What DLC Should I Start First in Fallout: New Vegas?
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The answer to the question of which DLC to start first in Fallout: New Vegas is clear: Honest Hearts. While the game allows you to tackle the DLCs in almost any order, Honest Hearts is the most logical starting point for a variety of reasons, encompassing both gameplay and narrative considerations. This initial DLC serves as an excellent introduction to the world beyond the Mojave Wasteland, offering a manageable challenge, a compelling story, and valuable loot to prepare you for the harder adventures that await in the other DLCs.
Why Choose Honest Hearts First?
Ease of Entry and Difficulty
One of the primary reasons to begin with Honest Hearts is its relative ease compared to the other three major DLCs. While the other DLCs – Dead Money, Old World Blues, and Lonesome Road – throw you into more challenging scenarios right from the start, Honest Hearts offers a gentler curve. The enemies are generally less aggressive, and the environment, while still dangerous, is more forgiving. This makes it an ideal place for players to acclimate to the DLC format and experiment with new weapons and playstyles without being overwhelmed. You won’t be constantly fighting for survival, which allows you to focus on the story and exploration.
Narrative Independence
Honest Hearts stands apart narratively from the other DLCs. While Dead Money, Old World Blues, and Lonesome Road share a loose thematic connection related to the mysterious Ulysses, Honest Hearts is a relatively standalone story centered around the conflict between tribal factions in Zion National Park. This separation allows you to enjoy the narrative fully without feeling lost or needing prior knowledge of the other DLCs. You’ll learn about the Sorrows and the White Legs, and get immersed in a fascinating conflict steeped in lore.
Level Suitability
Though Honest Hearts does not have an explicit level recommendation, it’s generally accepted to be the best to start with at lower levels than the other DLCs. While Dead Money is recommended for level 20+, Old World Blues for 15+, and Lonesome Road for 25+, Honest Hearts can be tackled successfully by characters as low as level 10, assuming you’re well-equipped. This makes it accessible earlier in your playthrough, allowing you to enjoy the additional content and loot it offers without having to grind for levels first.
Loot and Rewards
Honest Hearts offers a plethora of new weapons and gear that can be incredibly useful throughout the rest of your New Vegas journey. You can acquire items like the .45 Auto Pistol, .45 Auto Submachine Gun, the Compliance Regulator, Fire Bombs, War Clubs, and Yao Guai Gauntlets. These additions can dramatically improve your combat capabilities, making you better prepared for the challenges that await in the main game and the other DLCs.
Shorter Playtime
If you are hesitant about committing a significant amount of time into a DLC, Honest Hearts is also the most time efficient. Its average playthrough time is significantly shorter compared to the others, taking around 3-5 hours to complete, compared to 6+ hours for the other DLCs. This shorter timeframe is ideal for players who want to get a taste of the DLC content without getting bogged down in an extended campaign. You can quickly experience all the content Honest Hearts has to offer before moving onto the next challenge.
Fallout: New Vegas DLC – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the recommended order to play the Fallout: New Vegas DLCs?
While you can play the DLCs in almost any order, the generally recommended order, especially for a narrative and gameplay flow, is Honest Hearts, Dead Money, Old World Blues, and then Lonesome Road.
2. Why is Lonesome Road recommended last?
Lonesome Road is intended to be the culmination of the DLC storyline, tying together the themes and loose plot threads from the other DLCs. It presents the most significant challenge and has a direct link to the Courier’s past. Therefore, saving it for last provides a more coherent and climactic experience.
3. Is there a narrative connection between the DLCs?
Yes, there is an underlying narrative arc that connects all four major DLCs, particularly the latter three. Ulysses, a mysterious figure from the Courier’s past, plays a crucial role in this arc. You’ll see more of him and his motivations as you progress through Dead Money, Old World Blues, and Lonesome Road.
4. What is the hardest New Vegas DLC?
Lonesome Road is generally considered the hardest DLC due to its challenging enemies and intense combat scenarios. Old World Blues comes in second, while Dead Money and Honest Hearts are regarded as somewhat easier.
5. Do the DLCs raise the level cap in Fallout: New Vegas?
Yes, the DLCs raise the level cap from 30 to 50. This means you can continue to gain experience and improve your character further after finishing the main game.
6. Can you take companions into the DLCs?
No, you cannot take your regular companions from the Mojave Wasteland into the DLC areas. Each DLC has its own set of temporary companions you can recruit.
7. What are the main themes of each DLC?
- Honest Hearts: Exploration, tribal conflict, and the clash between nature and civilization.
- Dead Money: Survival, morality, and letting go of the past.
- Old World Blues: Science, technology, and the consequences of unchecked experimentation.
- Lonesome Road: Confrontation with the past, retribution, and the Courier’s identity.
8. Can I play the DLCs after finishing the main storyline?
No, you cannot. The game ends immediately after the main quest is complete. You must play through the DLCs before finishing the main story. Make sure to load a save before the Battle of Hoover Dam to experience the DLCs.
9. What are the best skills to focus on in Fallout: New Vegas?
The most useful skills include Speech, Lockpick, Sneak, Science, Guns, Explosives, Repair, and Barter. These skills will be helpful not just in the main game but throughout the DLCs as well.
10. What kind of preparation is needed for Honest Hearts?
For Honest Hearts, you should bring a light melee weapon, a pistol, a few magazines of ammo, light armor, a good amount of Stimpaks, and any necessary supplies.
11. How long does each DLC take to complete?
- Honest Hearts: 3-5 hours
- Dead Money: 8-10 hours
- Old World Blues: 6-10 hours
- Lonesome Road: 5-7 hours
12. Is New Vegas fun without DLC?
Yes, Fallout: New Vegas without the DLCs is still an incredible experience. However, the DLCs add significant depth to the story and provide some of the most memorable quests and characters in the entire game.
13. Are all the quests completable in a single playthrough?
No, you cannot complete every quest in a single playthrough. The game has multiple factions, and aligning with one often locks you out of quests from other factions.
14. Do the DLCs provide unique endings?
While the DLCs don’t alter the main ending, each provides its own mini-ending, impacting the world and offering different narrative outcomes.
15. Why should I consider getting the Old World Blues DLC?
Old World Blues is widely considered one of the best DLCs, thanks to its witty writing, unique characters, and high replayability. It’s worth experiencing despite the potential difficulties, especially if you want a fun yet challenging gaming experience.
Conclusion
Starting with Honest Hearts is the best way to ease into the Fallout: New Vegas DLCs. It offers an ideal blend of manageable difficulty, an interesting story, valuable rewards, and a relatively shorter playtime, making it the perfect entry point to the post-apocalyptic adventures. By starting here, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the challenges that await in the other DLCs, ensuring a more comprehensive and enjoyable Fallout: New Vegas experience.