Install Mods via BG3ModManager

Quick guide on how to manually install mods using LaughingLeader's Mod Manager

(Follow whatever directions the mod author includes, this is just a general guide on how to install most mods without using Vortex)

IMPORTANT

You need to have Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2[dotnet.microsoft.com] installed for this program to work.

Download the Mod Manager and Extract the ZIP

Link to Mod Manager download - https://github.com/LaughingLeader/BG3ModManager

Follow the link to LaughingLeader's BG3ModManager and download the latest release or click this link to automatically download the latest release Download [github.com]

You can extract the ZIP anywhere, just know where the BG3ModManager.exe is

Locate the Mods folder

Baldur's Gate 3's Mod folder is located at 'C:\Users\(Your PC's Username\AppData\Local\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3\Mods'

Alternatively, You can use the Windows Key + R combination to startup "Run" and then copy and paste "%localappdata%/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3/Mods" without quotations.
As shown,

Install the Mod Fixer (Required for mods to work)

Download the file and extract it into the Baldur's Gate 3 Mods folder.
Installing the Mod Fixer using the Mod Manger will not work.
Link to Mod Fixer download - https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/141?tab=files


(Image is of an outdated Mod Fixer but is still usable as an example)

Find the Mod(s) to Install

As an example I will be using No Inspiration Cost.

Go to the Files tab of whatever mod(s) you want to install and click on the 'Manual Download' button

Open the BG3 Mod Manager

1. Click on the 'File' tab or press Ctrl + M and select the mod(s) you are installing

2. Then drag the mod(s) to the left 'Active Mods' section

Mod Manager Continued...

Once the mod(s) are in the 'Active Mods' section

3. Click on 'Save Load Order to File'

4. Finally, click on 'Export Order to Game'

Troubleshooting

Some BG3 Mod Manager issues involve the program not automatically locating the files it needs to thus failing to install correctly.

Open your BG3ModManager.exe

Locate 'Settings' at the top and select 'Open Preferences' or press Ctrl + P


In the 'General' tab of the 'Preferences' window you will see 'Game Data Path'

If installed on Steam, the path to the Data file is
E:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/Baldurs Gate 3/Data

If installed on GOG, the path to the Data file is
E:\Games\Baldurs Gate 3\Data

Next, you will see the 'Game Executable Path'

If installed on Steam, the path to the executable is
E:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/Baldurs Gate 3/bin/bg3.exe

If installed on GOG, the path to the executable is
E:\Games\Baldurs Gate 3\Bin\bg3.exe

Please verify that these paths are correct for your system and change the file location or drive label if necessary.

After you have verified all the pathing is correct, click on 'Save' at the bottom of preferences
Example of correct pathing and location of 'Save' button

Finally, close out of BG3ModManager entirely. Reopen and at the top of the program it should say 'Main' next to 'Campaign'. Hovering 'Menu' should show GustavDev and it's dependencies.

Credits for Troubleshooting

Shoutout to Avalonica [www.nexusmods.com] and AquaRainz [www.nexusmods.com] on figuring out the issue and making the directions. Again, thanks to Danyel for helping with the fix and of notifying me of the problem.

All Done

Fully restart your game and the mod(s) should work on the next launch.

If you found this guide helpful, please consider giving it a thumbs up to make it more visible to others. Also, let me know if you have any criticism so I can try to improve the guide, thanks.

(I am not associated with any of the creators mentioned in this guide)

[grashizzz]

Thanks for this great guide - question, it all works and the mod I’ve installed is in my game (dice skin) however I can no longer click on the map to fast travel? No idea what’s happened there! Any advice would be appreciated!!

[molnus]

Launch the game from the mod manager or from the desktop or does it not matter?

[WaterJug]

Thanks for letting me know, I'm not too up to date with BG3 modding and should probably update the whole post but that is for another time, thanks again.

[S I L E N C E R]

Hi, WaterJug! Just a quick edit --- the BG3 Mod Fixer link has changed to https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/141

[WaterJug]

I believe for most if not all cases, .pak mods don't work if only one person has them installed but loose/'Native' mods that aren't .pak files like .dll/.toml/.dds do work i.e. 'Native Camera Tweaks' or 'Alternate Tattoos'. Both players need to have the same mod load order and same mods installed for it to work if using .pak mods.

Also yes, I should include needing to extract the Full Release Mod Fixer.zip into the mods folder, thanks.

[NeatWolf]

(something that's going to be asked at some point as I haven't read it in the guide: "should I extract the Full Release Mod Fixer.zip contents in the mods directory, or just move the zip there?")

[NeatWolf]

Thanks for the guide! My doubt is: generally speaking, how does it behave in multiplayer if I'm the host and the mods don't affect other players (such as, visual tweaks or server authoritative changes only)? Do other player have to go through the full installation process of all mods as well?
Do mods generally cause desyncs?

[WaterJug]

As long as it says Main next to campaign it should work fine. I think it only shows GustavDev in developer mode. (This is assuming your mods work but you're confused why GustavDev isn't showing up)

[Wubba Lubba Dub-Dub]

dont get the gustadev message everything other works

[WaterJug]

I don't think there's anything right now that can show mod conflicts, though if there's an error like mod settings not saving it would show at the bottom.