So I just bought FO3 off of steam because I wanted to play through it before buying new vegas.

My only question is when should I activate the DLC? After I finish the main quest line? All at once from the start? Sequential order after I beat the main quest line?

No real guide anywhere I could find.

I'd activate them right away. It doesn't matter much anyway, 'cause you can begin their quests and such whenever you want. Well except for broken steel, which allows you to continue playing after the main quest, and also adds some other armour and weaponry I think, so I'd atleast activate that one.

I'd also recommend activating them right away, but use http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8416 along with it. That way you don't get all the different DLC starter quests popping up the moment you start the game, but you can discover them more naturally (by being in the area).

I have a different question, but I think it's better to post it here than to start a new threat.

Since the GOTY version is avaible on Steam, can I register my copy (bought at an online store) on Steam and avoid having to use Games for Windows LIVE?

Don't believe so. You can use FOSE (Fallout Script Extender) which disables gfwl.

You don't need to use Live at all, it was only used as a distribution system for the DLCs. If you already have the GOTY edition with them all, it becomes totally redundant. And no, you can't register the game with Steam if you didn't buy it from them in the first place.

Thanks for your answers! I'm glad I don't have to deal with GfWL anymore, playing Halo 2 with it really svcked ;(

I would recomend playing it through first, then activating it at the end (preference being after the end and restart, but prior to the "point of no return" for the end is just as well).

The DLC are said to affect game stability, so you'd probobly want the most stable experience with FO3 for most of the game, then take on the DLC.

**I have had all of the DLC since early this year... and I've never even begun any of them yet. :shrug:

It's all do-able straight out of the vault to be honest, including point lookout and mothership zeta (though when I did point lookout at low level I did avoid combat where possible).

It's worth considering if you like a particular item that you get from a DLC you might want to ensure you have this for the wider game closer to the start. Otherwise you will have finished the main quest & some of the DLC and not have much of the game left to play using your newly looted guns/armor etc

As you replay the game you may find yourself doing the above a little bit more regularly and setting routes early game to gain the items you want for this particular character build etc.

A-HA! Another must-have-mod-for-noobs-who-want-to-play-through-withou-mods-except-those-they-really-need.
Note to self - work on catchyer title