FTB Infinity Evolved: Expert Mode - Regular vs Skyblock

[Flyingspacecow11]

If anyone has played both (in expert mode), how do they differ in terms of difficulty (at early-game, late-game, etc.), ability to make cool contraptions, and just the overall amount of fun you thought they were?

This isn't asking about normal mode vs expert mode just to make that clear

 

[asb3pe]

It comes down to preference, really. For me, I missed all the stuff that got removed when I played Infinity Skyblock. With no Overworld, most of the fun of the game was missing, which is exploring and finding a visually spectacular place to call home in my opinion.

On the other hand... the guy who runs the server where I played both versions loves Skyblock way more than Regular Infinity... because without the overworld, there's far less load on the server.

That's why I say it boils down to preference. If you run a server you might love Skyblock, but if you're a player who loves to explore, you will much prefer the regular Infinity Evolved modpack. It's nice FTB gave us all such an option with this modpack.

Having played both, I would say there's little to no difference between the two modpacks, from a "technical" standpoint. The gameplay is similar enough that I don't think it would ever be a factor in your choice. I thought the sifting method in Skyblock to get all your raw materials was a bit too simplistic and lacking in complexity. But that goes back to my point about removing the Overworld, and hence, removing all the "good parts" of the game such as mining with a pickaxe!! This is MINEcraft, isn't it?

 

[Nedrith]

It really does come down to preference. For me I kind of prefer skyblock for two reasons, a decent server running skyblock is a lot easier to find than a decent server running IE expert mode. Normal mode is easy to find but very few servers run expert. The second reason is the lack of having to worry about specific resources or the world getting in the way. I could build a base upwards to take care of the world getting in the way but skyblock takes care of that.

IMO resources in infinity expert aren't that much different expert or normal only in normal you have to work a lot harder to get the ender quarry. For me the exploration in IE expert mode isn't that great, If I want to explore a world minecraft isn't my first choice. For me it's automating stuff and building a base that works to produce everything and that doesn't change much between skyblock and expert mode.

As for difficulty. Early game skyblock is easier. You shouldn't have to worry about mobs, the early game getting resources path is pretty clear, and once you automate sifting resources start to become unlimited. Mob traps work a lot more effectively as well. Normal mode getting food stuff is easier though since you can find gardens to get some of stuff rather than taking the time to mutate crops. Late game skyblock becomes even easier. No need to worry about finding draconium just sift netherrack. the recipe for making primal mana is quite a bit easier as well.

Cool contraptions, IMO skyblock. You don't have to worry about the world around you since it doesn't exist. Though in that same case you could get a jet-pack, fly up to y-160 and make your base up there in regular expert. or just make the portal to the last millenium.