What level should I start the DLC?

[greb]

The information I've found searching older posts seems mixed, does anyone know the exact levels I should be when starting each DLC? (besides Moxxi's underdome)

[Tom]

They scale to your level so doesn't really matter.

[Corrupty]

No, they don't scale. Don't give wrong advice, the DLCs are ♥♥♥♥♥♥ in a first playthrough. The zombie one was 15 when I went there at level ~20, I think you shouldn't do DLCs until you do your second playthrough, which is absolutely dumb. But hey, the game doesn't even have a way to show multiple side quest locations at once, so yeah.. there are a lot of really dumb decisions in this game, sadly.

[Tom]

Strange I started Zombie Island of Dr Ned at level 38 and everything was my level. Keep in mind it was playthrough 1.

[Geldric™]

Well the ClapTrap dlc reward (skill point & loot room) are awesome, so I run it as early as possible. In addition, the loot room absolutely scales with the main story, so even if I complete the dlc at level 17 if the main story is still around level 10 then the rewards are around that level. However, once you get to Dahl Headlands and you go back to the loot room it will be around level 20. Get to New Haven & loot room scales again.

PS I can confirm that the ClapTrap dlc does increase along with the main story (not your level). Advance the main story and that level 10 dump quest will increase too.

[Nite69]

Dr Ned, Knoxx and Claptrap all start at 15, but mad moxxi you can do anytime you like as the enemies will match your level

[Astro_80 (WASH YOUR HANDS!)]

Originally posted by Corrupty:

No, they don't scale. Don't give wrong advice, the DLCs are ♥♥♥♥♥♥ in a first playthrough. The zombie one was 15 when I went there at level ~20, I think you shouldn't do DLCs until you do your second playthrough, which is absolutely dumb. But hey, the game doesn't even have a way to show multiple side quest locations at once, so yeah.. there are a lot of really dumb decisions in this game, sadly.

SDU mean anything to you? The exception to this is the Knoxx DLC where the SDU is notoriously bothersome to obtain on either playthrough.

[ZarahNeander]

In PT1, they scale with the main story progress. If you start Claptrap b4 you turn in the mine key mission (in arid badlands), it's level 10 (and a cakewalk). After mine key, it's level 15. After killing Sledge, it gets out of control. Pretty much the same with Ned. Knoxx is special.
Cause the giftshop scales with MQ progress anyways, it's in your best interest to do claptrap as early as possible (in PT1).

[greb]

Originally posted by ZarahNeander:

In PT1, they scale with the main story progress. If you start Claptrap b4 you turn in the mine key mission (in arid badlands), it's level 10 (and a cakewalk). After mine key, it's level 15. After killing Sledge, it gets out of control. Pretty much the same with Ned. Knoxx is special.
Cause the giftshop scales with MQ progress anyways, it's in your best interest to do claptrap as early as possible (in PT1).

I didn't know you were meant to do the claptrap DLC early on, I'm at level 23 and just finished finding booze for crazy earl, is it still a good time to start the claptrap DLC?

[Tom]

Originally posted by sudn d:

Originally posted by ZarahNeander:

In PT1, they scale with the main story progress. If you start Claptrap b4 you turn in the mine key mission (in arid badlands), it's level 10 (and a cakewalk). After mine key, it's level 15. After killing Sledge, it gets out of control. Pretty much the same with Ned. Knoxx is special.
Cause the giftshop scales with MQ progress anyways, it's in your best interest to do claptrap as early as possible (in PT1).

I didn't know you were meant to do the claptrap DLC early on, I'm at level 23 and just finished finding booze for crazy earl, is it still a good time to start the claptrap DLC?

It will scale if you beat the main game so just worry about finishing the story then go on with it.

[Mister Torgue Flexington]

for me, I typically start the DLC's after I complete the main story in the base game first (which causes the enemies to scale close to my level)

[ZarahNeander]

Originally posted by Tom:

It will scale if you beat the main game so just worry about finishing the story then go on with it.

But finishing the story is 10x easier if you have access to the gift shop.

Originally posted by sudn d:

I didn't know you were meant to do the claptrap DLC early on, I'm at level 23 and just finished finding booze for crazy earl, is it still a good time to start the claptrap DLC?

Accept the first misson and look a its level. If you think you can handle it, go for it. It has alot of boss fights though

[Joey Stick]

Start knoxx dlc at level 0. Do the first scooter missions for easy xp. Loot the chests (https://borderlands.fandom.com/wiki/T-Bone_Junction:_Weapon_Crate_Locations) and sell the items for easy money and vendor challenges xp. Buy gold weapon' amount sdus.
Continue on with main game story.

Also: ideal playthrough...
https://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/t/the-ideal-playthrough-for-borderlands-1/1065732

[Corrupty]

Originally posted by sobriquet.here:

Start knoxx dlc at level 0. Do the first scooter missions for easy xp. Loot the chests (https://borderlands.fandom.com/wiki/T-Bone_Junction:_Weapon_Crate_Locations) and sell the items for easy money and vendor challenges xp. Buy gold weapon' amount sdus.
Continue on with main game story.

Also: ideal playthrough...
https://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/t/the-ideal-playthrough-for-borderlands-1/1065732

The game is already extremely easy, wouldnt that ruin it even more?

[Joey Stick]

There's a variety of flavours for everyone. A matter of choice.

[Geldric™]

Originally posted by ZarahNeander:

But finishing the story is 10x easier if you have access to the gift shop.

^^^^ This!