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Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate edition poster.
Image via Bethesda

How to Play the Fallout: New Vegas DLC in Order

Here's how to play the Fallout: New Vegas DLC to achieve the best possible playthrough. 

Bethesda released four DLC for Fallout: New Vegas. These DLC expanded upon the universe and added new perks, enemies, locations, and more. Knowing the correct order in which to play the DLCs and when to start them can be a daunting task. Here’s how to play the Fallout: New Vegas DLC in order to achieve the best possible playthrough. 

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How to Play the Fallout New Vegas DLC in Order

The best way to play the Fallout: New Vegas DLC is in the order of their release. I recommend this order because it will maximize your understanding and enjoyment of the game’s narrative, as the DLCs often contain subtle references to each other that you might miss if played out of sequence. 

The Fallout DLC release order is: 

  • Honest Hearts.
  • Old World Blues.
  • Dead Money.
  • Lonesome Road.

However, there’s more to playing these DLCs than just in the released order. In addition, there are certain times that you should start the above DLC based on completing specific quests or your progress in the base game of New Vegas, which I will cover in greater detail below. 

When Should You Start the Honest Hearts DLC in Fallout: New Vegas?

Honest Hearts DLC for Fallout: New Vegas

You will want to start the Honest Hearts DLC after completing the Volare! quest for the Boomers. You will be exposed to the main character and themes by this point. It is one of the easier DLCs to complete, so your low level won’t matter. In addition, it is the slowest developing story of all the New Vegas DLC, but there is a hidden story that I won’t spoil, and it is well worth the playthrough. 

When Should You Start the Old World Blues DLC in Fallout: New Vegas?

Old World Blues DLC for Fallout: New Vegas

It would be best to start the Old World Blues DLC before completing any of the Brotherhood of the Steel quests. This DLC provides background information on two main characters you will meet in later DLCs. In addition, it is the funniest DLC of the bunch, contains good loot, and allows you to return after finishing it to continue exploring if you missed anything. 

When Should You Start the Dead Money DLC in Fallout: New Vegas?

Dead Money DLC for Fallout: New Vegas

You should start the Dead Money DLC after completing the Brotherhood of the Steel quests since the DLC closes the chapter on loose events from the quests you just finished and also closes out some events from the Old World Blues DLC. In addition, this DLC provides a perk called Them’s Good Eatin’, which will make the hardcore mode a ton easier for you. In addition, you’ll be able to end the DLC with a ton of gold and more weapon repair packs than you’ll know what to do with. 

When Should You Start the Lonesome Road DLC in Fallout: New Vegas?

Lonesome Road DLC for Fallout: New Vegas

You should start the Lonesome Road DLC before the Hoover Dam quest. This DLC acts as the finale of what the previous three DLCs were leading up to. You’ll also be high enough level to face the high-level enemies in this DLC.

Now that you know how to play the Fallout: New Vegas DLC in order, you can experience the incredible story at the right time in the universe and for what level your character will be. Check out our Fallout: New Vegas hub for more guides like All Fallout New Vegas Console Commands to enhance your gameplay experience even more.


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Author
Image of Matthew Kevin Mitchell
Matthew Kevin Mitchell
Matthew Kevin Mitchell is a freelance writer for GameSkinny and has written in the game journalism industry for over two years. In his previous roles, Matthew primarily covered Manga, like One Piece, horror movies like Scream, and asymmetrical horror games like Dead by Daylight. His favorite moment came during his first press event covering Scream 6. He hails from Denver, Colorado, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Regis University. When he isn’t scaring himself silly or writing, he loves to play goalie in rec ice hockey, spoil his dog Nux, and drink an unhealthy amount of coffee.