should I buy Civ4 Expansions?

[pmoney]

I've recently reinstalled Civ4, but realized I have not ever played the expansion packs (other than Colonization). I saw that Warlords and Beyond the Sword are being sold on Steam for fairly reasonable prices, and started wondering if I should get them. so, I've got 2 questions:

1) Colonization aside, do Warlords and Beyond the Sword really add significant improvements and gameplay additions to Civ4? is Warlord generally preferred over Beyond the Sword, or vice-versa?

2) if I install Warlords and then Beyond the Sword, do the features of each expansion stack or are they two independent and separate games? (if I install each, will the features of Warlords be present when I play Beyond the Sword?)

 

[lymond]

Colonization is really not an expansion pack, but rather a different game (remake) based on the CIV IV engine.

BTS and Warlords are mutually exclusive, but BTS contains all the content in Warlords less the delivered Warlords scenarios. In other words, you don't have to have Warlords to play BTS.

BTS is the latest and greatest version and the one I recommend playing. Most of the good modpacks now apply to BTS, including the wonderful BUG and BAT mods.

 

[mechaerik]

Buy BtS. That is all.

 

[Chronos I]

No question about it get BTS. Makes the game exponentially better.

 

[Dr.Null]

BtS is awesome and many consider it a necessity. You don't need anything else.

 

[Dhoomstriker]

Warlords does have some nice scenarios. It also gives you a good introduction to new concepts such as Great Generals and Vassal States, without throwing as many new things at you all at once as Beyond the Sword does.

So, if you enjoy Civ 4 gaming and if the price is right, buy both. We still have Game of the Month competitions using the Warlords expansion, so there are still people who play that expansion pack on the forums.

That said, if you only have the money to buy one or the other, buy Beyond the Sword.

 

[The7Sins]

Yes get BTS.

 

[Psyringe]

Get BtS, it adds a multitude of new gameplay elements (and improves on some which weren't ideal in Civ4 vanilla). Also, if you wantg to play mods at some time, most of them require BtS by now.

As has been said already, BtS includes everything from Warlords (all changes to the main game, all new leaders and civilizations, etc.) except the scenarios. So unless you have a specific interest in one of the Warlords scenarios (or want to play a Warlords mod that never had a BtS version), there's no reason to buy Warlords.

 

[duckstab]

You'll also want to make sure you have BtS patched to the latest version, 3.19, which can be downloaded from this very site: http://forums.civfanatics.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=12576. Civ4 Complete may already be patched to that level, I'm not sure.

In addition to bug fixes, 3.19 is a prerequisite for most of the latest mods and allows you to play without a CD in the drive.

 

[Furiey]

Sometimes you can buy Complete for less than BTS on its own so check out pricing. You usually have to patch Complete to 3.19 for BTS, the rest are up to date (disc version), download versions may be supplied fully patched. If you do buy Complete make sure that you fully un-install Vanilla before you start installing complete.

You could buy both expansions, but BTS will give you everything in Warlords except for the scenarios. So unless you find a cheap version of complete, or particularly want the warlords scenarios just buy BTS.

PS: if you have a disc version of Vanilla DO NOT buy a download version of BTS as they are unlikely to work together.

 

[Grassland Farm]

You should not buy BTS.

You must buy BTS.

 

[AlpsStranger]

BTS *IS* Civ4 at this point. It rounded out the game quite nicely and I no longer consider vanilla a "legit" Civ4 experience.

 

[MeatUnit2]

Get BtS. You will enjoy it. Then start by downloading the BAT mod. Say goodbye to your social life.

Hooked another sucker!