Here is my first modpack, based with two core ideas 1 - To use Botania for the core of the mod progression, and 2 - to have many places to explore, and hunt items. Overall a reasonably light weight pack, and while a bit slow to get started ought to be enjoyable to vanilla players that enjoy exploring the world, and who enjoy red stone.
This version is the pre1 release, the first "stable" release will be when I launch my server hopefully over next weekend. Until then this version is intended to help find items I missed in the initial configuration.
The mod list, and permission information is the link at the bottom. Also a change log will likely be added to that site soon. This page is also shown in the mcupdater pack window to make it easy to check when the pack updates.
Tweaks
The configuration has some tweaks of note
1) Extra Utilities Angel Wings, and the Runic Dungeons belt of flight are both disabled.
2) Extra Utilities generators are disabled, as this is not an RF pack, if you want to use the Enderthermic pump or ender quarry you will need to power it using the botania flux field. (Why.. see lore on the mod pack description page in mclauncher .. or the modlist link above)
3) Iguanas Tinker Tweaks disables vanilla tools, so you must start the proper tool progression, however many modded tools work as usual so you might switch to them depending on how you play the pack.
Installation
This pack is distributed via both MCupdater and Curse voice
Curse Voice:
Simply look up the pack "Botanic Adventures" in the launcher and install.
For those without curse voice, unable to install curse voice, or want to ensure you are in sync with my server there three methods of proceeding with MCUpdater, the first is highly recommended for users either new to MCUpdater or modded, if it is compatible with your system.
This is the simplest method of installation:
Advantages: Includes a bundled version of java, thus will work even if you do not have oracle java installed, pre-configured to fetch information about my pack
1) Download this bundled version of MCUpdater w/ Zulu-openjdk-8
- The MCUpdater-recommended.jar in the bundle is the same one from the manual install, and is just a launcher that downloads the latest version of MCUpdater from http://mcupdater.com/
Manually install MCUpdater to use my pack
Advantages: Once configured it can behave identically to the win64 install, but uses your existing java install
1) Ensure you have a version of Oracle Java8 or OpenJDK8 installed
2) Goto http://mcupdater.com/ and download the "Download (JAR, Recommended)" at the right (osx users if you use the osx bundle install per its instructions and use the existing MCUpdater Instance instructions below)
3) Run, or ideally make a script to run the jar file as follows:
You quickly notice that wooden pick is not going to do you any good, you will need a tinkers flint pickaxe and shovel. The shovel you notice can immediately mine up to copper, but the pick can only mine stone. If you are lucky you can find some copper and aluminum gravel ore on the surface, otherwise you get to increase the mining level XP until it can mine the two ores. Unfortunately coal seems to require copper mining level as well.. so you better make some charcoal for your torches.
Once you can mine copper, things start to look better, now you just need to make the smeltery for a copper pickaxe head.
Note small updates just require re running the QuickServer jar again, however to be safe it may be wise to remove pack files first (mods, configs, scripts, and structures directories) and let the pack re-install them from the cached copies)
Sample sync script to be run in the directory you want the server, assumes both the QuickServer and forge jar are already in that directory, modify to your server's needs:
Reminder this pack uses Biomes o' Plenty thus you need to manually add level-type=BIOMESOP to your server.properties prior to the world generating the first time.
Let's Plays
Here is a video of my own getting started on a multiplayer server, with someone new to mods.
Additional episode available on the series playlist.
To craft unstable ingots in the pack you will want to use the Cabinets from Enhanced Inventories instead of the vanilla crafting bench. This is because gany's surface is configured to give the alternative recipes on the vanilla, and since this alternative works I assume leave it configured that way. (That or use the nuggets)
2) Server is launched! And the first lets play has been posted to my channel (link/video in the op)
Future Plans for the pack:
While I'm sure during play some gotchas will be found an resolved, one more major mod is on the horizon:
I've been given permission to include the Dinosaur Dimension mod. Some quick verification prior to the request indicates this will take some configuration testing of Recurrent Complex to keep some "out of place" structures from generating. However once that is done (might be the end of the month) hopefully this will be incorporated!
--
Edit: Dec, 18 2015
Small update of the pack today to fix some minor issues I've noticed v1.0.1
This is promoted to the "latest" so install is the same as the original
Nothing major but the step assist conflict has been resolved.
If you are following latest in mcupdater you will be prompted for the update automatically.
Updated Mods
Botania to version r1.8-248
Biomes O' Plenty to version 2.1.0.1625
OpenBlocks to version 1.5
OpenModsLib to version 0.9
Gany's Nether to version 1.8.3
Growthcraft Community Edition to version 2.4.0
Storage Draws to version 1.7.5
Storage Drawers: Biomes O' Plenty Pack to version 1.1.0
The Aether II to version 1.6
Gilded Games Util to version 1.3.2
(side note with the update of BiOP to one hosted on Curse, I can consider a curse voice version, I'm still primarily on Linux however so its not as easy as I might like, running the client in a virtual machine.)
Pack has now been updated to v1.0.3: CurseVoice Compatibility
Changes:
* Downgrade AtomicStryker's BattleTowers to the version on CurseForge
* Upgrade Biomes O' Plenty to 1.7.10-2.1.0.1640
This will unfortunately mean less diverse loot in towers generated after the update. I have modified to treasure config to ensure some better items are spread in the towers.
Users of the MCUpdater version, the latest entry ought to provide you a seamless upgrade. New users may either install the mcupdater version or the version on curse voice (I recommend the MCUpdater version for those joining my server since it will always match even when curse version is delayed for review, however for single player worlds the two ought to be identical)
I love this pack but for some reason my framerate when playing it is terrible, I know it's not my computer cause playing other large mod packs don't really affect it, does it have to do with mcupdater?
mcupdater is just a launcher, and beside running the log isn't doing anything once you press play. (Just like the other mod pack launchers/official launcher)
However its default memory settings are not optimal, make sure you have changed them from the default, if you have tuned your settings in another launcher try copying them in. (The pack on load takes about 1G of ram.. that is before anything happens.. so you want it to scale up.. thus if you have it 2gb is needed.. if you find settings that work well for you feel free to share.. mine are a bit more intended for linux than windows)
--
Other things I find cause fps drops is too many mobs causing too many updates (my live stream last week slowed to a crawl with the spawners of an underground battle tower + a rouge like dungeon), video playback and recording software does not help things either...
Loading the world also has an impact in single player more than with a remote server.. but that usually corrects its self once the world fully loads in. (You can also try fastcraft to help with the fps while loading.. I find it helps some here.. less once things are loaded in)
Also many factors impact frame rate.. Some biomes from Biomes o' Plenty have a few too many transparent textures (tree leaves and grass) this can slow down frame rate) fast tree leaves can help here.. I don't recommend optifine if you can help it (breaks the emotes mod.. no crash just the emotes will not work) but using it you can fine tune you settings if nothing else works. Also set render distance down to 10 for testing if your client starts higher.
(I'm assuming you don't have a tinkers smeltery going.. the auto casting of ingots with a red stone pulse give me a frame hiccup every time.. drives me insane)
--
remember the pack is also on curse voice so you can try that .. I don;t see a difference on my computer.. but I have to copy the profile to the official launcher since they do not have a Linux version.. and Minecraft in vmware is not playable.
Mostly just syncing a bunch of mods to the newer versions, Some small fixes to gotcha's I've been experiencing as well.
Newest version: v1.1.3
Released on the MCUpdater earlier today, and just now approved on curse (ought to sync to curse voice shortly)
Updated Mods
JournyMap to version 5.1.4
Botania to version 1.8-249
CoFH Core to version 3.1.1-325
Enhanced Inventories to version 1.1.9
Gany's Surface to version 1.12.7
Runic Dungeons to version 1.1.6b
Growthcraft Community Edition to version 2.4.1
Storage Drawers to version 1.9.4
Updated Configs
Botania: Twilight Forest Hedge Spiders now shed string, Bore lens mining level set to Diamond (was lower due to Iguanas Tinker Tweaks)
Minetweaker: Script allows framing table to be crafted with the Storage Drawers BOP add on trims in addition to the vanilla trims, in addition some cheat mitigation has been added.
EnderZoo: Spawn control change for Trilobites (a dino dimension sea mob) to reduce massive numbers of spawns.
Runic Dungeons: minor tweaks with the update + add in copper/tin/aluminum to the ore room, using Erubus versions
Note one known issue: While the Trilobites change improves this in version (1.1.3) of the pack as compared to the previous versions: The dino (prehistoric) dimension seems to spawn dinos slowly, but they don't despawn, So if you spend much time there (say hammering a huge mine underground) eventually a lag forming amount of dinos will accumulate. Passive torches seem to help but watch out for the lag spike at the edge of its range.
Background
Here is my first modpack, based with two core ideas 1 - To use Botania for the core of the mod progression, and 2 - to have many places to explore, and hunt items. Overall a reasonably light weight pack, and while a bit slow to get started ought to be enjoyable to vanilla players that enjoy exploring the world, and who enjoy red stone.
This version is the pre1 release, the first "stable" release will be when I launch my server hopefully over next weekend. Until then this version is intended to help find items I missed in the initial configuration.
The Modlist
The latest modpack information is available here
The mod list, and permission information is the link at the bottom. Also a change log will likely be added to that site soon. This page is also shown in the mcupdater pack window to make it easy to check when the pack updates.
Tweaks
The configuration has some tweaks of note
1) Extra Utilities Angel Wings, and the Runic Dungeons belt of flight are both disabled.
2) Extra Utilities generators are disabled, as this is not an RF pack, if you want to use the Enderthermic pump or ender quarry you will need to power it using the botania flux field. (Why.. see lore on the mod pack description page in mclauncher .. or the modlist link above)
3) Iguanas Tinker Tweaks disables vanilla tools, so you must start the proper tool progression, however many modded tools work as usual so you might switch to them depending on how you play the pack.
Installation
This pack is distributed via both MCupdater and Curse voice
Curse Voice:
Simply look up the pack "Botanic Adventures" in the launcher and install.
You can also visit the project page here: http://minecraft.curseforge.com/projects/botanic-adventures
MCUpdater:
For those without curse voice, unable to install curse voice, or want to ensure you are in sync with my server there three methods of proceeding with MCUpdater, the first is highly recommended for users either new to MCUpdater or modded, if it is compatible with your system.
This is the simplest method of installation:
Advantages: Includes a bundled version of java, thus will work even if you do not have oracle java installed, pre-configured to fetch information about my pack
1) Download this bundled version of MCUpdater w/ Zulu-openjdk-8
MCUpdater - Botanic Adventures_win64.zip
2) Extract the zip file somewhere with space for all the game files (this is a self contained install)
3) Run the included Launch MCUpdater batch script
4) When prompted log into Minecraft (This information is only set to mojang to confirm your account)
5) Once loaded press the configure gear near and set the following:
minimum ram: 1G
maximum ram (minimum): 2G
jvmopts: -XX:MetaspaceSize=256M -Dfml.log.level=INFO -XX:+UseConcMarkSweepGC -XX:+UseParNewGC -XX:+CMSIncrementalPacing -XX:ParallelGCThreads=2 -Xnoclassgc -XX:-UseAdaptiveSizePolicy -XX:+AggressiveOpts
6) With the "Botanic Adv. - latest" profile selected press update in the lower right
7) Launch minecraft and enjoy
Need more help? See the install guide video:
Notes/Links:
- The jre in the bundle is from the open source openjdk zulu port: https://www.azul.com/products/zulu/
- The MCUpdater-recommended.jar in the bundle is the same one from the manual install, and is just a launcher that downloads the latest version of MCUpdater from http://mcupdater.com/
Manually install MCUpdater to use my pack
Advantages: Once configured it can behave identically to the win64 install, but uses your existing java install
1) Ensure you have a version of Oracle Java8 or OpenJDK8 installed
2) Goto http://mcupdater.com/ and download the "Download (JAR, Recommended)" at the right (osx users if you use the osx bundle install per its instructions and use the existing MCUpdater Instance instructions below)
3) Run, or ideally make a script to run the jar file as follows:
java -jar MCUpdater-recommended.jar --MCURoot . --defaultpack https://sandbox.devnull.name/minecraft/MCUpdater/manifest.xml
4) When prompted log into Minecraft (This information is only set to mojang to confirm your account)
5) Once loaded press the configure gear near and set the following:
minimum ram: 1G
maximum ram (minimum): 2G
jvmopts: -XX:MetaspaceSize=256M -Dfml.log.level=INFO -XX:+UseConcMarkSweepGC -XX:+UseParNewGC -XX:+CMSIncrementalPacing -XX:ParallelGCThreads=2 -Xnoclassgc -XX:-UseAdaptiveSizePolicy -XX:+AggressiveOpts
6) With the "Botanic Adv. - latest" profile selected press update in the lower right
7) Launch minecraft and enjoy
If you already have a copy of MCUpdater installed and configured and just want the pack added to the listing, simply add the following URL
https://sandbox.devnull.name/minecraft/MCUpdater/manifest.xml
Getting Started (Your first night)
You quickly notice that wooden pick is not going to do you any good, you will need a tinkers flint pickaxe and shovel. The shovel you notice can immediately mine up to copper, but the pick can only mine stone. If you are lucky you can find some copper and aluminum gravel ore on the surface, otherwise you get to increase the mining level XP until it can mine the two ores. Unfortunately coal seems to require copper mining level as well.. so you better make some charcoal for your torches.
Once you can mine copper, things start to look better, now you just need to make the smeltery for a copper pickaxe head.
More details on the tool progression is at the Iguanas Tinker Tweaks page http://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/mapping-and-modding/minecraft-mods/2176855-iguanas-tinker-tweaks
Also in the Tinkers Construct books.
Remember you need to craft the flint from the gravel (gravel will not drop it) and that first bucket of lava will need to be a clay one.
Discord
A public discord channel to talk with myself and others using the pack is available
https://discord.gg/0p7IneAxlXZ9Avyg
Servers
This is an advanced install:
1) Download the MCUpdater tool QuickServer or build it yourself from the mcupdater github
2) Get forge-1.7.10-10.13.4.1566-1.7.10-installer.jar from the forge website
3) run the following to get the "latest" verion of the server pack
java -jar QuickServer-3.3.16.jar --path=. --ServerPack=http://sandbox.devnull.name/minecraft/MCUpdater/manifest.xml --id=botanicadv_latest
4) run the following to correctly install forge (the above will try but the result is not functional)
java -jar forge-1.7.10-10.13.4.1566-1.7.10-installer.jar --installServer
5) launch the forge server as usual (adjust to your needs, particular the ram)
/usr/lib/jvm/java-8-openjdk-amd64/jre/bin/java -Xms1334M -Xmx1334M -XX:-OmitStackTraceInFastThrow -XX:MetaspaceSize=196M -XX:NewSize=294M -XX:MaxNewSize=294M -XX:+UseConcMarkSweepGC -XX:+UseParNewGC -XX:+CMSIncrementalPacing -XX:ParallelGCThreads=2 -Xnoclassgc -XX:-UseAdaptiveSizePolicy -XX:+AggressiveOpts -Djava.net.preferIPv4Stack=true -jar forge-1.7.10-10.13.4.1566-1.7.10-universal.jar
Note small updates just require re running the QuickServer jar again, however to be safe it may be wise to remove pack files first (mods, configs, scripts, and structures directories) and let the pack re-install them from the cached copies)
Let's Plays
Here is a video of my own getting started on a multiplayer server, with someone new to mods.
Additional episode available on the series playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnSkHSQs5K5dsrywqiHB3Xf6TiTnHBehA
Have your own letsplay of this pack? link to the first episode/playlist in reply and I will check it out + probably mention it here.
My Mods: mc1.7.10: ezWastelands mc1.8.7 5 strongholds and Dark Oak Villages
Modpack: Botanic Adventures
Youtube: https://gaming.youtube.com/user/ezterry3/
One note:
To craft unstable ingots in the pack you will want to use the Cabinets from Enhanced Inventories instead of the vanilla crafting bench. This is because gany's surface is configured to give the alternative recipes on the vanilla, and since this alternative works I assume leave it configured that way. (That or use the nuggets)
My Mods: mc1.7.10: ezWastelands mc1.8.7 5 strongholds and Dark Oak Villages
Modpack: Botanic Adventures
Youtube: https://gaming.youtube.com/user/ezterry3/
So some updates:
1) Updated the pack to v1.0 (the other day actually but I'll call all good today since I'm updating the thread now)
Big changes are adding Squidless to prevent lag when high above the oceans, and Morpheus to allow multiplayer sleep to work without everyone in a bed.
See the Change Log for details
2) Server is launched! And the first lets play has been posted to my channel (link/video in the op)
Future Plans for the pack:
While I'm sure during play some gotchas will be found an resolved, one more major mod is on the horizon:
I've been given permission to include the Dinosaur Dimension mod. Some quick verification prior to the request indicates this will take some configuration testing of Recurrent Complex to keep some "out of place" structures from generating. However once that is done (might be the end of the month) hopefully this will be incorporated!
--
Edit: Dec, 18 2015
Small update of the pack today to fix some minor issues I've noticed v1.0.1
This is promoted to the "latest" so install is the same as the original
My Mods: mc1.7.10: ezWastelands mc1.8.7 5 strongholds and Dark Oak Villages
Modpack: Botanic Adventures
Youtube: https://gaming.youtube.com/user/ezterry3/
Pack now updated to v1.0.2
Nothing major but the step assist conflict has been resolved.
If you are following latest in mcupdater you will be prompted for the update automatically.
Updated Mods
(side note with the update of BiOP to one hosted on Curse, I can consider a curse voice version, I'm still primarily on Linux however so its not as easy as I might like, running the client in a virtual machine.)
My Mods: mc1.7.10: ezWastelands mc1.8.7 5 strongholds and Dark Oak Villages
Modpack: Botanic Adventures
Youtube: https://gaming.youtube.com/user/ezterry3/
Pack has now been updated to v1.0.3: CurseVoice Compatibility
Changes:
* Downgrade AtomicStryker's BattleTowers to the version on CurseForge
* Upgrade Biomes O' Plenty to 1.7.10-2.1.0.1640
This will unfortunately mean less diverse loot in towers generated after the update. I have modified to treasure config to ensure some better items are spread in the towers.
Users of the MCUpdater version, the latest entry ought to provide you a seamless upgrade. New users may either install the mcupdater version or the version on curse voice (I recommend the MCUpdater version for those joining my server since it will always match even when curse version is delayed for review, however for single player worlds the two ought to be identical)
My Mods: mc1.7.10: ezWastelands mc1.8.7 5 strongholds and Dark Oak Villages
Modpack: Botanic Adventures
Youtube: https://gaming.youtube.com/user/ezterry3/
Update to v1.1.0 is out, both on the mcupdater manifest, and on curse voice.
This is now considered a "release" version so ensure cures voice is giving you the "release" and not the beta.
Changes:
New Mods
Updated Mods
Updated Configs
Enjoy
My Mods: mc1.7.10: ezWastelands mc1.8.7 5 strongholds and Dark Oak Villages
Modpack: Botanic Adventures
Youtube: https://gaming.youtube.com/user/ezterry3/
I love this pack but for some reason my framerate when playing it is terrible, I know it's not my computer cause playing other large mod packs don't really affect it, does it have to do with mcupdater?
mcupdater is just a launcher, and beside running the log isn't doing anything once you press play. (Just like the other mod pack launchers/official launcher)
However its default memory settings are not optimal, make sure you have changed them from the default, if you have tuned your settings in another launcher try copying them in. (The pack on load takes about 1G of ram.. that is before anything happens.. so you want it to scale up.. thus if you have it 2gb is needed.. if you find settings that work well for you feel free to share.. mine are a bit more intended for linux than windows)
--
Other things I find cause fps drops is too many mobs causing too many updates (my live stream last week slowed to a crawl with the spawners of an underground battle tower + a rouge like dungeon), video playback and recording software does not help things either...
Loading the world also has an impact in single player more than with a remote server.. but that usually corrects its self once the world fully loads in. (You can also try fastcraft to help with the fps while loading.. I find it helps some here.. less once things are loaded in)
Also many factors impact frame rate.. Some biomes from Biomes o' Plenty have a few too many transparent textures (tree leaves and grass) this can slow down frame rate) fast tree leaves can help here.. I don't recommend optifine if you can help it (breaks the emotes mod.. no crash just the emotes will not work) but using it you can fine tune you settings if nothing else works. Also set render distance down to 10 for testing if your client starts higher.
(I'm assuming you don't have a tinkers smeltery going.. the auto casting of ingots with a red stone pulse give me a frame hiccup every time.. drives me insane)
--
remember the pack is also on curse voice so you can try that .. I don;t see a difference on my computer.. but I have to copy the profile to the official launcher since they do not have a Linux version.. and Minecraft in vmware is not playable.
My Mods: mc1.7.10: ezWastelands mc1.8.7 5 strongholds and Dark Oak Villages
Modpack: Botanic Adventures
Youtube: https://gaming.youtube.com/user/ezterry3/
Pack Update: v1.1.1
Small update to the pack, brings the mods up to date, and allows you to saw Biomes o Plenty logs and planks
v1.1.1 - Sync mods[/header]
New Mod
Updated Mods
Updated Configs
In addition now there is a public Discord server to talk with myself and others playing the pack. (or ask me about joining my server)
https://discord.gg/0p7IneAxlXZ9Avyg
My Mods: mc1.7.10: ezWastelands mc1.8.7 5 strongholds and Dark Oak Villages
Modpack: Botanic Adventures
Youtube: https://gaming.youtube.com/user/ezterry3/
Very small update:
Version 1.1.2:
Rollback Apple Core, the newer update caused the dedicated server to crash when you right clicked on a burred mana petal with bonemeal.
(it did work in single player)
Update is available both automatically via the MCUpdater launcher, and on Curse Voice (Back "Botanic Adventures")
My Mods: mc1.7.10: ezWastelands mc1.8.7 5 strongholds and Dark Oak Villages
Modpack: Botanic Adventures
Youtube: https://gaming.youtube.com/user/ezterry3/
New update of the pack!
Mostly just syncing a bunch of mods to the newer versions, Some small fixes to gotcha's I've been experiencing as well.
Newest version: v1.1.3
Released on the MCUpdater earlier today, and just now approved on curse (ought to sync to curse voice shortly)
Updated Mods
Updated Configs
Note one known issue: While the Trilobites change improves this in version (1.1.3) of the pack as compared to the previous versions: The dino (prehistoric) dimension seems to spawn dinos slowly, but they don't despawn, So if you spend much time there (say hammering a huge mine underground) eventually a lag forming amount of dinos will accumulate. Passive torches seem to help but watch out for the lag spike at the edge of its range.
My Mods: mc1.7.10: ezWastelands mc1.8.7 5 strongholds and Dark Oak Villages
Modpack: Botanic Adventures
Youtube: https://gaming.youtube.com/user/ezterry3/