Grim Dawn DLC Guide: What Each Adds and What to Buy

The Landscape and Prerequisites

• ▸Install order: FG requires both the base game and AoM; AoM needs only the base game.
• ▸The Crucible installs independently of the expansions (its waves extend from 150 to 170 with AoM).
• ▸FG and non-FG players cannot share a multiplayer session.
• ▸FoA releases 2026-07-23; the rest of this article covers released content only.

Ashes of Malmouth (AoM): the De Facto Must-Have

• ▸Adds Acts 5-6 to the campaign - a continuation after Act 4, though optional since the next difficulty unlocks at Act 4 regardless.
• ▸Adds the Necromancer and Inquisitor masteries (class combos grow from 15 to 28).
• ▸Raises the level cap from 85 to 100 (21 more skill points via levels 86-100 and quests) and the devotion cap from 50 to 55.
• ▸Adds the Mythical tier above Legendary - the main band of current endgame gear (see Legendary Farming Basics).
• ▸Big QoL too: roughly 5x personal stash, larger shared stash, Illusionist appearance customization, and item skill modifiers.
• ▸Verdict: with level 100, devotion 55, and Mythicals baked into current builds, it's effectively mandatory for long-term play - and FG requires it.

Forgotten Gods (FG): the Endgame and QoL Pillar

• ▸Adds the Oathkeeper mastery (famous for weaponizing retaliation damage; combos grow to 36).
• ▸Adds Act 7 (the Korvan lands) - an independent storyline you can start right after each difficulty's Act 1.
• ▸Adds the Shattered Realm (SR), the current endgame's main arena for gear, materials, and XP together (see Endgame at a Glance).
• ▸Concentrates the alt-friendly QoL: Merits (difficulty skipping), Monster Totems, medal augments with movement skills, Transmute (set conversion), and the three-faction choice.
• ▸Leaves the level and devotion caps unchanged (while adding constellations and shrines).
• ▸Verdict: if endgame (SR) or multiple characters are in your future, it belongs in the cart alongside AoM.

The Crucible and Fangs of Asterkarn

• ▸The Crucible: a separately sold wave-arena DLC (150 waves, 170 with AoM). It pays XP, Tributes, and gear, but progresses independently - nothing in the campaign or endgame needs it (see XP to 100).
• ▸Fangs of Asterkarn (FoA): the largest expansion yet, releasing 2026-07-23 at $18.99, adding the tenth mastery Berserker (a shapeshifter) for 45 total combos.
• ▸FoA expands the world by over 30% with the western Asterkarn region, three new factions, hundreds of items, an Ascendant mode, potion customization, and affix transmutation (two rogue-like dungeons follow as free updates).
• ▸Per the official guide, FoA requires the base game plus both the Ashes of Malmouth and Forgotten Gods expansions - so the AoM-then-FG order below also builds toward FoA.
• ▸Verdict: the Crucible is a taste call for wave-defense fans; waiting for post-launch impressions of FoA costs you nothing.

The Verdict: Buying Order

• ▸The baseline order: base game, then AoM, then FG - with AoM+FG treated as a set for the current endgame.
• ▸Add the Crucible whenever the mood strikes; judge FoA after its 2026-07-23 launch.
• ▸The base game alone offers four acts, three difficulties, Nemeses, and rogue-like dungeons - confirming the game clicks before expanding is a sound plan.
• ▸Sale prices and timing vary and are out of scope - check the store's current price.

1. Grim Dawn Japanese Wiki: Ashes of Malmouth Overview — Confirms Acts 5-6, Necromancer/Inquisitor (combos 15 to 28), the 85-to-100 cap (+21 skill points), devotion 50 to 55, the Mythical tier, Illusionist, ~5x personal stash, and skill modifiers.
2. Grim Dawn Japanese Wiki: Forgotten Gods Overview — Confirms Oathkeeper, Act 7 (Korvan lands, startable after each difficulty's Act 1), SR, Merits/Totems/medal augments with movement skills/the three-faction choice, unchanged caps, the base+AoM prerequisite, and the FG/non-FG multiplayer split.
3. Grim Dawn Japanese Wiki: Crucible Mode — Confirms the Crucible as a separate DLC with 150 waves (170 with AoM), its rewards, and campaign-independent progression.
4. Official Crate Forum: Grim Dawn: Fangs of Asterkarn Releases July 23rd, 2026 — Confirms FoA's release date (2026-07-23), $18.99 price, Berserker (tenth mastery, 45 combos), the Asterkarn region expanding the world 30%+, three factions, Ascendant mode, potion customization, affix transmutation, and the two rogue-like dungeons arriving as free updates.
5. Official Grim Dawn Guide: About Fangs of Asterkarn — Confirms the official statement that FoA requires the Ashes of Malmouth and Forgotten Gods expansions and the base game.
6. Official Grim Dawn Guide: About Forgotten Gods — Confirms the official statement that FG requires the base game and AoM.
7. Official Crate Forum: Grim Dawn v1.2.1.6 + Hotfix — Official patch notes for the verified version.