Noob Question

[RonBurgundy]

Hey so I've had this game since 2013 (been playing EUIV for a while though) but this has been the first time I've actually played it and I'm hooked. I've been watching all of the tutorial videos by Arumba and I have a good grasp of the mechanics.

However, I hear that Conclave and the accompanying patch really messed the game up. I plan on buying every DLC this weekend during the Steam Summer sale (if the game does go on sale *fingers crossed*) but should I wait until it is patched?

Also, is it ok for a noob to play with all the DLC on or should I leave some deactivated until I get good at the game?

Thank you for the responses

 

[Notthemama]

They didn't "mess the game up," but they did add significant changes. However, since you haven't really played before, go ahead and play with all the DLC. Especially if you are an EUIV player, the mechanics will not be terribly difficult to pick up.

 

[RonBurgundy]

I just saw the horrible reviews on Steam and the complaints on the forums and thought that the whole game had been messed up with how much of an uproar it started

 

[Notthemama]

Well, things in conclave have made it a bit more difficult to just conquer everything, which I like, but those kind of changes always upset people. For examples, I didn't love the implementation of shattered retreat at first either, but I've adjusted. Otherwise, there was much to like about Conclave. CK2 a a big, passionate fanbase, so any alteration is bound to result in some negative opinions. I'd still recommend playing with the DLC, or perhaps you can leave out Sunset Invasion. I have it but never use it. 100,000 Aztecs landing on Western Europe is an amusing idea, but it doesn't do much for me in game.

 

[RonBurgundy]

Well, things in conclave have made it a bit more difficult to just conquer everything, which I like, but those kind of changes always upset people. For examples, I didn't love the implementation of shattered retreat at first either, but I've adjusted. Otherwise, there was much to like about Conclave. CK2 a a big, passionate fanbase, so any alteration is bound to result in some negative opinions. I'd still recommend playing with the DLC, or perhaps you can leave out Sunset Invasion. I have it but never use it. 100,000 Aztecs landing on Western Europe is an amusing idea, but it doesn't do much for me in game.

Ok that makes me feel better and I agree, a horde of Aztecs would kill immersion for me

 

[Bernard95]

A lot of people also tend to write negative reviews for a particular DLC when they dislike the patch features and their implementation on Day 1, then never update their review afterwards.

Conclave and the accompanying 2.5.x patches were aimed at making the game more difficult, and that didn't exactly sit well with a lot of people. Shattered retreat and threat / defensive pacts were chiefly among them, but as EU4 player these will be nothing new to you. Just pace yourself a little and your threat level will be easy to control.

Anyhow, for the sake of learning the game you might as well play with all the DLCs you have with perhaps with the exception of Conclave due to difficulty hike and other changes such as the removal of crown authority. The only other would probably be Sunset Invasion, since that might be problematic if the Aztec horde appears on your doorstep.

Granted, the next patch will allow you customize the game and toggle many mechanics on and off- including some of Conclave's.

 

[Battle bunny]

Conclave was a good concept, but as with most of Paradox's DLCs, it made the game worse at its launch and with Paradox, it usually takes months to bring the quality level back up to pre-DLC levels and then years to truly polish the DLC. Conclave's not so bad now, but it still has a lot of problems, some of which have been identified and are going to be fixed at some point. As I may have said elsewhere, a new DLC is like increasing tribal organization. In the long term it'll have a lot of beneficial effects, but in the short term everything just goes to crap and everyone grabs their torches and pitchforks. There is no reason to hurry with buying Conclave, wait for a -50% (or even better) sale if you have mixed feelings.

 

[Iron Chariots]

I think Conclave is pretty great, honestly. It gives you an extra tool to pacify your vassals: you can put them on the council and they won't join factions, as long as the council gets to vote on war declarations and is not discontent. This means that instead of just always picking the best-qualified candidate for a spot on the council, you have to sometimes make a choice. Yeah, this courtier would be a great steward, but Duke Such and Such is not too bad and wants a seat on the council. It really feels quite feudal, unlike the pure meritocracy you have without the DLC.