Hey guys, just bought this game on steam sales and I need an advice...

Should I care to try to learn the game and play it vanilla (no mods) or just go straight to the SS 6.4 mod?!

PS: I'm not new to Total War... I've played Shogun 2 and Rome 2...and in the case of Rome 2 I really know the huge difference a Mod can make to a game!