tModloader for STEAM

Installing tModLoader on Steam is the easiest of all. All you need is to own the game and have it installed in your library.

To install tModLoader, search for the game at the Steam Store. Once installed, tModLoader will automatically be added to your library. Installing and running the modded version without buying Terraria won’t work. However, it’s possible to run the latter without tModLoader.

If you want a previous Version of tModLoader or Terraria (v1.3.5.3) follow these steps:

• Once tModLoader is installed, you need to find it in your library, RIGHT-CLICK on “tModLoader”, and select “Properties”.

• Under “Properties”, select “Betas” and choose “1.3-legacy”. By doing so, Terraria 1.3.5.3 files will be downloaded alongside previous mods. If you wish to return everything to normal, revert all changes made. Don’t worry, as your vanilla Terraria will be untouched.

You now have access to Terraria v1.3.5.3! You can play its vanilla version or install mods to that previous version of Terraria. As easy as that. You can also check for some mods to install HERE.

GOG

This installation is necessary if you have a copy of Terraria from GoG. Follow these steps to begin:

• First, you need to identify the version of Terraria you’re playing and match it to tModLoader. You can check your Terraria version here:

• Usually, the latest release is enough, and you can find it in the Official GitHub releases. But if you need the newest version of tMod for Terraria v1.3, that’s tMod v.0.11.8.9, find your Operating system and click to start the download.

• After it’s downloaded you need to unzip it to a folder named tmodloader inside the Terraria folder.

• Finally, for 1.4.X, open “start-tModLoader.bat“, and you’ll be set. All you’ll need is to install mods to the game and have fun.

• Terraria 1.3 on GoG… There is no known way to downgrade Terraria to any 1.3 version, with GoG Galaxy you can downgrade Terraria up to the last 5 known versions, for example: if the latest version is 1.4.4.9 you can downgrade up to 1.4.4.4 (But if you somehow manage to downgrade Terraria from GoG to any version of 1.3 then we recommend following the steps below to install tModLoader). 

• Terraria 1.3 on GoG… There is no known way to downgrade Terraria to any 1.3 version, with GoG Galaxy you can downgrade Terraria up to the last 5 known versions. If you manage to downgrade Terraria from GoG to any version of 1.3 then we recommend following the steps below to install tModLoader.

INSTALLATION FOR EVERYONE ELSE

Now, here’s where things get complicated. As there are 180+ versions of tModLoader, you need to find the tMod version that fits perfectly with your Terraria version. There’s no guide for knowing the best version of tMod for Terraria, so we’ll always recommend using both latest versions. That way, you’ll avoid confusion and encounter fewer bugs and mods incompatibilities.

We know some good mods are not updated and supported for Terraria 1.4+, so you may want an older version. In that case, we recommend using the latest version of tModLoader for Terraria v1.3.5.3 since most previous mods are compatible with this version. We recommend using this version if you still want a little older version or can’t get the latest version to work.

The installation process of tMod for Terraria 1.4 is the same as the GoG installation but for Terraria 1.3 is different.

Installation for 1.3:

• The first thing you need to do is make a backup of all your worlds and characters (just in case), usually located in Documents>My Games>Terraria:

• Open your Terraria folder and change the name of your “Terraria.exe” for anything you want, for example, “TerrariaVanilla.exe” since unzipping tMod inside this folder will add a new “Terraria.exe”. 

• Download the version of tModLoader you need to use and extract it directly into the Terraria folder. It should look something like this:

• Finally, you have to open the tModLoaderInstaller.jar, and you’re done. If you get an error the first time, close it and open it again.

Terraria.exe is now the Terraria with mods (tModLoader), and the other Terraria (in this case, TerrariaVanilla.exe) is the actual vanilla Terraria without mods. All you have to do now is install the mods, and you’re done. 

MODS

If this is your first time installing tModLoader, we strongly recommend you take a look at The +10 best mods for Terraria 2023 (Reviews and Download).