Hey Guys.

I played HK since launch and stepped away after the culture DLC's.  I came back for the TWD expansion and played for a bit then took a break again for a while.  At the time I didn't find the diplo cultures that great.  I've since nabbed the new wonders DLC and am thinking about returning for another go.  How are the diplomatic cultures now are the viable?  Can they work as a first culture pick?

Thanks. 

The Sumerians are pretty great for science and warfare, and their updated LT helps with independent peoples. Their "attach" discount is still lacklustre, but they've got enough to make up for it.

The Han unit is nice, and their Paper Mill can generate nice amounts of industry if you have the right terrain (rivers-on-forests)

The Bulgarians were always fantastic and honestly the nerf that they got (less stability per EQ) was needed.  Always a good choice.

The Swiss are interesting but are mostly worth it if you have a specialty you want to continue in, or are coming into it from being overpopulated and have a use for more specialist slots.

The Scots have got a strong legacy trait if you're playing the Embassy game and you have a lot of treaties (it's very good science!) but their Collleges unfortunately aren't as good as their description is: Each college only boosts its territory's research quarters, not the whole city's.

Singapore is interesting and is a decent choice if you're under the city cap.  Later patches have improved its viability with cheaper city mergers, but you're still probably going to have trouble with overpopulation from those mergers.  It's good if you can plan for it in advance; I'd still love if their Communal Housing gave bonus specialist slots; they might pair nice with the Swiss.