Opinion: When is it best to install expansions?

[Netjera]

I have Oblivion, and received Knights of the Nine for Christmas. My birthday just passed, and I'm going to purchase Shivering Isles. That should bring me up-to-date for expansion material. I was going to play through Oblivion once, without any expansions, and then add the expansions in (in some order).

 

What's popular opinion on this? Do the expansions add/change the main storyline in any way? Is it better to play through once, then start a new game including all the new expansions? Is it better to play through each one at a time (Oblivion, then Oblivion with SI, then Oblivion with KotN)? Should I play through the main storyline and then using the same character/save, install and play through the expansions as well?

 

What does everyone think? What has everyone else done/been doing?

[Sarya]

No, they don't affect storyline as it is, two just add a little bit to a common gameplay, three add residences, one adds a minor side quest and one adds a major quest and a lot of lesser ones but doesn't interfere with original main story at all. So it wouldn't really matter aside from several small problems such as you can't progress KotN with infamy. I heard others say that SI is more rewarding on levels at least ten or higher if that interests you.

[bluekatt]

i played shivering isles as a level 1 and i cant say it was very different

if you plan on using mods howver you migth want to play through the game once without mods because they do chance the game experience

the main quest of shivering isles is an amusing one but the final reward like that of most guilds in fact is somewhat lacking

[bben46]

I recommend waiting on the bigger quest type mods, but most of the smaller mods that add things like weapons, clothing , bodies and even most of the non quest houses aren't going to effect the main quest. Just don't try to add a lot at once.

[Netjera]

I didn't think Knights of the Nine or Shivering Isles were mods. I thought they were expansion packs. I'm actually playing through Oblivion with a lot of mods, but not the ones that effect questing or make you a demigod. I like the ones that add realism or convenience, or which fix things.

 

I just remember when I first got the expansions for Morrowind, someone told me to play through it once without the expansions added, because they changed the game.

 

Thanks for all the great replies!