Lair of the Shadow Broker for ME2. It's one of the best stories in the entire trilogy, and provides a huge amount of backstory that is otherwise only referenced to.

I would also very much recommend picking up From Ashes for ME3. Javik is a very interesting character that expands on a lot of lore in the game.

ME3:

• Citadel is amazing and a hard recommend. It's basically a love letter to Shepard's companions. A final farewell.

• The atmosphere throughout Leviathan is amazing, and recommended if you want to learn more about the Reapers (though the story is slightly... controversial).

• Omega, whilst still a great experience (especially if you love Aria and wants to expand her story), is probably the weakest of the three.

ME2:

• Arrival is good, but nothing special. It helps clear up the beginning of ME3.

• Overlord is a longer, deeper and more interesting experience.

• Kasumi and Zaeed's stories are both fun, and it's always cool to get extra companions, but in the end, they don't add that much, and will always feel less... finished than the other companions.

ME1:

• Bring Down the Sky. It's nice. It's free. Get it at https://help.ea.com/dk/help/origin/origin/download-dlc-for-classic-origin-games/#masseffect

• Pinnacle Station. It exists.

But really, eventually you should try everything. Apart from the equipment packs. Not really any reason to get them, unless you absolutely wants to.

@Dajax02 Thanks for the detailed recs! I can considerably limit my options now. Btw, if it's possible not to give away too much, why is Leviathan controversial?

I know it’s a money issue but I would certainly recommend getting them all when you get the chance. I don’t think another playthrough would be the same without them.

@Benjy987 Yes, I would imagine so ? But I can rlly only afford 1 DLC per game, 2 at most. I don't think I should get the Citadel DLC till I've gotten all the DLCs before it at least.

For Mass effect 3 it has to be Omega or from the ashes first. These give you the best bonus powers in the game.

Citadel is really fun. The story line is rather goofy. On the bright side it adds a few new locations. Mainly the Armax Arsenal Area. This is a great place to rack up credits.

For Mass effect 2. The main dlc are arrival and the shadow broker dlc. everything can wait. Personally i like the dlcs that are new weapons and armor.

Project Overload is different but, as a whole doesn't change the series much. Lair of the Shadow Broker though, is a must have.

Mass effect 1 dlc doesn't offer much. I have bring down the sky. I was not interested in pinnacle station.

I would say From Ashes, Citadel, Leviathan, Lair of the Shadow Broker, Overlord and Prince of Revenge. Those are what I think.

For me, it’s hard to have the third game without Javik, but he’s not required. Citadel is a good one if you’re looking for a laugh and need a break from all the reapers. Leviathan drops some heavy lore reveals and it was a lot of fun to play through.

Overlord is not required either, but I really liked it because of the payoff in the third game (at least for me) the payoff is small and not very revolutionary, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t almost cry.

Lair of the Shadow Broker is just fun as hell. It’s also not required really, but it’s my favorite dlc in the second game. You also get access at the end to intel that can leave you rolling in resources you need for the suicide mission. The boss battle is also creative and I found really fun.

Prince of Revenge, not required, but it’s free and Zaeed’s is a pretty cool character.

I like Arrival, but it doesn’t really effect the third game all that much except for new dialogue you don’t get otherwise. It gives context on how Shepherd ended up under house arrest, but that’s pretty much it.

Anyway, those are my recommendations.

Those dialogue options are pretty important. Playing arrival makes the situations without Batarians. A lot clearer when you encounter them.

Shadow Broker is also pretty important too. It fleshes out how Liara goes from mouse in ME1. To being the master of whispers. Since she now has every secret. Also without it you can't gain statsis.

Project Overload has very minimum dialogue changes. Cerberus cements their villain status. And that's always a nice ...