As you may know I am one of the few people on the blog who have not downloaded Hearthfire.
Its not that I don't have the funds it's that I don't want to waste my money on something as trivial as adoption and building a house.
BUT I do think it has it's merits, mainly alchemy and shrines
My main question is should I spend 400 Microsoft points (about 5 bucks in Australia) for easier alchemy and access to shrines?
**Forum mod Josh edit: I think you're referring to hearthfire in the title, not dawnguard so I changed the name.
Yes. You get to build your own home (which is a bit of a grind, however that makes finishing it so much sweeter), and adopt children. I believe it also lets you craft arrows. If somebody could either confirm or deny this, that would be great.
I own Vlindrel Hall, Breezehome, Proudspire Manor, and Hjerim. I also built Lakeview Manor, which is the one in Falkreath Hold. I basically ONLY use Lakeview Manor, because there's that feeling of accomplishment, because I built it. I went out and got all the animal hides for decorations, and the goat horns for lights, and went out and bought all the wood. Not to mention my wife and kids live there :p
So to answer your question: yes, it's worth it. It is the only way to (if you're into smithing) have a full forge in your own home, complete with smelter. Plus, the houses look SO COOL when they're done.
If you use this DLC correctly, you're in for a massive treat.
There are various money-making methods (some of which involve cheating in order to get mannequins to get you extra sets of armor). The alchemy ingredients introduced in this update are critical for fast alchemy training, and the inclusion of gardens and greenhouses in player-built homes allows you to essentially duplicate certain alchemy ingredients without bound. You can adopt children, and provided you can do it right you can actually make a few septims off the stuff they give you and the stuff they hoard in the chests next to their beds.
Finally, the storage applications of player-built homes are astounding, the convenience items (like forges) are critical for powerleveling, and there are a few secrets in the DLC as well...