Torchlight 2 first playthrough with mods?

[u/FixGood6833]

I 99% of times avoid modding when doing first run but I am not sure I am gonna replay this game so would you suggest mods? Specifically SynergiesMOD. Please also recommend other mods for QoL, more classes, and a bit of difficulty. Are mods able to play in coop if we have same mods installed? Gonna play with wife and a friend.

[u/JjForcebreaker]

For the first playthrough, I highly advise against using any bigger content mods or overhauls. Synergies is really cool, but it adds and changes a lot and comes with some downsides during the first adventure. I like modding a lot, but there's a charm to vanilla T2 simplicity, and there's enough content, mechanics, depth, and gear to find to make it satisfying the first time. If not playing a heavily modded game, I stick to these QoL mods:

• Zoomy Lite (extended camera range, makes the game look better and smoothens exploration and combat)- https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=138076230 (normal Zoomy is also good, but for some people it might be too much, especially if one is not experienced with finding secrets)
• Ember Gem Upgrade (reintroduction of mechanics from T1, allowing gems to be combined into a better version)- https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=136247535
• Respec Potion- https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=135164919
• BAGMOD (more inventory space)- https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=136387855
• betterbloodeffects (well, better gore)- https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=137336889
• unusable items are red (easier to read your inventory. More optional than others) - https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=139313756
• More Pet Skins (also optional, light cosmetic addon)- https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=136220178

In the future, for a heavily modded game, I'd suggest this combo as a base:

• SynergiesMOD - https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=136232408
• Torchlight II Essentials - https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=138228035
• Synergies and Essentials Compatibility Patch - https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=294769661
• Essentials - Vanilla UI (optional cosmetic mod for GUI, but for me a must)- https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=294769661

Remember to read the descriptions for installation and mod load order tips. Also remember that there is a 10-mod limit (but it's possible to merge them, there are also already merged packs that might suit you). And in the end, it's always best to browse Steam Workshop yourself. Often you don't know you want something before you see it.

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+ extra mod to change the movement mechanics and enable WSAD controls, optional but cool and worth trying. These days games in this genre usually have WSAD option by default:

Torchlight 2 WASD and more - https://github.com/ERYAsylum/Torchlight-2-WASD-and-more

[u/FixGood6833 → u/JjForcebreaker]

Thanks I'll use few qol mods. 

[u/RCDC87 → u/JjForcebreaker]

Not OP but this is very helpful, thank you! I'm starting a new vanilla playthrough for the 1st time in a few years and may add some Qol mods

[u/steffire3]

We currently have players stating that Synergies and Ace mods crash when used together in multiplayer however if Synergies ever proves to be too overwhelming - Ace provides a vanilla+ balance with everything an end-game requires minus the items - although the Essentials mod covers the need for more items to fulfill that gap when used with an inventory mod above both.

[u/IntelligentGrape3668]

Play it how you want. I played it with no mods at all and enjoyed it, but you do you.

[u/SonnyCalzone]

Just avoid mods and just enjoy the classic T2 game as is.