To get the full experience, you need the expansions that span the entire timeline of the Three Kingdoms era. Here is what is included in the "All DLC" package:

For the modding community—specifically those behind total conversion mods like Total War: Three Kingdoms: Divided Dynasty or Old World —the stability of the final patch is crucial. Modders build their complex overhauls on the latest executable files. A player attempting to use modern mods on an older, pirated, or unpatched version of the game would face immediate crashes and incompatibility. Therefore, the search for the "1.7.1 All DLC" version is often a technical requirement for those wishing to extend the life of the game through user-generated content, keeping the spirit of the Three Kingdoms era alive despite the developer's departure.

The final Chapter Pack focuses on the showdown between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. It introduces the "Northern Army" mechanics and a 200 AD start date.