When to play the DLC? (no spoilers)

[Silver]

Okay so I'm trying to figure out when it would "feel" best, cinematically speaking to play the DLCs...as in they were part of the main quest itself. I assume it would obviously feel anti-climactic if I end up doing a questline after the best is already over.

I know Hearthfire can be started anytime because it has zero relevance to any storyline, so I have already started it, but would like your input on when to start Dragonborn and when to start Dawnguard.

I have a vague idea where these quests start anyways - I know one starts at Fort Dawnguard near Riften, and the other is me taking the boat to Solstheim, so I've been avoiding them so far (havent really gotten into the main quest either - just went into the secret room in that tavern if you know what I mean)

So your input would be appreciated, no spoilers plz. Just let me know whether I should finish the main quest first or do these first, and in which order. Thanks

[MercAngel]

you can start them any time and do them in any order you want that what good about Skyrim,

the only thing that happens if you finish the main quest first is some of the NPC may say differnt things

[Nijn]

Dawnguard not really at a special moment, but Dragonborn is cinemetically speaking best started after the main story of Skyrim, since some important NPC's will be impressed and have slightly different dialogue.

[Mimic Bait]

i always play it Skyrim>Dawnguard>Dragonborn because thats what order i got them in at first

[Trigger]

i like to take care of Miraak as soon as possible, even before taking on Alduin the 1st time-Miraak armor is awesome for fighting Dragons.. Play it right and you can have a 80% shout cooldown

[Skyrimnut]

Originally posted by Trigger:

i like to take care of Miraak as soon as possible, even before taking on Alduin the 1st time-Miraak armor is awesome for fighting Dragons.. Play it right and you can have a 80% shout cooldown

That's right, put the little piece of work in his place and put him smack on the bottom of the "threat to skyrim" totem pole.

[Delta 1038]

@Silver: Cinematic experience. That is abit hard to pinpoint because I don't really know how you want to write your character's story. Sure some people complain but I actually do like how fairly minimalist your character is on well, character. Let's me fill in the blanks and I can write who I want him or her to be.

Anyway back to topic, I tend to complete the Main quest first before going on to Dawnguard after a while. While I do follow the "generic start Dragonborn after Dawnguard" schedule, I like to have a little twist to it. If my character has a home, use the console to restart the quest and walk into town wearing nothing but civillian clothes (If your character does that anyway) and get a chat with the cultists. Fun times.

[Arkstra]

It doesn't matter really. It's not like New Vegas where there was a story told across the DLC. On my current character, I went Dragonborn>Dawnguard>Main Story, and the only thing that really changes is a few lines of dialogue.

Although, I believe you do have to do some of the main story quests in order to start the Dragonborn quests.

[wowszer]

Choose what you want this time. Skyrim is so open ended, while still following a logical story that the only problem that occurs is if NPCs die, not by your fault, but by the games drawbacks. There are ways around this though. You can for instance, use the carrige drivers to visit every city, then fast travel to them without finding all the interesting quests that you might find by walking. But if you walk everywhere, then you might never get around to finishing major quests. But then again it doesn't matter. You can play everything different the next time.

[Kate Paradise]

I want to know about skyrim. I currently have skyrim SE and if I buy DLC do I have to start all quest again? Do I have to start like new game?

[Valden21]

Originally posted by Sarah BG':

I want to know about skyrim. I currently have skyrim SE and if I buy DLC do I have to start all quest again? Do I have to start like new game?

If you already have Skyrim SE, you don't need to buy the DLCs, as Skyrim SE has the DLCs integrated into it. The Dawnguard DLCs will start when you hit level 10 or when you hear a specific rumor, whichever one comes first. The Dragonborn DLC begins when you reach a specific spot in the main quest, or if you're past that spot, the NPC's that start it will find you on their own. Hearthfire starts whenever you become a Thane of Morthal, Dawnstar, or Falkreath.

[giguy2002]

Had Skyrim since it first came out. I stopped playing for a couple years and now getting back into it. I'm level43 and installed the SKSE. Looking to engage the DawnGuard quest or at least find the castle but there's no orc Durak in Dayspring Canyon, I followed the path until I get to a covered bridge across the road and it says I can't go any further, I can't find any path through the mountains and looked east and north of Stendars Beacon up in every nook and cranny. I don't see it on the local map as a hidden either. It just doesn't seem to be there.

Thoughts??

Thank you in advance for any feedback.