Good morning, Spaceman. This is your Captain… writing.
One of the most frequent questions I receive on Twitch and YouTube is: “Which DLCs are necessary for the full X4 experience?” With the growing list of expansions and ship packs on Steam, it’s easy for a new pilot to feel overwhelmed.
If you are looking for guidance on how to build the perfect version of the X4 sandbox, this is my professional recommendation. We aren’t looking at budget today; we are looking at the quality and depth of the simulation.
The “Essential Trio” (The Full Experience)
To experience X4 as it was truly intended, I consider these three expansions mandatory. Together, they complete the “Community of Planets” (not the Steam bundle) and ensure the galaxy feels whole.
1. Cradle of Humanity (The Best Entry Point)
If you are new to the series, this is your starting line.
- The Terran Cadet Start: This is the most polished “on-boarding” experience Egosoft has ever created. It guides you through combat, navigation, and the basic politics of the galaxy.
- The Economy: Terran space uses a simplified economy (Computronic Substrate, Silicon Carbide, and Metallic Microlattice). It is easier to wrap your head around than the Commonwealth’s 20-step production chains, making it the perfect first “Empire” to build.
- High-End Tech: Terran shields and engines are statistically some of the best in the game. Even if you don’t live in Sol, you’ll want their blueprints.
2. Split Vendetta (The Combat Choice)
The Split were the first race added post-launch, and they fundamentally changed the “meta” of X4 combat.
- Aggressive Ship Design: Split ships are built for speed and glass-cannon firepower. The Raptor carrier is a beast with more turrets than some small fleets, and the Chimera remains a top-tier heavy fighter.
- The Galactic Choke Points: This DLC adds a massive amount of “Northern” sectors. These are often the front lines against the Xenon, providing the “end-game” combat scenarios many players crave.
3. Kingdom End (The Missing Piece)
The Boron are a classic X-series staple. Their return isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about galactic balance.
- The Organic Aesthetic: Boron ships look and feel different from everything else. They use unique “ion-based” weaponry that excels at disabling ships rather than just destroying them.
- Gate Connectivity: This DLC finally connects the “Ass-end of the Universe” back to the core. With recent rebalancing, the Boron sectors feel like a natural part of the trade route rather than an isolated bubble.
Completing the Map: Tides of Avarice
Once you have the core races, you need the “fringe” culture. Tides of Avarice is the most unique DLC in terms of gameplay loops.
The “Closed Loop” Mechanic: This allows you to build ships using only basic materials, making fleet replenishment much faster in lawless space.
The Scrap Economy: It introduces the ability to recycle ship wrecks into hull parts and claytronics. This is a game-changer for players who want to build a “sustainable” empire or play as a scavenger.
The Astrid & The Erlking: These are two of the most unique “trophy” ships in the game. The Astrid is a luxury yacht with unparalleled speed, and the Erlking is a custom-buildable battleship that can solo entire sectors.
The “Icing on the Cake”: Ship & Diplomacy Packs
These are the DLCs you buy when you’ve fallen in love with the game and want more toys for your personal fleet.
The Hyperion Pack
This adds the Hyperion, which is—personally—my favorite ship to fly. It’s a legendary vessel from X3 brought into the modern era. It’s fast, has a massive cargo hold for its size, and can carry its own docking fighters. It is the ultimate player “daily driver.”
The Envoy Pack
Introduced alongside the 8.00 Diplomacy Update, this pack is for the players who enjoy the political meta-game.
- Stealth & Covert Ops: The Envoy ships feature a unique “cloak” stance and the ability to disguise themselves as other factions.
- The Diplomatic Meta: It opens up new ways to nudge wars, forge ceasefires, and stir the pot between factions without firing a single shot.
The Extended Tutorial: Timelines
Timelines is an experimental departure from the sandbox.
- Skill Mastery: The scenarios are essentially high-stakes trials. If you want to get better at mining under pressure or dogfighting against superior numbers, this is where you train.
- Nostalgia Trip: For veterans, it’s a beautiful walk through the history of the X-Universe lore.
- Sandbox Rewards: While it’s separated from the main game, completing it unlocks unique ships (like the Xperimental Shuttle) and new sectors for your main sandbox save.
Enhance Your Flight: Beam Eye Tracker
Before you head out into the black, I want to mention a tool that has completely changed how I play: the Beam Eye Tracker.
In a complex sim like X4, situational awareness is everything. Beam uses AI to turn your webcam (or even your phone) into a high-precision head and eye tracker. It allows you to look around your cockpit and track targets naturally, without needing expensive, bulky hardware.
It is the single best immersion upgrade I’ve found for X4. If you want to see it in action, check out my dedicated videos on the channel. You can find my affiliate link here to support the community.
Final Thoughts
Start with the Big Three (Split, Terran, Boron). Once you’ve conquered those, expand into the fringes with Tides of Avarice.
If you have questions or want to see these ships in action, join us on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/captaincollins.
We have an incredible community of pilots ready to help you find your way.
Keep your eyes on the stars, and I’ll see you in the sectors.