What are the best Red Dead Redemption 2 mods? With the thriving GTA 5 mods scene in mind, it was only a matter of time before Rockstar’s other goliath got in on the mod action. After waiting patiently for RDR2 to make its way to PC, we've been rewarded with some great user-generated tweaks that transform the realistic cowboy experience into a mad mess of god modes, animal antics, spectacular re-shades, and naughty nudes.
An important note before you start downloading, however: we've had it confirmed by Rockstar that you're free to use these mods as long as you stay offline: using any in Red Dead Online could get you banned.
If you're here looking for a mod or patch or help your CPU's stuttering problems when running RDR2, then we have a separate Red Dead Redemption 2 stuttering fix guide for that. And, if it's RDR2 cheats you're looking for, we've got a home for those, too. But if you're just after some weird and wonderful RDR2 mods, then keep on scrolling. The nude mod is the fifth one down, just sayin'.
RDR2 Mod Manager
As with most games, managing all the mods you want to try out can be a hassle to do manually. RDR2 Mod Manager is the first available management tool for installing and then disabling mods. Creator Bilago said that the RDR2 Mod Manager is a "direct port" of their Grand Theft Auto 5 Mod Manager. The RDR2 mod scene is still pretty new, so you can expect this utility to change over time. It may not be an entirely straightforward process just yet so be careful to read all the instructions and warnings.
Intro Completed Save File
This Red Dead Redemption 2 mod transports your character to right after the intro; if you've already completed it on console, the lengthy tutorials can be quite the slog to endure all over again. These Red Dead post-intro saves just get you straight to the action.
Model swap
Installing this model swap mod lets you leave the boring body of Arthur Morgan behind and become any animal and NPC. Use the Red Dead Redemption 2 trainer to switch up your character model and take to the skies like a bird, race through the wild west as a stallion, or flop on the floor like a fish; the possibilities are endless.
Red Dead Freecam
With the Freecam mod you can fly all over RDR2's map, just not as a bird this time. You can move freely around the entire map—including parts you were never meant to see. Red Dead Redemption 2 does have a built in photo mode but the freecam gives you the ability to do a lot more. Andy Kelly got some great 4k screenshots like the above by using it to explore.
Simple Ragdoll
The ragdoll mod lets you have full with RDR2's physics by turning on ragdoll for your character. You can choose between either basic ragdoll or the staggering drunk version. We have a bunch more drunk gifs too if you'd like to see just what kind of a public nuisance you can turn Arthur into.
Hot Air Balloon
With this mod you can summon a hot air balloon anywhere you like and take a ride up into the sky. It's certainly a better view than from the back of a horse. The latest version of the mod added inertia and smoother controls, and it even has controller support if you're playing Red Dead with a gamepad.
Red Dead Redemption One sound files
This music mod allows you to listen to the aural majesty of the first Red Dead Redemption while exploring its successor. Returning to the music that you might have not heard in a decade is the perfect nostalgia blanket. Or might just make you angry that the first game never made it to PC all over again.
Arthur Morgan as the Joker
After installing this face re-texture mod, Arthur Morgan's face will be given a fresh coat of facial paint resembling the iconic Batman villain, Joker. There have been many Jokers in the Batman universe, but this mod paints the happy smile of Joaquin Phoenix's take on the character—a.k.a sad, discourse-provoking Joker. If the game isn't bleakly philosophical enough for you, then this Red Dead Redemption 2 Joker mod should do it for you.
Lenny's simple trainer
Become one with nature with the Lenny's simple trainer mod. No, really: it lets you explore the Wild West completely naked. You can also swap out Arthur for any other human character model in the game. To see the mod in full, ahem, swing, check out Lauren's gif in our Red Dead Redemption 2 nude mod breakdown.
Photorealistic reshade mod
Make sure you have some sunglasses handy for this one, this reshade mod adds an extra sheen of photo-realistic graphics to the game. It somehow makes Red Dead Redemption's graphics even prettier.
Red Dead Redemption 2 trainer
This trainer mod is perfect for the time poor. It has all the classics like infinite ammo, money, stamina, dead eye. The West will get a new definition of wild after you've used this mod.
