Good time to do the DLCs?

[Dongmyeong]

First playthough, but got the Royal Edition.

Usually you do DLCs after the endgame, but the tooltips from the main menu strongly imply that you shouidn't actually put them of until the end.

I just started Nest of Vipers and events seem to lead up to attacking the bandit headquarters soon. I read on some spoiler-free tips list, that once all the preparations are in place you have then the option of saying you need more time and can hold of the assault indefinetely.
Personally I'd like to give the attack a try once I get there, with just backing out for a sec to make a "bed save" just in case.

So my question is: Once whatever happens happens - no spoilers please! - would afterwards be a good time to do the DLC storywise. And more importantly would it be a good time regarding the next main quest not being on any time limit, Captain Bernard being available for training, side quests still available after story events, etc.
I wouldn't mind doing a few more main quests first, the most important thing is whether a point where is's "save" to put off the story again comes up again reasonably soon.

Related: Any spoiler-free advice what to do, prepare, bring along, etc in prepartion for the scouting mission and assault mission would be appreciated.

[AfLIcTeD]

Most of the DLC can only be started once completing that quest anyway. You should definitely hold the main quest once you have done the bandit camp. The DLC open up and new side quests too.
Start the next main quest after the camp but don't do anymore or go anywhere near where it tells you to go.

[Dongmyeong]

Originally posted by AfLIcTeD:

Most of the DLC can only be started once completing that quest anyway. You should definitely hold the main quest once you have done the bandit camp. The DLC open up and new side quests too.
Start the next main quest after the camp but don't do anymore or go anywhere near where it tells you to go.

Thanks for the heads up and good to know about new non-DLC side quests opening up.

That however brings me to another question: Will any sidequests, currently open that I've not done yet stop being avaible unless I do them now?
I've explored about 2/3rds of the map, but not everything and the Executioner in Rattay has another quest for me acording to the inkeepers.

[AfLIcTeD]

AFAIK you should be good for the side quests, some will become unavailable/unfinishable when you reach further in the MQ, the game will warn you anyway. Be aware that some side quests are time sensitive.

[PafunaMT]

After Nest of Vipers is a good place to do some DLC, and it’s required to complete Nest for a couple of them.

As for what to bring, depends on your approach. If you’re going stealth, bring appropriate potions: padfoot and nighthawk. Dark clothes for sneaking around. Also consider bringing extra poison to apply to your weapon. And bring a good bow with Bowman’s Brew.

The rest is the usual packing list for any trip: extra ammunition, food, clean underwear, etc.

[Dongmyeong]

Got good news and bad news!
Good news: I completed Nest of Vipers with all optional objectives. Saved after gallopping away to go catch my breath in reallife. I Solid Snaked my way into the Cuman camp using medium dark armour which I repaired myself with the reduce noise perk. Did so at night using the Padfoot and Nighthawk potions. After a few failed attempts I got in and out with all sabotage done and stealth killing a bunch. Although I wasn't very thurough looting wise.
The Bandit camp was harder. It's almost as if they were scriped to discover you after the cutscene. Got it done eventually by finishing my scouting first and then running through the bandit camp to do all 4 sabotage objectives there, then running for the hills.

Bad news: The times I got caught and fought to see how I fare, showed I definetely need more practice. One time I managed to fight and isolated enemy 1 on 1 and had a h*** of a time taking it down.
Compared to that one taking down 3 random bandits on the road is a breeze. So I am certainly going to do more sidestuff, after my reporting in.

Related question: The enemies are also much better armoured, than I am used to. Should I switch to Mace from Longsword and get some practice there? My current strength is 9, almost enough XP to reach 10. With that in mind, what's the best mace if I also want to wield a shield?

[Guts]

Maces are actually OP, broken, no skill weapons in this game. Literally not fun to play with. You'll easily two shot anyone with a mid tier mace as long as you can land the hits. Stick to the longsword. It's viable, and it's more fun IMO. It takes skill to get fast kills with the longsword, but if you learn how to fight unlocked it will do better than a mace in group combat because of the reach. You can aim stabs at exposed faces, and the game will treat it as a critical hit. Another benefit to unlocked fighting is that the AI is bad at blocking because it can't tell if you're aiming at it or not. Everyone who complains about getting surrounded is either not moving enough, or hasn't figured out that locking on isn't something you should always do.

[Dongmyeong]

Originally posted by N473:

Maces are actually OP, broken, no skill weapons in this game. Literally not fun to play with. You'll easily two shot anyone with a mid tier mace as long as you can land the hits. Stick to the longsword. It's viable, and it's more fun IMO. It takes skill to get fast kills with the longsword, but if you learn how to fight unlocked it will do better than a mace in group combat because of the reach. You can aim stabs at exposed faces, and the game will treat it as a critical hit. Another benefit to unlocked fighting is that the AI is bad at blocking because it can't tell if you're aiming at it or not. Everyone who complains about getting surrounded is either not moving enough, or hasn't figured out that locking on isn't something you should always do.

I see. Well I actually quite enjoy my longsword and wouldn't mind keeping it if maces are too OP. But how do you fight against heavily armoured enemies with it, of which I assume the next main mission would feature quite a few?

[Guts]

Originally posted by Dongmyeong:

Originally posted by N473:

Maces are actually OP, broken, no skill weapons in this game. Literally not fun to play with. You'll easily two shot anyone with a mid tier mace as long as you can land the hits. Stick to the longsword. It's viable, and it's more fun IMO. It takes skill to get fast kills with the longsword, but if you learn how to fight unlocked it will do better than a mace in group combat because of the reach. You can aim stabs at exposed faces, and the game will treat it as a critical hit. Another benefit to unlocked fighting is that the AI is bad at blocking because it can't tell if you're aiming at it or not. Everyone who complains about getting surrounded is either not moving enough, or hasn't figured out that locking on isn't something you should always do.

I see. Well I actually quite enjoy my longsword and wouldn't mind keeping it if maces are too OP. But how do you fight against heavily armoured enemies with it, of which I assume the next main mission would feature quite a few?

Originally posted by Dongmyeong:

Originally posted by N473:

Maces are actually OP, broken, no skill weapons in this game. Literally not fun to play with. You'll easily two shot anyone with a mid tier mace as long as you can land the hits. Stick to the longsword. It's viable, and it's more fun IMO. It takes skill to get fast kills with the longsword, but if you learn how to fight unlocked it will do better than a mace in group combat because of the reach. You can aim stabs at exposed faces, and the game will treat it as a critical hit. Another benefit to unlocked fighting is that the AI is bad at blocking because it can't tell if you're aiming at it or not. Everyone who complains about getting surrounded is either not moving enough, or hasn't figured out that locking on isn't something you should always do.

I see. Well I actually quite enjoy my longsword and wouldn't mind keeping it if maces are too OP. But how do you fight against heavily armoured enemies with it, of which I assume the next main mission would feature quite a few?

Enemies rarely have full face cover. I stab them in the face while unlocked. Even if they do have full face cover, a couple headcracker strikes usually does the trick. Helmets don`t have very good durability and will easily break with 2-3 good strikes. Feinting can help in this regard. But I like to get to level 20 STR, AGI, Warfare, and sword skills with Bernard as soon as it unlocks, so ymmv.

As for large group combat, simply stay unlocked and walk backwards. One enemy will sprint at you. You get a second to stab him and stagger him before he attacks. Rinse and repeat until only the last enemy remains. He's usually the strongest one, and could take 40+ stabs because of the armor. But now you can fight him normally, if you choose. Aim for the head. I know the back up and stab trick is a little cheesy, but it's also the only realistic way a person could 1v40 without a hallway, bridge, or doorway. There's another tip: If you can find a narrow corridor, their numbers mean nothing.

[Jaunitta 🌸]

So my question is: Once whatever happens happens - no spoilers please! - would afterwards be a good time to do the DLC storywise. << No. If you wait to the end of the main quests you will break some of the side quests that have charactors in the main quests.
If it helps you, I chose to do the Womans lot after I had courted Theresa.
My first DLC played. It fills in the blanks what happened to her,.
So play it near the beginning of the game
Then just spend time doing side quests and getting better stats and lots of Groschen..
Many hundred of hours later I built Pribyslavitz.DLC From the ashes.

Rebuild Pribyslavitz once the icon is on your map and you have enough Groshen.. Once completed you get to keep all the money, its a lot everyday also now you can dry your own food. You need to visit it occasionaly to solve problems of your villagers as your in charge .
Then teh Madoona of sasau will apear now is a good time to do that DLC as it bundles with A Womans Lot.

I did Band of Bastards DLC further down the the main quests scout Vranik Hillfort main quest stage.
Also some DLC like Band of Bastards not quite completed get this, I believe it is because the camp and members stay on for a few days even though DLC is completed. I just waited it out by doung the Capon side quests at this time. The camp fully disappeared 3 days later only some pillows and dirty plates are there now.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1965488025

So after Band of Bastards and before Vranik Hilltop I just did Capone quest at the bathhouse, once that side quest is done there is one more quest with him as we have to redeem our drunkness from the bath house..when that is done then the Armouress Adventures quest DLC will appear on map for Capon. My last DLC
Only then I will continue on with main quests and enter Vranik Hillfort.

If you have any side quests in Sasau dont do this main quest scout Vranik Hillside Fort as it will likely fail any quests in Sasau.
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