Before we begin, I'd like to note that the purpose of this thread is to save on the headache that the FTB team may inure on their official update to 1.6 of the modpacks. This is but a simple request to prevent a situation where the community may encounter frustration and needless debate that serves to only inflate personal egotism.
Now, as many may already be aware, IC2 has undergone some leadership changes, and has modified itself in ways that deviate from the past versions of old. In these changes, some mechanics have become slightly unforgiving due to their nature, as well as others becoming more refined and efficient. In greater respect, these changes could prove to be fairly daunting, as some players may be caught off-guard by the mods changes due to planning or critical thinking. As such, IC2-Ex may prove to be the type of mod that is no longer something that players can just simply pick up and carelessly use, and thus may create a sense of aggravation for players progressing in their respective tech trees...
Since there are alternatives to the functionality of some of IC2's key staple products, those mods could be used in place of IC2-Ex to fill niche rolls (ore doubling, energy harnessing, etc.) that players have grown accustomed to over the long course of modded Minecraft play. Since these alternatives are much simpler and easier to use for players who prefer a more simplistic or easier experience in Minecraft, they could be offered in place of some of the functionality of IC2-Ex.
Some may think of this idea as a way to keep IC2 out of the hands of users. The goal is quite the opposite. Since the nature of IC2 has changed in such a way that may prove more intellectually demanding, it would be better to have that mod be more regularly suited in a modpack that focuses on complexity and critical thinking. Considering the nature of the Minecrack/Ultimate packs, tailoring them to suit the various demographics of players is a critical goal in which to ensure all members of the community can enjoy their variations of modded Minecraft to the highest degree. As such, where some players may find one mod pleasing, other players may not waste time voicing their discontent over it.
Therefore, in order to ensure a satisfying experience for the FTB player-base, having IC2-EX separated out of the 1.6 version of Ultimate/Unleashed may help alleviate community stress and facilitate in the proper tailoring of the packs to suit the needs of the player-base. Now, this solution does not include the DW20 pack, as that pack is created around what DW20 and his fanbase enjoy.
Another option would be to let us have IC2-Ex be available for a non-default option for the next rendition of the Ultimate/Unleashed pack for 1.6. Seeing as there are players who like to use IC2-Ex in the 1.6 versions of Minecraft, having the mod included in download and config. ready would also be a useful option. As there were many players who added Gregtech to Unleashed when it initially came out, having IC2-Ex included with the download of the pack can help players who want the added complexity and mechanics of said mod. Then, it would become a simple task of enabling the mod in FTB Launcher's settings, and running the client. This way, fans of IC2 can continue to play said mod, and could still utilize this option within their game-play...
In conclusion, I believe that it would be best to treat IC2-Ex with the same complexity as Gregtech or other Minecrack mods, and have it regulated within that set of packs for 1.6 for the time being. As IC2-Ex is a fan favorite for many years, the player-base may wish that it still have a presence within the FTB Launcher. Thus in order to provide a more refined and tailored experience for all players who use the FTB modpacks, moving IC2-Ex to the Minecrack set of Modpacks may help minimize player aggravation with said mods, reduce confusion with difficulty and intellectual demand of the packs, and allow the 1.6 release of mods to be more enjoyable for the fan-base, as the packs are tailored to suit their needs and desires.
Now, as many may already be aware, IC2 has undergone some leadership changes, and has modified itself in ways that deviate from the past versions of old. In these changes, some mechanics have become slightly unforgiving due to their nature, as well as others becoming more refined and efficient. In greater respect, these changes could prove to be fairly daunting, as some players may be caught off-guard by the mods changes due to planning or critical thinking. As such, IC2-Ex may prove to be the type of mod that is no longer something that players can just simply pick up and carelessly use, and thus may create a sense of aggravation for players progressing in their respective tech trees...
Since there are alternatives to the functionality of some of IC2's key staple products, those mods could be used in place of IC2-Ex to fill niche rolls (ore doubling, energy harnessing, etc.) that players have grown accustomed to over the long course of modded Minecraft play. Since these alternatives are much simpler and easier to use for players who prefer a more simplistic or easier experience in Minecraft, they could be offered in place of some of the functionality of IC2-Ex.
Some may think of this idea as a way to keep IC2 out of the hands of users. The goal is quite the opposite. Since the nature of IC2 has changed in such a way that may prove more intellectually demanding, it would be better to have that mod be more regularly suited in a modpack that focuses on complexity and critical thinking. Considering the nature of the Minecrack/Ultimate packs, tailoring them to suit the various demographics of players is a critical goal in which to ensure all members of the community can enjoy their variations of modded Minecraft to the highest degree. As such, where some players may find one mod pleasing, other players may not waste time voicing their discontent over it.
Therefore, in order to ensure a satisfying experience for the FTB player-base, having IC2-EX separated out of the 1.6 version of Ultimate/Unleashed may help alleviate community stress and facilitate in the proper tailoring of the packs to suit the needs of the player-base. Now, this solution does not include the DW20 pack, as that pack is created around what DW20 and his fanbase enjoy.
Another option would be to let us have IC2-Ex be available for a non-default option for the next rendition of the Ultimate/Unleashed pack for 1.6. Seeing as there are players who like to use IC2-Ex in the 1.6 versions of Minecraft, having the mod included in download and config. ready would also be a useful option. As there were many players who added Gregtech to Unleashed when it initially came out, having IC2-Ex included with the download of the pack can help players who want the added complexity and mechanics of said mod. Then, it would become a simple task of enabling the mod in FTB Launcher's settings, and running the client. This way, fans of IC2 can continue to play said mod, and could still utilize this option within their game-play...
In conclusion, I believe that it would be best to treat IC2-Ex with the same complexity as Gregtech or other Minecrack mods, and have it regulated within that set of packs for 1.6 for the time being. As IC2-Ex is a fan favorite for many years, the player-base may wish that it still have a presence within the FTB Launcher. Thus in order to provide a more refined and tailored experience for all players who use the FTB modpacks, moving IC2-Ex to the Minecrack set of Modpacks may help minimize player aggravation with said mods, reduce confusion with difficulty and intellectual demand of the packs, and allow the 1.6 release of mods to be more enjoyable for the fan-base, as the packs are tailored to suit their needs and desires.
