Which Horizon pack should I start with?

The three default answers

• Better+ — the all-rounder: 39 mods, recipes, map, HUD, light content. One pin.
• Near Vanilla — the safe profile: no content mods, hooks 1-2, builds on older nightlies.
• Featherweight — the laptop pack: lower load, higher FPS, no maps or particles.

If you want a job done

• Automate a base: Grid for AE2, The Works for AE2 + Create + Voltz + ProjectE.
• Build: Blueprint for schematics and WorldEdit; Wallpaper for interiors and lamps.
• Explore: Skyline for Tectonic terrain and Distant Horizons; Stone Road for waystones and a biome compass.
• Mine: Deep Shift for a quarry, Veinminer and 84 ores; Seedstock if you also want farms.
• Fight: Duel for hitboxes, timings and a fair free camera.
• Play with friends: Campfire for voice, chat heads and a server browser.
• Record: Studio for a free camera, physics and LOD horizons.
• Survive the dark: Blackout for no map, no fullbright, physics and blood.
• Go fast: Any% for a timer and a light overlay, single-player only.

Pins and servers

A pin is a native mod tied to one Horizon commit. Two pins is normal; three is a kitchen-sink pack and will ask “Build anyway”. The card shows the number before you install.

Server-safe is a flag. Campfire and Duel are built for multiplayer; High Voltage, Drift and Any% are not. A server owner can still reject a client mod, so read their rules.

You do not have to choose forever

Each pack gets its own profile, worlds and configs. Install Better+ tonight and Skyline next week; the worlds do not mix.

If you only want one mod, do not install a pack. The Mods screen can install a single registry project into a profile.