New to EU4 in 2022. Im happy with the base game for now. Am I missing something.

[daifuco]

This is my first Paradox grand strategy game. I find EU4 very interesting.
The game is more complex that I think many of you realise. Even though I bought most of DLC at a recent sale, I really dont need more.
So to save my sanity I have deactivated all the DLC. I am happy trying things, I have started Castille with Rise of Ottomans many many times.

I really dont see myself needing to install any DLC in a long time, and I don't plan to play multiplayer for now. Unless I manage to get some real life friend into the game.

Is there any DLC that I really should install just because of some mechanic that is so much better, or because it is so popular that it is weird not to play with certain DLC on?
Thanks in advance.

 

[nobodyinparticular]

Is there any DLC that I really should install just because of some mechanic that is so much better, or because it is so popular that it is weird not to play with certain DLC on?

Some DLCs are more focused on expanding flavor for certain regions (which is also important!), some add pretty much essential quality of life stuff. Common Sense, Art of War and Rights of Man are usually named as "essential" DLCs. But it's also worth considering how DLCs upgrade regions you might wanna play in.

 

[Nostalgium]

I'd say Common Sense, probably. Not even for development, but for national focus. At least, I think that came with Common Sense. Being able to mitigate the occasional 2-2-0 (or better, 6-6-0) rulers is so ingrained in me now I can't imagine playing without it. Quite a few of the earlier, more sweeping DLC are in fact pretty good, but things like Third Rome, Dharma, Rule Brittannia and such - the more regionally focused ones - aren't really relevant unless you're planning a campaign in that corner of the world. Estates are baseline now IIRC, so there aren't really any which unlock critical mechanics which significantly alter how you play the base game anymore.

 

[MatthewP]

Honestly, no. I played with no DLC for a while (years ago now) and had a blast. IMO it's a better way to get into the game - reduces the learning curve a bit and you get the experience of adding something new to your game periodically.

That said, there are lots of good ones that add to the base game once you're feeling like you need that. I couldn't play without Art of War. But honestly there's a lot of stuff I take for granted and don't even remember which DLC it comes from.

One thing worth calling out is the macrobuilder. Once you've mastered the mechanics, certain actions can start to feel annoyingly repetitive. The macrobuilder is quite good at improving this experience, but unfortunately many parts of it are locked behind DLC. So if you like development or building armies but are getting tired of searching through all your province screens many times, it might be time to unlock the right DLC for that macrobuilder task.

But as long as you feel like you're still learning how mechanics work and finding them engaging, don't bother. Might as well stretch out the experience.

 

[jonjowett]

As a practical matter, I suggest you just buy all of them, because it's only €20 for the base game and all DLC (except Origins) on Humble Bundle atm. (Offer expires in 2 days!) After that, you can enable/disable the DLC as you choose.

 

[egolend]

The practality is there is loads to learn without any DLCs. Once you start to get a grip of it you may well find you want a wider range of countries (with content) to play as or ability to do certain things. Don't worry that it takes a while before you care about that though.

 

[EarlKonrad]

Is there any DLC that I really should install just because of some mechanic that is so much better, or because it is so popular that it is weird not to play with certain DLC on?
Thanks in advance.

-Mandate of Heaven for the automate diplomate macrobuilder.
-El Dorado for support independence war.
-Cossacks if you want to play as a Horde.
-Common Sense if you want to play as a Monastic Order.
-Either Dharma or Wealth of Nations for Trade Companies.
- Art of War for more and better subject interaction.
- Emperor for more variety on government reform and generally more stuff for European nations.
- Third Rome for playing as Russian or an Orthodox nation.
- Res pública for.playing as a republic.


All in all you can have a blast with base game EU IV (even more so now than five years ago) but playing without DLCs can mean missing out on important quality of life features, not making use of good mechanics or even avoiding poor mechanics (hello Mate Nostrum).