Best of Both Worlds 2
For years, Minecraft players have been split into two camps: those who love the resourceful, isolated challenge of skyblock, and those who prefer the open-ended freedom of exploring a vast overworld. What if you never had to choose? That is the core idea behind Best of Both Worlds 2, a kitchen-sink modpack that starts you in the void and dares you to build a bridge to a more traditional Minecraft experience. This sequel to the original Best of Both Worlds pack refines the formula with better performance, a fresh mod list, and a clear path from a single tree to a portal out of the sky.
Whether you are a returning player from the first pack or a newcomer curious about skyblock modpacks, this guide will walk you through what makes this modpack special, how to get started, and how to install it. The pack is designed for Minecraft 1.20.1 and runs on the Forge mod loader, offering a stable and familiar foundation for a mix of new and classic mods.
A Sequel Worth the Wait
The original Best of Both Worlds was a passion project that combined skyblock mechanics with the promise of a normal overworld. The creator took a long break from modding, but the sequel arrives with lessons learned. One of the most noticeable improvements is boot time. The first pack was notorious for taking half an hour to load; Best of Both Worlds 2 for Minecraft is significantly faster, letting you jump into the action without the long wait.
While some mods from the original pack could not be ported to the newer version, the creator has done their best to find replacements with similar scopes. The mod list is not final, and suggestions are welcome, but the current lineup includes a healthy mix of technology, magic, quality-of-life, and optimization mods. This is a living pack that may grow over time.
Starting in the Void
Your journey begins like many skyblock adventures: you spawn on a single tree floating in the void. From this humble start, you must use a crook from Ex Deorum to increase the drop rates of saplings and food from leaves. This tool is essential in the early game, as it accelerates your resource gathering significantly.
The immediate goal is to gather enough resources to craft 16 blocks of coal and a couple of diamonds. These are not for tools or armor, but for a very specific purpose: building a portal frame. Once you have the frame constructed, you will need a hoe to ignite it, similar to how you would light a nether portal with flint and steel. This portal leads to the custom "normal overworld" dimension that the creator built specifically for this pack.
A Portal to a New World
Reaching the overworld is a major milestone, but it is not the end of the journey. To travel between dimensions freely, you will still need to build a traditional nether portal within the void dimension. This adds a layer of strategy, as you must decide where to invest your early resources. The overworld offers a more traditional Minecraft experience, complete with caves, biomes, and the freedom to explore without the constraints of a floating island.
JEI (Just Enough Items) is your best friend here, as it will help you discover the recipes for all the new blocks and items. The pack is a "kitchen-sink" style, meaning there is a little bit of everything, but not much in the way of guided progression. You are free to set your own goals and play at your own pace.
Performance and Server Play
One of the biggest upgrades in the sequel is the ability to run a dedicated server. The creator figured out a simple method: install the Forge server version 47.4.0 into a folder and copy the mod folders from a single-player instance into that directory. This works well for most mods, even if some are not explicitly marked as server-compatible. If you have a better method, the community is open to suggestions.
For those looking to play with friends, this makes the experience much more accessible. You can share the skyblock challenge or explore the custom overworld together, which adds a whole new dimension to the gameplay.
How to Install
If you are ready to dive in, the process is straightforward. You can download Best of Both Worlds 2 from popular modpack platforms like CurseForge. The pack is available for Minecraft 1.20.1 and requires the Forge mod loader. Once downloaded, you can import it into your preferred launcher. If you are using the foxygame.net launcher, you will find that it supports one-click installs for modpacks, making it incredibly easy to get Best of Both Worlds 2 up and running without manual configuration. The launcher's add-on catalog also helps you keep track of updates, ensuring you always have the latest version of the pack without breaking your save files.
For a more manual approach, you can download the pack files and place them into your Minecraft mods folder, provided you have the correct version of Forge installed. The process is the same as installing any other modpack, and the creator has provided a link to a Google Doc guide for those unfamiliar with skyblock modpacks or the specific mods included. This introductory guide takes you from spawn to building the portal out to the overworld, covering the essential early steps.
Community and Support
The creator is active on Discord and encourages players to stop by with questions or suggestions. They admit to forgetting things in the description and are more likely to read Discord messages than comments, so it is the best place to get help. Whether you are stuck on a specific recipe or want to suggest a new mod for the pack, the community is the place to be.
In conclusion, Best of Both Worlds 2 is a unique take on the skyblock genre that rewards patience and creativity. It bridges the gap between two popular playstyles, offering a challenging start and a rewarding payoff. With a faster load time, a curated mod list, and the ability to play on a server, it is a worthy sequel that honors the spirit of the original while pushing things forward. If you have ever wanted to have your cake and eat it too, this is the modpack for you.
So, gather your saplings, craft your crook, and start building toward that portal. The best of both worlds is waiting, and all it takes is a little bit of coal and a diamond or two to get there.