Recommend DLC

[Captain Keen]

So ... bought this game on release, beat it twice - but I don't generally do DLC, like, at all. But I crave some mech on mech action, so where should I start?

Hints for preferences: Larger mechs are fine, but not a goal in itself. I like story missions, and I hate timed missions =)

I dunno if that helps, but there it is. Any input is most welcome =)

[Praxis-W]

The DLC for this one is worth it for you, I'd say. If you've played through the campaign a few times, you'll like what the DLC adds.

All of them add new mechs, maps, and equipment. One of them, (I forgot which) adds Flashpoints, which are like mini campaigns of 2-4 linked missions. A few even reward you with unique weapons or mechs.

There's enough Steam sales, that it's easy to pick them up for cheap, too.

[LeftPaw]

All of it. There is no bad ones that I can see. If your going to spend your time playing it you may as well play the whole thing and not miss out on anything.

[VipreRX]

If you like the base game then the DLC is worth it because the DLC just adds more to the game. It doesn't drastically alter anything even if some of the Heavy Metal tech is considered OP by some.

Grab it all, then grab a mod like BEX or BTA and it's a whole new experience.

[wesnef]

Flashpoint adds a bunch of "Flashpoint" mini-missions, the Jungle map, a couple mechs, a new contract type.

Urban Warfare adds a few more Flashpoints, the Urban map, the ECM game mechanic, a couple mechs, and a new contract type.

Heavy Metal adds a larger Flashpoint campaign (several Flashpoints tied together in a story), a bunch of mechs, and a bunch of guns.

The maps, contracts, mechs, and equipment get mixed in to the random generation tables for planets/contracts/stores/etc. The actual Flashpoint missions show up after the main story (in Campaign mode) or within the first few weeks (Career mode)



Oh, and both of the new Contract types (Target Acquisition, Attack & Defend) have timed aspects to them. ;)

[F4TheGold]

If you want more content i would recommend the Rougetech mod for this game. Tons of new mechs, weapons and so on. A lot bigger lore map, and a LOT more difficult and challenging. You can add the vanilla story missions/campaign as flashpoints in Roughtech settings.

[wesnef]

But be aware that Roguetech is also the Super Hard Mode of Battletech. There are other large modpacks that add more content but with less added difficulty (Battletech Extended 3025 for the least, Battletech Advanced 3062 for the medium level, Roguetech for the maximum)

Also, all of those mods do more if you have the DLC, so you'd probably still want to get them.
(I'm not sure if any of the modpacks *require* the DLC)

[Lord Admiral Revol]

The only one I advise against is Urban Warfare, I did not enjoy that at all, the other two is, while SEVERELY overpriced, are nice additions.
If I'm being honest, Flashpoint also has some glaring issues, namely, the Cyclops with the Battlecomputer. That makes everyone in a lance go one initiative earlier. Meaning Vanguard Assault Mech move at 3, in the medium phase, while Heavies move in the bloody scout phase (no mech may move earlier than phase 5, Vanguard Light Mechs don't get a phase 6 with a Cyclops). Not to mention flashpoints are, well, poorly balanced at best.
Heavy Metal, on the other hand, I got nothing to criticise apart from the already mentioned (pricing).

[Neithan]

Well, the pricing is actually a non-issue these days, as the game and DLC are often on (heavy) discount, and if you look at more than just Steamstore, you can find the DLCs cheap at all times I'd say. And if you were really into Battletech, even the price at release was ok imho. For such a niche game from a (back then) indie company, they delivered really good game even vanilla, and once you take the mods into account, the overall "value" of the game gets increased immensely.

About the Cyclops, yeah it's quite a strong feature, but I would not say it is actually OP, first of all, if you play accordingly with lower initiative, you can mitigate alot of the "drawback", only the Cyclops gives you the option to play differently in that regard, rather emphasizing higher initiative.
Also, taking a Cyclops buffs your other mechs, but you actually "handicap" yourself on the Cyclops slot, as you could field way stronger assault mechs, and even several heavies give you more power on that slot, all you lose is that initiative boost.

@OP:
I would definetly recommend the DLC, get it cheap, and enjoy the additional additions, and then, if you want more, you can go on into mods to vastly expand on the game.

[wesnef]

Yeah, most of Heavy Metal is much more "unbalanced" than the Cyclops Z is.

[VipreRX]

Which is why I love that BEX essentially sorts all the equipment by in-universe release year. I assume RT does something similar. I also assume all that equipment already exists by 3062 so in BTA it's no issue.

[Bob of Mage]

Even if many of the new mechs are quite good at their jobs, you have to remember that you also have to fight all those new mechs too. A Cyclops HQ might be powerful in a player's lance, but it is much worse when it is buffing three lances worth of enemy assaults.

Urban maps are a nice change of pace in my view since they are very different from the other map types. Jump jets, indirect fire, and controlling lines of fire, become way more important. The Raven and the electronic warfare gear, and a bit of a mixed bag. It adds some interesting options, but they aren't that game changing since the enemy can disable the ECM with a sensor scan. It can be interesting when you face an enemy using it, but that is rare since only two types of Ravens, and a heavy have a loadout with it. Those mechs also won't spawn until after the Flashpoint related to the Raven are complete.

The Flashpoints do add a bit of new life to the game since they have stories to them, and often some unusual conditions. For example many have weight limits, or have you using a preset mech (one involves an Urbanmech only showdown).

The Heavy Metal Flashpoint is the most interesting lorewise. It deals with hints of things to come long after 3025, and adds some hints to one of Battletech's biggest unresolved mysteries (nothing canon is changed, it is just a neat little easter egg for fans).