Introduction
Risk of Rain 2 has one of the most active modding communities in the action roguelite genre. Hundreds of mods are available ranging from new characters and items to complete gameplay overhauls and quality of life improvements. Managing all of these manually would be a significant undertaking without the right tool.
R2ModManager Plus, commonly written as r2modman, is the dedicated mod manager built specifically for Risk of Rain 2 and a growing list of other supported games. It simplifies every stage of the modding process from discovering and installing mods to managing profiles and resolving dependencies automatically.
Quick Facts about What Is R2ModManPlus?
- R2modman is a free, open source mod manager developed by Ebkr and maintained by the Thunderstore community
- It is the officially recommended mod manager for Risk of Rain 2 on the Thunderstore mod platform
- R2modman supports one click installation of mods directly from Thunderstore without manual file management
- Dependency resolution is automatic, meaning r2modman installs required supporting mods alongside your chosen mod without additional input
- The manager supports mod profiles, allowing players to maintain separate mod setups for different playstyles or multiplayer sessions
- R2modman is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux including Steam Deck
- BepInEx, the modding framework required by most Risk of Rain 2 mods, is installed and managed automatically by r2modman
- Mods installed through r2modman do not modify the base game files, preserving the vanilla installation for easy unmodded play
- R2modman also supports games beyond Risk of Rain 2 including Valheim, Dyson Sphere Program, and several other titles
What Is R2ModManPlus and How Does It Differ From Manual Modding?
R2modman is a desktop application that connects directly to the Thunderstore mod repository and handles every aspect of mod installation, updates, and conflict management through a graphical interface. It removes the need to manually locate, download, extract, and place mod files into the correct game directories.
Manual modding for Risk of Rain 2 requires players to locate the correct BepInEx folder structure, identify and install dependencies in the right order, and track updates for every mod individually. A single missed dependency or incorrectly placed file results in mods failing to load or the game crashing on startup.
The Core Problem R2ModManPlus Solves
The Risk of Rain 2 modding ecosystem uses BepInEx as its foundational framework. Every mod built on BepInEx must be placed in a specific folder structure within the BepInEx directory, and many mods require additional library mods to function. Without a manager, players must track these relationships manually.
R2modman maps the entire dependency chain for every installed mod automatically. When you install a mod that requires three supporting libraries, r2modman installs all three alongside the primary mod without requiring you to identify or locate them independently.
What r2modman handles automatically that manual modding requires manually:
- Downloading the correct version of each mod from Thunderstore
- Installing BepInEx and its required components before any mods are applied
- Resolving and installing all mod dependencies in the correct order
- Placing all files in the correct BepInEx subdirectory structure
- Tracking which mods have available updates and applying them on request
- Maintaining a clean separation between modded and unmodded game files
- Managing conflicts between mods that affect the same game systems where possible
How R2ModManPlus Differs From the Thunderstore App
The Thunderstore website offers its own companion app for mod installation. R2modman predates the Thunderstore app and remains the more widely used and community trusted option among the Risk of Rain 2 modding community.
Both tools pull from the same Thunderstore repository but r2modman is considered more stable and feature rich for Risk of Rain 2 specifically, with a longer track record of reliable mod profile management and game launch integration.
Key differences between r2modman and the Thunderstore app:
- R2modman has a longer development history specifically focused on Risk of Rain 2 compatibility
- The Thunderstore app is a newer platform wide tool designed to support many games simultaneously
- R2modman’s profile system is more mature and better documented within the Risk of Rain 2 community
- Both tools install mods from the same source meaning mod availability is identical across both platforms
- Community guides and troubleshooting resources for Risk of Rain 2 modding predominantly reference r2modman rather than the Thunderstore app
How to Download and Install R2ModManPlus
R2modman is available through its official GitHub repository and through the Thunderstore website. Downloading from either of these official sources ensures you receive the verified, unmodified application.
The installation process is straightforward and the application guides you through initial game detection and setup on first launch.
Downloading R2ModManPlus From Official Sources
Navigate to either thunderstore.io and search for r2modman, or go directly to the r2modman GitHub repository at github.com/ebkr/r2modmanPlus. Both locations provide the latest official release.
Download the installer appropriate for your operating system. Windows users download the .exe installer, macOS users download the .dmg file, and Linux users have access to both AppImage and package manager installation options.
Step by step download and installation process:
- Visit thunderstore.io or github.com/ebkr/r2modmanPlus to access the official download
- Select the installer file matching your operating system
- Run the installer after downloading and follow the on screen prompts to complete installation
- Launch r2modman after installation completes
- On first launch the application will ask you to select a game to manage
- Select Risk of Rain 2 from the game list
- R2modman will attempt to detect your Risk of Rain 2 installation automatically through Steam
- If automatic detection fails, use the manual path selection option to locate your Risk of Rain 2 installation directory
- Confirm the detected path is correct before proceeding to the main mod management interface
Once the game is detected and confirmed, r2modman creates a default mod profile and opens the main interface where you can begin browsing and installing mods.
Understanding the R2ModManPlus Interface
R2modman’s interface is divided into a left side navigation panel and a main content area. The navigation panel provides access to the core sections of the application including the mod browser, installed mod list, profile manager, and settings.
Familiarizing yourself with each section before installing mods makes the management process more efficient and reduces confusion when troubleshooting issues later.
Key interface sections and their functions:
- Online tab: Connects to Thunderstore and displays all available mods for Risk of Rain 2 with search and category filtering
- Installed tab: Shows all mods currently installed in the active profile with enable, disable, and uninstall options
- Profile selector: Displays the currently active mod profile and provides access to profile creation and switching
- Settings: Contains game path configuration, data directory settings, and launch options for Risk of Rain 2
- Start modded button: Launches Risk of Rain 2 through r2modman with all active profile mods applied
- Start vanilla button: Launches Risk of Rain 2 without any mods applied, preserving a clean game experience when needed
Common Problems and Solutions:
- Problem: R2modman fails to detect Risk of Rain 2 automatically on first launch Solution: Use the manual game path selection option and navigate to the folder containing the Risk of Rain 2 executable, typically found in the Steam library directory under steamapps\common\Risk of Rain 2
- Problem: The Start modded button launches the game but mods are not active in game Solution: Confirm BepInEx is listed as installed in the Installed tab; if missing, search for and install BepInEx manually through the Online tab before launching
- Problem: R2modman displays an error when trying to connect to Thunderstore to browse mods Solution: Check your internet connection and confirm Thunderstore is not experiencing downtime; the Thunderstore status page provides real time service availability information
- Problem: Installed mods appear in the list but the game crashes on startup Solution: Check the BepInEx log file located in the r2modman profile data directory for error messages identifying which mod is causing the crash; disable mods one at a time to isolate the problem
- Problem: R2modman cannot update because of a permission error on Windows Solution: Run r2modman as administrator for the update process; after updating, return to running it as a standard user for normal operation
How to Install and Manage Mods Through R2ModManager Plus
With r2modman set up and Risk of Rain 2 detected, installing mods is a straightforward process that takes seconds per mod. The Online tab provides access to the full Thunderstore catalog with search and filtering tools for finding specific mods quickly.
Every mod installed through r2modman is placed within the active profile’s data directory rather than the game’s installation folder, keeping the base game files completely unmodified.
Installing Your First Mod and Understanding Dependencies
Search for any mod in the Online tab and click the Download button next to it. R2modman will calculate the full dependency chain for that mod and present a list of everything that will be installed alongside it before confirming the installation.
This dependency preview is one of r2modman’s most valuable features. It shows exactly what each mod requires and ensures nothing is missed in the installation process.
Step by step first mod installation:
- Open the Online tab in r2modmanager and use the search bar to find a mod by name or keyword
- Click on a mod to view its description, version history, and listed dependencies
- Click the Download button to begin installation
- Review the dependency list that r2modman presents before confirming
- Click Download with dependencies to install the mod and all required supporting files
- Wait for the download and installation progress to complete
- Switch to the Installed tab to confirm the mod and all its dependencies appear in the list
- Click Start modded to launch Risk of Rain 2 with the newly installed mod active
Using Mod Profiles for Different Play Configurations
R2modman’s profile system allows you to maintain entirely separate mod setups within the same application. A profile for solo play might include visual enhancement and quality of life mods while a multiplayer profile contains only mods that all players in your group have agreed to use.
Switching between profiles takes seconds and changes the complete set of active mods without requiring any reinstallation.
How to create and manage mod profiles effectively:
- Click the profile selector at the top of the r2modman interface
- Select Create new profile and give it a descriptive name reflecting its intended use
- Switch to the new profile and install only the mods relevant to that play configuration
- Return to the profile selector to switch between configurations before launching the game
- Use the Export profile feature to share your complete mod list with friends for synchronized multiplayer mod setups
- Import a shared profile using the Import profile option to replicate another player’s exact mod configuration
R2ModManPlus Feature Reference Table
| Feature | Available | Notes |
| One click mod installation | Yes | Direct from Thunderstore catalog |
| Automatic dependency resolution | Yes | Installs all required supporting mods |
| Mod profiles | Yes | Unlimited separate configurations |
| Automatic mod updates | Yes | Notifies and applies updates per mod |
| Vanilla launch option | Yes | Launches unmodded game without uninstalling mods |
| BepInEx management | Yes | Installed and updated automatically |
| Profile export and import | Yes | For sharing mod lists with other players |
| Cross platform support | Yes | Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck |
| Offline mod installation | Yes | Via local import of downloaded mod files |
| Game file modification | No | All mods stored in separate profile directory |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is r2modman safe to download and use?
Yes when downloaded from the official GitHub repository at github.com/ebkr/r2modmanPlus or from thunderstore.io. R2modman is open source meaning its complete code is publicly visible. Avoid downloading r2modman from any third party site as modified versions may pose security risks.
Does r2modman modify my Risk of Rain 2 game files?
No. R2modman stores all mod files in a separate profile data directory outside the game’s installation folder. The base game files remain completely unmodified, which is why the Start vanilla option launches a fully clean unmodded game without needing to uninstall anything.
Can I use r2modman for games other than Risk of Rain 2?
Yes. R2modman supports a growing list of games beyond Risk of Rain 2 including Valheim, Dyson Sphere Program, GTFO, and several others. Each game is managed through a separate game selection in the r2modman interface with its own mod catalog from Thunderstore.
What happens if I install a mod with missing dependencies through r2modman?
R2modman automatically identifies and installs all required dependencies alongside any mod you choose to download. Missing dependency situations are effectively eliminated by r2modman’s automatic resolution system when installing through the Online tab.
How do I play Risk of Rain 2 without mods after setting up r2modman?
Use the Start vanilla button in r2modman instead of the Start modded button. This launches Risk of Rain 2 through Steam without applying any mods from your active profile. Your installed mods remain intact and ready for the next modded session.
Can I share my mod profile with friends for multiplayer sessions?
Yes. Use r2modman’s Export profile feature to generate a shareable profile code or file. Your friends import this using the Import profile option to replicate your exact mod configuration, ensuring everyone in a multiplayer session runs identical mod setups.
Does r2modman work on Steam Deck?
Yes. R2modman supports Linux and is compatible with Steam Deck. Installation on Steam Deck requires using the Linux AppImage or package manager version and may require additional setup steps for game path detection. Community guides specific to Steam Deck r2modman setup are available on the Thunderstore website.
What should I do if Risk of Rain 2 crashes after installing mods through r2modman?
Open the BepInEx log file found in the r2modman profile data directory. This log records every mod that loaded and identifies where a crash occurred. Disable mods one at a time starting with the most recently installed, relaunching the game after each disable until the crash stops occurring.
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