weekly stress relief, you can use the Flagellant. The Shieldbreaker can be used as long as you don't have her camp. That's how you can avoid the major mechanics if you only want the characters. This is all assuming you want the mechanics already there for when you're ready.

If you don't want the mechanics at all, the answer for Shieldbreaker is no. The Flagellant can be activated on his own separately without Crimson Court.