Gee, I don't know what's right for you.
Me, personally, i won't start a new character until DLC is released and there have been a few more patches.
I'm personally enjoying revamping the settlements to suit the large populations.
Reducing settlement turret defence to the bare minimum and replacing them with purpose built, spaced boundary structures that involve an elevated guard post with assigned settler.
Relying on the settlers and a companion to do most of the minor fighting and settlement defence.
I had a classic last night.
Walking from Warwick to Atom Cats to Murkwater.
Stopped into Quincy to confiscate another PA suit for the companion to steal and add to my underwater collection at the marina.
After clearing out the gunners i was massively overloaded with guns and armour.
So crawled my way to Murkwater past the Toy factory.
The mutants were aroused by the companion and they all chased her to Murkwater.
When I arrived at nearby Murkwater the Raiders were attacking.
So it was a free for all of raiders, mutants and settlers in a prolonged battle.
Great to watch.
Then I got called to the nearby checkpoint to help out as they were under attack from deathclaws.
i crawled over there and fired a few shotgun blasts and crawled back to the pad at Murkwater.
Called it a night.
Now i have to remember which settlement needs all the guns and heavy duty armour i collected from the gunner cleanout.
I should have jotted it down.