This is a mod collection which improves RimWorld in a variety of ways without drifting away from how Vanilla RimWorld works. It is intended to feel like a non-invasive DLC or general improvement.

In other words, this is not just Quality of Life, it does adds a whole bunch of new content, but said content is harshly filtered.

The collection is intended to be used as a basis for a larger modpack. E:g. add this and it's base pack, then start adding fantasy mods or whatever you prefer for your next run.

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The collection assumes you're also using the Quality of Life & Base Pack.

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To remain true to the above the collection is beholden by a few rules...

Note that failing these rules does not in any way mean that that mods are bad. Many of my own mods will fail these qualifications and get yeeted unto specialised lists.
Any mods which power-creeps vanilla is out.

Any mod which lacks a clear purpose where it is hard to tell where it may conflict with another mod. This generally disqualifies all Mass-Tweak mods without a mission statement.

Mods which tilt loot tables in a way that may crowd out vanilla content or fill it out with alternatives which are not on par with vanilla.

Mods a lot to the rare-item loot pool; causing items like healer mech serums to become very hard to obtain.
Mods adding many low-impact traits.
Mods adding cosmetic genes with a default/high `selectionWeight` causing them to crowd out vanilla genes.

Mods that change mechanics or behaviours in a way that may surprise players. E.g. VRE Genies making genies require antibiotics to function.

Any mod that fills up any often-used menu with a lot of options that may either confuse the user, bloat up the interface will not go on this modlist.

Most harshly judges are mods that add lots intermediaries or side-grades. For example gun components, car suspenders, sheet metal screws.
Apparel is judged harshly, especially if they lack proper tags for outfits since this can make setting uniforms a pain.
Low-impact plants, meals, etc. which does not meaningfully change the gameplay but may obfuscate high-impact options.

It can be hard to spot some crucial mod sci-fi plant if the menu has yam, squash, aubergine, cucumbers, zucchini, ...
Mods in general which add a lot of features or items insufficiently different from vanilla content.

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The mod pack is especially looking for...
Quality of life changes, balance improvements, texture improvements, bugfixes, performance fixes.

Hairstyles, item styles, cosmetic non-craftable props, backstories

Map variation, quests/events, animals, genes.

Redesigns of existing content, e.g. reimagining races, modifying combat.

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A lot of the mods are theme mods and are more suitable for adding when you know what theme you're going for. You probably don't want VFE Deserters for your medieval overhaul run.

Alpha Genes in particular which only failed to get onto this list due to selection weight of cosmetic or oddball genes like "fertility outdoors" cramping out vanilla genes a bit too much.
Alpha animals would also make it if not for the ability of some animals to really throw a curveball into the early game.

Rendering issues with major mods, especially mods adding humanlike monsters like zombies or xenotypes with custom heads.

A very cool inclusion if your final list works well with it.

Mostly not here because they adhere to a non-vanilla style/theme, such as Fantasy rather than RimWorld's sci-fi.