I don't have Stellaris, but from my experience with Europa Universalis IV (a game by the same studio), playing it without DLC's is like playing soccer without a hand. I mean, sure it's possible, but not quite the best experience. To me, Paradox's game should be free to play, because the DLC's are so many that you are still effectively forced into spending money.


Don't buy the game unless you are ready to throw a lot of hours into it. Otherwise save the money for a less time consuming game with not a shit ton of DLC's.

Stellaris is perfectly fine to start vanilla. Perfectly complete. If you like it you will spend tens of hours just with the base game. I recomend you to purchase the dlcs later if you love the game. So, you will notice and enjoy the new additions step by step. And of cours you will spend another bunch of hours with the full pack. The game is very notable.