Modding Balatro

It’s super simple. Balatro is built on LÖVE. Modding isn’t supported out-of-the-box with Balatro, but you can add the functionality super easily.

You will need to install 2 simple mods before you’re able to install any other mods or modpacks alongside them.

For detailed installation steps, uninstalling, updating and more: see below!

For a video version of this guide, see my guide on installing the Cryptid mod (which shows all of the steps, tips and more!)

1. Lovely

Lovely is a simple DLL you drop into your game folder to allow third-party code to run. This is how mods run and modify how the game works, add new decks, jokers and more.

To install Lovely, Head to the Lovely GitHub page.

On the far-right under Releases choose the latest version. You can also get there with this button:

Choose the zip file for your system, currently Windows or Mac.

Install Lovely

Open the ZIP (which your browser may dislike as it’s a single DLL file in a zip), and extract it to your game’s install folder.

To get there from Steam: Right-Click Balatro, hover over Manage and choose Browse local files...

Then, extract version.dll from the zip, and place it alongside the game’s files, like Balatro.exe.

2. Steamodded

Steamodded is the second mod most, if not all, Balatro mods rely on. This is the mod loader that adds the Mods button on your in-game main menu allowing you to config mods and more.

To download this head to the Steamodded GitHub, and click the green <> Code button near the top of the page, followed by Download ZIP.

Or, use this for a direct download link:

For reference the <> Code button appears as:

and the Download ZIP as:

Install Steamodded

This installs differently, and will be placed where your other Balatro mods and modpacks will go in the future.

Hit Start+R or Windows+R and type, or in a File Explorer window click and replace all the text in the path bar at the top (Where you would see Documents or C:\\Folder for example): %AppData%\Balatro

This will open a new file browser and take you directly to your Balatro saves and config folder.

Make a backup of this entire folder if you wish for a fully restored Vanilla experience after you’re done with mods.

In here, create a new folder called Mods. Tip: You can use Ctrl+Shift+N to create a new folder.

In the Mods folder, you’ll extract the contents of the Steamodded zip you just downloaded.

In Steamodded.zip you will have a folder called smods-main. Just drag this entire folder into %AppData%\Balatro\Mods.

NOTE: When you download more mods in the future they may include Steamodded. If they do, either remove your version, or don’t copy the mods/modpacks Steamodded version in. You don’t want multiple copies of Steamodded running at once.

Playing Modded Balatro

Just launch Balatro as usual. You should now see a new window launch alongside Balatro. This window shows you debug information about mods being loaded, as well as most importantly: Errors (if there are any).

If things go wrong in Balatro, check this window to see what mod could be causing the issue, and odds are with a single Google or even just following the steps on screen (if there are any) you may be able to avoid crashes or fix weird behavior/errors if you encounter anything.

Configuring Balatro Mods

The Steamodded mod allows you to customize mods and their settings by using the new Mods button on the main menu of Balatro.

You can also customize Steamodded itself to re-enable Steam Achievements (as the mod disables them by default). Most mods allow super high-scores and unlock things automatically so it can easily mess up your hard-earned Balatro achievements.

Updating Lovely

If in future you need to update Lovely, simply verify your game files in Steam to undo any changes the mod may have made to them, and then download a new version.

In Steam: Right-Click Balatro, and click Manage.

In the Installed Files tab choose Verify integrity of game files to update the game files to stock-standard.

NOTE: This will NOT remove the version.dll file so your existing Lovely install may still work. When updating you’ll replace this anyway.

To finish updating, follow the steps from 1. Lovely and Install Lovely above to replace your version.dll file with a new version.

Uninstalling mods from Balatro

Want to go back to a standard installation of vanilla Balatro?

To uninstall mods like Steamodded, and mods/modpacks you may have installed open the same %AppData%\Balatro folder and either rename your Mods folder, delete it, or move it somewhere else.

Then, to uninstall Lovely: Head back to your Balatro installation folder (as mentioned in Install Lovely above) and delete the version.dll file.

Then, for good measure, also verify your game files. Follow the steps above mentioned in Updating Lovely above.