I really enjoyed Stellaris when it first came here but I just can't anymore. Every time a major DLC comes out the mechanics of the game change significantly. I have to relearn how to play each time and if you don't have the DLC you are at a major advantage against the AI because they can access DLC benefits but you can't.

It's just all too tiring. I generally don't mind a large number of DLC but I am ambivalent about the implementation of them in Stellaris.

One good thing about Paradox is these free updates. Another good thing is that their releases now come Day One to GOG. That's what happens when you outsource your beta testing to your players. :/

On the other hand, I've read good things about Stellaris' evolution in the last years, and I would like to try it myself, but I'll probably wait for the Super Complete Definitive Gold GOTY Collection Edition.

The blue dot in the library screen is still broken, GOG...please fix that.

Question:Did some DLCs change imperial administration? For me the most annoying thing is that it counts not only planets but also districts.

You mean administrative capacity? Yeah that's changed, your population also counts toward it now (as far as I know, districts always counted toward it). But the difference is you can now build Admin buildings in your planets to get admin cap higher (previously it was just something you increased by research). I've found that having one admin building on each planet was enough to keep me under the cap (if I upgraded the building).

Damn, I was waiting for a Definitive / Complete Edition of Stellaris, I guess I'll wait more and more...

Thank you. Do you remember which dlc/version of base game change it? Still, I wouldn't trust it. I remember what going with EU3 Gold/Complete/Chronicles Edition.:D

It changed with Federations, 2.6 I believe.

Compared to some other 4X games, I really like how much you can customize your faction (and AI factions). Which also makes it great for adult mods, of which there exist several. How many of those does Galactic Civilizations have? None, that's how many. Besides, to quote a great wise man, ''I challenge you to name one other game where you can play a transsexual Ewok jester.'' This is that game.

It was back in 1.9 when the game had a better AI, freedom of choice of starting traveling options, and more strategic decisions rather than currently of, "Put overwhelming defenses at the chokepoints."

That's true! Or The Surge Complete Edition, which was not complete instead of the Augmented Edition...

From the reply above your post., it's clear the free updates are not actually a good thing, if they are applying DLC features only to the AI, it puts base game owners at a disadvantage to strong arm purchase of DLC, You're Joking, right?
This is PI (Paradox Interactive), you ain't got a chance in hell.

PI's entire business model is sell bare bones, base game, and keep throwing DLC at it, it's essentially the same model as a live service business model, but using DLC.

It's due to the business model, that I never consider buying anything they publish.
Just look at these prices, for a 4 year old game

In the UK I see these
Full Price is £184.26 with 60% off £73.56
Adding new DLC Full Price is £199.73 with 60% off £89.05

In Dollars (According to GOG), that comes to
Full Price is $229.53 with 60% off $90.85
Adding new DLC Full Price is £248.84 with 60% off £110.16

Those prices are extortionate, and the content provided is not worth that 4 years after a bare bones launch.

Even those discounted prices are way to much, especially when It's clear the DLC is actually required, due to "free updates", adding DLC powers to AI, but not the player. Even Free updates are design to strong arm you into buying all the DLC.

I'd find this more acceptable, if when each new DLC came out, the old DLC was added to base Game.
The real fans willing to buy each DLC when new, would still buy them, but new customers coming later would get a reasonable price, for old content.

Look how much CDPR ask for The Witcher 3 Complete Edition, that's fair pricing, and I paid full price for that game, but I'd still be condemning CDPR, if they were still sold it at full price four years after release, like PI are doing.

The only way, I'd find there games of value, is if old DLC rolled into base game, as new ones were released.
So Full price £45 ($60) gets you base game, and a 60% discount is £18 ($24). With latest DLC sold separately for a fair price of about half what PI sell them for, but they could likely get away with there current rip off price, as most other DLC (Microtransactions) do.

It may (or may not) be a great game, bur it sure as hell isn't worth £200, no game is.
No matter how many microtransactions/DLC they sell.

Do you have an example of where that put base game players at a *significant* disadvantage? The only thing I can think of right now is that I believe AI players have access to all origins (minus a few ones the AI cannot deal with properly), but that would be mostly flavor and choice because I haven't really heard about any of them being completely overpowered.

Though I have to admit I bought all the important DLC bits over time because I had a lot of fun with Stellaris and never regretted my purchase, so playing with the base game is not something I have significant experience in.