Quick question for you guys...

Recently bought NV after I fell in love with F3. My question is, do you guys normally complete the main quest before exploring the DLC areas/quests? Alternatively, is it better to experience the DLCs while amidst the main storyline?

Thanks in advance for you advice!

The game ends when you complete MQ, so you can't play neither game neither any DLC after it.
I'd suggest either doing them amidst the MQ or before you start completing any of the main quests.
My best experience was the latter, when I wasn't deeply involved with any faction.

MQ then DLC

I never did all the DLCs in one playthrough because after a time the game stability went south. So I started with a save that was close to Hoover Dam and I played one DLC at a time, but I jumped off from that same point each time. Worked OK for me that way. As the previous poster said, you have to start the DLC's from somewhere before the battle of Hoover Dam, but the system saves before you enter that battle so that's an ideal jump off point.

Nice-

These two suggestions were my thoughts exactly. Much appreciated!

DLC while doing the main quest. Except LR should be done when you get the quest to start the final battle. Finish LR then do the final battle and end your playthrough.

And be cautious about minimum level that you should have reached when starting a DLC. Only Honest Hearts can be done at any level, because enemies level with you, but other DLCs advise you to be at least some level to start them(I think it's like that- Dead money 20, OWB 15 and LR 30). But then again, this may not mean a lot, it's more important how you distribute your skill points, because that's what you'll depend upon in the DLCs.

Totally agree with Lopov87 on all counts, especially about having enough levels to have some broad and balanced skills.

I did HH one time starting at level 7 just to test my X Companion Kayenta when she was in development (she starts out level 15) and I did just fine. Got a lot of levels in that DLC too.

IIRC the stated *minimum* recommended levels where HH 15, DM 20, LR 25, and I forget what they said it was for OWB but I'm going to guess 20 ???. You can go talk to the crashed satellite to find out for sure

I think OWB was 15 because I remember it was lower than DM and DM was definitely 20, because I'm currently playing it (again). Although I think OWB level minimum should be set a bit higher, because even at level 15, 20 or 25 not only enemies of OWB can be quite tough, but you can also fail several skill checks.

Yeah you want some Skills up high for the DLC for the quests/checks