Which Space Engineers DLC would I get first? (and some mods so you might not have to)

[@Duratch]

I have all the dlcs, I fully agree with splitsies’ ranking and statements. I recommend using this video to decide on what dlc you are going to buy!👍

[@Splitsie]

Thanks, good to know I wasn't completely off the mark 😂

[@mikecdammit1990]

I just recommend buying them all, the DLC’s are cheap and the time you pay for them all, you have paid the normal price for a finished modern game, and they still have more plans to update this game even more.

[@grandadgamernz]

I have them all and I use them all.

[@Kaboom-0623]

@@Splitsie you did highlight something that you didnt really touch on directly ... it boils down to play style and design desires .... they all have their uses ... it just matters what uses the player wants more of

[@weirdochristoffel5285]

ima get ultimate edition to support devs aswell as getting every dlc at once

[@grinchcrafter8969]

Decorative 1, now also known as.... the TOILET DLC I've made a habit of picking up the DLCs when they release, so the potential need to prioritize getting one over another hasnt really crossed my mind. But the reasoning presented for each ranking makes alot of sence in my book. I've personally also phased out using the "old" corridor pieces, particularly because they dont have in-built flooring.

[@Splitsie]

Lol 🤣

[@Vivi-yw1eu]

In my last large ship I've found a use for the corridor wall pieces as some decoration over the stairs, while otherwise using the new corridors

[@Tilleen]

I just need a ceiling plate that would make a three wide corridor work nicely. I don't need posts every 2.5 meters.

[@high787]

Honestly, i wouldnt know witch goes where, I dont think ive ever played without any of the dlc's. and the DLC's is like the base game for me.

[@Splitsie]

There are a few blocks like the cylindrical column that I completely forgot was DLC until I started making this, it's so easy to forget 🤔

[@KaedysKor]

@@Splitsie I legit didn't realize the catwalks, barred windows, transparent LCD, or railings were DLC blocks. The things that came in more recent expansions I can more readily identify, but I too picked up basically all of the decorative packs very early when I first started playing SE, and never really played without them available >.

[@darmocat]

"Wait...so it's all Greebing?" "Always has been"

[@StarWarsExpert_]

Greebing the country or what? ??

[@darmocat]

@@StarWarsExpert_ typo that youtube woudn't let me correct. I wanted to type "Greebling"

[@StarWarsExpert_]

@@darmocat I don't have English as my mother tongue and I translated that word, but I still don't understand what u mean about the DLCs

[@Andrew.A.]

@@StarWarsExpert_ "Greeble" is a term coming from the model-making hobby space. It refers to small bits and pieces added to a model to add depth or complexity. It's a word thought to have come around in the 1970s; used particularly in the context of sci-fi models like, for example, in Star Wars.

[@StarWarsExpert_]

@@Andrew.A. Thank you for clearing that up!

[@MorthasNestor]

Deluxe Edition also includes the Soundtrack (as far as I know even up to date) , Digital Artworks etc. So for me, as a Fan not just of the game but also the music and of course to support Keen, I think the Deluxe is worth it. And... shiny gold.

[@Splitsie]

I mean, it was also worth it for me as I've used the gold skin a bit, but it's 100% the last one I'd recommend anyone buy given what you get for what you pay :P

[@thedarkdragon89]

I also like being able to play the old version I remember from the early days, so much has changed!

[@manitoba-op4jx]

i bought the deluxe when it came out on a dare.

[@williamburnett3660]

​@@Splitsie The deluxe edition was the first DLC that came out and in comparison with the more modern DLCs I think it does need a bit of an update to add more. That does make me want to ask the question if you worked at keen what would you add to make it better or what would you think needs to be added? I mean yes you have the original Proto and a new soundtrack with a whole bunch of original artwork but people barely interact with the stuff and with the soundtrack I don't think they even notice. The most notable thing is the gold skin. I mean a lot of people were happy with it at the time but now in comparison it just seems a bit... well I don't know how to describe it really. I don't know maybe the deluxe edition could also have statues celebrating each anniversary of the game. Maybe even adding a ship head(s) would be really cool.

[@TheFinalEvent97]

10:52 Keen somewhat fixed this with the Contact update, the vanilla turrets don't have an asymmetrical overhang at the base anymore but the overhang is bigger than the DLC turrets.

[@Splitsie]

Oh, I hadn't noticed yet, that's interesting

[@shocktnc]

Now they just need to fix the oversized hitbox!

[@abcdefg9363]

​@@shocktnc yes please to that!!!

[@Matryoshkandroid]

​i once drove a rover through an archway, only to suddenly do a somersault and explode once most of the way through. all because i put an autocannon on the back and despite the mile of clearance between it and the archway (visually) the massive collision box ensured it went up in a great ball of fire

[@eshfwog]

@@Matryoshkandroid they fixed this as well in the same update (very epic, i know) 👍

[@aaronclemmer6503]

My favorite mod with the catwalks: Grated Catwalks Expansion

[@Splitsie]

I can totally understand why (there are so many nice bits in there), though as that mod requires you to have the DLC I thought I'd highlight Shaostoul's older one as it is able to replace them without buying anything

[@jowi_]

you can also use the old barred window as 45degree stairs, as they did in the olden times, you dont need an armour slope, but the catwalks still look way better of course

[@Splitsie]

Good point, though they did always look a bit funny with the fat bits at the top and bottom

[@carlwear1249]

I got warfare 2 just for the searchlight. I Have also used a mod, "Advanced systems scaffolding" It does have some useful blocks which I found helped with the DLC scaffolding to set up catwalks easier. It also has railings that sit one block below where they protrude. So if I want a railing but there is no room to put the railing block but there is space one block down, the railings in this mod will use that space to add the railing above it.

[@codymartinson9518]

Searchlight is peak, especially to use as a periscope/backup cam in 1st-person play. More visibility than a turret and smaller size than a camera on a pair of rotors.

[@carlwear1249]

@@codymartinson9518 Also when doing scrapyard, depending on what you have temporarily got hanging off the rover, the external view is often interfered with by your "cargo". A well positioned searchlight can be key to driving in that situation.

[@codymartinson9518]

@@carlwear1249 Absolutely. I have like three of them on my mining ship, for backing out of tight holes in asteroids.

[@adrewadrew5860]

I would put warfare 2 next to contract. Warfare thrusters battery new bridge antena plus new turrets made my bricks little bit more preaty.

[@Splitsie]

Yeah the warfare batteries can be a bit difficult to do without sometimes

[@KaedysKor]

@@Splitsie I strongly agree with you on the warfare batteries, too. I basically never use the standard vanilla batteries on small grid anymore. Similarly, I just straight always use the Automation versions of the programmable blocks on small grid, purely for their wildly superior mount points. Actually, mount points might have been something to highlight here. Some of the DLC blocks, even if they're in theory just "reskins", have much better mount point options. You covered a bit of that with the inset lights and the med bay, but the Automation blocks are another good example where mount points are much better. Even the large grid Automation programmable block has wildly better mount points than the single bottom-only mount point of the vanilla programmable block. The Industrial pack assembler is similar, it allows a fully-moduled assembler to be placed in only a 2-block-wide space, with two rows of modules on the back and another pair on the top and bottom, rather than the vanilla setup where you have to make a 3x3 plus shape with the modules to fully augment the assembler.

[@JoMabo1]

Can we all agree that splitsie is the father of space engineers? making sure his kids buy the new correct toy, makes guides so they know how to use said toy. my favorite space engineers streamer. Glad I found you when I did Splitsie !!

[@Texfire]

"The spinny lights... My friends use it in a really annoying way". Hmmmmm, looks sideways at his various fire trucks. 😂 Agreed, the Kolt Command seats, and Shautoul's catwalks and Enenra's AQD series of block and armor mods have made most of the interesting bridges and exteriors of series I've participated in. The best part of SE for me has always been the excellent content the modding community have given us. That disclaimer aside, I'm glad that the Xbox players have a chance to use the various blocks that the Keen artists have put out. -PS and Spacebar, AutoMcDonough, DarthBiomech, and all the wonderful modders that I'd feel guilty leaving out of a list. Frankly there needs to be a similar video of favorite mods that add options as well.

[@armastat]

his friends tend to place them right in front of camera that he really needs to use, that and they tend signel the locations of the seemly random DIscotecs.

[@TheScarvig]

darthbiomech certainly deserves an honourable mention in terms of modding (especially in the early years of SE), although i believe he stopped making new mods quite some time ago and also stopped supporting his old mods...

[@robertdelaney7033]

@@TheScarvig Yes, DarthBioMech deserves more recognition than he gets. The "fighter cockpit" in the game? it was his.

[@Triaxx2]

I forgot Heavy Industry added that 3-button panel. It's now very, very useful since we have the new piston/hinge/rotor controls. Two buttons to set positions and one to control a tool? Yes please. And the fact that it has a small grid variant where the vanilla option is that massive single button.

[@Splitsie]

So true, I'm looking forward to utilising those new rotor controls in Wrong Way Out as I have an idea ;)

[@Mnesterus]

its hilarious that you made this video because this is EXACTLY what i needed. I came back from long time ago and i have no dlc and was trying to decide which couple would give me the most for my money.

[@BrotherNick1984]

The scenarios are available to everyone on PC. The Frostbite scenario acted as an advert. And all DLC blocks are usable, in vanilla, they just cant be placed. You can play the game, and find the blocks through in game encounters. Than extract them rather than grind them down. Like the Prototech blocks! Or, like Splitsie's Scrapyard series.

[@MmeHyraelle]

Yesss i realy needed this video!! Sometimes it's confusing which dlc you need for a certain block you think is needed for your purposes. Thanks you!

[@Splitsie]

You're very welcome 🙂

[@ultmateragnarok8376]

I feel like the signs from Automatons add a lot of easy and effective detail. You can slap 'em on so many different themes of builds; they can go with wasteland scrappy stuff, with industrial settings, with control rooms or server rooms or hallways or even occasionally as funny jokes sticking 'hazardous environment' signs deep within crush zones. You even show its use, using the arrow to indicate standout blocks in the packs. And as a bonus, just for buying the sign you can make incredible looking server rooms very easily with the more realistic server appearance that the automaton programmable blocks and timer blocks have, which also artistically fit way better with vanilla event controllers and broadcast controllers - the timer block in particular, with its big bulky physical timer mechanism (that was more detailed before the massive block appearance overhaul ages back), kind of shows how the artstyle of the game has moved on a bit from some blocks. Warfare 2 is definitely up there with my favorites - I never use the normal airtight doors when the warfare variants give you more freedom and look nicer, the thrusters are of course wonderful, and something I actually quite like is the small grid warfare reactors, and the large grid small warfare reactor - though I really wish there was a large grid version of the small grid large one, for those truly massive builds, as it just looks a lot sturdier. The battery too with its harsher corners just feels a lot more sturdy than the base one. The hatch door is also one of my favorites, it comes with a lot of good variants and is quite versatile in its theme applications. Works somewhere on nearly every large grid build. Decorative 3 competes with the grated catwalks to be my favorite of the decorative packs - the medbay and cryopod are nice, as are the other inset blocks particularly on compact large grids, but I'm just a way bigger fan of the easily integratable solar panels that you can match to color schemes on ships and to armor height with their half block thickness. But my favorite component of it is those scaffold blocks. They're great for detail in so many scenarios, and I have always loved putting scaffolds to use in games - while the armor block build states can be used for the same purpose, they don't look all that great up close like the scaffolds do. Though a scaffold stair, particularly if it was a single block half stair and half horizontal catwalk, would be incredible. For the rest of the pack, the round beacon also looks much nicer on a ship exterior than its bulky-bodied vanilla counterpart, so it's really good for people who like drones enough to need a lot of beacons. Heavy Industry is a pack that I feel like I should like more than I fully do, given how harsh and industrial my style is. The base conveyors, particularly with the armored conveyors easily integrated as brackets to make them look supported, work fine enough (though there is something to be said for the X junction the pipes have), and the pipes don't really feel like something components should go through, just gasses. The big hydrogen tank is nice, but it is also situational, and doesn't work that well packed into an interior. Similarly the industrial cargo container, with its different connection points and missing ports, breaks even with its looks and how it can be incorporated with half slopes more than anything. The big magplate is cool but situational, the refinery and assembler have to be placed in certain orientations (and honestly I always did like how imposing the normal refinery looks when you set it upright in that same orientation anyways), the beams work better alongside heavier details or on large scales as they're very bland compared even to normal armor on some sides, and the increased size of the large hydrogen thruster can lead to issues fitting it into certain build styles (though placing two with the nozzles touching gives you a very 'contained alien' looking component). Hazard armor, while incredibly useful, is just as situational in use. It's a pack that works wonderfully for the theme it's going for and just not in a lot of other places. Contact goes half unused for me. I never seem to use the bridge windows, preferring my control towers to have larger angles and slopes like the 2x1 glass, nor do I find my corridors benefitting much from the inset walls or corridor blocks due to a simple difference of scale, but the control consoles pretty much carry the pack near the top - virtually incomparable for interior decoration, particularly as using them throughout different areas on particularly large builds can tie it together well. The trusses I use most of all with the truss decoy and the little truss lights stuck on the end, as decorative antenna towers to go alongside functional antenna - a big array of different communication-looking equipment goes a long way in making your control towers look good. But this is all just my own opinions. And at the end of the day, I am very biased by my style. Knowing what style you lean towards massively impacts which DLCs would best suit you. Someone who wants to use the neons as neon lights instead of wires or brackets, or really wants to use the different camo armors available, or countless other possibilities would have a different ranking to me, and a different ranking to Splitsie. Sandbox games are truly something in that way.

[@Splitsie]

Yeah, I really like those signs, but I feel like they're icing on a cake that feels very odd if you dont' have the cake to point the signs at :D

[@childishplumbino]

One thing I've seen mentioned about the railings is that it is one of the only blocks which is almost completely void *but has 2 connection points opposite eachother* As a result it can allow you to make spinny gubbins for your stations while only remaining 2 grids as you can use certain parts to then allow the rotation while remaining the same grid.

[@Skellitor301_VA]

One mod I am surprised to see still works despite not being updated since 2019 is the [CRD] Scaffolding Repack. It adds proper scaffolds including the stairs you're asking for. Not only that, the main scaffold block has some very useful variants, from the flat top section that is essentially a cheap full block, to an open top, an open top without the cross bars so you can fully walk through it, even one with half wide stairs that let you walk between levels. It really makes jetpack plays really nice to play.

[@CoyoteAllsgood]

I was just literally talking with my friends about the different DLCs because I'm about to get them into the game as well. Thanks for the vid!

[@hedwigmathijs3717]

As someone who mainly likes to build in small grid, I agree with placing Contact up top, but maybe not for the same reasons 🙂 It added some very nice sg blocks like the bunk and the kitchen parts. Those really help in creating small and 'alive' sg ships and rovers. I hope Keen will continue the trend and add more elements in sg format in the future. I would definitely like bathroom and shower parts, parts from the 'inset' line of blocks (kitchen, bookcase, aquarium, beds...) and maybe some control seats/stations. Oh, and maybe some nicely balanced small grid versions of the assemblers and refineries?

[@lobitoloco]

Very Capac move to not hide the "Unidentified Signal" - loving it. Great summary of the DLC, very much agree with your ranking

[@TomOfBattlefront]

You should’ve titled this video the DLC lizard. The way you lined up all the platforms makes it look perfectly like a lizard. I love the way that keen has been developing these DLC‘s over the years. I don’t know if I use all the blocks and all the different packs, but I will faithfully buy them every time to invest into their business. It’s obvious they’re trying to deliver something nice while also continue to fund the game.

[@aobaxxi4571]

the neon tube connection is GENIUS, I never noticed its use even though I had all DLCs🤯

[@_harbinjer]

very helpful Splitsie, you went above and beyond with this one. The time, energy and thoughtfulness you put into this , a thank you doesn't do justice enough

[@wannabewumpus]

I love heavy industry because of the explained points, plus the assembler has 4 spots for upgrade modules that fit with the modules themselves properly, whereas the base game assembler has them all of the place

[@mdmaniac301]

I have them all - bought and paid for - and while I might switch around one or two of those top 4 a little, you're otherwise spot on. I use the stairs and catwalks in just about every build. I usually play with jetpack enabled but I always make spaces accessible without one because it's just more fun. I always use the industrial refinery and assembler because they're just cooler unless I'm planning to hide a bunch of assemblers in the build somewhere. I haven't used the Signal corridors or Bridge consoles yet but when I get home I'm totally remaking my "control room" with those.

[@HighOutlook]

My favorite pack is the Heavy Industry pack, as it has my favorite engine to use, the industrial hydrogen thrusters. I just love how they look, and while I don't use them too often, as I mainly keep thrusters inside my ships, if the thrusters are on the outside, and are hydrogen, they are my go to, especially for builds that are meant to be older or less advanced.

[@user-xsn5ozskwg]

Really great list. I was reflecting on the price of all the DLC with the recent update and was taken aback because it's all quite expensive with the base game, so this is a good resource for people who don't want to spend all that money. It's also great that you pointed out mod alternatives. It's funny, I think that as the style gap continues to grow between the new blocks and the current ones there might actually be a place for some of the mods that were in the original style (though maybe with updated ports/conveyors). I remember all the early thruster and drill models back when planets were just introduced, and who could forget a certain large yellow-and-purple rover that had a toilet and seating area before we ever got a hint of DLC?

[@aricbrandt1486]

thanks splitsie! an excellent review of the DLCs as always

[@oldwolf8996]

I also have all the DLC. My reasoning is that since my best friend gifted the game to me, I would buy the DLC to also support the devs. Having all the blocks available is nice. While I don't use all of the blocks, I do use some from all of the DLC. That said, I also use a lot of mods. Shastoul's catwalks has been in my mod list for as long as I can remember as well as the command console pack. Your assessment is very good, though.

[@CyprustheWaruhi]

Your last statement about being really hard to rank tells you how well done some of the dlc blocks actually are. And i can agree. I do appreciate that keen when updates drop they sometimes fix or add in a few more blocks to previous dlc.

[@lWhiteRavenl]

Beam Blocks from heavy industry is perfect for roads because it more grippy than regular armor blocks

[@thorivaldic]

Every DLC is a must! But that is just me... Addicted for years!

[@johnnyzakka]

I'd just buy the entire top half xD I have all DLCs and can honestly say that I use all of them for different parts of survival, builds and theme based on which planet I'm on and which survival scenario I make for myself. I also really appreciate how affordable they are, always loved that Keen does that!

[@ScarryHarry93]

I know I for one definitely use heavy industry the most I'm sure - the conveyer pipes, and all of the functional parts honestly, look better than their vanilla coutnerparts imo. There's so much detail in each and every block - that and deco pack 2 for the catwalks like you mention. Though I think all 3 deco packs and heavy iundustry are super useful

[@csorgb05]

My favorite mod is: Rotary Airlocks No need to hog up space, and deal with sensors or vents. Its a compact design and fits well into your build. No accidental depressurization.

[@StickJock819]

This is a great video because the amount of DLCs can be daunting to new players whereas long-term players have seen them as sort of an optional, dirt-cheap subscription.

[@Splitsie]

So true, that's kinda been my approach with them over the years

[@stevebassett3709]

I have a good chunk of DLC’s. Only missing contact and Signals. Think I’ll have to add them after watching this. Good video. Thanks Splitsie.

[@dougluke5143]

I have all the DLCs and i definitely agree with this placement, thanks for making this Splitsie! Now i have a video to refer to my friends when they keep asking me what dlc to get 😂

[@Voltikz95]

This video made me realise half of my DLC wasn't actually working 😂 I was looking for that modular cargo container, then realised like three other dlc packs weren't there... thanks splitsie!

[@50_Stars_and_Stripes]

I bought the base game and fell in love with vanilla, but was drooling over access to the dlc's to fully make a proper ship and base. I bought them all without blinking an eye. There are things I love in each pack that I use in all my designs and am finding new ways to use blocks that I've looked over before. What this game really needs is a base armor block expanded set. Coming from playing Empyrion and 7 Days to Die with the variety of basic blocks, SE is limited in that point.

[@abcdefg9363]

Which??? All of them even future ones

[@RealSensationalBeing]

Air Sea Land - Multifunctional module (Added decoration package) is a contender for modded decoration. Thrusters are a little strong and I think the connectors might not be right. But on the plus side it has small-grid ramp doors. NiteOwl Echo Base Decorative Pack NiteOwl Naval Theme Prop Pack Humanoid's Ship Hull Blocks pack Yurand Furniture Ba Sing Se Decorative pack EDB - Expanded Decorative Blocks by UOH Maxime's Stargate SGC (good for desk chairs) Maxime has other decoration mods too Gothic Decor | 40k Manufactorum Stonelord's camping [Sentis Project] Furniture Pack Modern Beds v2 - the only true bunk bed I know of on the workshop Death Star Interior Remastered A large set of blocks for a small grid from MPM

[@Splitsie]

That's a solid list, I hadn't heard of a lot of those :)

[@AHawksDive]

Those two mods at the end were a 'blast from the past'! you used both heavily in the earlier survival series. Decorative 2 and 3 would be my top picks, just so i can keep spamming catwalks everywhere :)

[@Splitsie]

Yeah, I was especially surprised the catwalks are still working perfectly 😂

[@redizdead666]

I started SE recently and I bought every dlc in the span of 2 months :D but if only one pack should be picked, i would say heavy industry. just for the pipes. they are so cool and easy to integrate : nobody wants a spaghetti converyor mess.. but spaghetti pipes ?! oh boy, it's decoration !

[@Splitsie]

Lol that's a very fair point 😂

[@Eddygeek18]

What timing, I got some DLC's last night wondering what the hell to get and then you post this. I agree with your list quite strongly although Signal for me is below the other 3 since I was more interested in functionality with style a secondary aspect of my choices. I ended up buying: Heavy Industry, All 3 decorative packs, Contact, Automatons and Warfare 2. and wish listing Signal, Sparks of the Future and Wasteland for later.

[@Splitsie]

Yeah, for that approach I can't disagree :)

[@RichyN25]

I've bought all of them myself, and quite a few for friends. I love the game and definitely want to support Keen, and when they go on sale they are like $2.50 each, so it's really easy to scoop them all up

[@neonpinhead8079]

Best answer… all of them! Especially since all but contact is 50% off right now on the keen website. All DLC +game $41

[@Spartan0381]

Interestingly, I don’t have any of the DLCs, but I do have access to several of the decorative blocks. Primarily corridor blocks, toilets, and grated catwalks.

[@tu-95turbopropstrategicbom55]

Heavy Industry is very high on my list because of the beam blocks. Specifically, the 2x1 slope tip is fantastic for covering the awkward gap between the nozzle of a hydrogen thruster and the surrounding blocks of a hull.

[@Splitsie]

Yup, especially on small grid :)

[@dominicthomas1455]

I couldn't play without the DLC blocks. They add so much character and interior choices for builds

[@mystic-malevolence]

When I started buying the DLCs (around when either Wasteland or Heavy Industry had just come out) my first three picks were Decorative 1, Decorative 2, and the Style Pack (I wanted digital camo heavy armor back). I think the first two decorative packs are good enough for making compact interiors on their own. I think you have understated the usefulness of lockers! I followed these up with either Sparks of the Future or Warfare 2 for thrusters. Because the vanilla ion thrusters are a bit clunky to use. I think you've overstated the warfare battery a little. You only need it in situations where your batteries aren't mostly buried.

[@Splitsie]

I build loads of rovers and atmospheric ships where the batteries are exposed, because burying them leads to things being much more chunky, so in my use case they're visible a lot :P

[@PEPigeon02]

While not a replacement mod for catwalks (still requires Decorative #2), I feel like it is a must have for walkable space; Red Blood Cell's Grated Catwalk Extension. Adds a host of catwalk types for seemingly every eventuality, and critically, brackets for attachment points, that have both width and half width variants for if you're using the half width catwalks and don't want part of the neon tubes sticking out.

[@Darkstar-qb3dh]

started playing se when i was 15 and since then ive kept up with all the dlc and i dont regret a single dollar, money well spent imo. (i have all of em and they are great)

[@dennisklaus7188]

With the automatons DLC I'd say it's a must, in the sense of combat and PCU savings. Looking at the forward camera. Although it's a small savings on PCU, the hitbox compared to the non-DLC version, it's much harder to disable. And my pick order, first at top: Automatons Contact Decorative 1 Decorative 3 Decorative 2 Heavy Industry Sparks of the Future Warfare 2 Warfare 1 Wasteland Frostbite Economy Signal Style Pack Deluxe Also for those that don't want to spend your own cash, you can sell skins on the steam market place. Collect the unknown signals, recycle them into valuable skins and sell them. I've personally have never brought any of the DLCs with my own cash. I either used this method or was gifted it.

[@Splitsie]

You're not alone,I know others who have managed to buy the DLC by selling skins too 🙂

[@SlashesWithClaws]

Watching this made me realize just how many of the blocks I use all the time are from DLC. It is one of those things that I just do not think about while building. I have all of them, even got Deluxe, though I did wait for a 50% off sale for that.

[@Splitsie]

It was an interesting exercise going through them, the block that I'd completely forgotten was DLC was the column :D

[@thorramalani1877]

This is really player preference based, but I absolutely think you nailed the guide 👍🏻, its a very good compact guide if you are new and dont want to buy 10+ dlc packs At once.

[@AngryDuck79]

16:13 The only pipe missing is the double ended flanged pipe. You have no idea how circuitous I have to make my pipes sometimes just so that I avoid attaching non-flanged ends to flanged ends.

[@crabramen]

I personally don't use the DLC cockpits, consoles, energy blocks or thrusters because the mods have them better, but the rest I agree! (I use Spacebars cockpits, KOLT command consoles, Zardos hydrogen thrusters and tanks, AutoMcDonough's PocketGear and stackable wind turbines, Isy's solar panels and Darth Biomech's Accumulators if you want an alternative to vanilla batteries with pure storage.)

[@daz8405]

Nicely done, Splitsie - I prefer the Sci-Fi Ions myself, but everyone will have something different they prefer. Just one thing to note on the corner light/neon down comparison - the neon is only 1 PCU point while I think the lights are 10 points, just for players were that makes a difference. The blocks included with the update for everyone (the free part) was not discussed here for obvious reasons - but I do want to know, out of all the added base-game blocks, which is your favorite? I guess this would be a question of useful function rather than decoration, though.

[@Splitsie]

Good point on the PCU, I always have it off so I always seem to miss those differences

[@Splitsie]

That's a tough one, but it's probably the hinge

[@gruzzob]

The other important bit about the neon compared to the corner light is that it doesnt put an Incomplete block in your control panel. And just personally I don't like seeing red in my control panel.

[@Floralys2142]

Great video! Would love to see something similar on must have mods. Im thinking about playing spaceengineers myself again after a few years now.

[@mandyspence1599]

While I buy the dlc as a matter of course, despite not playing SE much, I do like how you broke this down. Its interesting to see what you find important to your game style and hopefuly you've helped those that aren't sure, because not everyone can throw money at games on a whim, no matter how much they enjoy it.

[@Splitsie]

That was my hope, the upfront cost of all the DLC is pretty steep for a new player, but negligible when you've bought them over several years

[@BrianJ1962]

I wonder how many mod authors are now racing to put a toilet into their packs - lol Nice rundown, Splitsie, top tutorial as always 👍

[@ranow3389]

My two favorite are the Heavy industry and Contact. Those conveyor pipes are so much better than the regular conveyor skin. Though, the armored conveyor are almost as good as the pipes. And the modular cargo container is amazing to use. I don't care if there might be some disagreement with capacity not lining up with the other small grid cargo containers based on size of block. Cargo port arrangement is key. Large small grid container can be annoying to place.

[@Elrohir2204]

As addition to the catwalks, I use the following mods: "Grated Catwalks Expansion" and "[Mafoo] More Catwalks" (Mostly because of the 1x1 full block stairs).

[@sverhrazum4935]

Me with all DLC's: hmmmm interesting video, i need to now!!

[@diamonje]

I just bought the ultimate edition bundle that came with all of them when it was on a 40% sale. The only problem is that it's not a season pass/deluxe edition type deal. For example back in my day the Blops 2 season pass came with all DLC current and future for a single purchase and I've seen other games that provide the same service in their deluxe edition. But not Space Engineers. Two more dlcs have come out for SE since, (signal/contact), and now it says I have 14/16 from this bundle. I guess now I know how they make their money.

[@teaFoxFarrel]

Honestly? Fantastic job, and yeah, so hard to pick between the DLCs once you get into the upper tiers. The only thing I was surprised you didn't mention was the saddle cockpit being the only option with an odd and an even option for saddle width, for those of us that love center line piloting. (I wish more control seat choices had this option)

[@Splitsie]

Oh yeah, that's a good point. To get an even width cockpit of any kind you need a DLC to do it

[@FazekasPK]

I'm the kind of player who likes to build realistic, lived-in buildings and walkable vehicles. I rarely use the standalone cockpits (even tho some are really nice), instead using glass panels and control seats with well built interiors (Contact and the latest warfare DLC makes me re-upload my Nomad series rovers). ...so warfare, signal, contact, heavy industry, decorative 1-2-3 is basically at the same level for me. Every single DLC is worth it imo. Specially, since they are not priced like the usual Ubisoft DLC.

[@Splitsie]

Yup, each one on its own doesn't feel like a big purchase, so it's easier for long term players to slowly pick them up

[@vagkroy]

All of them!

[@Splitsie]

Eventually, totally 😜 But we've all got to start somewhere

[@zacharythomas8617]

Sorry X-Box users.. my game is complete with all updates.

[@abcdefg9363]

​@@zacharythomas8617 one day....

[@Jacko4634]

Nice one splitsie

[@jacoblansman8147]

When I saw the Frostbite platform, I laughed because when that DLC first came out, I did the exact same thing with the antenna dish - stuck it on a hinge and a rotor, but I also had a timer block reversing the hinge every now and then so the antenna would raise and lower, just to make it a bit more dynamic

[@Splitsie]

Lol I did the same with the timers for the antenna I had in one of my survival games, it does look much more fun when there's more going on with it 🙂

[@tjthill]

Fully agree on the first-person value of the industrial cockpit in decorative 1. Indispensable. Also with pretty much everything else here.

[@Colt_RazorVolt]

things i did not know about all the dlcs i own untill i watched this video: 1 acessing the refinery and assembler from the top panel 2 warfare smallgrid battery exist.

[@Splitsie]

The inventory access thing is something I learnt relatively recently too :)

[@taqnology]

I tend to have an all or nothing approach to modded playthroughs -- either completely vanilla or quite heavily modded. With that in mind, Aryx Weapon Enterprises is a favorite of mine for any fighting vessel build. Not only do the blocks look good (and some of them are absurdly huge, yeesh), but it's also incredibly fun going into battle because weapon effects are so much more interesting than vanilla. It's worth noting that they are *not* particularly well balanced, though, so imposing additional limitations on yourself or modding in more difficult enemies might be necessary. Or just be an overpowered god of the cosmos. I'm not your mom.

[@P4YNinUK]

I whole heartedly agree with your assement of the DLCs and purchasing decisions. Honestly though KSH are one of the better developers when it comes to DLC, there prices are more then what I would personally consider fair. Couldn't help myself, but buy them all and even when I take breaks from playing, I still buy the DLCs for when I come back to it.

[@BlueSpark24]

ive got all the dlcs, i bought SE on offer with most of them included with deluxe. TBF i didnt even know some of the blocks existed. theres just so much variety its hard to choose sometimes. Definetly a good video to watch if your new to SE

[@Splitsie]

Yeah it's crazy, there's almost 1200 blocks in the game now

[@ryderlynch2281]

A very nice ranking, though I'm curious on how to managed to have each platform hover without visible thrusters. Internal thrusters? Either way, I have three points: First, and probably least important, every time you said "Wastedland" I kept thinking "Wasted" for some reason. It might have been funny to have him make a cameo, popping out from behind a block or something. Maybe with a cranky, sarcastic "What?" Even if it was just an outtake at the end. Second, I haven't looked at Kolts consoles in a while, but I do like the variety. I really hope that subsequent DLCs or updates expanding on the options for players as far as the consoles in the Signals DLC to match. I've always felt that adding new blocks is always welcome, but adding different variants of existing blocks so players have more options would be as well. Third, I would like Keen to expand the corridor blocks from Signals to include one with a door so we can build rooms off of them without having to use one of the other doors or maybe one with a door at the end so we could do doors between segments of corridor. Ultimately, I'd love a set of "room" blocks that allow us to fill out an interior space. Living quarters for example. A bed block with an attached floor and ceiling piece, so we don't see the bare armor block beneath it. Or maybe a block that is only a "floor" and "ceiling" piece that our Engineers could walk through and would allow us to create open spaces, but hide the bare armor blocks as I said.

[@Splitsie]

The platforms were all placed with long poles, then I put some voxel in to support them and deleted the poles 🙂 I certainly hope keen does another pass on several of the DLC to make all of them have more options for the blocks.

[@KaedysKor]

@@Splitsie As long as they were static grids, I wouldn't think the support voxels needed. Vanilla doesn't have the Force Dynamic Grids, after all, and you can simply enable Unsupported Grids in the world settings to allow this type of thing.

[@Splitsie]

True, I could have done that and enabled unsupported grids, but I'm so used to doing things this way that I don't even really think about it :P

[@KaedysKor]

@@Splitsie scrapyard had infected your brain! Tbh, kinda has for mine now too. As you said earlier in the series, that mod just kinda feels like how Space Engineers is _supposed_ to play.

[@tomtommasovaleriano962]

short answer: buy them all long answer: splitsie is wrong. No reason specifically, but its what he wants to hear. I think the best answer is you can try mods that get close, and if you like them then get the appropriate dlc that has the keen version. personally i have no issue just getting a new dlc, its a few bucks towards the continued upkeep of an 11 year old game, a worthy investment to keep more stuff coming. Though seeing some more scenarios from keen might be nice too...

[@Splitsie]

I'd love to see them try their hand at more scenarios, especially with all the NPC work they've been trying to do recently

[@cailco100]

There is a catwalk mod that expands the Vanilla version massively. Grated Catwalk Expansion by red blood cell

[@Splitsie]

It's a cool mod, but you need to have the decorative 2 DLC to use it as it uses DLC assets

[@TenebrousFilms]

Extra textures are always nice, economy is meh, love the frostbite door and gate (the radar dish is... a lot). The automaton light block is a boon, but the rest are good too; I think the fan vents are best for large spaces like hangers. The variants of functional blocks are the highlight of Warfare 2, I like hanger doors that don't have exposed gubbinz like the base version. Wasteland lights for small grid rovers, and industrial decor shelves (the variety is appreciated). Any offset cockpits are good for 40k style landspeeders. Decor 1 should have come out far sooner. The holo table is my favourite, ever since the old Extended Engineering mod that included a pair of (static) holo tables died. Dave Lister playing pool with planets, anyone? There's a mod that gives the toilet a functional door, btw. Contact's new cargo is great, but the cockpit (and associated blocks) with a floor make things a little tight, feels like I need to duck to get around. Square pistons for going through square holes, please and thankyou. Sparks, more thrusters and interior blocks are always nice. Decor 2 catwalks and railings, obviously; decor for med and science labs, and I use the rotating lights with MMaster's and Morph's Oxygen script for whenever a section loses pressure. Decor 3 medbay is far more convenient and interesting, but I've never used the scaffold, and I doubt I ever will. The industrial blocks are *less* convenient when it comes to connections, but are admittedly nicer to look at. I only ever use the black'n'yellows in one direction, with the smallest blocks possible... lining each vertical corner of a hanger's interior, for example. Signals consoles will never fall out of service, unlike the mod. I've only used the truss blocks to mimic Red Dwarf's hydrogen ramscoop (they need to add more angled variants). There are mods that provide small grid versions of *some* of the DLCs, I consider them a must have.

[@bordelorganise]

We can't deny it, when we use the blocks of some DLCs quite often in each of our builds, it is very difficult to make an objective ranking. I don't know if I would have made the same ranking but I think you must have spent a lot of time, and hair pulling, to have a satisfying ranking.

[@andybrown4284]

Bought one official DLC and one that helped fund SE while not technically being a DLC. Official one is the decorative pack which was for the truck cab cockpit. The other is Medieval Engineers which was ignored then abandoned by keen and at the time it really felt like the funding from sales had been diverted to space engineers. Left a bad taste in my mouth so while I will play SE I don't plan on buying anymore DLC's for it. That personal boycott does mean that you notice how many workshop BP's seem to use the wasteland tyres but replacing them manually is easy enough

[@codymartinson9518]

My style of builiding leans super heavily into a rugged, scratched-up realistic look, and I usually play 1st-person. Which means I use industrial cockpits almost exclusively, and use catwalks, cylindrical pipes, and caution stripes liberally. So Decorative 1, 2, and industrial are right at the top of my list, to the point of being indispensable. Frostbite and Warfare 2 are a little behind those three, because I use the doors and the searchlight, but they're both replaceable (such as using custom-turret-subgrids instead of searchlights, for example). I haven't gotten warfare 1, Automatons, dec 3, signal, or contact, or deluxe. And given the choice again, I wouldn't buy style, economy, or sparks. Almost criminal that industrial cockpit isn't base-game, as I would definitely call it objectively superior to the base cockpit.

[@Zenas521]

I've owned the game for about as long as Splitsie. I don't have any DLCs at the moment. I did buy two of them for a different computer, apparently Steam didn't register the purchase properly, so on my current computer I don't have any DLCs. The two I did buy if your curious, Sparks of the Future and Decretive Pack 1. When I get my new system I will buy and re-buy DLCs. I prefer to make civilian builds over military builds.

[@Splitsie]

That's really odd and frustrating :/

[@73mpn]

You must really love the catwalks. The only thing in that pack you recommend, and it's tied for the second best option to purchase.

[@Splitsie]

I do, they are so important for creating a sense of human scale to my builds that they're very hard to do without

[@Perriax]

I have bought all the dlc’s throughout the years. A big reason is ofcourse the blocks, but also to support the devs. The pricing of the packs is so unobtrusive, almost no reason, personally, to not get them.

[@AlanEvans721]

8:05 I call top toilet!

[@Splitsie]

Lol 😂

[@6105boe]

I would recommend Keen to roll a whole bunch of DLCs, at least all the older ones, into a discounted ‘catch-up’ package. Seeing so many DLCs can be a big hurdle for new players to commit to buying the game *at all*, and us older players who bought them eons ago will probably mostly see it as a good thing as it will add new players to the scene - especially if announced in advance that this change is coming. You could go the way that WoW does their expansions and just include an older expansion (read: DLC) into the base game every time a new one launches. In the end it might make more money as well (if Blizzard does it, it probably does!), so everyone wins. Or perhaps that would be something to consider for the next game as SE1 may not have *that* many more DLCs and just a one-time “this is the new bundle now” would work.

[@Splitsie]

You're probably right, if blizzard are doing it, it probably does work 😂

[@Baneironhand]

This would be helpful for new players as I have no idea which block are from where. I think your "rankings" were pretty good. I would probably go industrial as the most wanted but then the catwalks. I'm getting stressed and I own them all.

[@Patman-cr3tu]

As one of the few that has all the DLC's I can agree with most of the list. I would have put Wasteland a little higher cause I use the exhaust block for all the different effects they do. But that is just my way of building. Also still waiting for something more to do with gravel (without mods)

[@galaxyknightred1469]

Hey splitsie and all you other engineers out there I know the decretive 2 DLC has catwalks to an extent but if like me you feel that the catwalk blocks are lacking in the different types such as round walkway corners and such, "Red Blood Cell" over on Steam has 3 catwalk expansion mods, In my opinion I feel that they are more like adds to the DLC's catwalks by expanding what can be done.

[@Splitsie]

In essence that's what they are, as those mods require the DLC to even function, but they are a nice addition and looking into things like this makes me somewhat tempted to come up with a reason to play a series with some mod blocks again as it's been a long time :D

[@OssomUmbra]

Don't forget, by playing Space Engineers you can occasionally find Unknown Signals that can give marketable cosmetics. You can sell these to slowly earn money enough to buy DLC!

[@Eisen_Jaeger]

I bought two dlc's that way back when they were worth more

[@csorgb05]

How about a video featuring the "must have" mods for the game. I haven't played the game in a long time, and your content is pulling me back to it. I remember a mod that had rotating airlock doors that I used to use a lot.

[@Makl2000]

I agree with near all of this, but I have to stress Heavy Industry a bit more as the beam blocks are in nearly every single one of my builds now, large and small grid. They just add so much 'structural integrity' to my flying brick

[@aramagon7011]

start at the begining. i did i got all of them thats my thought because getting use to it at frists is a slow build up to what we have now makes it more worth it

[@markhannibal5434]

Thank you for this video. I found it immensly helpful.

[@SolearGnG]

Nice video but me personally have never really met that audience that "likes space engineers in 2024" AND "don't have all the DLCs" AND "don't want to buy all for the sake of simplicity so they are undecided on the 2 they want to buy" That's a very small venn diagram overlap :D I think what you meant is more like "an overview of all DLCs as of 2024. Nice suggestion on the cockpit blocks, I'll add them to my current server. Thanks.

[@LeeSpork]

That was me the first couple hundred hours I played the game though. New people are always discovering the game for the first time, and not everyone can justify spending $50 of DLC on a game they just got!

[@SolearGnG]

@@LeeSpork Ohh! We found one! :D JK Welcome to the club!

[@MichaelHuikeshoven]

I bought and will buy all the dlc's, still watched your video 😊