This thread is old, but still relevant (apparently).
Here is another reason why gcc(1) should be included in the package "gcc:" Let's say all I want to do is build the VirtualBox Guest Additions. I have to install a ton of packages in order to get the compiler, just so I can build the GA's. This is a rather non-standard way of doing things, and one that has resulted in a long lesson in cards package organization.
Hopefully, I won't forget this when I go to install NuTyX on real hardware. In order to run VMs, it may be the case that I will need to build some modules (which is also unusual). I say this because while testing in a VM, I am unable to run a (32 bit) VM because it wants some module(s) built and loaded first.