Sales and DLCs

[NiarkNiark]

Hello,

with the Black Friday sale, i'm currently asking myself very hard about life and death of my wallet. Well, i've never played Stellaris but i am a consistent (but rather bad, i must say) player of EU4.

So the question is : Beside base game, what to buy and not buy and why ?

Thank You !

 

[FonVegen]

Utopia, Leviathans, Apocalypse are the three I'd recommend. First gives you megastructures, second gives you giant space monsters, third gives you Death Stars. If you like robotic and organic hive minds or just like the thought of having them around in your game, then Synthetic Dawn is also something for you that will get even more unique features with Megacorp.

Those are the four things I'd say you definitely should get if you can afford them and spend a lot of time with Stellaris, as they were more than worth the price in my opinion.

Distant Stars is also interesting as the L-Cluster has some very fun political interactions once you access it and suddenly neighbour most of the galaxy.

The species packs are a mixed bag, I'd say you can go for the Humanoid one (because I really like the designs of those ships), but it might be a bit too close to fantasy for your tastes (there are dwarves, halflings, and space elves, so...). Then again, you also get Klingons and can play out your very own Star Trek universe now.
Plantoids was not really worth it in my opinion, but if it's on sale and you have nothing else to spend money on, at least most of the portraits look pretty.

 

[Dunaedine]

I think Utopia is the main must have DLC, and maybe the only one. In fact, two of his features was partially integrated in base game, because they are necessary for the others DLC.

 

[Annihilat0r]

My personal ranking looks like this:
1. Utopia
2. Leviathans
3. Distant Stars
4. Synthetic Dawn
5. Apocalypse
6. Species Packs

It also looks like Megacorps will earn a spot in the Top 3.

 

[RationalLemming]

1. Utopia
2. Synthetic Dawn
3. Leviathans
4. Distant Stars
5. Apocalypse
6. Plantoids Species Pack
7. Humanoids Species Pack

I'd put MegaCorp between 4 & 5 but obviously that isn't part of your question.

 

[kanukki]

As important as Utopia has been, you could argue that it won't be as essential now that Ascension perks will be part of the base game. But with some of the more fun government types (and megastructures) it would still be pretty close to the top.

 

[Dunaedine]

As important as Utopia has been, you could argue that it won't be as essential now that Ascension perks will be part of the base game. But with some of the more fun government types (and megastructures) it would still be pretty close to the top.

Only a part of the Ascension perks are part of the base game. For instance, If my memory doesn't deceive me, the three ascension path aren't part of the base game.

 

[ciurra]

I would raccomend the basegame , its a lot of stuff , it will be enough. Than if you want more ecploration go with leviathan and then distants stars .

 

[Studoku]

As important as Utopia has been, you could argue that it won't be as essential now that Ascension perks will be part of the base game. But with some of the more fun government types (and megastructures) it would still be pretty close to the top.

The Ascension Perk system and the least interesting perks got moved to the free game. The three ascension paths and everything related to megastructures (including habitats) are still part of Utopia.

 

[Pootino]

Utopia is the must buy, if you want more story then Leviathans and Distant Stars, if you like robots Synthetic Dawn, if you want slightly more space combat and of course, planet destruction then Apocalypse. Species pack are just cosmetics so make it as you like.

 

[Sigma 582]

Everyone seems to have their preferences, but Utopia is no doubt #1. Ascension perk mechanic is now part of the base game but the most powerful, interesting and game changing individual perks (i.e. content) are still part of Utopia.

Synthetic dawn gives you robot empires. Even if you are not very keen on playing them, their presence makes your galaxy more diverse and more interesting.

Leviathans give you lots of space monsters to kill for unique techs and also trading/science/cultural enclaves which are both helpful mechanically (especially artists who can greatly boost your traditions unlock speed) and make the galaxy more interesting place to explore.

Distant star's signature feature is L-Cluster which gives you unique OP stuff and OP way to traverse the galaxy lightning fast. But what is more important IMHO is that it adds a ton of new anomalies for you to investigate which makes Stellaris' best aspect - namely exploration - even more interesting.

Apocalypse is appreciated for planet killer weapons (which is mostly for fluff, not for actual power) and associated ability to wage unrestricted wars on everyone (which is actual strength). Its other best half used to be "Unity Ambitions" which are powerful late game sink for Unity resource which otherwise becomes obsolete after certain point. Now ambitions are in the base game, so Apocalypse makes sense only if you want unrestricted conquest or feel like blowing up a few planets (which is fun for the first time but is actually a waste). To me it seems underwhelming and not worth its money.

Portrait packs are just portraits. More diversity is good after you played quite a few campaigns but not so important at first. Get them on the next sale.

 

[Dan_Daniel2000]

Synthetic dawn gives you robot empires and hive minds.

I have to correct you on that one. Hive minds are also part of Utopia. Synthetic dawn only adds machine Empires (and related stuff).

 

[Bobylein]

Utopia + Synthetic dawn, well if you like to play Robots, or the Culture or the Borgs or Skynet.

 

[Sigma 582]

I have to correct you on that one. Hive minds are also part of Utopia. Synthetic dawn only adds machine Empires (and related stuff).

Of course, thanks for the correction.

 

[NiarkNiark]

Well, i thank you all very much for your inputs. I shall all make you my vassals !

 

[Commodus]

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/7611/Stellaris_Starter_Pack/

This is a great beginner's bundle.

 

[Razzlie]

Utopia, Leviathans, Distant Stars are probably the three biggest ones IMO. Synthetic Dawn is also amazing if you're really into the idea of playing a machine empire. Apocalypse is nice, but I wouldn't say it's as great as the previous ones mentioned.

 

[Sinister2202]

Buy all major expansions. I personally skipped story and species packs like Distant Stars, except for humanoid ship packs.

 

[Army Pea]

My opinion

1. Utopia
2. Leviathans
3. Synthetic Dawn
4. Distant Stars
5. Apocalypse
6. Humanoids
7. Planetoids.

 

[Astax]

Hello,

with the Black Friday sale, i'm currently asking myself very hard about life and death of my wallet. Well, i've never played Stellaris but i am a consistent (but rather bad, i must say) player of EU4.

So the question is : Beside base game, what to buy and not buy and why ?

Thank You !

What they should do is have some sort of Paradox Pass, akin to subscription. While sub is active you get access to ALL paradox content. And the longer you have the pass you passively unlock all paradox content pernamently. That way if you subscribe say for 1 year, they will unlock most of dlcs released that year and will throw in base game, or something like that.