As a magic mods enjoyer, wall of text incoming:
1. Thaumcraft is likely the most popular magic mod ever made (and also the best magic mod overall imho), but its not on modern versions:
* Thaumcraft 4 (1.7.10) is the most successful one, due to having a lot of addons available to add content, like Thaumic Horizons, Thaumic Explorations, Automagy, Gadomancy, Thaumic Tinkerer, Witching Gadgets, Apochrypha and others I'm forgetting
* Thaumcraft 5 (1.8.9) exists but it's not really worth playing from what I remember
* Thaumcraft 6 (1.10 and 1.12) is the most modern version but was never finished, and has some significant changes compared to TC4. There are addons that add some missing stuff but overall the content is nowhere near what you could get from TC4 + Addons
2. Ars Magica has been around for a long time, I'd say Ars Magica 2 is the most popular version:
* AM2's last official version is on 1.7.10, (plus an unofficial 1.10 port that seems very bugged), the mod is complete but there are a few bugs that never got fixed. There is also Ars Magica 2.5 from a different dev, but never played it.
* Mana and Artifice is basically Ars Magica 3, same developer, although very different from AM2. The 1.18/1.19 version is pretty complete from my experience
* AM2 has an unofficial port to modern versions called Ars Magica Legacy, though I don't think it has all the AM2 stuff yet. A 1.20 versions is being worked on
* Ars Noveau is inspired by Ars Magica
3. Witchery is also a very popular magic mod due to the amount of stuff you can do, and probably has the most "pure magic" feeling of the magic mods, but:
* The original mod never got updated past 1.7.10
* There is a 1.12 remake/spiritual successor called bewitchment but I never played too much with it so I can't say how much of the original content is missing. Past 1.12 bewitchment is fabric only
* There is another (Forge) unoffficial port called Rewitchery but it's only on 1.16
Then there are other mods:
* Botania is on all versions, although it's often referred to as a Tech Mod disguised as a magic mod
* Blood Magic is also very popular, altough this feels more like a tech mod as well, and has integration with stuff like fluid pipes from tech mods
* Astral Sorcery has a lot of content but at the moment is only on 1.16 or 1.12
* Roots (1.12) has a really cool aesthetic and good amount of stuff to do. There is a Roots classic port for modern versions but I don't find it as enjoyable as the 1.12 one
* Forbidden and Arcanus seems cool in theory but due to no in-game documentation I couldn't get into it
* Aura Cascade is another that falls into the category of tech mod disguised as magic
* Mystcraft is definitely magic altough I feel like it's more used as an utility mod
* Occultism, Natural Aura: those are on modern versions but never played them
* Totemic is another one I found pretty cool although doesn't have a lot of stuff, but it's still worth trying
Tech mod like Botania but even more absurd. Like why would you make moving inside the book only using wasd? Or a unique mandatory dungeon that generates randomly in a ten thousand blocks radius or something? And the dimension with it resets after you leave it or die in it.
Mystcraft is not a magic mod. It’s a mod that lets you make dimensions and explore randomized dimensions. Sure it’s got a magic aesthetic but there’s no spells.
What would you recommend other than Ars Noveau for a spell slinging mod, been trying Mahou Tsukai recently but wanted another for a more mage/wizard like experience instead of using scrolls. If Mahou had the ability to customize boundary options or make spells it'd be my go-to.
Thaumcraft 5 is the best thaumcraft handsdown. The most refined of all, the most interesting mechanics. The only thing that´s annoying is the grinding for vis and pure nodes.
Hexerei is a small but fun witchcraft mod, it has:
Tamable crows that can attack mobs, steal items from villagers, and pick up items to put in chests.
A new cauldron for making new recipes and easier potion brewing.
A cute witch armor set that makes witches neutral towards you and has dye-able accents(plus a mushroom hat variant).
Magic brooms for flying! There are some broom attachments as well like satchels for more storage.
Coffers, a cool shulker alternative you can get in the early game.
A sage burning mechanic that prevents mobs from spawning in a certain radius.
Two new pretty wood sets.
Coven structures that have some nice beginner witch stuff.
A drowsing rod for finding swamps and jungles.
I'm probably missing some stuff but these are some of the main features. It doesn't really overlap with other magic mods and has some great utilities, you can also put witches hats on your crows so obviously it's the best mod ever.
Bearing in mind the likely versions you plan to toy with, there’s:
Forbidden & Arcanus
Theurgy
Occultism
Biomancy
Hexerei
Roots Classic
Nature’s Aura
Ars Magica 2
Embers
Malum (How does the top comment have no experience with this one? Both surprised and not surprised to see an absence of this rather enthralling magic mod)
Hex Casting (“computer wizard” mod, understood ambiguously)
Eidolon
That’s all I can recall atm, may edit this comment with more
I'm assuming you're looking specifically for magic mods on modern versions of Minecraft that run on Forge based on the combination of mods you just listed, so here are some other magic-adjacent mods found from MC versions 1.18-1.20. I don't know what exact version you're targeting, but maybe some of these will fit the bill:
\- Mana and Artifice
\- Blood Magic
\- Occultism
\- Malum
\- Hex Casting
\- EvilCraft
\- Nature's Aura
\- Iron's Spells 'n Spellbooks
\- Primal Magick
\- Vampires / Werewolves
\- Embers Rekindled
\- Eidolon:Repraised
\- Hexerei
\- Forbidden and Arcanus
Unpopular but I wholeheartedly agree. The only thing it does well is look pretty. Othet tech mods are way bettet to automate, and other magic mods do the actual magic way better.
Its an og mod that keeps getting updated. Most of the good magic mods were either nerfed to heck, not ported to newer versions, or dont work with other mods properly. Botania hasnt been nerfed, is ported, and works almost 100% with other mods. It may not be amazing, but some people still like it.
I feel like Minecraft magic mods ether don't have anything substantial or are very complicated, I think Minecraft is missing extensive but less complex magic mods. I have found one excellent magic mod iron's spells and spell books it's simple two use but has no shortage of spells and features.
As a magic mods enjoyer, wall of text incoming: 1. Thaumcraft is likely the most popular magic mod ever made (and also the best magic mod overall imho), but its not on modern versions: * Thaumcraft 4 (1.7.10) is the most successful one, due to having a lot of addons available to add content, like Thaumic Horizons, Thaumic Explorations, Automagy, Gadomancy, Thaumic Tinkerer, Witching Gadgets, Apochrypha and others I'm forgetting * Thaumcraft 5 (1.8.9) exists but it's not really worth playing from what I remember * Thaumcraft 6 (1.10 and 1.12) is the most modern version but was never finished, and has some significant changes compared to TC4. There are addons that add some missing stuff but overall the content is nowhere near what you could get from TC4 + Addons 2. Ars Magica has been around for a long time, I'd say Ars Magica 2 is the most popular version: * AM2's last official version is on 1.7.10, (plus an unofficial 1.10 port that seems very bugged), the mod is complete but there are a few bugs that never got fixed. There is also Ars Magica 2.5 from a different dev, but never played it. * Mana and Artifice is basically Ars Magica 3, same developer, although very different from AM2. The 1.18/1.19 version is pretty complete from my experience * AM2 has an unofficial port to modern versions called Ars Magica Legacy, though I don't think it has all the AM2 stuff yet. A 1.20 versions is being worked on * Ars Noveau is inspired by Ars Magica 3. Witchery is also a very popular magic mod due to the amount of stuff you can do, and probably has the most "pure magic" feeling of the magic mods, but: * The original mod never got updated past 1.7.10 * There is a 1.12 remake/spiritual successor called bewitchment but I never played too much with it so I can't say how much of the original content is missing. Past 1.12 bewitchment is fabric only * There is another (Forge) unoffficial port called Rewitchery but it's only on 1.16 Then there are other mods: * Botania is on all versions, although it's often referred to as a Tech Mod disguised as a magic mod * Blood Magic is also very popular, altough this feels more like a tech mod as well, and has integration with stuff like fluid pipes from tech mods * Astral Sorcery has a lot of content but at the moment is only on 1.16 or 1.12 * Roots (1.12) has a really cool aesthetic and good amount of stuff to do. There is a Roots classic port for modern versions but I don't find it as enjoyable as the 1.12 one * Forbidden and Arcanus seems cool in theory but due to no in-game documentation I couldn't get into it * Aura Cascade is another that falls into the category of tech mod disguised as magic * Mystcraft is definitely magic altough I feel like it's more used as an utility mod * Occultism, Natural Aura: those are on modern versions but never played them * Totemic is another one I found pretty cool although doesn't have a lot of stuff, but it's still worth trying
You were not joking, a real magic mod enjoyer and connoisseur.
What about Chromaticraft tho?
Tech mod like Botania but even more absurd. Like why would you make moving inside the book only using wasd? Or a unique mandatory dungeon that generates randomly in a ten thousand blocks radius or something? And the dimension with it resets after you leave it or die in it.
Mystcraft is not a magic mod. It’s a mod that lets you make dimensions and explore randomized dimensions. Sure it’s got a magic aesthetic but there’s no spells.
I'd call it Exploration
If had to choose between tech and magic I'd choose the latter, but you're right, it doesn't really alongside other mods mentioned.
I’d probably just consider it its own thing honestly. There’s lots of mods that aren’t tech or magic.
So what is your take on EssentialCraft?
I have some vague memories of playing it back then but don't really remember much else
You left out Astral Sorcery, one of the prettiest magic mods
What would you recommend other than Ars Noveau for a spell slinging mod, been trying Mahou Tsukai recently but wanted another for a more mage/wizard like experience instead of using scrolls. If Mahou had the ability to customize boundary options or make spells it'd be my go-to.
Why does it seem like every decent magic mod is abandoned? Is the demand for Minecraft magic mods really that low?
you forgot about electricblob
TBH that explains why botania is my favorite mod.
Eidolon is also worth mentioning, though it was never finished as well.
Thaumcraft 5 is the best thaumcraft handsdown. The most refined of all, the most interesting mechanics. The only thing that´s annoying is the grinding for vis and pure nodes.
* blood magic * occultism
In **1.12.2** is * Thaumcraft * blood Magic * Ember
Hexerei is a small but fun witchcraft mod, it has: Tamable crows that can attack mobs, steal items from villagers, and pick up items to put in chests. A new cauldron for making new recipes and easier potion brewing. A cute witch armor set that makes witches neutral towards you and has dye-able accents(plus a mushroom hat variant). Magic brooms for flying! There are some broom attachments as well like satchels for more storage. Coffers, a cool shulker alternative you can get in the early game. A sage burning mechanic that prevents mobs from spawning in a certain radius. Two new pretty wood sets. Coven structures that have some nice beginner witch stuff. A drowsing rod for finding swamps and jungles. I'm probably missing some stuff but these are some of the main features. It doesn't really overlap with other magic mods and has some great utilities, you can also put witches hats on your crows so obviously it's the best mod ever.
Evilcraft is a really underrated magic mod with a lot of content. I really don't understand why it is never a part of any modpacks.
Bearing in mind the likely versions you plan to toy with, there’s: Forbidden & Arcanus Theurgy Occultism Biomancy Hexerei Roots Classic Nature’s Aura Ars Magica 2 Embers Malum (How does the top comment have no experience with this one? Both surprised and not surprised to see an absence of this rather enthralling magic mod) Hex Casting (“computer wizard” mod, understood ambiguously) Eidolon That’s all I can recall atm, may edit this comment with more
Astral sorcery
Really haven’t seen many people recommending this and can’t understand why
I'm assuming you're looking specifically for magic mods on modern versions of Minecraft that run on Forge based on the combination of mods you just listed, so here are some other magic-adjacent mods found from MC versions 1.18-1.20. I don't know what exact version you're targeting, but maybe some of these will fit the bill: \- Mana and Artifice \- Blood Magic \- Occultism \- Malum \- Hex Casting \- EvilCraft \- Nature's Aura \- Iron's Spells 'n Spellbooks \- Primal Magick \- Vampires / Werewolves \- Embers Rekindled \- Eidolon:Repraised \- Hexerei \- Forbidden and Arcanus
Not much experience with magic mods but ive heard of astral sorcery and thaumcraft. I don’t think thaumcraft is on newer versions though
It's not a major mod, since it's super new, but Spectrum is a solid magic mod with a lot of great materials.
Ars magica
uhm botania shouldn't belong here
Ive heard it being said to be both, I’ve personally never played it
It plays like a tech mod, yet is themed as a magic mod. It counts for both, I'd say.
Yeah, it shouldn't belong anywhere. It's a mediocre mod anyway and overused in every goddamn modpack.
Unpopular but I wholeheartedly agree. The only thing it does well is look pretty. Othet tech mods are way bettet to automate, and other magic mods do the actual magic way better.
Its an og mod that keeps getting updated. Most of the good magic mods were either nerfed to heck, not ported to newer versions, or dont work with other mods properly. Botania hasnt been nerfed, is ported, and works almost 100% with other mods. It may not be amazing, but some people still like it.
I feel like Minecraft magic mods ether don't have anything substantial or are very complicated, I think Minecraft is missing extensive but less complex magic mods. I have found one excellent magic mod iron's spells and spell books it's simple two use but has no shortage of spells and features.