How exactly do DLCs work?

[EL3VAT10N]

Uh so this is a little embarrassing but I would like some reassurance on how DLCs work. This is my first experience with open world DLCs and as I am about to buy Borderlands 2 GOTY, I would like to know how exactly the campaign add-ons work. My two hypotheses are, first, they appear as available missions in new areas on the map, second, they appear as an extra thing in the main menu of the game, and third, they appear as mandatory story missions in your mission log. Please let me know which of these is correct, as I don't want to be confused once I buy the game. Thank you!

[z00t]

They appear as destinations on the fast travel machine.
The DLC's do not appear as part of your main story mission. Note though that each DLC has its own story missions, and side missions.

Buy the GOTY, and the Ultimate Vaulthunter Upgrade #2. This will let your characters get to the highest level (72, and the Overpower levels OP1 to OP8) - GOTY alone will limit your character to level 61.

Once you start playing though, consider the DLC's as something to be done after you complete the first playthrough. The DLC's need you to have weaponry, skills and the rest before you start them. They are additional content to the game. Some of the DLC's contain spoilers, and their story line assumes you have completed the 1st playthrough.

Welcome to the family. Enjoy the game.

[EL3VAT10N]

Perfect thank you very much

[iGoldenGopher]

The GOTY DLCs have more than one area to the campaigns. Scarlett's is 5 areas and Tiny Tina's has 10 areas.

These differ from the Headhunter DLCs in that the headhunter packs only have one area.
I do recommend the headhunter packs though, especially if you wait for the summer sale and get them for $1 each.
Not really worth $3 since you will easily complete them in less than an hour.

[@lf]

If you plan to go all the way up till lvl 72 ( and even up to OP8 ), i strongly recommend you to do all the dlcs ONLY after you beat the game in UVHM ( 3rd Playthrough ).

Why? Because if you do the dlcs after your 1st Playthrough, you will be overleveled for 2nd Playthrough, with gear of lvl 30 max. ( ex: You are lvl 38 with lvl 30 gear at start of 2nd Playthrough ). Same thing applies if you do the dlcs after you beat 2nd Playthrough, you will be, as an example, lvl 57 with lvl 50 gear.

Trust me, you don't want this to happen, specially before you start UVHM ( 3rd Playthrough ). Being lvl 57 with lvl 50 gear at start of UVHM is a no, no.

TVHM ( 2nd Playthrough ) starts at lvl 30 and UVHM ( 3rd Playthrough ) starts at lvl 50 so, you will want to start them with a lvl as close as possible as them, and with gear close as possible as well.

Like z00t said, buy GOTY + Ultimate Vault Hunter Pack #2. You can buy all 5 Head Hunter Packs as well, if you want. They are short add-on campaigns.

Welcome to this awesome game =D