tModLoader

Desktop-Only Content: This information applies only to the Desktop version of Terraria.

tModLoader
Type	Modding Tool
Author	TML Team
Platform
Latest version	2023.10.3.0 (1.4.4-stable) 2022.9.47.82 (1.4.3-legacy) 0.11.8.9 (1.3-legacy)
Download	Steam GitHub

tModLoader (TML) is a free program which allows playing Terraria with mods. The built-in Mod Browser facilitates downloading and updating mods, as well as uploading one's own mods. tModLoader is developed by the TML Team and is released by them as a standalone program, although it is also available on Steam as Terraria DLC. The official wiki, with information about creating mods and using tModLoader, can be found on GitHub.

The normal, "vanilla" Terraria and tModLoader are entirely separate, as the base game is included in tModLoader and is tweaked to allow modding. tModLoader's version of Terraria is therefore updated separately from the vanilla game. Due to the enormous number of changes in the 1.4.0.1 (Journey's End) update and again in 1.4.4, which required fundamental alterations of the tweaked base game, there are three "variants" of tModLoader: One that is based on Terraria 1.4.4.9 ("1.4.4-stable"), one that is based on Terraria 1.4.3.6 ("1.4.3-legacy"), and one that is based on Terraria 1.3.5.3 ("1.3-legacy"). Mods that are available in one variant may not be available in another variant.

On this wiki, the 1.4.4.9 variant is considered to be part of the  Desktop version, while the legacy 1.4.3.6 and 1.3.5.3 variants are disregarded.

Although tModLoader is endorsed by Re-Logic, none of the mods downloadable via it are officially endorsed, and thus should be treated the same as any other third-party software.

Running Legacy versions

• Right click on tModLoader in Steam.
• Select "Properties..."
• Select "Betas".
• Select "1.3-legacy" or "1.4.3-legacy" in the drop-down menu on top.
• Close the window.

Return to the default version by selecting the "None" option.

Installation

• Install tModLoader
  • Steam version of Terraria: directly install TML from Steam (https://store.steampowered.com/%61pp/1281930/tModLoader/)
  • GOG version of Terraria, or if Steam family share is not working: https://github.com/tModLoader/tModLoader/wiki/tModLoader-guide-for-players#manual-installation.
• Redownload tModLoader files:
  • Steam: Delete the tModLoader folder.
    • Example Windows directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common.
    • Example MacOS directory: Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/common/tModLoader.
    • Example Linux directory: /.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/tModLoader.
    • To find your install directory on Steam, right click tModLoader in the library, then hover over "Manage" and click on "Browse local files".
  • Uninstall, then reinstall tModLoader in Steam.
• Note: Your player and world saves are stored in a completely separate folder than the ones mentioned above. If you delete any other folders, the developer is not responsible for you losing any of your saves.

1.4 launch errors

Windows 64 bit Users

If you are for whatever reason finding dotnet is not installing, such as internet problems/blocks, download the dotnet runtime.

Download this .zip and place it in the LaunchUtils folder in tModLoader's install location. Example directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\tModLoader\LaunchUtils.

Steam Linux Users

If the game is not launching, read about the bug and workaround in comments here: https://github.com/tModLoader/tModLoader/issues/2140

The directX package from Microsoft for d3dcompiler_47 is missing

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/update-for-the-d3dcompiler-47-dll-component-on-windows-server-2012-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2-769c6690-ed30-4dee-8bf8-dfa30e2f8088. You could also update to the latest Windows 10 if that's easier.

Current 1.4 bugs and issues are can be found on the tModLoader GitHub website

https://github.com/tModLoader/tModLoader/issues

If you are experiencing an issue, please check the listing to see if the issue or bug is already documented. If it is, reacting to the issue with the 👍 reaction will let us know that you are affected by it. If you have more relevant information to add, please add a comment as well. (The listing might be incomplete, as it only shows issues with a specific label, you should also search all issues by clicking "Clear current search query, filters, and sorts" button and then searching for a key word).

Useful links

• How to switch back to 1.3 Legacy tModLoader: https://gfycat.com/ConsiderateClutteredBorer
• Downgrade to older 1.4: https://github.com/tModLoader/tModLoader/wiki/tModLoader-guide-for-players#downgrade-tmodloader
• Migrate mods: https://github.com/tModLoader/tModLoader/wiki/tModLoader-guide-for-players#migrate-everything-from-13-to-14
• Dual install 1.3 and 1.4: https://github.com/tModLoader/tModLoader/wiki/tModLoader-guide-for-players#dual-install---have-13-and-14-tmodloader-installed-at-the-same-time
• If you accidentally loaded a cloud player or world on 1.4 and cannot load it on 1.3 anymore: https://github.com/tModLoader/tModLoader/wiki/Basic-tModLoader-Usage-Guide#world-and-player-backups
• Old Versions of tModLoader: note that some mods may stop working as they update. https://github.com/tModLoader/tModLoader/releases

File locations

Here are some useful default paths.

Saves

• Windows:
  • 1.4.4-stable: %UserProfile%\Documents\My Games\Terraria\tModLoader (This is typically found in C:\Documents\)
  • 1.4.3-legacy: %UserProfile%\Documents\My Games\Terraria\tModLoader-1.4.3
  • 1.3-legacy: %UserProfile%\Documents\My Games\Terraria\ModLoader
• Linux: ~/.local/share/Terraria/tModLoader/ or $XDG_DATA_HOME/Terraria/tModLoader/
• Mac: ~/Library/Application support/Terraria/tModLoader/

Installs (example directories)

• Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\tModLoader
• Linux: ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/tModLoader or ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/tModLoader
• Mac: Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/common/tModLoader/tModLoader.app/Contents/MacOS

Others

• Mod path: manually installed mods are stored in a subfolder of the Saves folder called /Mods.
• Steam Workshop mods are stored in Steam's folder (example directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\1281930). Normally, you do not need to manage files in this folder, instead, subscribe and unsubscribe mods in the Steam Workshop.
• Logs path: the Logs are found in a subfolder of the Install folder called /tModLoader-Logs.

Items

tModLoader adds some assorted items, though none of them particularly impact the game.

• The / Unloaded Item, which is used to store data for modded items that no longer have their mod present or have since been removed from their respective mods.
• The / Starting Bag, which is used to store excess starter items that would not fit in the player's inventory.
• Various tModLoader developer items, listed below.

Name Images Tooltips Notes A Call Beyond 'One of the secret rites of the Choir. But it seems to have been repurposed by Linus.' AetherBreaker's set Thank you for your support! AlejandroAkbal's set Thank you for your support! Andromedon's set JoFairden's Developer Item The power of the Andromedon flows within you Catalyst's set Tiara: 'Invaluable Tiara from Earthia.' Headpiece: 'There can be only one.' Chestpiece: 'Make peace, especially with your own soul.' Legs: 'Stand calmly and remember to focus.' Sight: 'Heterochromia!' Wings: 'Light and Dark. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.' All tooltips end with "(xAqult's Vanity Set)", additionally the Catalyst's Sight displays a different eye when the player is facing left or right. Coolmike5000's set Thank you for your support! Dinidini's set Thank you for your support! Dschosen's set Thank you for your support! Elfinlocks' set Thank you for your support! Frosty's set Thank you for your support! Glory's set Thank you for your support! Guildpack's set Thank you for your support! HER0zero's set Thank you for your support! Hunter set Hat: 'One of the standard articles of hunter attire fashioned at the workshop. Recognizable by its withered feathers, this cap is fashioned after one of the old hunters.' Shirt: 'One of the standard articles of hunter attire fashioned at the workshop, accompanied with a short cape that wipes away blood. Allows one to stalk beasts unannounced, by cover of night.' Legs: 'One of the standard articles of hunter attire fashioned at the workshop. Allows one to stalk beasts unannounced, by cover of night.' KittyKitCatCat's set Thank you for your support! Mayne's set Thank you for your support! Orian's set Thank you for your support! POCKETS's set Thank you for your support! Polyblank's set Thank you for your support! Remeus' set Thank you for your support! Saethar's set Thank you for your support! Sailing Squid's set Thank you for your support! Squid's set Thank you for your support! Tantamount's set Thank you for your support! Toplayz's set Thank you for your support! WitchDaggah's Hat Thank you for your support! Zeph's set Thank you for your support!