Sons of the Forest: Mods & Customization Guide

Install and manage mods for Sons of the Forest servers. Learn mod installation, compatibility checking, configuration optimization, and server customization for enhanced multiplayer experiences. This comprehensive guide covers everything from basic installation to advanced mod management and troubleshooting.

Popular Mods

Essential Server Mods

These mods enhance server functionality and are recommended for most multiplayer setups:

Mod	Purpose	Compatibility	Difficulty
Better Building	Enhanced construction options, snap improvements, decorative items	Server + Client	Easy
Inventory Plus	Expanded inventory space, quick sorting, stack size increases	Server + Client	Easy
Admin Tools	Advanced server management, player commands, debugging tools	Server only	Medium
Spawn Menu	In-game item and entity spawning menu for admins	Server + Client	Easy
Weather Control	Adjust weather, time, and environmental conditions	Server + Client	Medium
Crafting Plus	Additional crafting recipes, faster crafting times	Server + Client	Medium
Multiplayer Fixes	Addresses common multiplayer bugs and desync issues	Server only	Easy
Performance Optimizer	Reduces lag, improves FPS, optimizes resource usage	Server + Client	Hard

Gameplay Enhancement Mods

Mods that add new features and gameplay mechanics:

• Survival Overhaul: Increases difficulty, adds new survival mechanics.
• Building Expansion: Adds new building types, structures, and decoration options.
• Enemy Variety: Introduces new enemy types with unique behaviors.
• Item Expansion: Adds new weapons, tools, and consumable items.
• Exploration Tools: Better maps, compasses, and navigation aids.

Mod Installation

BepInEx Setup

BepInEx is the essential plugin framework for Sons of the Forest mods:

# Step 1: Download BepInEx
wget https://github.com/BepInEx/BepInEx/releases/latest
# Or download from: https://github.com/BepInEx/BepInEx/releases

# Step 2: Extract to server directory
unzip BepInEx_*.zip -d /home/steam/sotf/

# Step 3: Verify installation
# You should see BepInEx folder in your server directory

# Step 4: Install mods to plugins folder
cp your_mod.dll /home/steam/sotf/BepInEx/plugins/

# Step 5: Configure mods (if needed)
# Create/edit config files in /home/steam/sotf/BepInEx/config/

# Step 6: Start server
./SonsOfTheForestDS.exe

# Step 7: Verify mod loading
# Check server console for "Loading plugin [mod name]" messages

Mod Directory Structure

Understanding where to place mod files is crucial:

/home/steam/sotf/
├── BepInEx/
│   ├── core/                  # BepInEx core files (don't modify)
│   ├── plugins/                # Install mods here (.dll files)
│   ├── config/                 # Mod configuration files
│   └── patchers/              # Advanced mod patching (rarely used)
└── ...other game files...

Verification Steps

Ensure mods are installed correctly:

1. Check Console Output: Look for "Loading plugin [mod name]" messages during server startup.
2. Test Functionality: Join the server and test mod features in-game.
3. Monitor Performance: Check CPU and RAM usage after mod installation.
4. Player Testing: Have players verify they can use mod features.
5. Save Integrity: Ensure saves load correctly with mods enabled.

Mod Configuration

Config File Structure

Most mods use configuration files for customization:

# Example mod config
[ModSettings]
# General Settings
EnableFeature=true
DifficultyMultiplier=1.5
CustomSpawns=true

# Network Settings
NetworkUpdateRate=30
MaxPlayers=16

# Gameplay Settings
ItemDropRate=1.5
CraftingSpeed=1.2
EnemySpawnRate=1.0

Configuration Best Practices

• Back Up Original Config: Always keep a copy of default settings.
• Adjust One Setting at a Time: Test changes individually to identify impact.
• Document Changes: Keep notes about what each setting does and why you changed it.
• Balance Settings: Avoid overpowered configurations that break game balance.
• Test on Small Scale: Apply changes on test server before production.

Mod Compatibility

Common Conflicts

Some mods may conflict with each other. Watch for:

• Duplicate Functionality: Two mods doing the same thing may conflict.
• Core File Modifications: Mods that modify core game files can be incompatible.
• Network Protocol Changes: Mods affecting networking may cause desync between clients.
• Save File Modifications: Mods that change save formats may corrupt saves.
• Version Compatibility: Mods must match game version to work correctly.

Testing Compatibility

Method to ensure mods work together:

1. Install Mods Individually: Test each mod alone to verify it works.
2. Add Mods One by One: Add each mod to your setup and test after each addition.
3. Monitor Logs: Check server logs for error messages related to mod conflicts.
4. Test Multiplayer: Ensure mods work correctly with multiple players connected.
5. Test Save/Load: Verify saves can be saved and loaded with all mods active.

Incompatible Mod Pairs

Known incompatible mod combinations:

Mod A	Mod B	Conflict Type	Resolution
Inventory Plus	Crafting Overhaul	Both modify inventory system	Use one or the other
Spawn Menu	Hardcore Mode	Spawn menu defeats hardcore challenge	Disable one mod
Weather Control	Seasonal Mod	Both control weather systems	Configure one to disable weather control

Advanced Mod Management

Mod Load Order

The order in which mods load can affect functionality:

• Core Mods First: Load framework and core mods before content mods.
• Dependencies: Mods that depend on other mods must load after their dependencies.
• Configuration Overwrites: Later mods may overwrite earlier mod settings.
• Load Order File: Create `load_order.txt` in plugins folder to specify order.

Mod Updates & Maintenance

Keep mods updated and maintained:

• Check for Updates: Regularly check mod pages for updates and bug fixes.
• Read Changelogs: Understand what changed in each update.
• Test Updates: Apply updates on test server before production.
• Backup Before Updates: Always create full backups before mod updates.
• Remove Unused Mods: Delete mods you no longer use to reduce complexity.

Mod Performance Optimization

Ensure mods don't degrade server performance:

• Monitor Resource Usage: Check CPU, RAM, and disk I/O with mods enabled.
• Limit Resource-Heavy Mods: Reduce settings in performance-heavy mods.
• Disable Unused Features: Turn off mod features you don't use.
• Regular Cleanup: Remove temporary files and logs generated by mods.
• Benchmark Before/After: Measure performance impact of each mod.

Troubleshooting Mod Issues

Common Problems

Solutions to frequent mod-related issues:

Issue	Causes	Solution
Mod Not Loading	Wrong file location, incompatible version	Verify file path and game version
Server Crashes on Startup	Incompatible mod, missing dependency	Remove mods one by one to identify culprit
Desync Between Players	Network-modifying mods, version mismatch	Ensure all players have same mod versions
Save Corruption	Save-modifying mods, improper shutdown	Restore from backup, disable risky mods
Performance Degradation	Resource-heavy mods, too many mods	Remove or optimize resource-heavy mods

Diagnostic Steps

Systematic approach to identifying mod issues:

1. Check Server Logs: Look for error messages related to specific mods.
2. Disable All Mods: Start server with no mods to verify base functionality.
3. Enable Mods Individually: Add mods one at a time to identify which causes issues.
4. Test with Single Player: Verify mods work in single-player before testing multiplayer.
5. Verify Client Installation: Ensure players have mods installed correctly.

Safe Mod Removal

Properly remove mods to prevent save corruption:

• Backup Saves: Always create full backups before removing mods.
• Disable Mod Features: First disable mod features in-game to allow clean shutdown.
• Remove Mod Files: Delete mod files from plugins folder.
• Check Config Files: Remove or comment out mod configuration entries.
• Test Save Loading: Verify saves load correctly after mod removal.

Modding Best Practices

Security Considerations

• Verify Source: Only download mods from reputable sources (GitHub, official mod sites).
• Scan Files: Use antivirus to scan downloaded mod files.
• Check Permissions: Be cautious of mods requesting excessive permissions.
• Review Code: If possible, review mod code for suspicious behavior.
• Community Feedback: Read community reviews and feedback before installing mods.

Community Resources

• Nexus Mods - Largest Sons of the Forest mod repository.
• Steam Workshop - Easy mod installation through Steam.
• Official Discord - Community help and modding discussions.
• Reddit Community - Mod recommendations and troubleshooting.

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