Just getting into the game - DLC mandatory?

[Poltergeist]

Hi all. I am strongly considering ATS. Can I get a good taste of the game without DLC? What are the must-have DLCs?

[Qrazy]

You can always try out the demo first. Also the autumn sale starts tomorrow I believe.

[Wolfgang]

Try the demo first. None of the DLCs are mandatory if you don't want them.

[gallagher4005]

Must have mods: All of them if you want to use other map mods like Coast to Coast.

[Underscore_101_3]

You have your answers, and nobody can really tell you what are must have dlc, personally I find all map dlc, trailer dlc and accessory dlc must haves.

But the map dlc can have a different feel to them, the northern part is way different than the south, I prefer the south so far with New Mexico (because it reminds me of Breaking Bad) and Texas, but if wild running rivers and a stunning forrest landscapes are your thing you may prefer to go up north first.

[Underscore_101_3]

Originally posted by gallagher4005:

Must have mods: All of them

That's funny, for ATS I don't feel the need for any map mods, I use PM Canada, but without it, it wouldn't make a difference to me

[Poltergeist]

Thanks, all. I'll try to wait one more day for the sale then. I am notoriously impatient and the game looks quite fun. I am a fan of other simulators like MSFS, Farming Sim, etc.

[Supernovae]

The base game includes all core gameplay features (unlike Paradox games for instance). The map expansions are obviously very nice for expanding the game world. The cargo DLCs add more variety which also makes them quite worthwhile.
I'd suggest playing the Demo and if you like the core of the game pick up a bundle on sale next week (the Kansas DLC is dropping on Nov 30 and there should be an accompanying sale on ETS2 and ATS).
Personally I'd recommend the Northwest Bundle though you may find the Southwest Bundle or Texas Sized Bundle more interesting.

The Great Plains Calling Bundle is a great map booster but doesn't include the base game like the others. Also remember these bundles are set up to exclude items you've already purchased, so if for example you buy the Northwest bundle at the start of the sale and the Great Plains Calling bundle later, you won't pay for Montana twice so there isn't an ideal order to purchase bundles in (all of them have a fixed 10% bundle discount plus whatever sales are going on).

[Underscore_101_3]

Ohw that reminds me, I wanted to play farm sim this evening.

[meatballs_21]

None of it is. The gameplay is pretty much complete with the base game. You can add a few additional cargos with some DLC, and expand the variety of roads you drive on with the various states. You’ll have plenty to do with just the vanilla game, unless you have a specific hankering to drive in a specific state.

Only advice for that is try to buy any states to keep your map connected. If you go buying, say, Texas or Wyoming, you won’t be able to take any jobs coming from or going to there as you want have the states that connect them to the ones you get with the base game (CA, AZ, NV); you’ll be stuck only delivering within that state. Might make more sense if you look at a map and see!

[MirkoC407]

You can get a good taste without DLC. But here in Germany we say "You get hungry while eating", so be prepared that if you like the base game (all trucks, states of CA, AZ, NV) you will likely want more area to drive, maybe larger oversize loads (some smaller ones like harvesters or so are included in the base game), maybe some tuning parts to the truck.

Must have is difficult to say, someone said trailers. I have a trailer DLC (or the - I think there is only one) and it was wasted money for me. Fewer tuning options than for the base game trailers, not even custom paint. Luckily it was only 1.99 € during a sale. Also I don't need any oversize DLC others would say are the most important of all DLC. But when you have the game and find your own way of playing you will for yourself find the important DLC.

[HighPlains Drifter]

Get the states, paint jobs are cool, the trailers are great... But of all the DLC that really enhances the game, it's the states.

They're not mandatory, but you'll find yourself tired of the 3 base states ; Future proof with the fall sale...

[Wille Wilse]

As said earlier - try out the demo first.

[sonar1313]

Originally posted by Poltergeist:

Thanks, all. I'll try to wait one more day for the sale then. I am notoriously impatient and the game looks quite fun. I am a fan of other simulators like MSFS, Farming Sim, etc.

Just so you know....this is much more like Flight Simulator than Farming Sim, or other "build a thing/empire" games. There aren't any competitors and the "run your own trucking company" aspect of the game is very bare-bones and as a matter of fact completely optional. There aren't even any real objectives other than "finish this job". You tend to have to make up your own, such as the 100% map coverage that many people try for. It's first and foremost a driving game.

As others have said, what DLC and mods to use is something you'll figure out. There's nothing absolutely mandatory. I intend to eventually buy every state, but haven't touched the special cargo DLCs. I don't do mods because too many people complain about them crashing the game.

[Poltergeist]

Originally posted by sonar1313:

Just so you know....this is much more like Flight Simulator than Farming Sim, or other "build a thing/empire" games. There aren't any competitors and the "run your own trucking company" aspect of the game is very bare-bones and as a matter of fact completely optional. There aren't even any real objectives other than "finish this job". You tend to have to make up your own, such as the 100% map coverage that many people try for. It's first and foremost a driving game.

As others have said, what DLC and mods to use is something you'll figure out. There's nothing absolutely mandatory. I intend to eventually buy every state, but haven't touched the special cargo DLCs. I don't do mods because too many people complain about them crashing the game.

Thanks. I've played a few jobs now and I love it. That thin layer of money and progression is all I really need. I very much enjoy the driving and the game is very chill, like most simulators. So far I love it.

[Tiki]

Nice thing with the DLC for ATS and ETS2 is that they get marked down often and for large discounts during steam sales. I used to skip new releases and get them once they get marked down after the next DLC released. That is not true now, I'm all caught up and have most of the DLCs.

Besides the state DLCs the special cargo pack is great to have.

It's a fun game that really lets you customize how you play - switch off police/speed/accidents etc...