DLC orders? (I'm new to X4)

[LeFULSE]

Hi!

I just got the "X4: Community of Planets Edition (2024)" bundle and was wondering about the best way to enjoy the DLCs. Should I start with the base game first, or dive straight into one of the DLCs or all of them together?

Thank you

[Farrel]

All of them together, absolutely all of them together... And for a more guided start? maybe consider the terran cadet start.

The one caveat I might suggest is that you might consider grinding through timelines first to open up absolutely everything, but you can always do that later. (The stuff it unlocks will retroactively appear in existing saves)

Edit: on second thoughts, scratch the idea of doing timelines first... It'll set up the wrong expectations for the main portion of the game, the open universe... Do timelines later when you feel like you've gotten grounded in the game.

[shietinghd]

Would say tutorial then timeline train the mechanic a bit. Most mission are fun exept for the trade mission. Then sandbox and explore what you want. The gamestart witz a star are very strict intruduction in a mission that will take 20-40m.

[0x41414141]

Do tutorials. Do NOT do timelines after tutorial, you'll set yourself up for frustration and hatred towards the game before you even get started. Take a guided start like Space Cadet. After you know the mechanics, then start doing Timelines when you are bored/looking for a change of pace (they are challenges and not linked to the open world except for the items you unlock)

[LeFULSE]

Thank you for the information.

Just to confirm, if I install all the DLCs, will I be able to choose which mission chains to play later? Or do I need to enable and disable them in the menus?

(I haven't launched the game yet.)

[Ruiner]

While playing the Open Universe, you'll get notifications about story plots, they do not start until you elect to begin them. It's your choice.

[SirProsik]

I never did the tutorials because when I started there were none. But having played the previous title games except Rebirth I had a pretty good idea what to do.

With that being said Timelines missions will help you prepare for combat/trading in the game. There are mission aspects which will, while frustrating for a new player, teach you how to overcome K, I's in an S fighter etc. Train you by doing defeat turrets on the previous ships and a Xenon defense station. Reason for the frustration is that there is no hand holding and you are thrown to the wolves so to speak like a trial by fire :)

A guided start like the TOA - Stranded start is also a good way to get your feet wet learning about the game from a pirates point of view.

Terran Cadet start is ok but not as guided as the above one is.

I recommend turning off Kingdom End until you have completed the missions for obtaining the HQ and are ready to dedicate time to completing Boron introduction to the Universe. That way you go through the original process of gaining the HQ and get some decent ships in that progression.

Complete the Hatikvah (short) plot line in order for the other plots to become available. Exception is the TOA 'pirate' plot sequence can be done first then Hatikvah if you wish.

[Harag]

Originally posted by LeFULSE:

Thank you for the information.

Just to confirm, if I install all the DLCs, will I be able to choose which mission chains to play later? Or do I need to enable and disable them in the menus?

(I haven't launched the game yet.)

Install all and enable them. As others suggest as a new player start with the Terran Cadet. Other starting options will open up later on e.g. a split race start. As for the DLCs, e.g. Kingdoms End, when find the sector this is based on, then you will be given the option to take the missions, or ignore them. They have integrated the DLCs very well. Even future new DLCs you can buy and enable in existing games.

After you have got the hang of it, by all means do some time lines -- that is quite different from the DLCs and not really part of the sandbox game except for the "rewards" you get.

But most of all, Enjoy it, it's a gem of a game if you love these types of games. Have fun!