The Ultimate Balatro Mods Guide: How to Install and Best Mods

Just found out about Balatro mods? Learn how you can make the deck-building game even better

Balatro is a fun blend of poker and deck building that somewhat serves as a precautionary tale about the perils of gambling. It seamlessly blends the intricate dynamics of poker with the accessible mechanics of a deck-builder, resulting in a mesmerizing and addictive gaming experience. The meticulous attention to visual and auditory elements has made it an even more immersive experience. With a constantly expanding library of mods, you can tailor the experience to your desires. We will highlight some of the best Balatro mods currently available and show you how to install mods in the roguelike.

How to Install Balatro Mods

You can go beyond the game’s core offerings by installing Balatro mods. These mods will add new elements to the game, like new Jokers and decks. Now that you're ready to take your Balatro experience to the next level let's explore how to install Balatro mods and unlock a whole new world of possibilities!

• You need to install a modloader, first. Steamodded should get you covered, but there are some mods that you can only run using Balamod. So, the first thing you need to do is to install the modloader of your choice.
• You will be greeted by a vast library of files once you go to download Steamodded. While you might come across Linux instructions, they're often not practical for most users on a Steam Deck. This is where Lovely Injector comes into play. To install Steamodded, you must install the ownload the “lovely.toml” file alongside the source code; the remaining files are unnecessary.
• The next thing you would need is a Lua injector. It will allow you to execute Lua scripts into the game, which is crucial for modding. We recommend installing Lovely Injector.
• When grabbing Lovely Injector, you only need one file: “dwmapi.dll”. You can safely skip the “windows-msvc.zip” file. That one's for Windows development tools and won't be helpful on your Steam Deck.
• After installing these two programs, you can install the mod file. Select the mod file of your choice and install it. It should come in a zip file.
• Now, go to the folder where you have Balatro installed. Copy the “dwmapi.dll” and paste it there.
• Go to the Appdata folder on your C drive, next. Create a “Mods” folder there and extract the Steamodded files there.
• There should be a separate Steamodded folder inside the Mods folder. Paste the “lovely.toml” file there.
• Now, if you launch the game, you should see a Mods option on the menu.

Credit: Chaotix on Steam

Best Balatro Mods

From crafting the perfect deck to unlocking new challenges, these Balatro mods will supercharge your Balatro experience and keep you coming back for more:

The Enchanted Deck (By encarvlucas on GitHub)

Credit: encarvlucas on GitHub

Want to hit the ground running in Balatro? This mod lets you start the game with a pre-enhanced deck! Imagine the strategic possibilities – a boosted starting hand thanks to enhanced cards, or maybe even a card with a special edition or seal for extra oomph (check the mod files for the latest odds, as these can change). This way, you can jump right into the action with a stronger deck and explore deeper strategies from the get-go.

Better Mouse and Gamepad (By Kooluve on GitHub)

Credit: Kooluve on GitHub

Tired of fumbling with keyboard controls in Balatro? The Better Mouse and Gamepad mod by Kooluve is your answer! This ingenious mod streamlines card management, letting you leverage your mouse or gamepad for smoother gameplay. Say goodbye to clunky key presses – the mod maps actions like selecting, placing, and discarding to specific buttons. Right mouse button clicks grab cards, the center button takes you to the menu, and scrolling lets you play or discard them with ease. Head over to the GitHub page for a full breakdown of the controls.

Balatro Fold Button (By happinyz on GitHub)

Credit: happinyz on GitHub

Frustrated by the lack of a “fold” option in Balatro? You're not alone! While the game offers a “New Run” button to jump ship, it skips the valuable post-game stats screen many players rely on for analysis and improvement. This nifty mod solves that problem. Introducing the “Fold” button! Themed perfectly for Balatro's poker setting, this button lets you gracefully concede a run during gameplay and still access those all-important post-game stats.

LushMod (Lusciousdev on GitHub)

Credit: Lusciousdev on GitHub

This mod introduces 10 custom Jokers that seamlessly blend into the game's existing art style and effects. Get ready to encounter unique cards like the Cloud Wizard, who rewards you with a cool $1 for every tarot card played, or The Trickster, a master of mischief who can reroll your Joker into a brand new one of the same rarity. Feeling adventurous? Combine LushMod with JellyMod and other compatible mods to unlock hundreds of potential Joker combinations, injecting a whole new layer of strategic depth and chaotic fun into your Balatro adventures!

Deck Creator (By adambennett on GitHub)

Credit: adambennett on GitHub

Unleash your inner deckbuilding master with Deck Creator! This handy Balatro tool lets you craft and share your dream decks, taking customization to a whole new level. Imagine meticulously building the perfect combination of cards, then saving it as a simple “.txt” file. Want to share your strategic genius with friends? Simply have them copy that file into their Balatro mods folder – Deck Creator automatically detects and merges all these custom decks, giving you an entire library of player-created options to explore!

JellyMod (By jamesthejellyfish on GitHub)

Credit: jamesthejellyfish on GitHub

Want an extended deck of cards? The JellyMod will give you a whopping 17 brand new Jokers, each with unique abilities to shake up your strategy. But wait, there's more! JellyMod also introduces “reversed” versions of all the tarot cards, mirroring the opposing effects of their traditional counterparts. Want to try out a whole new level of strategic depth? This mod lets you explore both sets of cards individually or combine them for a truly wild experience. And to top it off, the full JellyMod pack throws in 10 new challenges designed to test your skills with these expanded options.

Taikomochi (By Amvoled on GitHub)

Credit: Amvoled on GitHub

The Taikomochi mod is one of the most innovative Balatro mods you will come across. It comes with the “Zen Mode” that lets you keep rolling on the same run, even after a loss. Just choose to restart your current ante and jump back into the action. You can test different decks and tactics without worrying about losing progress. Zen Mode is perfect for refining your approach against specific bosses or challenges. Activating Zen Mode is a breeze. Simply check the box next to the Play button before starting your run and you are set!

SixSuits (By Aurelius7309 on GitHub)

Credit: Aurelius7309 on GitHub

SixSuits expands the very core of Balatro by introducing two brand new card suits: Stars and Moons. These new set of cards will only be available in the regular version of the game. This mod offers the perfect way to ramp up the challenge without overwhelming you with a barrage of new Jokers, Tarots, or Spectral Cards to learn. So, if you're ready to push your Balatro skills to the limit and explore uncharted strategic territory, the SixSuits mod is a must-have!