Other than the new camgpaign most DLC was poorly integrated cash grab filler IMO.
I actually recommend turning it all OFF on the first play, with the possible exception of Stone Prisoner. Here are some thoughts by category:
Continuing Campaign
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This can be the first thing you turn on after finishing the game. You can finish the story then turn this stuff on to continue. In order of play.
Awakening is a sizable new adventure that happens after the main adventure. Goes to much higher level. I thought it was fun.
The Golems of Amgarrak: Kind of hack and slash challenging mod, unlocks some powerful items for future play. Not tremendous fun. Can be skipped.
Witch Hunt is the Final adventure. Much Shorter than Awakening, but I enjoyed it, liked the ending. Many did not.
These are the only three that are real campaigns, and they happen after and extend beyond the main adventure.
Item DLC:
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There are bunch of poorly integrated items. I won't enumerate. These are more like "pay to win" micro transactions. IMO they ruin the balance of the game and best avoided on the first play. Many origins start you off in the underclass, turn on these DLC items and all of sudden you have a load of expensive powerful items, or you can sell them for loads of cash. They make no sense. But it depends on whether game balance and logic matter to you.
Integrated Mini adventures:
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The Stone Prisoner: This came with the original game, and was decently integrated, and ads a new companion. Turn on during the first play would probably be what most experienced.
Wardens Keep: Poorly integrated but gives you a storage chest and some weapons/armor. Kind of Meh.
Return to Ostagar: Poorly integrated but gives you some weapons/armor. I liked this one. It gave me some sense of closure. Weapons and Items are kind of glitch because of poor integration, and don't import properly to Awakening and beyond.
Stand alone Mini Adventures:
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These take place completely outside the game. Play anytime or don't.
Leliana's Song: Some background on Leli, unlocks powerful item that appear forever after (see above). It's OK, but far from necessary.
Darkspawn Chronicals: Play as Darkspawn, unlocks powerful item that appear forever after (seeing a pattern?). Novelty wears off in 5 mins, only reason to complete is to unlock item.
Post edited October 30, 2016 by PeterScott
