The Complete DBXV2 Mod Install Guide

This guide is intended to showcase the full process of installing mods of various types in the most recent version of the game, as well as some recommended tools and add-ons to go along with it and common errors you may face during the installation process.

0. Disclaimer

This guide will contain a link to every tool or mod showcased, so that you don’t have to go out of your way looking for them, and they shall always be updated to the newest available version.

Depending on the feedback this guide receives, I may also update it to include instructions and overviews on tools to make your own mods or how to modify pre-existing ch presets.

WARNING: DO NOT USE MODS ONLINE, unless the person you're playing with has the same mods installed, otherwise online play will not work correctly. The game also automatically detects if you have a modified roster or skills and can stop you from playing an online quest or with a user who does not have the same mods as you. You also cannot play online if you disabled the Easy AntiCheat. In addition, do not use these mods to cheat or gain unfair advantages - no one likes that.

Credits go to the Revamp Team for the pic of Semi-Perfect Cell, who is a new playable character in the 5.0 update of their mod.

1. Required Tools

The following is a selection of tools you’ll need to install and play with mods. Some of them are mandatory while others are optional but highly recommended. All of these will be explained further in the tutorial.

Note: these tools will also require you to locate and modify the directory containing the game’s files. To locate it, go to your Steam library, right-click on Xenoverse 2, go to ‘Manage’ and then click on the ‘Explore local files’ option. This will open the folder containing the files for the game, which you will need to use throughout this whole tutorial.

1.1 Mandatory

- XV2 Patcher
- X2M Installer (part of Eternity Tools)

1.2 Optional (Recommended)

- A Save Editing tool (Save Editor or XML Serializer)
- LB Installer (part of Lazybone Tools)
- Helix Mod 3D Vision
- ReShade
- Other Eternity Tools
- Other Lazybone Tools

2. Setting Up the Patcher

Setting up the Patcher is a very straightforward step. Just follow the steps below:
1 - Download and extract the ‘XV2INS.rar’ folder from here.[videogamemods.com]
2 - Copy the ‘xinput1_3.dll’ file and paste it into the ‘bin’ folder in the game directory.
3 - Copy the ‘XV2PATCHER’ folder to the main game directory.
And that’s it! Your game is now moddable, congrats! There are additional steps which you can take though, which allow for further modifications.

2.1 Additional Configuration

The patcher contains a file named ‘xv2patcher.ini’ which allows you to configure other functionalities to your liking, such as:
- Unlocking all stages
- CPU transforming during quests
- Keep transformations on during Story Mode cutscenes
- Frieza Siege events taking place offline
- EAC bypass
Each item is adequately documented on the file, so take a look at it and change it according to your liking.

2.2 Gamepad Issues

If you are facing gamepad issues with the game, open the ‘alternative dll’ folder, copy the ‘dinput8.dll’ file and paste it on the ‘bin’ folder, then DELETE the ‘xinput1_3.dll’ file; both DLLs cannot coexist. This solves the issue and allows you to play it adequately.

2.3 UI Extensions

An additional feature from the patcher are the UI extensions, giving you additional options such as dumping an image of your CAC’s portrait or taking control of your CPU allies during quests. Each setting for each functionality must first be enabled in the xv2patcher.ini setting.
To enable it, copy the ‘data’ folder instead of the ‘XV2Patcher UI Extensions’ folder and paste it into your main game directory before you install any other mods, then configure it on the ‘xv2patcher.ini’ file to choose which options you wish to enable or disable.

3. Installing Mods

3.1 Where To Find/Download Mods

Two main websites host Xenoverse 2 mods: Video Game Mods (VGM) and Nexus Mods, though VGM is by far the most popular of the two.
VGM link: https://videogamemods.com/xenoverse/
NM link: https://www.nexusmods.com/dragonballxenoverse2/mods/

3.2 Recommended Mods

Some of my recommendations for mods to greatly improve your game experience (I am not affiliated with any of them).
XV2 Revamp https://videogamemods.com/xenoverse/mods/revamp-xenoverse-2-project-complete-edition-compatibility-update/
Mythic Marvels Pack https://videogamemods.com/xenoverse/mods/mythic-marvels-pack-1-godly-essence/
Unleashed’s More Transformations https://www.patreon.com/posts/68369841

3.3 Method 1 - X2M Installer

The most traditional way of installing mods is through the X2M Installer, but some newer ones, such as Revamp, may only be installed with Lazybone’s. You can find and download the installer here.[videogamemods.com]

For this part of the tutorial, I will be using Eternity’s Pack of Internal Stages,[mega.nz] specifically the Toki Toki City Ruins, Earth from an Unknown Time and World of Mind Control stages.

For the installer, the only things you will need are the ‘xv2ins.exe’ file and the ‘Internal’ folder. Copy and paste both of them into the game directory and open the installer. The other programs are for mod creators, so we won’t be using them in this tutorial.

During your first time opening the program, it will look just like this:


The stage mods are stored in .x2m files, which will be read and installed by the program. Click on the icon for the folder with the green ‘+’ in the upper left corner and locate the mods’ respective .x2m files. Select the ones you wish to install and click ‘open’. Each mod will be installed into its own respective ‘slot’, which you can then manually uninstall if you so desire. After it is done, it should look something something like this:


From here, you can close the installer and your mods will be installed. If you wish to install multiple mods at the same time, the installer will ask you if you want to install them through the 'silent mode', meaning the ones alraedy installed will be updated and all news mods will be installed in their own unique slots, and you'll probably want to do this in the vast majority of cases. Do not open the game yet though, as you may need to follow certain additional steps first, which will be explained further in this guide.

3.4 Method 2 - LB Installer

The LazyBone Installer is a newer method of installing mods which, while not nearly as common as Eternity’s, is very powerful and is beginning to see use by some of the largest and most popular mods around, such as Revamp.

You don’t actually use this installer in the same way as Eternity’s. Instead, this one is mostly used by mod creators, who may package their mods with the LB Installer into .exe files (which always contain accompanying ‘.installinfo’ files) to install themselves without the need for manual X2M installation. In short, if a mod uses the LB installer then you won’t need any of Eternity’s tools to install it.

The LB Installer can be found here,[videogamemods.com] along with many other tools by Lazybone, and a full manual for it is available here[docs.google.com] as well.

4. Recommended Add Ons

4.1 Helix Mod 3D Vision

Helix Mod offers two different visual fixes ‘mods’ for DBXV2, the newer Geo-11 and the older 3D Vision. Geo-11, however, is not actually compatible with the 30 or 40-series Nvidia graphics cards or certain modern GPU drivers, while 3D Vision is. As such, this tutorial will only cover 3D Vision, which is by far more likely to work on the PCs of the vast majority of people.

3D Visions offers many different visual fixes for the game, including (but not limited to) reflections, refractions, wave effects, light shafts, lens flare etc, as well as optional additions such as the options to disable the HUDs and lobby NPC names, tweaking cel shading strength or just disabling the black outlines altogether, texture sharpening and bloom toggling (below is a picture of how the game looks like with the character outlines disabled). A full explanation of its contents or how it works can be found here.[helixmod.blogspot.com]



The installation in this one is pretty simple and does not require any of the previously mentioned mod installers. To do so, download this file[masterotaku.s3.amazonaws.com], extract it and paste all of its contents into the ‘bin’ folder and it will be automatically installed.

Note: 3D Vision triggers the Easy Anti Cheat protection as well, so you will need to run it as you would with any other mod.

4.2 ReShade (better post-processing)

ReShade is a tool for giving (almost) any 3D game advanced post-processing, which means improving the visuals with shaders and other visual effects. If you want to give Xenoverse 1 anime-like graphics or maybe even filmgrain, this is the tool to do it. In contrast to other modifications, ReShade can be used without the patcher and the installer, as well as online, with no issues at all.

ReShade can be downloaded through their official website and consists of a single executable file. To install it, open the executable and select the ‘DBXV2.exe’ file then click on ‘Next’. It will prompt you to select its respective rendering API, and you shall select ‘Direct X 10/11/12’. After that, the installer will give you the option to either choose your own shaders or install them based on a pre-existing preset. There are various ReShade presets for Xenoverse 2 out there, especially on VGM, so you may choose the one you like the most to install.

When opening the game, an overlay will appear on the top of your screen. You can then press the ‘Home’ key to open the Configuration menu and from then choose your installed preset and tweak the various shaders that go along with it (below is a picture of ReShade’s configuration overlay in-game).

5. Starting the Game

There are two ways to play the game with mods. If you’re gonna do it exclusively offline, go with the first method. Otherwise, if you want to play online with a friend who has the same mods installed as you, go with the second method. If you have mods installed you will not be able to play online with someone on the vanilla (unmodded) version.

5.1 Playing Offline (DBXV2.exe - no EAC)

To play offline with mods, once you’ve installed them, open the game through the ‘DBXV2.exe’ file inside the ‘bin’ folder… and that’s it! Just make sure to always open the game this way. If you start it up through the Steam library or the desktop icon, it will start up with the Easy Anti-Cheat turned on, which will stop you from booting up the game.

Alternatively, you can simply turn off the EAC in its dedicated folder in the game’s directory by opening up the program and disabling it. Keep in mind, however, that you will not be able to play the game online if you do this (below is a picture of how the Easy Anti-Cheat program should look after you uninstall it from XV2).

5.2 Playing Online (START.exe - w/ EAC)

To play online with mods, all you need to do is tweak the ‘xv2patcher.ini’ file one more time, specifically the option “excessive_air_contamination”. By default, this option will be set to “false”, which you can then change to “true”.

This option will enable the patcher to bypass the need for Easy Anti-Cheat to be enabled, so that you can play online directly through the DBXV2.exe executable with mods… sort of.

As I mentioned before, you cannot play online quests or matches with vanilla players, as not only will the game automatically kick you out of an online match if you use a modded skill or have a modded roster (offline quests are unaffected by this), but you may also run the risk of getting banned from online play.

The only way to play online matches with mods is if you and whatever friends you are playing with all have the same mods installed, in the exact same order (the same 'data' folder). If that is the case, then, you and your friends can play whatever modes you wish with nothing to worry about (except for raid quests, which cannot be played if you have any mods installed at all).

6. Save File Editing

There are two main methods used for editing your save file in Xenoverse 2, those being the Save Editor and the XML Serializer. While the Save Editor is a dedicated program with its own organized interface to allow you to edit stuff like progress or score in quests, amount of money you have, items in your inventory etc, the serializer is a tool used to decrypt the save file so that you can edit it manually by yourself in any text software. While it is not as easy to use, it is capable of doing certain things which the save editor cannot, such as editing story flags or changing which offline quests are currently available or have been unlocked.

Note: to avoid any potential problems that may arise during the editing process, always make sure to backup your save file before editing it. Your save file can be located in the folder “Steam > userdata > [user id] > 323470 > remote > DBXV21”, and it is named ‘DBXV2.sav’.

6.1 DBXV2 Save Editor

Lazybones’ Save Editor is the most widely used and common way to edit your save file. It contains its own dedicated UI, with each option fully explained, and makes this process effectively effortless.



To use it, unzip the folder and open the ‘Xenoverse 2 Save Editor.exe’ program. In your first time using it, the software will prompt you to insert the directory for the game. Once you do so, the layout for the editor will load. Then, click on the 'File' option in the upper left corner and then click 'Open'. Locate your save file on the aforementioned directory and open it. The editor will then load your save file and allow you to edit it and its various properties. You can download the editor here.[videogamemods.com]

6.2 XML Serializer

The serializer is a tool that can convert many XV2 files from binary into XML and back, including your save file, which you can then edit manually with any text editing software, such as Notepad++. For this method, follow the steps below:
- Copy and paste your save file into the serializer’s folder;
- Drag and drop it into the ‘XV2 Xml Serializer.exe’ file;
- A CMD panel will appear for a few seconds, indicating that the program is converting your save file;
- It will automatically close after a few seconds, creating the .xml version of your save file;
- To convert it back to a .sav file, delete your original save and follow the same steps as above.
The Serializer can be downloaded here.[videogamemods.com]

7. Common Issues

- If Eternity’s installer asks you to insert the directory containing the game, then it is because the executable is not located inside the game’s folder. If that is the case, just follow the same steps listed in item #1 to locate the game’s directory and paste it on the ‘Game Path’ bar.
- “Failed to apply patch [patch name]”: the version of the Patcher you are using is outdated. Download and install the newest version to solve this issue.
- “InitCharaList failed.”: you either installed a mod not compatible with the game's newest version or the patcher has not been updated yet. Same fix as before.
- “The application was unable to start correctly (error code). Click OK to close the application.”: you were trying to launch the game in EAC mode through START.exe with EAC enabled. Either launch the game through DBXV2.exe instead to play offline or enable the EAC option in the patcher if you wish to play online with mods.
- “This X2M requires a newer version of the installer/creator.”: just read it.

And that's it! Hope you enjoyed this guide. If you have any requests of items or topics to add to or cover in this guide to improve it, leave a comment below and I'll be sure to consider it.

Good game!

[HectorThe501st®]

@endermako64 If your game has already updated, then you're outta luck. You've now gotta wait for the patcher to update again (which might take a couple of weeks) before you can go back to modding the game

[endermako64]

With the recently update how do i get my modded game to start?

[wraith]

gotcha thanks

[HectorThe501st®]

@wraith It's in the XV2 patcher folder

[wraith]

there is no ‘xinput1_3.dll’ file in the eternity tools folder

[FloDuMalawi]

Thanks a lot, it worked perfectly!

[Operator]

Does this work on linux?

[HectorThe501st®]

The installer is currently outdated, so mods will not work on the latest version, simply wait a bit until it is updated.

[Lordofthemess]

Idk if you still check this but when I try opening the installer it asks for game path what do I do?

[mario64_n64]

Is there any way to not have to uninstall and then reinstall every single mod whenever a new game update comes out yet? I’ve been waiting to update the game for awhile because I don’t want to have to go through this whole process every time there’s a new game update since I have @ 1,000 mods installed. Or is there at least a way to one-click install all the mods again? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.