So I'm playing 1.06 without any of the DLCs

[unmerged(350617)]

Judging by the mixed reviews of people about factions, etc. I've been quite hesitant to update to a newer version. Also I haven't picked up any of the DLCs either.

Am I missing out a lot by not updating to 1.08? Also, which of the DLCs are must-haves?

 

[Prime624]

Sword of Islam (refer to edit) and Legacy of Rome are must haves, as the add new features to gameplay. Sunset Invasion also adds new features (only the invading Aztecs), but is just ridiculous imo.

Factions are a great improvement to the game. They need a lot of work, but they are still an improvement. Retinues are overpowered, but they are only with LoR and can therefore be disabled (with the rest o the DLC) at any time.

EDIT: As the below post reminded me, SoI is not actually necessary. It completes an otherwise unfinished piece of the game, but a piece that the below poster and I rarely use. I've never played Muslim for more than 100 years. The features that come with it are in the patch so only buy if you want to play Muslim.

 

[Comradebot]

While their are some legitimate issues with factions (like guys who start a faction to put a claimant on their liege's throne, and after succeeding turn around and do the exact same thing to the guy they just helped become King), by and large the majority of the "issues" people have with factions is that they don't like their realms actually having rebellions that are a challenge to handle. Personally, I'd say factions are one of THE biggest improvements the game has seen. It needs some tweaking, but by and large it makes the game wonderfully more fun and challenging. Right now I'm the Queen of Navarra and the Duke of Kabylia has started his own, powerful independence faction. Little curious to see if the also powerful Duke of Barcelona joins it... if so, could be a nasty time for my little kingdom.

That, and they put an end to the old system of whack a'vassal. Sure, there's still regularly civil wars, but they're less frequent and sometimes challenging, unlike the old "I don't like you so I'm gonna revolt against the HRE with one county!!!" crap that used to go on.

SoI isn't a must, I'd say, unless you plan to play Muslim. I'm personally torn with em'... I played a game as a Persian, which was a blast, but now I really don't have too much desire to play any other Muslim culture. If I ever play in Mali, it'll be as a Pagan... an Ethiopian Muslim game could be fun (but probably need ruler designer), and North Africa could be a nice little challenge some day... but yeah, that's about all it does for the player. Think some of the Muslim mechanics only exist for the AI as well with SoI, but its not a game changer.

But LoR I'd say is worth the purchase. All the fun Byzantine improvements and retinues... aye, I love em'. But 1.08 has been mostly fantastic, and I couldn't imagine doing what you're doing and refusing to update.

 

[unmerged(26764)]

Yes, you are missing out. The game has only gotten better.

Factions are better, but they still need work. But I'd rather have a unrefined faction system than what came before. The game is now fun once you're a major empire which it wasn't before. It's no longer just a stomp-fest once you get to a decent size.

You need to buy Rome. Retinues are also a major improvement which you don't have without Rome. I'd buy SoI also -- although I bought it and still haven't played an islamic nation. Some day it will be a nice change of pace.

You're just playing an inferior game if you refuse to update.

 

[Ortwin]

I would recommend you to copy your ck2 game files to another folder on your hard-drive so you can start the game (1.06) using ck2.exe from there. Then you can update and try 1.08. You will see if you prefer 1.06 or 1.08...imo factions should be tweaked to be less arbitrary, however it is still one of the best ideas in CK2.

You can also try CK2+ mod, which aims to rework factions atm.

 

[Agrippa43]

If you want a "fun game" and "new features" then I guess get the Legacy of Rome DLC.

But the Legacy of Rome DLC kills the Historical Feel of the game by allowing for these so called "Retinues", which are really
standing armies of 20,000 to 30,000 troops for a Kingdom. It makes the Feudal Levy system (what the game should be based on) unnecessary and destroys the history the game is meant to rerpesent.

Legacy of Rome sacrafices Historical Accuracy for $$$$. But if you just want some "fun"...go for it. You might as well throw in some Aztecs while you're at it. Fun Fun

 

[Prime624]

Unlike what the above poster said, retinues are not completely unrealistic. They need some work, but they definitely improve the overall game.

 

[Agrippa43]

I'm glad the above poster agrees with me when he says Feudal LEVIES are realistic.

But retinues are large STANDING ARMIES...very unrealistic for the majority of kingdoms of the medieval period.

 

[Prime624]

I'm glad the above poster agrees with me when he says Feudal LEVIES are realistic.

But retinues are large STANDING ARMIES...very unrealistic for the majority of kingdoms of the medieval period.

Fixed.

And standing armies might not have been exactly accurate, but being forced to holy war one duchy at a time, then disbanding armies, declaring war again, and raising them again is WAY more unrealistic.