Considering buying, Ultimate Bundle question.

[BrutalGlory]

I've been playing this a bit on my Xbox pass and was considering buying it before the sale ends. That said i'm always hesitant to drop $100+ on a game unless i'm damned sure I know what i'm getting first. I've poked around at the DLC and the Ultimate Bundle, but i'm not comfortable verifying that everything is there or than half of what's in it actually adds anything of value to the game. The system for determining what's included in DLC seems obscure to say the least. Expansions sound good, obviously, but internet sources seem to be extremely vague about what all the other DLC actually offers. In short, i'd like to be certain i'm not missing something important when buying it or paying through the nose for a bunch of useless overpriced crap. I'm largely in the dark on what race packs and story pack give and if they do anything remotely interesting. If someone familiar with the content knows i'd appreciate and informed opinion.

[Cerodil]

https://stellaris.paradoxwikis.com/Stellaris_Wiki

Down at the bottom of that page are all the dlc, you can check out all the content contained in each to your leisure.

[BrutalGlory]

Originally posted by Cerodil:

https://stellaris.paradoxwikis.com/Stellaris_Wiki

Down at the bottom of that page are all the dlc, you can check out all the content contained in each to your leisure.

Thanks that's actually quite handy - most Wiki's aren't so detailed. It's certainly better than articles game sites put out.

[Cerodil]

Fun fact: You can also access the wiki by clicking the ? in the bottom right of the screen in game.

[Elitewrecker PT]

The wiki has basically the same info for the expansions as the store pages.

[BrutalGlory]

Originally posted by Elitewrecker PT:

The wiki has basically the same info for the expansions as the store pages.

Basically isn't the same. The store page frames much of the DLC in a light where it's difficult to know what's hyperbole to make sales and what's actually a new feature. The Wiki link is much more clear on what is and isn't present and what it actually means.

If I had $1 for every time a game I didn't play sold me on hyperbole for it to be a massive letdown... Well, it's better to get an informed opinion than trust the company pushing the actual product.

[IPWIW]

Originally posted by BrutalGlory:

Originally posted by Elitewrecker PT:

https://stellaris.paradoxwikis.com/Downloadable_content
https://stellaris.paradoxwikis.com/Federations_(DLC)
difference

[Elitewrecker PT]

Form new types of Federations, each with unique passive effects, and level them up to unlock perks. Customize them further through the new Federation Laws.
Join the Galactic Community and pass resolutions by voting with the rest of the Community to make the galaxy a better place for everyone. Or slowly build up your diplomatic weight, and become the senate!
Do your species live on Habitats after the destruction of their homeworld? Or did your Empire discover nearby allies that it formed a Federation with? Access to no less than 8 Origins.
Bigger is better! The Juggernaut is a new ship class as large as a starbase that can build and repair ships in the field, turning your offensive fleet into an unstoppable force!
A new Megastructure with a name so fitting you wonder how we even thought of it. The Mega Shipyard will allow you to build ships quicker and in more numbers than ever before, having up to 30 shipyards and passively increase your empires Ship build speed, while also starting ships off with some XP.
Show off your soft power with 10 new Steam achievements.


vs



Expanded Federations: With expanded diplomacy capabilities, players can build up the internal cohesion of their Federations and unlock powerful rewards for all members. Whether you join a Trade League, Martial Alliance, or Hegemony, membership can be extremely advantageous.
Galactic Community: Unite the space empires with a galactic senate that can vote on a wide range of resolutions to drive legislative agendas. For example, players can pass a resolution to increase commitments to collective defense or funnel profit towards wealthy elites. Members can also sanction those who defy the community, and enact a single galactic focus. Sway the senate to position yourself as a leader, trading favors and maneuvering, doing whatever it takes to gain influence among schemers.
Origins: Each empire has a story that shapes its path. Give your civilization deeper roots with the new system of Origins. By choosing an Origin, players can flesh out their empire’s background and alter its starting conditions. Whether it’s Void Dwellers who have abandoned their homeworld to live in perpetual orbit, or a society that worships and protects a powerful Tree of Life, you can lay the groundwork wisely for the seeds of your empire.
New constructions: Construct glorious new projects for your empire like the Juggernaut, a massive mobile starbase that provides a moveable repair base even in enemy territory, or the Mega Shipyard, a new megastructure that can churn out fleets with incredible speed. Offering both tactical advantages and a good dose of shock and/or awe, these are sure to be an asset to any space empire.


What does one tell you that the other doesn't?

[BrutalGlory]

Originally posted by Elitewrecker PT:

Form new types of Federations, each with unique passive effects, and level them up to unlock perks. Customize them further through the new Federation Laws.
Join the Galactic Community and pass resolutions by voting with the rest of the Community to make the galaxy a better place for everyone. Or slowly build up your diplomatic weight, and become the senate!
Do your species live on Habitats after the destruction of their homeworld? Or did your Empire discover nearby allies that it formed a Federation with? Access to no less than 8 Origins.
Bigger is better! The Juggernaut is a new ship class as large as a starbase that can build and repair ships in the field, turning your offensive fleet into an unstoppable force!
A new Megastructure with a name so fitting you wonder how we even thought of it. The Mega Shipyard will allow you to build ships quicker and in more numbers than ever before, having up to 30 shipyards and passively increase your empires Ship build speed, while also starting ships off with some XP.
Show off your soft power with 10 new Steam achievements.


vs



Expanded Federations: With expanded diplomacy capabilities, players can build up the internal cohesion of their Federations and unlock powerful rewards for all members. Whether you join a Trade League, Martial Alliance, or Hegemony, membership can be extremely advantageous.
Galactic Community: Unite the space empires with a galactic senate that can vote on a wide range of resolutions to drive legislative agendas. For example, players can pass a resolution to increase commitments to collective defense or funnel profit towards wealthy elites. Members can also sanction those who defy the community, and enact a single galactic focus. Sway the senate to position yourself as a leader, trading favors and maneuvering, doing whatever it takes to gain influence among schemers.
Origins: Each empire has a story that shapes its path. Give your civilization deeper roots with the new system of Origins. By choosing an Origin, players can flesh out their empire’s background and alter its starting conditions. Whether it’s Void Dwellers who have abandoned their homeworld to live in perpetual orbit, or a society that worships and protects a powerful Tree of Life, you can lay the groundwork wisely for the seeds of your empire.
New constructions: Construct glorious new projects for your empire like the Juggernaut, a massive mobile starbase that provides a moveable repair base even in enemy territory, or the Mega Shipyard, a new megastructure that can churn out fleets with incredible speed. Offering both tactical advantages and a good dose of shock and/or awe, these are sure to be an asset to any space empire.


What does one tell you that the other doesn't?

One of those cuts the BS and fluffy wording by actually says what these wonderful mechanics are and do. At any rate, if you can't see a difference from the perspective of someone to the game looking at dropping a massive amount of money on DLC that isn't sure what they're getting into or if the promised content is worthwhile or even exists that's a "you" issue. So have fun with that. You'd think asking for an informed opinion before spending an exorbitant amount of money is a crime or something in this community. Not a great look.

[Elitewrecker PT]

They both have fluff. Pretty sure they're both official descriptions.
If you actually want to know exactly what each DLC adds you have to open the separate wiki pages related to the mentioned features and read through them to separate base content from different DLC content (because some features have multiple affecting DLCs)

[BrutalGlory]

Originally posted by Elitewrecker PT:

They both have fluff. Pretty sure they're both official descriptions.
If you actually want to know exactly what each DLC adds you have to open the separate wiki pages related to the mentioned features and read through them to separate base content from different DLC content (because some features have multiple affecting DLCs)

Yep, been there and done that as soon as the link was posted. Most wikis aren't kind enough to have competent DLC pages - this one is. It's not just the fluff it's how reputable the info is. Companies regularly lie and misrepresent what they're selling you. The wiki has a lot less fluff and is verifiable. Considering the bulk of the serious reviews for half the DLC is "doesn't add much of anything, not worth the cost." I wasn't about to gamble.

[Elitewrecker PT]

I don't mean just the DLC pages in the wiki - I meant opening the specific feature pages as in:
The megastructures page;
The origins page;
The ships page;
etc.

Another bulk of the DLC reviews often discuss accompanying patches and not actual DLC related comments though.

[BrutalGlory]

Originally posted by Elitewrecker PT:

I don't mean just the DLC pages in the wiki - I meant opening the specific feature pages as in:
The megastructures page;
The origins page;
The ships page;
etc.

Another bulk of the DLC reviews often discuss accompanying patches and not actual DLC related comments though.

Hence being hesitant to buy it without reputable opinions first. The store page is a no-go, the reviews are inconsistent, outside reviews tend to be lacking or done by bot programs (as are most these days), and the rest seem to be role-players. So the wiki was a God-send.