Installing Mods

Supported Platforms

Before we begin, Modding is only supported on Windows, Linux, and macOS. The reason for this is due to BepInEx which is the framework that allows modding for Unity and .NET games. BepInEx only works on the afforementioned operating systems and does not offer support for console platforms.

Overview

In this guide we will explain how to install mods through Thunderstore. Thunderstore is a mod hosting site that is an alternative to Steam Workshop. Since the developers have not added Steam Workshop support for Monster Train 2 as of this writing, we have made mods available on thunderstore instead.

Why use a Mod Manager?

Mod managers offer several benefits over Steam Workshop:

1. Profile Management: Allows you to easily run the game with or without mods enabled. This is handy if you want to do dailies while still having mods setup you'd just run the game Vanilla (without mods) to do the daily. Profiles can be easily shared with other players.

2. Configuration Management: Mod configuration is present in the Mod Manager for easy configuration rather than hunting down the config files on your computer

3. Version rollback: Steam workshop automatically updates mods when the mods update, sometimes however, a modder makes a mistake when updating a mod which breaks a mod (or the entire time). You can choose to rollback a mod to a previous version whereas with Steam Workshop you'd only have the option t unsubscribe to the mod or wait for a fix.

4. Dependency Resolution: It automatically handles mod dependencies when mods are installied, ensuring that all necessary components are installed alongside the main mod. This reduces the risk of compatibility issues that can arise when using mods from Steam Workshop.

5. Easy Mod Management: Installed mods can be easily enabled or disabled without having to run the game, select the mods to disable, and then having to restart the game to apply the changes.

Installing a Mod Manager

To interface with Thunderstore there are 3 main mod managers available. I will recommend R2ModMan or Gale specifically.

1. Thunderstore Mod Manager (TMM) The official Mod Manager and client for Thunderstore. It is very beginner friendly. However to some users the presence of ads and requires Overwolf which may turn some folks off. However there's other lightweight alternatives.

2. Gale Mod Manager (Gale) A lightweight mod manager, recommended for folks who are power users and want more control over mod profiles. It featueres ease of use of mod configuration files and doesn't have the ads present in TMM. The program itself is under 20 MB.

3. R2ModMan This is an alternative to TMM without Overwolf. and a mature mod manager that has all of the same features and similar looking interface to TMM.

Using a Mod Manager

When opening the Mod Manager you should be presented with a Game Selection menu.

1. Search for Monster Train 2

2. You will be prompted to create a Profile, Create a new Profile or select the default Profile.

3. Your profile should be empty. Now to download some mods. The option to find mods should be on the left pane. In TMM the option is called "Get Mods". In R2ModMan the option is "Online under the Mods. In Gale the option is Install Mods. (Alternatively you can browse the Thunderstore website MT2 mods)

4. Hit download for any mods you are interested in. It should download the mod along with any other mod it needs to function.

5. Once a mod has been downloaded it will appear in your list of installed mods.

6. Hit the start modded button to star the game with the mods you have installed enabled.

Configuring your mods

Enabling/Disabling Mods

Within your mod profile you can enable/disable mods by clicking the toggle button on the mod

Mod Configuration Editor

All of the mod managers should have a config editor on the left pane. Be sure to run the mod at least once to generate any configuration files that they made need.

Once you click the config editor you will see all of the configuration files associated with the mods you have installed. In the case you have of Gale the config entries for the mods are directly in the editor.

Specifically for Monster Train 2 Modding be sure to only edit files that are in the BepInEx\config folder that have a .cfg extension as those files will be actual configuration files used by mods.

For instance the BalanceConfigurator mod has a configuration file named BepInEx\config\BalanceConfigurator.Plugin.cfg If you click on the file it should give you the open to edit the Config file right in the mod manager or Open the file with an external text editor program. It is recommended to use the mods internal editor.

Once opened you will be presented with the contents of the file with configuration options split into sections. Find the options you would like to edit and change them.

Typically you must restart the game for the configuration changes to take effect.

Updating mods

When updates are released to mods you will get a notification within your mod manager if you want to update. You are free to keep your mods up-to-date, some mods like Trainworks-Reloaded and Conductor do have frequent updates and you need not use the latest versions of these two to enjoy your mods (unless there's a breakage). These mods are used as dependencies for other mods and will use the minimum version as required by the other mods you are using.