Simple & fun mods to expand the vanilla experience?

[abobabo]

So, I've on and off switched between playing vanilla minecraft and tech modpacks (starting back with tekkit, then moving to FTB, then doing my own custom). Recently I've played a lot of vanilla with my roommate, but things have become a bit stale since there's just not that much to do that we enjoy after a while, and they don't enjoy vanilla hardcore mode as I do.

On the other hand, they're not that into complex gameplay and tech-heavy stuff, more things like breeding, exploring and building a lot of smaller stuff in different areas of the world.

So I'm looking for a few simple mods to spice things up a bit, but that aren't overly complex or major reshapes. Preferably, it'd also be mods that aren't the "classic" tech mods (BC/IC/RC/TE/Forestry etc) so I can get something new to test out that I don't already know through and through (and also most of those mods are pretty complex).

Any suggestions? So far I've only come up with Biomes o' Plenty and BetterStorage, but I'm sure there's more out there. I've been looking for some mod on breeding animals but there seems to be no interesting ones; my roomate greatly enjoys playing around with genetics, but isn't overly interested in bees as they're more items than living creatures (in-game that is).

Thanks a lot for any ideas

EDIT: I realize it's not so much _simple_ mods I'm looking for as _intuitive_ mods. As much as possible should be understandable in-game, not requiring spending time on wikis etc to understand.

 

[Pokefenn]

Tinkers Construct.
Tinkers Mechwork
Chisel
Carpenters blocks
JABBA
Bibliocraft

 

[Celestialphoenix]

Tinkers Construct
Thaumcraft 4 (a lot of cool magic stuff- but it all feels like minecraft. The mod flows quite well)
-both these have their own in-game guide.

Also Alternate Terrain Gen or Extreme Terrain Gen (Wedge Gen) mods pair with BoP.

 

[abobabo]

Chisel looks fantastic, that's definately in! We'll give a try to JABBA, though I think BetterStorage is generally a better fit. Bibliocraft is a great mod, but doesn't really feel very minecrafty (too round).

Tinker's Construct is a huge revamp, as is TC4. It's a huge amount of work to learn and far too drastic of a change. More looking for smaller mods.


Alternate Terrain Gen seems fantastic! Definately going to try that, if their computer can handle it. Extreme settings tend to affect FPS a bit negatively.

 

[Racemol]

I would argue that the huge amount of work to learn TiCo and TC4 would fit your request. You were talking about people being bored!

Tinkers would fit into vanilla style because it focuses on tools. A nice alternative to the vanilla tools.
Thaumcraft could be really fun in a vanilla style environment. While it fits vanilla it would still give you amazing tools to automate stuff.

Biblio gives all your houses a purpose. Finally a way to make real furniture. Can't see why it would not fit into your pack.

If I would have to make a vanilla style pack, I'd use the mods Pokefenn posted. Though I would like to include some form of chunkloaders.

 

[Dylan4ever]

Twilight Forest ~ New dimension, much exploring, many bosses, such stuff

The Erebus (my own mod, sorry) ~ Dimension, many cool and intuitive additions. Also, death and despair.

NEI. Always.

Project Red ~ Vanilla feeling, people that want to can make huge contraptions

Extra Utilities ~ Just amazing. Complex stuff for those that want it, but overall epic stuff.

 

[Yusunoha]

you could also add some mods that don't actually add content, but functions and atmosphere. like ArmorStatusHUD, StatusEffectHUD, Zan's/Rei's Minimap, Opis/Journeymap, Inventory Tweaks, WAILA, MAtmos, Better Grass and Leaves, Shaders, Mob Amputation, Mob Dismemberment, Zombie Awaraness... you could also add some mods that don't add change too much of vanilla Minecraft like Enhanced Portals, EnchantingPlus, Waypoints, Natura, Millenaire and so on

 

[RedBoss]

I'd also recommend Tinker's Construct. The 3 in game guides are honestly not that complicated. With you wanting a near vanilla experience, TiCo offers minimal adjustment and is truly not complicated. It is complex when it comes to tinkering about with the tools. Plus it takes away the grind for diamond tool enchantments.

 

[gardenapple]

I have my own private modpack - Vanilla+ and that's the modlist i am using so far:
Forge Multipart
Chisel
Carpenters Blocks - make sure to check it out its awesome
ExtrabiomesXL(no BoP though, jungle spiders, amethyst and The Promised Land is just too much for vanilla)
Mccrayfish's Construction Mod - adds custom buiilding-packs that can be transferred to blueprints and then built using special blocks.
Waila - What Am I Looking At. 'Nuff said
BetterStorage
Bibliocraft
Ruins
NEI
ChickenChunks
Evoc - hopper optimization
Optifine
Opis - mapwriter + tools to see which chunks/mods/TileEntities are the most laggy
The list may be too big for vanilla, but i dont mind it
You can also install ExtraUtilities and just dont use its pipes/drums/conveyor belts(although they are pretty vanilla) or use Minetweaker to disable them. You'll love sound/rain mufflers!

 

[Drawde]

Pam's Harvestcraft if you like farming. Although it has LOTS of items (and thus potential ID conflicts) it doesn't affect much besides farming/food. No complex systems to use, though you probably need NEI for the food recipes.

 

[Croaganey]

If you like @Drawde's farming suggestion, also look at Agriculture and GrowthCraft. GrowthCraft for 1.6.4 is scheduled for release today.

 

[MoosyDoosy]

Tinker's Construct is all I can suggest and Bibliocraft. Bibliocraft just adds a bunch of nice looking things, and Tinker's Construct is just about tools. Don't see how it would be as much of a drastic learning curve like IC2.

 

[Algester]

Factorization I really do feel its kinda close to vanilla as it can get... but other than that, Open Blocks (the tanks are a bit laggy though use with caution lest its updated)

 

[NotEnoughCoffee]

Metallurgy will fit very nicely in vanilla. Bunch of new ores, armor, a crusher, furnaces and even a smeltery. All vanilla like.

For atmosphere i'd add special mobs. Going out at night will be that much interesting.

And have to agree, TiC. It's great fun.

Sent from my Radar C110e using Tapatalk

 

[tedyhere]

Modular Furnaces is a good fit also for more vanilla style ore processing.
Natura will add some nice world gen without adding Biomes.
Special Mobs or Zombie Awareness by themselves are fun, don't combine them on a server tho.
Better Dungeons is a blast to play with.
It's not complete yet but Ancient Warfare adds a ton of cool features, maybe to much for what you want.
Minecraft Comes Alive is a fun mod that adds in alot of villager features, including Marrying villagers and having children.
Hopper Ducts for moving items up and around without having big dropper ladders and crap.
I really like Steves Carts for adding in some techy stuff without going overboard.
Any of Gany's mods.. Gany's Nether, Gany's End, Gany's Surface.
Random Things is a cool addition also
I could go on and on but I should stop lol

 

[abobabo]

you could also add some mods that don't actually add content, but functions and atmosphere. like ArmorStatusHUD, StatusEffectHUD, Zan's/Rei's Minimap, Opis/Journeymap, Inventory Tweaks, WAILA, MAtmos, Better Grass and Leaves, Shaders, Mob Amputation, Mob Dismemberment, Zombie Awaraness... you could also add some mods that don't add change too much of vanilla Minecraft like Enhanced Portals, EnchantingPlus, Waypoints, Natura, Millenaire and so on

These are great suggestions, especially millenaire. Haven't played that since 1.25 or so, forgot all about it.

Right now it's looking like this:
Millenaire
ATG
MAtmos
Presence Footsteps
WAILA
BetterStorage

Also considering Natura, though, doesn't that put in stuff like gravel copper ore with no usage unless you have other mods?

Honestly, this feels about enough really. Enough to make Minecraft feel a bit new and have some new goals to aim for, without requiring too much focus.

 

[Golrith]

Natura doesn't, it's Tinkers Construct that does that.
Both Natura and Tinkers Construct have configs that allow you to disable anything within the mod.