Should I do DLC before Hoover Dam?

Should I Do DLC Before Hoover Dam?

As you embark on your journey through the Mojave Wasteland in Fallout: New Vegas, you may wonder when to tackle the downloadable content (DLC) packs. Specifically, should you complete the DLCs before or after the final mission at Hoover Dam? In this article, we’ll explore the best approach to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

What’s the Hoover Dam Battle?

Before we dive into the DLC conundrum, let’s briefly explain the significance of the Hoover Dam battle. Hoover Dam is the final mission in the main storyline of Fallout: New Vegas, where you’ll face off against the forces of the New California Republic (NCR), Caesar’s Legion, or Mr. House’s robotic army. The outcome of this battle will determine the fate of the Mojave Wasteland and its inhabitants.

Why Can’t You Continue After Hoover Dam?

After completing the Hoover Dam battle, your game will end, and you won’t be able to continue playing. This is because the story of Fallout: New Vegas reaches its conclusion at this point, and the game’s narrative is designed to be self-contained. No additional content or story progression is available after Hoover Dam.

DLC Content and Order

Now that we’ve established the importance of the Hoover Dam battle, let’s discuss the DLC content and its recommended order. There are four DLC packs in Fallout: New Vegas:

• Dead Money (DM)
• Honest Hearts (HH)
• Old World Blues (OWB)
• Lonesome Road (LR)

The recommended order for the DLCs is:

DM > HH > OWB > LR

Why This Order Matters

Completing the DLCs in this order is crucial for several reasons:

• Story coherence: Each DLC pack builds upon the previous one, and playing them in the recommended order ensures a coherent and cohesive storyline.
• Difficulty progression: The DLCs increase in difficulty, so playing them in the correct order allows you to prepare yourself for the challenges ahead.
• New quests and characters: Completing the DLCs in the recommended order introduces new quests, characters, and plotlines, which can be affected by your choices and actions.

Consequences of Not Following the Recommended Order

If you decide to play the DLCs out of order, you may encounter:

• Plot inconsistencies: The story might not make sense, or key plot points might be ignored or contradict each other.
• Difficulty spikes: Jumping into a difficult DLC without preparing yourself can lead to frustration and failure.
• Missing out on content: Not following the recommended order might result in missing out on crucial quests, characters, and storylines.

What Happens If You Start a New Game After Completing the DLCs?

If you complete the DLCs and then start a new game, your save data will be wiped, and you’ll have to play through the game again from the beginning. This is because the DLCs are designed to be part of the main story, and completing them alters the game’s world and narrative.

Conclusion

In conclusion, to get the most out of your Fallout: New Vegas experience, it’s recommended to complete the DLCs in the following order:

DM > HH > OWB > LR

Failing to follow this order may result in plot inconsistencies, difficulty spikes, and missing out on content. Remember, the Hoover Dam battle is the final mission in the main storyline, and completing it will end your game. Plan your approach wisely to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Here’s a summary of the recommended DLC order and their recommended completion order:

Remember to prioritize the Hoover Dam battle and complete it before attempting to play the DLCs out of order. Happy gaming!