Question Is SS for me? - Point me in the right direction

[SuDDi]

In short, as a new player I'm asking for a few words of advice regarding what parts of the project I should read up on and include when starting a new game.

Backround
I haven't touched Fallout 4 for more than 3 years and just started setting everything up for a new playthrough on my new beefy system. I'm interested in incorporating Sim Settlements, but am feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to grasp the scale of this impressive project with all its different components and addons. The thing is, the settlement building and management never appealed to me in the past. What interests me is the notion of diverse settlements springing up (or be present from the start) with no, or minimal, player input. I don't dislike settlements as a concept, but the less time I'm stuck engaging with Fallout 4's horrid menu/UI system the better.

Question
What exactly is suitable for me to install and try to wrap my head around? I'm assuming I should get all the major expansions, including *Conqueror* from the get go. What about Leader packs? Faction packs? Year X mega packs?... and probably more things I am unaware of. There seems to be so much cool stuff, but which pieces are relevant with my preferred hands-off approach to settlement building? What decisions are important to make from the get-go and what can easily be added to an ongoing playthrough?

I'm not asking for a full explanation of these features and systems. Just general advice in what direction it is suitable for me to take. Thanks in advance!

 

[Niyu]

Haven't touched conquerors, so no idea about how the pre-built settlements work. But my experience as a player that absolutely had no no interest in settlement building SS has allowed me to enjoy the game a lot more. I use Simsettlements 3-in-1, idek logistic station and a couple of city leaders packs. Reach a new settlement, pop down a city planers desk, let the settlements build themselves.

 

[FunkyWinston]

Niyu has the right idea. When you install sim settlements, make sure to install the expansion packs: rise of the commonweath, industrial revolution, and conqueror. They help you with the hands off approach, make the experience better, and add some cool stuff. The "idek logistic station", one or two city leaders packs (don't use too many of them, I found some redundancies), kinggath's "salvage beacons", and the 3 "mega packs" that are full of add-ons should be more than enough.

You can add other add-ons later if you get more into settlement building. Don't worry too much about missing out on stuff if your main goal is to just let the settlements build themselves, what I mentioned above will give you what you need to streamline your experience.

Edit: conqueror may be one you find is not your preference for how to play the game, you can decide if it is something you want on your own.