Is it worth buying the Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla Season Pass?

After sinking endless hours into conquering England as Viking warrior Eivor, I‘m sure many AC Valhalla fans have wondered what lies beyond. As an Assassin‘s Creed expert and content creator, I‘m asked constantly if the Season Pass is worth it for that purpose.

For Valhalla players who see themselves completing multiple or even all major expansions, I firmly believe the Season Pass offers good savings for a huge amount of quality content that meaningfully expands the base experience.

However, certain factors deserve consideration to determine if it aligns specifically with your gameplay plans and value preferences for additional Assassin‘s Creed content. Let‘s delve into what you get, the appeal and uniqueness found in each offering, what substantial omissions should be weighed, and cost breakdowns to help decide.

What‘s included in the AC Valhalla Season Pass?

The $40 USD Season Pass ensures access to the following major expansions and content additions to Valhalla‘s sprawling Viking epic:

The Wrath of the Druids

This expansion takes Eivor overseas to 9th century Ireland on a quest to investigate a mysterious druidic cult infiltrating trade routes. Reviews indicate Wrath of the Druids adopts a strong narrative focus, fleshing out memorable new characters while allowing Eivor to leverage enhanced druidic abilities and gear in combat scenarios.

Wrath of the Druids review average: 8/10

The Siege of Paris

Siege of Paris brings our Viking raiding party to the famous historical battle for Paris in 885 AD for abundant opportunities to embrace stealth-driven city infiltration. This expansion adopts more sandbox and raid-focused gameplay while testing players to utilize environmental advantages in imposing fortress assaults.

Siege of Paris review average: 8/10

Legend of Beowulf

A shorter yet creative diversion from the main saga focused on unraveling the mystery behind the famed legend of Beowulf through some hair-raising mythological boss encounters. Estimated 2-3 hours provides change of pace.

Beowulf user reviews from Reddit: Widely positive reception for unique premise and boss fights.

Future Story Content

The Season Pass is promised to include access to "all major story arcs" besides Dawn of Ragnarök. This represents a strong value proposition for committed players to experience new story chapters as Eivor‘s saga expands.

Standout elements and appeal for each expansion

While set within the familiar Valhalla mold of gear-driven progression and open world discovery, most reviews applauded how each Season Pass expansion carved out unique identities and compelling themes well worth experiencing for avid fans:

Wrath of the Druids

• Gorgeous, lore-rich rendering of Ireland
• Emphasis on Celtic mythology and sinister druidic practices
• Fascinating historical context on Irish-Viking relations
• Eivor gains new druid-based abilities to round out playstyles

Siege of Paris

• Thrilling shift as Eivor leads massive raids against fortified Paris strongholds
• Blends mythological elements like conquest battles with real historical contexts
• Adds fresh sandbox infiltration opportunities previously lacking for Eivor

Dawn of Ragnarök: Valhalla‘s most ambitious expansion

Now onto the 900 lbs Jotunn in the room. Is it surprising one of Valhalla‘s most well-received and content-rich expansions is excluded entirely from the Season Pass?

Not for Assassin‘s Creed veterans like myself. We‘ve come to expect the biggest and boldest additions worthy of their own spotlight and premium price tag.

• Dawn of Ragnarök key features:
  • 35-40 hours of new content and gear
  • Play as Odin in a mythical realm saving your son
  • Transcendent new god powers and ability upgrades
  • All new enemies like frost giants and flame goblins
  • Overhauled RPG progression mechanics and loot system

Billed as an "epic legend" rooted in Norse myth come alive, reviews strongly suggest Dawn of Ragnarök is Valhalla‘s most imaginative and genre-pushing expansion. Its omission from the Season Pass should give pause to players who prioritize ambitious new settings and gameplay opportunities.

Dawn of Ragnarok Metascore: 86/100

Cost and playtime breakdown: Is it cheaper piecemeal?

Let‘s factor hard numbers into the value proposition:

When laid out this way – the Season Pass provides combined 30-35 hours of content for $40. If bought piece by piece, you‘d spend over $90 for 80-90 hours total. Clear evidence of solid cost savings buying in bulk.

However, this is dampened by frequent individual sales up to 50% off on various expansions. And not every player will tackle Dawn of Ragnarök.

So while the Season Pass supplies combined hours and content rivaling a full game for under initial retail cost, its value wildly shifts for selective buyers. Your playtime plans determine if those cost savings persist.

Final Recommendation: Who should buy the Season Pass?

Considering all evidence presented – Here is my tiered recommendation:

Must Buy

• Longtime fans with Valhalla completionist instincts eager for every morsel of new story content and gear opportunities

Strongly Advised

• Players hungry for more meaningful questlines, abilities, locales to round out 100+ hour games
• Anyone who expects to play most or all main new expansions eventually

Questionable Value

• Selective buyers only fixated on 1-2 expansions that appeal to them
• Players mainly tempted by Dawn of Ragnarök first and foremost

Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla still represents an engrossing, content-rich RPG adventure even ignoring its Season Pass. But for those hooked on living a legendary Viking saga, I firmly believe the included expansions deliver wonderfully on that promise with 30+ hours of new locales and memorable questlines worthy of experiencing.

Stack that playtime against the clear cost savings when bundled, and suddenly $40 feels like an easy price to pay to dramatically extend your stay in Eivor‘s boots. Unless you plan to be highly selective in the post-launch content you play, I‘d advise most diehard fans roll the dice on the Season Pass investment.

Just ensure you make room in the budget down the line for Dawn of Ragnarök as well!