So I'm about to start playing Civ V (gonna be my first Civ), and since there's a sale going on "that other games digital distribution site", I thought it might be a good time to get any DLC I might be interested on eventually getting (provided it's not perfectly feasible for this game to just start playing what I've got and get something else at a later time; is it?).

I got this in the Humble Sid Meier's Bundle, so I already got the two major expansions (BNW and GaK), as well as Scrambled Continents and Scrambled Nations map packs. There are eleven other pieces of DLC listed on the game's store page, but I think some of them are redundant since they're already included with the expansions.

Since I can barely understand what most of the DLCs are supposed to add (they're not all that informative and I haven't yet played the actual game), I ask of you, wiser goglodytes: which of the DLCs should I consider getting (some explanation on what the actual content is would be greatly appreciated)? Which am I supposed to already have anyway? Which suck so bad I should not touch them with a ten foot pole?

Also, I think Civ V was a daily deal a couple of days ago, meaning the DLC had a higher discount. Does Steam usually repeat those kinds of deals at any point during the sale, or am I just stuck with the 50%ish until next sale?

Most of the DLCs are new races to play with, whether they are considered must have for you depend on the race themselves (and your likes of course). Some of them also include specific scenarios, which again depends on whether you like it or not.

So feel free to ignore them, especially since you already have Gods and Kings and Brave New World.

Good for you, you're about to start a wonderful adventure. As it's your first time, start it in Chieftan or Warlord difficulty and then move up as you get more familiar with this wonderful game.

The best way to see if you're missing any DLCs is to find CiV in your Steam Library right click on it, choose "View Downloadable Content" and there you see what you have attached to your account.
Or you can go straight to Store and search for "Civilization V", all that is in your library will be marked properly and if you're missing something you will know what.

Report back after you've done so and then I can tell you if that thing you're missing is worth getting or not (but generally everything CiV is worth getting :D).

According to that I've got what I mentioned plus the Mongols and Gengis Khan Civ and Scenario pack and the Conquest of the New World Deluxe Scenario. According to a review on "that other site", "It is important to understand that this DLC was made somewhat redundant when the Gods and Kings expansion was released, and if you have G&K, you may not want to buy this separately, because: 1) the Spanish civ is also added in G&K [yay! XD], and 2) there is a modified scenario called "Conquest of the New World Deluxe" which utilizes G&K content, and is available as a free download. In other words, if you already have G&K, what you are getting with this DLC is the Inca civ and the original version of the CotNW scenario. Now you know". So yeah. I don't know where the Mongols came from, they don't seem to be listed in the DLC list (maybe they're free?).

So I guess there are three kinds of DLC:

- Civ and Scenario pack: As mentioned above, I guess it boils down to whether I like the civ or not. Just how different is the gameplay depending on the civ you pick? I know each is supposed to have an exclusive unit or perk, but is that really game-changing, or just minor adjustments for variety and flavour? Also, what's a scenario? Kind of a preset game with specific a specific map and specific goals? Are those really different from a "normal" game?

- Cradle of civilization: I can't really put my finger on these. Is it just maps? Are these all that useful, or just gimmicks?

- Others: Wonders of the Ancient World Scenario Pack and Explorer's Map Pack. Not all that different from the above, I guess. Worth it?

Sorry if I'm asking about obvious stuff. As I said, I never touched a Civ before (didn't even install the game yet). Maybe the answers to some of my questions will be made apparent within the first hour. And, of course, I understand that most of these DLCs worth is subjective, but I'd value your opinions as useful guidance.

Short answer: You don't need anything other than what you have right now.

BNW and GAK are the only add-ons that are expansion and rebalancing packs. Not really worth playing without them. With them, it's a great game.

Everything else is little extras to give more life to the game after you've put 400 hours in.

If you already have Gods & Kings and Brave New World and haven't even started playing it yet, i'd say none of them are worth getting.

The DLCs that gives you new civilizations might be worth playing, if you think they look interesting. They all have their own playstyles and I've found them to be quite fun. The other DLCs I find lackluster.

Sales sometimes repeat, so it might be worth waiting

I like where the latest replies seem to be taking us :-P. I'm still interested in your opinions about specific pieces of DLC, if you've tried them. I might spill some cents if they go back to 75%. Otherwise, I think I've got enough for starters. Is there any new DLC expected to appear anyway?

Also, sucks to get a game before all its DLC is out. You can get a "GOTY" or complete edition later for pretty good value, but if you already have the base game or an "incomplete" version, "that other site" is still happy to rip you off for the rest of the DLC. Seems like a scumbag way of treating the ones that are supposed to be your hardcore fans (doesn't really apply to me since that HB was still great value).

I don't think it's against the rules to say "Steam", for what it's worth.

I'm also having trouble getting the DLC for a fair price without having to rebuy Civ V.

Only GAW and BNW are necessary to have a complete game.

The scenarios and extra civs are created to give people who have put 400 hours into it some fresh content to play with. What I'm saying is you can play 400 hours quite happily without any of those scenarios or civs. You will not have an incomplete experience of the game.

This is is a case of completely optional DLC that some people will want and will pay for and other people will not want and won't pay for, and nobody gets an incomplete game as a result and nobody gets gipped.

Cheers.

I only do it for the lulz. On a side note, my aunt has tea mostly in the morning (see what I did there?).

At this moment is seems you have quite enough CiV content at your disposal.
So, just go ahead, play few games and then just pick up additional civilization DLCs if you feel like it after you're more familiar with the game.

G&K and BNW are pretty much where its at...