What New Vegas DLC Should I Do First?
Fallout: New Vegas is a classic role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment. The game has four additional content packages, known as DLCs, that provide new quests, characters, and gameplay mechanics. Many players struggle to decide where to start, as the DLCs can be accessed in various orders. To help you decide, I’ll break down each DLC and its content, exploring the pros and cons of playing them in a particular order.
Release Order vs. Story Order
Before diving into the analysis, let’s discuss two approaches: release order and story order. Playing the DLCs in the order they were released may not be the best idea, as some DLCs are more dependent on character level or game progress. On the other hand, playing them in a specific order based on story progression may provide a smoother experience, but it could also result in spoilers. Ultimately, the choice between these two approaches depends on your playstyle and desired level of challenge.
Honest Hearts: A Good Starting Point
The Honest Hearts DLC, released first, is generally considered an excellent starting point. This DLC sets the stage for the post-apocalyptic world, introduces new factions, and has a unique storyline that differs from the main game’s narrative. It doesn’t require a high level character, making it accessible to players of all skill levels.
Pros of Starting with Honest Hearts:
• Unique storyline: Honest Hearts offers a distinct narrative thread that branches off from the main game’s story, providing a fresh experience for players.
• Relatively low level requirement: You can play this DLC with a lower-level character, making it a good starting point for new players.
• Introduces new factions: This DLC brings in new faction interactions and conflicts, enhancing the overall game world’s complexity.
Dead Money: A Challenging but Worthwhile Addition
The second DLC, Dead Money, is often considered challenging due to its high-level requirement (level 17 or above). Playing Dead Money first can help you gain experience and valuable loot, making the challenge more manageable. On the other hand, accessing Dead Money after completing some of the other DLCs may spoil certain storylines.
Pros and Cons of Playing Dead Money First:
| Point | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Pro: Experience and loot | Leveling up and acquiring essential items through Dead Money will make future challenges easier. |
| Pro: Familiarization with the Fort | This DLC introduces Fort Apache, a key location in the game, so playing it first can enhance your understanding of the larger world. |
| Con: Potential spoilers | Uncovering plot points in Dead Money could spoil the mystery and excitement of other DLCs. |
| Con: Higher level requirement | Dead Money requires a character of level 17 or above, which may frustrate new players or those who are not yet confident in their skills. |
Old World Blues and Lonesome Road
The Old World Blues and Lonesome Road DLCs are generally considered more action-oriented, with a higher level requirement (level 25 and 30 or above, respectively). Playing these DLCs too early may lead to overpowered character builds, while accessing them too late may render certain quests incompletable.
| DLC | Level Requirement |
|---|---|
| Old World Blues | 25 |
| Lonesome Road | 30 or above |
In conclusion, while there are valid arguments for playing each DLC in a specific order, I recommend starting with Honest Hearts, as it offers a fresh storyline and accessible gameplay mechanics. If you’re seeking a challenge, playing Dead Money first might be the best approach. Old World Blues and Lonesome Road should be accessed later, but the choice ultimately depends on your preferred playstyle.