My budget is limited and XCOM 2 is a solid contender for my summer sale purchase, but having read how WotC overhauled the game to next level and beyond makes me wonder if the base game alone is worth it in lieu of other options (that I won't rank here because they are too diverse to compare).

I have seen XCOM 2 gameplay but only with WotC content on, and I'd like to ask "veterans" if the base game justifies it's price (even discounted) alone or if I should sit this one out and go for something that might be more enjoyable and in line with my means and leave this one for the future.

Not a veteran, just someone who completed all XCOMs, through to WoTC... :-)

I’d say yes. I actually played the clean base game first on purpose, despite buying in with WoTC, and it was an enjoyable experience by itself. It was also distinct from the “first” XCOM, insofar as concealment and timers enforce a more dynamic style of play, especially on higher difficulties. I liked it way more than XCOM “the first”.

I’m not sure, if WoTC increases the quality that drastically – IMO it mostly gives you more stuff to “worry” about when you start the game, since the Chosen will be a significant tactical problem early on. For that reason starting on vanilla might even make sense outside of budget constraints, if you want to get a feel of the gameplay first. Heck, some people prefer the less “comic-hero” feel of the base game, over WoTC with its special individual soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

You can watch non-WoTC XCOM runs here (for example): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UIMUXt5gPs

Also, as stated by Mourioche, there’s a full conversion mod for XCOM 2 (Long War), that will give you more mileage out of your game, if you end up enjoying the vanilla experience: https://www.nexusmods.com/xcom2/mods/633/

A version of Long War for WoTC is also available. Technically, it’s a beta release, but it seems perfectly stable (I’m currently doing a WoTC LW run).

Thank you both for your answers with thorough details on the ins and outs of WotC content. I admit that modding has never been much to me, so I had not considered the mod potential of this game.

I shall weight carefulymy purchase with this new information. Much appreciated. I don't think I can mark both your posts as answer, but know that both have been of huge help.