Slay the Spire 2: How to Install Mods & Best Mods List

Mad Crit's new hit piece hit the Steam Early Access earlier this month, bring a major support for the modding community.

0
9
Slay the Spire 2: How to Install Mods & Best Mods List
Credit: Mad Crit

If you’re into PC gaming and enjoy modding, then Slay the Spire 2 may just be your thing right now. With its early access launching in early March, Mega Crit’s follow-up to its 2019 roguelite deck-building hit not only represents a solid technical step forward for the series, but also positions itself as far more welcoming to the modding community.

A big reason for that is the shift in technology. Unlike the original game, which ran on a Java/LibGDX framework, Slay the Spire 2 now uses the open-source Godot Engine. That change gives modders access to more flexible and accessible tools, making it easier to create and implement more complex content.

In simpler terms, the game is much easier to mod, and the community has already gotten to work. So we went through what’s out there and put together a list of some of the best mods currently available, what they do, and how to use them.

How to Install Mods in Slay the Spire 2

Slay the Spire 2: How to Install Mods & Best Mods List
Credit: Valve/NexusMods

Slay the Spire 2 offers multiple paths for modding, ranging from integrated official tools to mod loaders. While the official method is the easiest to use, manual installation gives you access to deeper, more experimental mods that are not available through standard channels.

How to Install Mods via Steam Workshop

Using the Steam Workshop is simple and is the preferred option for most players. It relies on built-in support from the developers, making the process quick and hassle-free, though it may limit access to some advanced mods.

  • Open Steam Library: Select Slay the Spire 2 and go to the “Workshop” tab.
  • Subscribe: Browse available mods and click the green “Subscribe” button on anything you want to install.
  • Enable in Main Menu: Launch the game, open the “Mods” menu, and check the box next to your downloaded mod.
  • Restart: Restart the game so the engine can compile and apply the changes.

How to Install Mods Manually Using A Mod Loader

Manual installation gives you more control and access to advanced mods, since you are working directly with the game’s internal files. It is a bit more technical, but necessary if you want to run more complex, code-heavy modifications. For Slay the Spire 2, the most common tool for this is the BepInEx Mod Loader, which acts as a universal framework for advanced mods.

  • Download BepInEx: Get the version compatible with the game’s current build, usually available on Nexus Mods.
  • Extract to Game Root: Unzip the files into your installation folder (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Slay the Spire 2), placing the BepInEx folder alongside SlayTheSpire2.exe.
  • Initialize: Launch the game once so the loader can generate the required configuration folders.
  • Place Mod Files: Move your downloaded .dll files into the BepInEx/plugins folder.
  • Restart: Launch the game again. A console window should briefly appear, confirming that your mods are loading correctly.

Best Mods in Slay the Spire 2

Slay the Spire 2: How to Install Mods & Best Mods List
Image credit: Mega Crit

The following list highlights the most essential and highly-rated mods currently available for the sequel.

1. The Watcher

Since The Watcher was the only character from the original cast missing at the launch of the sequel, the modder lamali has ported her specifically to fill this void. This version of the character is fully rebuilt for the Godot Engine, including all of her classic animations, card pools, and stance mechanics that made her so powerful in the first title.

The mod is currently active and functional in both single-player and multiplayer modes for the sequel. While the creator mentions that there may be minor bugs in multiplayer interactions, it remains the most popular way to play as the fourth original hero while waiting for an official update from Mega Crit.

2. BetterSpire2 (QOL)

BetterSpire2 is a comprehensive utility mod created by JDR specifically for the sequel to act as an “all-in-one” solution for quality-of-life improvements. It introduces features that the community has requested for the new engine, such as a damage counter that eliminates the need for mental math during complex multi-hit turns.

The mod offers two versions for Slay the Spire 2: a “Lite” version that strictly provides informative UI additions and a “Full” version that allows for difficulty tweaking and administrative controls. These features include the ability to restart fights with a single button press or even kick players from a multiplayer lobby if necessary.

3. Damage Meter

Designed by PiPiFanDev specifically to complement the sequel’s new focus on cooperative play, the Damage Meter mod is inspired by popular combat trackers in MMOs. It adds a real-time combat analysis HUD to your party’s screen, tracking 17 different stat categories including damage dealt, cards played, and assist blocking.

This mod is an essential tool for players who want to analyze their performance or identify who in their group is pulling their weight during a run. By providing cold, hard data on card efficiency and defensive contributions, it adds a competitive edge to the game’s official multiplayer mode.

4. Minty Spire 2 (Port)

Minty Spire 2 is a dedicated port of the most legendary quality-of-life mod from the original game, rebuilt from the ground up to support the sequel’s new architecture. It functions as a visual assistant that “removes friction” from your daily climbs by highlighting overlapping relics and providing clear visual cues for boss relics.

Beyond organization, the mod includes critical safety alerts, such as warning you before you end a turn with unspent energy. These lightweight additions are designed to maintain the balance of the sequel while making the user interface much more informative and less prone to simple player errors.

Since this is a port from a pre-existing mod available on the previous game, this is still a work-in-progress, but you can get it on GitHub.

5. Undo and Redo

Created by Jiesi Luo for the sequel, the UndoAndRedo mod provides a much-needed safety net for players facing the Spire’s unforgiving challenges. The mod works by taking a “snapshot” of the game state before every card play or potion use, allowing you to rewind the clock if a tactical choice leads to a disaster.

It is important to note that this specific mod is restricted to single-player mode only to prevent desync issues or cheating in the sequel’s multiplayer sessions. It serves as an invaluable training tool for mastering the new enemies and mechanics introduced in Early Access without losing a promising run to a single misclick.

6. Act 4 Placeholder

While players know that a final confrontation with “The Architect” is coming in the sequel, the official Act 4 content is still in development; the Act 4 Placeholder mod by iKenster fills this gap now. It adds an additional act to your run that allows you to bypass the standard ending and proceed directly to a challenging boss encounter.

This mod is fully compatible with the sequel’s multiplayer mode, allowing a full party of four to test their builds against a high-difficulty endgame boss together. It serves as a perfect “training session” for experienced players who want to see if their decks are truly capable of handling the game’s ultimate threats.

Final Thoughts

The transition to the Godot engine has set the stage for what could be a golden age of modding for Slay the Spire 2. With a more stable and flexible foundation, creators now have the tools to push things much further, whether that means small quality-of-life tweaks or full-blown overhaul projects.

You don’t even have to take my word for it. Just look at games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which launched back in 2011 and is still thriving today largely because of its modding scene. The same can be said for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which continues to benefit from community-driven content years after release.

And much like Bethesda or CD Projekt Red with those titles, Mega Crit seems fully committed to supporting modders. The developers have openly talked about this approach, even confirming it during a Reddit AMA, making it clear that community creativity is part of the game’s long-term vision.

As early access for Slay the Spire 2 continues, the game will keep expanding with new characters, relics, and mechanics. Combined with an active modding scene, that means the experience is only going to grow over time. Slay the Spire 2 is only available on PC through Steam.

Add PlayRatedGames as a preferred source on Google
Follow us for the latest gaming updates and guides
Add as preferred source on Google

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here