Q: Mandate of Heaven, Third Rome and Cradle of Civilisation

[Emre Yigit]

I have all the DLCs except for these three (and I play with Cossacks disabled, because I hate the notion of "estates"). Would you recommend that I buy any or all of them?

I'm leaning towards buying CoC (because of the army professionalism and the ability to convert vassal provinces), am undecided about MoH (because I rarely play China or Japan and the Ages function seems unnecessary) and against Third Rome (which seems a little skimpy).

Your thoughts?

 

[otaats]

I didn't buy CoC yet; although there are many against both MoH (the infamous Mandate mechanic) and Third Rome (the infamous easier Rus gameplay), i like both of them. Mandate has been nerfed, and Russia is not as overpowered as many complain. However, if you have no interest in playing Russian principalities or Asian tags, there is no need to get them. I don't regret buying them, though - i play both Russia and Asia regularly - many fun achievements out there.

 

[zerosius]

Imho MoH is worth it for the Ages Mechanic alone!

 

[Piotrzeci]

Third Rome is pretty much no brain No, as it does nothing beside buffing Muscovy. CoC is ...fine. Muslim schools don't seem like a big deal and army professionalism can be a good addition (especially if you tend to keep high maintenance on troops). MoH however goes on sales and adds eras and I must note that they are actually fun. Fulfilling those objectives is something I like. I didn't seem like a big deal before buying, but now I don't regret it. Eras are a nice addition to the game. You also get Japan, China and Confucian changes; that is more content than CoC.

 

[SaucyBaron]

MoH is a must have for keeping Ming in check (without tributaries they blob across all of Asia like a Eastern Turkish Delight), the age mechanic is also way more interesting than it initially seems, though I wish there was more variety in the TAG specific age bonuses.

CoC looks cool for professionalism but the Islam changes really don't interest me and I haven't been able to justify the price tag on it, same thing for Third Rome.

 

[Badesumofu]

In terms of global mechanics I'd say MoH is best out of those. TR adds none - unless you are going to play as a Russian or Orthodox nation it does nothing. MoH will likely be discounted decently in the Winter sales that will start soon. Mandate makes Ming function far better than it does without the DLC, btw. They are just a regular blob without Mandate.

As for CoC, I've found Trade Policies pretty underwhelming. Professionalism is a mixed bag. Some of the bonuses it provides are real head scratchers. Others are pretty strong and it provides a way of playing that isn't mercspam. Although it remains to be seen how viable it will remain after 1.24 once you can't buy 5 professionalism for 125 MIL anymore. I'm yet to see any point to exploit development. Exploiting MIL is worthless since slacken is better value. Exploit DIP is - well it gives sailors, so lol. Exploit ADM could be useful, maybe, I don't know. It seems like taking a loan or debasing would be a better idea. Level 5 advisors are not interesting and add nothing much to gameplay but they are extremely powerful and make the DLC feel a bit pay to win.

 

[SaucyBaron]

Level 5 advisors are not interesting and add nothing much to gameplay but they are extremely powerful and make the DLC feel a bit pay to win.

It especially feels bad for the people who got to play with them for a day before they got hotfixed to be behind the CoC paywall

 

[Emre Yigit]

Thanks for all your comments.

 

[DàbiànLājīdàrén]

None of them are necessary. The game is complete without DLCs.

 

[PaulMClem]

(and I play with Cossacks disabled, because I hate the notion of "estates")

Must say I quite like Estates. They can be annoying at times with "no-win" events but there is more than enough to counter that. That said I could see why others might not like them.

 

[Emre Yigit]

Must say I quite like Estates. They can be annoying at times with "no-win" events but there is more than enough to counter that. That said I could see why others might not like them.

I know that they're extremely useful; the problem is I find them increasingly fiddly as my empire expands - which is, I suppose, part of the point . But my main issue is that I find it very hard to square the notion of "estates" with historical political structures in non-European countries (and indeed in some European ones). I can rename them in my mind, but they don't fit.


Anyway, update, I got all three DLCs for TL80. Ah, how blessed I am to live in Turkey!

 

[PaulMClem]

Anyway, update, I got all three DLCs for TL80. Ah, how blessed I am to live in Turkey!

Enjoy!

At the moment I don't have either of these three most recent DLC and the only one which interests me is MoH as I like the ages idea. Will likely wait for a sale.

 

[Emre Yigit]

After having played a little while, I must say I find the "loot own provinces" function more useful than I thought, though my dynasty might go down in history as one of the most predatory!