FORTS - How to play with Workshop Maps and Mods

[Romerolagus]

What is the Forts Workshop?

The Forts Workshop is where players can create, publish, and download maps and mods for Forts on Steam.

Where can I download Workshop content?

Maps and mods can be downloaded directly from multiplayer lobbies. Look for a red download arrow next to the map and mod menus to download the selected options for the current game. A red arrow will also appear next to items suggested by other players in chat.

You can also download items directly from the Steam Workshop:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/410900/workshop/

How do I play with Workshop content?

Once you have downloaded a Workshop map or mod, you will need to enable it for your current game. To select a Workshop item, click on the "Player" tab in the map or mods menu to see your Workshop downloads.

Note: Not every Workshop item supports all game modes. For example, in order to support Skirmish mode, the mapmaker must have recorded an AI base and flagged the map as being Skirmish compatible. Some items, such as capture maps or portal mods, may also require the Moonshot DLC in order to be selected.

What are some popular Workshop items?

Tanya's-Mod is currently the most subscribed item on the Forts Workshop. It is one of the oldest and most comprehensive Forts mods with a complete commander rework and dozens of new weapons, materials, and devices. It also introduces new physics and projectile interactions, including lighter-than-air materials, solar power generation, and anti-gravity generators.

However, it does require the Moonshot DLC (the pre-DLC version is no longer maintained or compatible with Forts) and may conflict with other Workshop maps and mods.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1492181905

[Romerolagus]

Indefinitely Upgradeable Weapons and it's companion mod
Indefinitely Upgradeable Devices are the next most subscribed items. They offer the ability to upgrade weapons and devices numerous times in small increments, gradually scaling up to game ending levels of power. The mod author has also gone to some lengths to provide compatibility with other mods.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1369514837
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1363924614

Do I have to buy Moonshot to play with Moonshot dependent items?

No! In multiplayer games, only the host needs to have Moonshot in order to enable Moonshot dependent content. It is then automatically enabled for all players in the game.

Why won't the AI build or shoot back in modded maps?

In order for the AI to build a base the map creator needs to have recorded a build order. If you search the Workshop with the "Skirmish" filter enabled it will only list maps where the creator recorded an AI.

Why do I sometimes experience problems in modded games?

Anyone can create and share Forts Workshop content. For many players it is their first experience with modding a game. But, not every mod is completely stable or bug free. And not every mod is compatible with other mods.

Enabling multiple mods will increase loading times and the likelihood that some of the mods may conflict. If you see a series of red error messages during loading it's a strong indication of a mod conflict that may cause the game to crash or behave unexpectedly. If you're planning on using multiple mods, it's recommended to add them one at a time to test for compatibility. Updates to mods may also affect stability.