Best BG3 Mods 2026: Top 20 Must-Have Mods for a Better First Playthrough
The best BG3 mods for 2026. Quality of life, visual, UI, and gameplay mods that improve the game without breaking balance. Beginner-friendly mod installation guide.
How to Install Mods
Official mods: Main menu → Mod Manager → Browse → Install. These are curated and approved by Larian.
Nexus Mods: Download BG3 Mod Manager → download mods from nexusmods.com → import into manager → export load order.
Best QoL Mods (Safe for First Playthrough)
| Mod | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Better Hotbar | Organize spells and items. Customizable rows. |
| WASD Movement | Move with WASD keys instead of clicking. |
| Native Camera Tweaks | Unlock camera angles. Look up, zoom further. |
| ImprovedUI | Better inventory, character sheet, tooltips. |
| Better Containers | Auto-sort inventory. Search and filter. |
| Highlight Everything | Better object highlighting (Alt key). |
| Bag of Holding | Infinite carry weight. No more inventory management. |
Best Visual Mods
| Mod | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Tav’s Hair Salon | 50+ new hairstyles for character creation. |
| Faces of Faerun | New face presets. Higher quality than vanilla. |
| Basket of Equipment | Cosmetic armor sets. Transmog your gear. |
| Dye Dye Dye | Unlimited dye usage. Preview before applying. |
Best Gameplay Mods (Second Playthrough+)
| Mod | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Party Limit Begone | Bring all companions (up to 16). Banter everywhere. |
| Tactician Plus | Harder enemies, smarter AI. For veterans. |
| 5e Spells | Adds missing D&D 5e spells to BG3. |
| Artificer Class | Play as the Artificer class from D&D. |
Mods to Avoid
- Skip mods that add content on first playthrough — experience Larian’s vision first
- Be careful with mods that haven’t been updated for the latest patch
- Avoid mods that conflict with each other (check the mod descriptions)
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use mods on my first BG3 playthrough?
Use only quality-of-life mods on your first playthrough. Avoid gameplay-changing or content mods — experience the vanilla game first. Recommended first-playthrough mods: Better Hotbar, WASD Movement, Native Camera Tweaks, and ImprovedUI.
How do I install BG3 mods?
Use the in-game Mod Manager (main menu → Mod Manager) for official mods. For Nexus Mods mods, install BG3 Mod Manager (external tool) and download from nexusmods.com. Vortex also works. Always check mod compatibility with the latest patch.
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