Modpacks: Newer Forge/Sponge version vs older version?

Sponge Sponge Support
1

If I am using a modpack someone else created, which was created using a Forge that is older than the most current version, do I need to exactly match the version of Forge to that older version, or can I use the newest version of Forge and Sponge?

As far as I know the most critical thing that must match is the game version. I don’t think a modpack written for game version 10.2 is going to work with a newer game version of 12.

But how critical is it to use the same Forge version that a pack was designed around for that game version?

Likewise, do I need to use the same older version of SpongeForge that matches the old version of Forge for that modpack, or can I use the newest version of SpongeForge?

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Feed The Beast Hermit Pack, current pack version is 1.7:

https://www.feed-the-beast.com/projects/ftb-presents-hermitpack/files

The server modpack includes Forge version:

  • forge-1.10.2-12.18.3.2254-universal.jar, date 03/06/17 10:42 PM

,

This is not the most current version of Forge for MC 10.2, that is:

  • 12.18.3.2422, date 07/21/17 05:40 AM

From: Minecraft Forge

,

This is not the most current version of SpongeForge for MC 10.2, that is:

  • 1.10.2-2281-5.2.0-BETA-2464

From:
https://www.spongepowered.org/downloads/spongeforge/stable/1.10.2

2

Matching Forge and Sponge version isn’t that important, but you should always use the latest Sponge version for your target Minecraft version. Updating Forge version doesn’t break anything most of the time and in this case the changes between 2254 and 2422 are rather minor. Running Forge 2254, 2281 or even 2422 with Sponge 1.10.2-2281-5.2.0-BETA-2464 will work just fine, so updating Forge to latest won’t hurt in this case and you get a few extra bug fixes.

3

This is pretty helpful to know that it is possible to use latest sponge build for MC version most of the time.
I have a similar question:

Attempting to update dedicated server running DW20 pack to recommended. Looks like forge version that was referenced in the changelog was 2316. Pack version I am looking at is FTB Presents Direwolf20 1.10-1.10.2-1.12.1. However, I am unable to find a matching version of sponge. Looks like the latest sponge version is 1.10.2-2281-5.2.0-BETA-2464. Of course the server won’t start. Should I not update until I see a version of Sponge available that matches to the forge build? Or perhaps get a forge version 2281 as well…

If anyone has any suggestions - would highly appreciate the assistance!