so wiki says download the basic packages along with the init packages using pacman -Sw.
then later on wiki says to install the same packages using pacman -S. wouldn't pacman -S sync with the repos? this wouldn't install the packages already downloaded in the pacman cache from the previous step.
also, their are some differences in the packages listed in the download step and install step. why is that? i'm comparing the open-rc init examples
then, removing the /etc/resolv.conf disables my internet connection, so i can't sync from repos.
It will definitely install the packages from the cache, that's the purpose of the cache
Like in the other topic, you are supposed to know what you are doing, install what you need.
Yeah that's why you need to cache the packages.