In the post-apocalyptic genre, few games stand as tall as Fallout: New Vegas. Developed in 2010 by Obsidian Entertainment, this installment in the renowned Fallout series takes players on a journey through the Mojave Wasteland in the American Southwest. With its rich story, open-world exploration, and player-driven plot, Fallout: New Vegas quickly became a fan favorite. However, the game’s experience doesn’t end with the main storyline, as several expansions and downloadable content packs are available. We’ve got all the details about the different Fallout: New Vegas DLC right here, including the content each pack gives you, their standout features, and our opinion on whether they’re worth your money.
Fallout New Vegas Summary
Released in 2010, Fallout: New Vegas is an action-adventure role-playing video game developed by Obsidian Entertainment. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, specifically the Mojave Wasteland in the southwestern part of the former United States, in the year 2281. The events of the game’s story revolve around New Vegas, a city built in the ruins of Las Vegas, as the New California Republic struggles to defend the surrounding territory from the advancing threat of Caesar’s Legion.
In New Vegas, you assume the role of the nameless “Courier,” who, after being shot and left for dead, embarks on a quest for vengeance and becomes entangled in a conflict between the various factions vying for control of the Mojave. The game is renowned for its great world-building (featuring real-life locations like the Hoover Dam), morally nuanced choices, rich storytelling, endearing characters, great soundtrack, top-tier voice acting, and the freedom it grants players to shape their destiny in the harsh desert wasteland.
Fallout New Vegas DLC
There are six DLC packs available for Fallout: New Vegas. The most notable are four sizeable expansions that build upon the main game’s narrative and introduce new locations, characters, equipment, and challenges. Availability on current-gen consoles is iffy, but these DLCs are still available for purchase on PC on digital content platforms including Steam and the Epic Games Store:
Dead Money
Current Price: $4.99
Dead Money was the first Fallout: New Vegas DLC. It transports the Courier to the Sierra Madre Casino, a mysterious (not to mention dangerous) location filled with deadly traps and enemies. You must work alongside a band of strangers to survive and unearth the secrets – and the treasure – hidden within the casino.
Features: Dead Money introduces new weapons, additional perks, and a side story that explores themes of greed and redemption.
Honest Hearts
Current Price: $4.99
Honest Hearts, the second add-on for New Vegas, takes players to Zion National Park, a lush and picturesque location in stark contrast to the war-ravaged Mojave Wasteland. You become embroiled in the conflicts involving tribal factions and an enigmatic figure known as “The Burned Man” who has ties to Caesar’s Legion.
Features: This DLC introduces new weapons, enemies, and a compelling narrative with challenging moral dilemmas. The storyline in particular makes this add-on a favorite of many Fallout fans.
Old World Blues
Current Price: $4.99
The third add-on for New Vegas, Old World Blues takes you to the Big MT Research and Development Center, a bizarre and comedic facility inhabited by eccentric robotic scientists. You must navigate this strange world while uncovering the truth about your past. Prepare for a challenge!
Features: This DLC offers unique weapons, humorous dialogue, powerful new enemies, noteworthy voice acting, and a storyline filled with all sorts of scientific absurdity. It’s all wrapped up in a distinct mid-20th-century sci-fi aesthetic in keeping with the general Fallout vibe.
Lonesome Road
Current Price: $4.99
Lonesome Road is the fourth and final large add-on for New Vegas. It takes you on a journey through the treacherous canyons and war-torn landscapes of the Divide, where a never-ending battle rages between lost battalions of Caesar’s Legion and the NCR. You follow the path of the mysterious Courier Six, who holds the answers to questions about your past.
Features: This DLC introduces powerful weapons, an increased level cap, new perks, and a gripping and violent storyline. As the final add-on, it ties up loose ends from the main game and the preceding DLCs. It’s also arguably the darkest and bleakest of the New Vegas add-ons.
Gun Runners’ Arsenal
Current Price: $1.99
Features: While not a narrative DLC, Gun Runners’ Arsenal provides the Courier with an arsenal of new weapons, ammunition types, and weapon mods. It’s a must-have for those seeking extra firepower, something you can never have too much of in the Mojave Wasteland.
Courier’s Stash
Current Price: $0.99
Features: Like the Gun Runners’ Arsenal DLC, the Courier’s Stash is a resource pack that gives you access to additional items. It combines the Caravan, Classic, Mercenary, and Tribal Packs, previously available only to those who pre-ordered the original game. Each pack contains unique weapons, ammunition, apparel, and health items to help you on your journey.
Fallout New Vegas DLC checklist
With four expansion packs and two content packs, the Fallout: New Vegas DLCs cover a lot of ground. It’s all too much to list here, but these are some of the most notable standout items and perks you should keep an eye out for:
Dead Money:
- Holorifle: A unique energy weapon that fires red energy projectiles.
- Sierra Madre Armor: A special suit with unique abilities and a distinctive appearance.
- Elijah’s Ramblings: A perk that boosts your energy weapon damage.
- Ghost Harvesting: A skill that allows you to extract chips from holograms and radios for currency.
- Elijah’s Jury-Rigging: A perk that lets you repair items with similar but different equipment.
- Chem Reliant: A trait that increases the effects of chems, but also their addiction rate.
- Dean’s Electronics: A skill book that grants an increase to your Science skill.
- Coin Operator: A perk that improves your barter and gambling skills.
- Sierra Madre Martini: A unique crafting recipe for a potent consumable.
- Elijah’s Last Words: A holotape that provides lore and backstory.
Honest Hearts:
- .45 Auto Pistol: A powerful semi-automatic handgun chambered in .45 Auto.
- Zion Wildlife Cowboy Hat: A unique hat with special bonuses.
- Joshua Graham’s Armor: Protective gear worn by the DLC’s central character.
- Ranger Sequoia: A powerful revolver used by the NCR Rangers.
- Survivalist’s Rifle: A unique, customizable battle rifle.
- Grunt: A perk that boosts the damage of your companions in combat.
- Home on the Range: A perk allowing you to craft ammunition and items at campfires.
- Roughin’ It! Bedroll Kit: A portable sleeping bag for well-rested bonuses.
- Waste Not: A perk that improves your efficiency with consumables.
- Comprehension: A perk that grants additional skill points when reading skill books.
Old World Blues:
- Tesla Cannon: A devastating energy weapon that fires arcs of electricity.
- Mysterious Magnum: A unique .44 Magnum with bonus critical damage.
- X-2 Antenna: A helmet with unique features and protection.
- K9000 Cyberdog Gun: A customizable, dog-themed energy weapon.
- Forbidden Knowledge: A perk that boosts critical hit damage.
- Cybernetic Implants: Augmentations for your body, enhancing various abilities.
- Elijah’s Advanced LAER: An upgraded variant of the standard LAER.
- K9000 Mod “Fido”: A unique modification for the K9000 Cyberdog Gun.
- Big Brained: A perk that increases intelligence and the effects of mentats.
Lonesome Road:
- Red Glare: A rocket launcher with homing capabilities.
- Ulysses’ Duster: An iconic, highly protective coat.
- Esther: A unique, powerful variant of the Fat Man.
- Marked: A perk that boosts your damage against Marked Men.
- Tunnel Runner: A perk that enhances your sneaking abilities in dark areas.
- Dilapidated Bunker: A player home with unique features.
- The Bear-Slayer: A unique machete with bonus damage against NCR.
- The Divide Eyebot: A mobile, craftable, and customizable companion.
- Nail Gun: A unique makeshift weapon.
- Blast Mastery: A perk that increases the damage of explosive weapons.
Is Fallout New Vegas DLC worth the money?
As with any downloadable content, the worth of Fallout: New Vegas DLC packs ultimately depends on what you want and are willing to spend. However, the consensus among fans and gamers is generally positive, and I’m inclined to agree. The DLCs expand the game’s lore and provide plenty of new content in the form of side stories, weapons, characters, and areas to explore. The four main add-ons provide a lot of additional content to chew on, so it’s safe to say that these DLCs give you your money’s worth.
The game has been out for over a decade now, so if you don’t own it yet, I strongly recommend buying the Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition all-in-one bundle. This includes Fallout: New Vegas along with all of the DLC mentioned above, and it goes on sale pretty regularly. Yet even at its normal price of $19.99, the Ultimate Edition bundle is a great value that gives you a ton of content to enjoy. In fact, it costs less than purchasing the Fallout: New Vegas DLC packs separately.
Fallout New Vegas DLC Tips and Tricks
The Mojave Wasteland is a rough place, and the new areas introduced in the DLCs are not any safer. All are chock-full of enemies and other hazards that will make quick work of the weak, slow, and unprepared. To make your Fallout: New Vegas DLC adventures go a bit more smoothly, consider these tips:
- Prepare Accordingly: The DLCs introduce some tougher enemies and different challenges than the base game. Ensure you’re well-equipped and adequately leveled before diving into them. It’s not a hard rule, but it’s a good idea to save the add-ons until you’ve finished (or have mostly finished) the main story.
- Explore Thoroughly: Each DLC features unique locations with hidden treasures and lore. Don’t rush through; take your time to explore every nook and cranny so you don’t miss anything. The checklists above can help you here.
- Save Often: Given the high-stakes nature and enhanced difficulty of some of these DLCs, it’s wise to save your game regularly to avoid losing progress. Remember: Quicksaving is your friend.
- Experiment with New Weapons: The DLCs introduce new and unique weapons, equipment, and perks. Don’t hesitate to experiment with and take full advantage of these, as they’ll come in handy when facing down tough new enemies.
In our opinion, the Fallout: New Vegas DLCs are a valuable addition to an already outstanding game and are well worth a purchase (especially if you can catch the Ultimate Edition on sale). Each one offers its own unique feel, an immersive storyline, expansive new areas to explore and conquer, and fresh weapons and perks to play around with. The amount of content they bring to the table is well worth the investment for fans and provide many hours of additional gameplay. So go forth, Courier; your Mojave Wasteland adventure isn’t over just yet.