Top 8 Project Zomboid Mods
Mods have become essential to the Project Zomboid experience, transforming the base game with hundreds of new weapons, vast new maps, quality-of-life improvements, and gameplay enhancements. Whether you're looking for more realistic firearms, massive new cities to explore, or ways to preserve your hard-earned skills after death, this guide covers the top 8 must-have mods for 2025.
This curated list includes everything from content expansions to immersion mods, selected for their quality, popularity, and impact on gameplay. Each mod entry includes Steam Workshop IDs, installation instructions, compatibility notes, and tips for getting the most out of your modded experience. Be sure to check out our guide on adding mods to your server!
How to Install These Mods
Before diving into the mod list, here's a quick overview of installation:
- Subscribe on Steam Workshop - Click the subscribe button on each mod's Steam Workshop page
- Enable in-game - Launch Project Zomboid, go to Mods menu, and enable your subscribed mods
- Check load order - Some mods require specific loading order (noted in each entry)
- For servers - Follow our server mod installation guide to add these to multiplayer
Important: Always check mod compatibility with your current Build (41 or 42) as Build 42 introduced breaking changes for many mods.
The Top 8 Mods
1. Brita's Weapon Pack
Steam Workshop ID: 2200148440
Brita's Weapon Pack is the definitive firearms expansion for Project Zomboid, adding hundreds of realistic weapons with authentic models, attachments, and ammunition types. The mod's stated goal is to bring every firearm imaginable into the game, and it comes remarkably close to achieving that ambition.
What It Adds:
- 400+ firearms - From pistols and rifles to exotic weapons and military hardware
- 100+ attachments - Scopes, grips, suppressors, magazines, and tactical accessories
- Multiple ammunition types - Different calibers with realistic ballistics
- Realistic gun models - High-quality 3D models for immersion
- Customization options - Extensive sandbox settings to control spawn rates and balance
Requirements:
- Arsenal[26] GunFighter Mod [2.0] (Workshop ID: 2297098490) - REQUIRED for weapon functionality
- Mod Options - Recommended for customizing settings
- Must keep Brita's Weapon Pack updated - GunFighter 2.0 requires the most recent version
Build 42 Compatibility Warning: As of early 2025, Brita's Weapon Pack is experiencing significant issues with Build 42. Many workarounds have been disabled, and core features are affected. Check the Steam Workshop page for current status before installing on Build 42 servers.
Pros:
- Massive variety of authentic firearms
- Highly customizable through sandbox settings
- Regular updates and active development
- Compatible with most other major mods
Cons:
- Large file size may impact load times
- Can make the game significantly easier with so many weapons available
- Build 42 compatibility issues (as of early 2025)
- May conflict with other mods that add suppressors
2. Brita's Armor Pack
Steam Workshop ID: 2460154811
The perfect companion to Brita's Weapon Pack, this mod massively expands the armor, clothing, and protective equipment available in Project Zomboid. If you've armed yourself with hundreds of new weapons, you'll want the armor to match.
What It Adds:
- Military armor - Tactical vests, plate carriers, combat helmets
- Law enforcement gear - Police vests, riot gear, SWAT equipment
- Headsets and communication gear - Tactical headsets, gas masks, goggles
- Backpacks - Military-style backpacks with larger capacities
- Camouflage suits - Various camo patterns for different environments
- Night vision goggles - Essential for those dark Kentucky nights
- Gender-neutral options - Previously female-only clothing now available for male characters
Customization Features:
- Adjust spawn rates through sandbox settings
- Modify weight and protection values
- Control where armor spawns (military, police, civilian locations)
- Balance protection vs movement penalties
Pros:
- Greatly expands protective equipment options
- Highly customizable spawn rates and stats
- Excellent for military/tactical roleplay
- Pairs perfectly with Brita's Weapon Pack
Cons:
- Can unbalance the game if spawn rates too high
- Some items may be considered overpowered
- Requires careful balancing for multiplayer servers
3. Raven Creek
Steam Workshop ID: 2196102849
Raven Creek is widely considered the best map mod for Project Zomboid, adding an enormous urban environment unlike anything in the vanilla game. This mod introduces a sprawling metropolis complete with massive skyscrapers, industrial zones, suburban sprawl, and trailer parks.
What It Adds:
- Massive city center - High-rise buildings and skyscrapers never before seen in PZ
- Diverse districts - Downtown, suburbs, industrial parks, commercial zones
- Trailer parks - Lower-income residential areas
- Unique landmarks - Distinctive locations for navigation and base building
- Increased loot density - More resources to compensate for higher difficulty
- Challenging gameplay - Significantly more zombies than vanilla areas
Gameplay Impact:
Raven Creek is substantially more difficult than vanilla Project Zomboid locations. The high-density zombie population and urban environment create intense survival challenges. While you could establish a base here, it's extremely risky - most players use Raven Creek for high-risk loot runs rather than permanent settlements.
Pros:
- Absolutely enormous with tons of exploration content
- Incredible variety of environments and buildings
- Excellent for players seeking harder challenges
- Most polished and popular map mod available
- Regular updates and bug fixes
Cons:
- Very challenging - not recommended for new players
- Performance impact due to map size and zombie count
- Difficult to establish permanent bases
- May increase server load in multiplayer
4. Trailers!
Steam Workshop ID: 2827304687
The Trailers! mod solves one of Project Zomboid's most frustrating limitations: how to transport massive amounts of loot efficiently. This mod adds six different types of functional trailers that can be hitched to vehicles, dramatically expanding your hauling capacity.
What It Adds:
- Cargo trailers - Various sizes for general transportation
- Flatbed trailers - For transporting large items and equipment
- Enclosed trailers - Protected storage for valuable loot
- Refrigerated trailers - Keep food fresh during long hauls
- Camper trailers - Mobile base with sleeping and storage
- Specialized trailers - Including body transport and utility trailers
How It Works:
- Find a trailer spawned throughout the game world
- Back your vehicle up to the trailer hitch
- Use the context menu to attach the trailer
- Drive carefully - trailers affect handling and require wider turns
- Detach when you reach your destination
Pros:
- Massively increases transportation capacity
- Essential for moving entire bases or loot hauls
- Realistic trailer physics and handling
- Great for long-distance supply runs
- Camper trailers provide mobile base functionality
Cons:
- Trailers make navigation more difficult in cities
- Requires practice to reverse and maneuver
- Can get stuck in narrow areas
- May attract more attention due to noise
5. Skill Recovery Journal
Steam Workshop ID: 2503622437
Death in Project Zomboid traditionally means losing all your character's hard-earned skills, forcing you to grind through hours of skill-building again. Skill Recovery Journal provides a lore-friendly solution by allowing you to record your skills in craftable journals that persist after death.
How It Works:
- Craft journals - Create skill journals using paper and writing tools
- Record your skills - Write down your current skill levels as you play
- Store safely - Keep journals in a secure location
- After death - Your new character can read the journals to recover XP
- Gradual recovery - Reading takes time, simulating learning from notes
Key Features:
- Saves skill XP - Records exact experience points, not just levels
- Ignores starter bonuses - Doesn't duplicate profession/trait starting levels
- Recipe preservation - Also records learned crafting recipes
- Requires time investment - Must spend time reading to recover skills
- Lore-friendly - Makes sense within the game world
Balancing Considerations:
While this mod makes death less punishing, it still requires planning (keeping journals safe), time investment (reading to recover), and doesn't save everything (starting bonuses don't stack). Many consider it a perfect balance between permadeath's harshness and making the game more forgiving.
Pros:
- Reduces frustration from skill loss after death
- Lore-friendly mechanic fits the game world
- Encourages planning and safe storage
- Customizable through mod options
- Doesn't eliminate all death consequences
Cons:
- Some players feel it reduces challenge too much
- Requires regular journal updates to be effective
- Journals can be lost if base is overrun
6. 10 Years Later
Steam Workshop ID: 2826058322
10 Years Later transforms Project Zomboid into a truly post-apocalyptic wasteland where nature has reclaimed civilization. If you've ever wanted the game to look like The Last of Us, with overgrown vegetation consuming abandoned buildings, this is the mod for you.
What It Changes:
- Overgrown vegetation - Vines, plants, and trees cover buildings and streets
- Weathered structures - Buildings show 10 years of decay and abandonment
- Atmospheric transformation - Everything feels genuinely post-apocalyptic
- Map compatibility - Works with vanilla maps and popular map mods
- Multiple versions - Standard version and "Less Trees" variant available
Compatibility Packs:
The mod includes numerous compatibility patches for popular map mods including:
- Raven Creek
- Rosewood Expansion
- Eerie Country
- Many other community map mods
Visual Impact:
The transformation is dramatic - familiar locations become almost unrecognizable under layers of vegetation. This fundamentally changes the atmosphere of the game, making survival feel like you're scavenging in a world long-dead rather than freshly apocalyptic.
Pros:
- Stunning visual overhaul
- Dramatically improves immersion
- Makes familiar maps feel new again
- Extensive compatibility with other map mods
- "Less Trees" option for those who want subtler changes
Cons:
- Performance impact due to additional foliage
- Can make navigation more difficult
- Some players find it too dark/overgrown
- May hide zombies in vegetation
7. ClothingUI (Clothing UI)
Steam Workshop ID: 2829950382
ClothingUI is the perfect example of a quality-of-life mod that feels like it should have been in the vanilla game. It adds a simple, intuitive interface panel for managing what your character is wearing, making outfit customization quick and painless.
What It Adds:
- Visual clothing panel - See all equipped items at a glance
- Quick equip/unequip - Change clothes with simple clicks
- Outfit management - Easily swap between different clothing sets
- Vanilla-like interface - Blends seamlessly with the base game UI
- Lightweight - No performance impact
Why It's Essential:
Managing clothing in vanilla Project Zomboid can be tedious, especially when you're trying to quickly change into work clothes, swap to weather-appropriate gear, or equip armor for a dangerous expedition. ClothingUI streamlines all of this into an elegant interface that feels natural.
Pros:
- Extremely intuitive and user-friendly
- Seamless integration with vanilla UI
- Zero performance impact
- Essential for fashion-conscious survivors
- Makes armor/clothing swaps much faster
Cons:
- None significant - universally recommended
- Once you use it, vanilla UI feels outdated
8. Expanded Helicopter Events
Steam Workshop ID: 2458631365
Expanded Helicopter Events completely overhauls one of Project Zomboid's most terrifying events - the helicopter - and adds numerous new aerial encounters. Instead of just one hostile helicopter attracting every zombie to your location, you'll experience a variety of helicopter and aircraft events, each with unique sounds, behaviors, and outcomes.
New Events Include:
- Military supply drops - Military helicopters dropping supply crates
- News helicopters - Media filming the apocalypse with loudspeakers
- Police observation - Law enforcement surveying damage and survivors
- Rescue attempts - Failed evacuation helicopters
- Hostile encounters - Dangerous helicopters that shoot or attract hordes
- Jet flyovers - High-altitude aircraft creating sonic booms
- Random survivors - Other survivors in helicopters fleeing the area
Immersion Features:
- Unique sounds - Each helicopter type has distinct audio
- Fully voiced lines - Radio chatter and loudspeaker announcements
- Contextual behavior - Events respond to your actions and location
- Varying danger levels - Some attract zombies, others drop loot
- Day/night variations - Different events at different times
Gameplay Impact:
These events add tremendous atmosphere and unpredictability to Project Zomboid. You'll never know if that helicopter sound means incoming supplies, a rescue attempt, or a horde-attracting nightmare. The variety keeps you on your toes and creates memorable emergent stories.
Pros:
- Massively increases immersion and atmosphere
- Professional voice acting and sound design
- Adds beneficial events (supply drops) not just threats
- Highly configurable through mod options
- Creates emergent storytelling moments
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for new players
- Some events are very dangerous
- May need balancing for multiplayer servers
- Frequent helicopter events can feel unrealistic
Installing Multiple Mods Together
Recommended Load Order
When using multiple mods from this list, load order matters. Here's the recommended sequence:
- Map mods (Raven Creek, 10 Years Later compatibility packs)
- Core gameplay mods (Brita's Weapon Pack, Brita's Armor Pack)
- Functionality mods (Arsenal GunFighter, Trailers)
- UI mods (ClothingUI)
- Event mods (Expanded Helicopter Events, Skill Recovery Journal)
Compatibility Notes
Fully Compatible Combinations:
- Brita's Weapon Pack + Brita's Armor Pack + Arsenal GunFighter (designed to work together)
- Raven Creek + 10 Years Later (compatibility pack required)
- ClothingUI + Brita's Armor Pack (great combo for managing all that armor)
- All quality-of-life mods work together (ClothingUI, Trailers, Skill Recovery Journal)
Potential Conflicts:
- Arsenal GunFighter + other suppressor mods (not recommended to combine)
- Multiple map mods may overlap or conflict (test carefully)
- Build 42 has broken many mod combinations (check individual mod pages)
Performance Considerations
Performance Impact by Mod
| Mod | Performance Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brita's Weapon Pack | Medium | Large file size, longer load times |
| Brita's Armor Pack | Low-Medium | Adds many items but manageable |
| Raven Creek | High | Massive map, high zombie count |
| Trailers! | Low | Minimal impact |
| Skill Recovery Journal | Negligible | Essentially no performance cost |
| 10 Years Later | Medium-High | Additional foliage rendering |
| ClothingUI | Negligible | UI only, no performance hit |
| Expanded Helicopter Events | Low | Event-based, minimal impact |
Optimization Tips
- Lower settings - Reduce zombie population in sandbox settings when using Raven Creek
- Adjust spawn rates - Lower Brita's weapon/armor spawn rates to reduce item count
- Use "Less Trees" version - For 10 Years Later if performance suffers
- Dedicated server - Host multiplayer on dedicated servers for better performance
Server-Specific Considerations
Multiplayer Balance
When running these mods on multiplayer servers:
- Brita's Weapons - Consider lowering spawn rates to prevent over-arming players
- Skill Recovery Journal - May reduce death consequences too much in PvP
- Raven Creek - Excellent for endgame content zones on servers
- Expanded Helicopter Events - Adjust frequency to prevent overwhelming new players
Required vs Optional
Some mods must be server-side while others can be client-side optional:
Must Be Server-Side (All Players Need):
- Brita's Weapon Pack + Arsenal GunFighter
- Brita's Armor Pack
- Raven Creek (map mod)
- Trailers!
- Expanded Helicopter Events
Can Be Client-Side Optional:
- ClothingUI (visual UI only)
- 10 Years Later (visual overhaul)
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Mods Not Loading
- Verify all mods are subscribed on Steam Workshop
- Check mods are enabled in the in-game Mods menu
- Ensure mod IDs match in server configuration (for multiplayer)
- Verify Build compatibility (41 vs 42)
- Check for conflicting mods in load order
Game Crashes with Mods
- Disable all mods and re-enable one at a time to identify culprit
- Check mod pages for known issues or required updates
- Verify all dependency mods are installed (e.g., GunFighter for Brita's)
- Update to latest game version and mod versions
- Clear mod cache and reinstall problematic mods
Build 42 Compatibility
Build 42 introduced major changes that broke many mods. As of early 2025:
- Brita's Weapon Pack - Known issues, check Workshop for updates
- Arsenal GunFighter - Requires Build 42-specific version
- Most UI mods - Require updates for new UI system
- Map mods - Generally compatible but verify first
Always check the Steam Workshop page comments and update logs before installing on Build 42.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I add these mods to an existing save?
A: Most mods can be added mid-game, but map mods like Raven Creek work best on new saves. Brita's weapons and armor can be added anytime. Skill Recovery Journal can be added mid-game but won't recover skills from before installation.
Q: Do I need all the Brita mods together?
A: No, you can use Brita's Weapon Pack without Brita's Armor Pack and vice versa. However, Brita's Weapon Pack REQUIRES Arsenal GunFighter Mod to function.
Q: Will these mods work on Build 42?
A: Build 42 broke many mods. Check each mod's Steam Workshop page for current compatibility status and required updates.
Q: Can I use Raven Creek with 10 Years Later?
A: Yes! 10 Years Later includes a compatibility pack specifically for Raven Creek. Install both mods and the compatibility patch.
Q: Do these mods make the game easier or harder?
A: Mixed - Brita's weapons make combat easier, Raven Creek makes it harder, Skill Recovery Journal reduces death penalty, Expanded Helicopter Events adds danger. Overall difficulty depends on your combination and settings.
Q: How much disk space do these mods require?
A: Approximately 2-4 GB total for all eight mods, with Brita's Weapon Pack and Raven Creek being the largest individual mods.
Q: Can I run these mods on a server?
A: Yes, all these mods work on multiplayer servers. Follow our server mod installation guide for setup instructions.
Q: Will these mods disable achievements?
A: Project Zomboid doesn't have an achievement system, so there's no concern about mods disabling achievements.
Related Guides
- How to Add Mods to Your Server - Complete mod installation guide
- Mods and Settings Configuration - Managing mod options
- Sandbox Settings Guide - Balancing modded gameplay
- Server Setup Guide - Setting up a modded multiplayer server
Conclusion
These eight mods represent the best of what the Project Zomboid modding community has to offer. From Brita's massive weapon arsenal to Raven Creek's sprawling urban landscape, from quality-of-life improvements like ClothingUI to atmospheric overhauls like 10 Years Later, each mod brings something special to the game.
Start with the quality-of-life mods (ClothingUI, Skill Recovery Journal) if you're new to modding, then gradually add content mods as you become comfortable. Remember to check Build compatibility, manage your load order, and adjust spawn rates for balanced gameplay.
The Project Zomboid modding scene continues to evolve, so check Steam Workshop regularly for updates and new mods. These eight provide an excellent foundation for a rich, varied, and deeply engaging modded Project Zomboid experience.