Mass Effect 2 DLC required to understand the story in future content?

[LonestarHero]

I'm in the middle of ME2 and am curious will I need to buy some of the DLC to understand the story to ME3?

[Drystan]

No sir, you don't need to buy it. But I would suggest if you have the cash and don't mind it then go ahead. It's great gameplay. But if you're rushing for ME3 you can skip it

[Dragoncurry]

DO NOT MISS SHADOW BROKER, it's fucking AMAZING. *The graphics in that DLC is better than all of the ones in ME3 btw.*

[Vargas]

Its not required for story purposes, but buying and playing the DLC seems to have a significant impact on how ME3's story progresses. You can run across characters from the DLC and some of them appear to be assets to the war against the Reapers, boosting your chances of success.

[LonestarHero]

I played through ME1 last week, but couldn't find any of the DLC content. Did I really miss anything that effects ME2 and ME3?

After playing ME2, I prefer not to play ME1 considering the combat system is not so fun and I hate the Mako.

---------- Post added 2012-03-07 at 07:45 PM ----------

Do I have to finish ME2 to do the DLC stuff or should I start downloading the stuff just before I enter the Omega Relay and start suicide mission?

[endersblade]

I played through ME1 last week, but couldn't find any of the DLC content. Did I really miss anything that effects ME2 and ME3?

After playing ME2, I prefer not to play ME1 considering the combat system is not so fun and I hate the Mako.

Far as I know, there was only one DLC for ME1, and it was worthless. ME2 was their cash cow for DLC, there must be 10 of them. Most of them are pretty good (as mentioned above, you just CAN'T do ME2 without the Shadow Broker DLC!) so I'd recommend getting them if you're looking for entertainment, or skipping them completely if you're just trying to rush to ME3.

[Sharde]

i can give a short rundown on the "worthy" dlcs for me2. me1 dlc are a total waste dont use them.

missions:

Arrival - really nice. divided into 3 parts (stealth, escort, kill everything). some extra achivements. BIG "choice" in the ending (hopefully with effects in me3).

Shadow Broker - best dlc ... period. more liara (who has a rather small part in me2), nice missions, nice new graphics and a huge ship full of additional informations.

Overlord - the weakest dlc imo. not because of the mission design but because the story feels not really connected to the rest of me2.

Kasumi: Stolen Memory - second new companion. and really nice missions. as i want every teammate i can get for the story in me3 a must have. + bonus weapon.

Zaeed: The Price of Revenge - FREE! new teammate, badass mission. no astonishing new storylines but satisfying.

Normandy Crash Site - FREE! no real mission. basicly just walking around the crashed normandy.

Firewalker Pack - FREE! i really like this one (the vehicle part). not very hard but a nice change.


equipment:

Firepower Pack - additional weapons. solid and cheap.
Aegis Pack - armor and sniper rifle. dito.
Cerberus Weapon and Armor - FREE! i actually dont know what this does but it doesnt cost anything.
Cerberus Arc Projector - FREE! the best (and most fun) heavy weapon after the cain.


conclusion:

1) get all the free dlcs.
2) get at least shadow broker and kasumi.
3) as you have to buy bioware points to get the dlcs you can buy exactly all bonus missions and all weapon packs with zero points left (a rare gesture in the "pointbuying" business).
4) the alternative apperance packs are a waste imo. dont get them.

[LonestarHero]

At what point during the game should I do the DLC? They cannot be done after suicide mission correct?