I will keep writing on it in between normal stuff I'm working at, so you may see that some sections are not complete, stuff is missing etc.

Don't worry, I'll get stuff added as time goes :-)

This guide will explain how modding works for this game. For the most part, the HS2 modding is a carryover from AI-Shoujo, which itself is a carryover from Koikatsu, so if you're familiar with these games and how modding works there, this should be very familiar. Conversely, if you read this guide, it will largely explain modding for the older games.

As I am the maker of the SB-Patch, I will primarily focus on that, but I will also go through HF-patch, which is also an excellent way to quickly get into modding.

I will also go over self-maintaining your mods, aka adding and keeping mods updated yourself.

For the most part, it doesn't matter much which patch you use, unless you have some special needs.

The SB patch is intended to provide one tested and predictable setup. This makes troubleshooting easier and makes it much more straight forward to seek help, as everyone running a given version of BetterRepack is running in a known state. It also is less confusing for users, as there's no options to adjust during installation. Everything you need is preapplied and good to go once installation is done.
The SB Patch will leave a optional mods folder in the install dir that you can visit if you're looking for something, but for the most part, it's not recommended to use anything from that folder, as they're there because they either cause what a lot of users would view as undesirable effects, or just straight up conflicts with other mods. SB-Patch also include some content which is cut in the steam version.

HF-Patch, on the other side, offers the end user way more customization at the installation stage. You don't want a given mod? sure, don't install it. You want something that most users don't want? Sure, just enable it.

When all is said and done, you will be set up with a very similar install after installing either option. Both will give you studio access, both will uncensor your game, both will make sure your game is up2date.

Both the SB and HF patch uses the same sources for plugins and mods, so just a change of flavour.

TLDR: For the most part, it's just differing roads, the destination is close to the same.

What does this patch do?
The SB-Patch converts your game into a solid premodded setup, alongside functionality for updating clothing mods etc. This, alongside the HF-patch is the easiest way to get into modding, and pretty much constitutes a install it and forget it system.

This patch is focused around providing one predictable and tested environment. It does include some optional mods in a folder in the install directory, but unless you know that you REALLY want to activate said mod, it's recommended you don't.

Where may this patch be acquired?
There are multiple download locations available, I will list Magnet links here (Basically BitTorrent links. Just open it with your client of choice, qBitTorrent is recommended). Other download options also exist, such as GDrive and MEGA, but can't post that here, so just google BetterRepack and you should find what you're seeking quite easy.

Standard Edition
This will get the basic stuff setup. Basically uncensor and finctionality mods, as well as adding Studio (a character poser for taking screenshots. Trust me, if you get into that, Illusion games are suddenly worth the price they're asking on steam)

This does NOT include any clothing mods or other really large mods like that, so this is basically if you do NOT intend to download cards from any third party services, just happy to make your own with what the game offers from the outset, but you want more functionality in the game, like uncensor.

If you change your mind in the future, the functionality to download clothing mods is bundled, but it's recommended you download the full patch if you're thinking about fully modding your game.

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:7a9cb9af300008810652c5afbb62b1a8c848b907

Full Edition
This is the most comprehensive version, including everything from the Standard patch plus all clothing mods available in the sideloader modpack (A collection of clothing and similar mods, like tattoos, hairs etc). This means that the installer will be quite large, but it's highly recommended to go with this option if you're thinking to load cards from third parties etc.

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:64e1b159ff717726d7f430225b3d761953c9bbf1

So, having downloaded the SB patch, where to go from here?

This part will carry you through the installation process for the SB Patch, though it's straight forward it will ask some questions during the installation, so do give this a read if you're wondering about the questions presented.

What does this patch do?
The HF Patch gives very close to the same setup as the SB-patch does, but focuses more on custimizability.

During the install you will be asked to select mods to install. This may be a bit intimidating for new users, but a "next, next, finish" install should give you the HF recommended setup, so you can just disregard the long list of options and just go with the recommended setup.

Where may this patch be acquired?
This too have multiple download locations, you can usually find the most recent links and info in its github repo: https://github.com/ManlyMarco/HS2-HF_Patch/releases.

Same as with the SB-Patch, HF-Patch has two editions.

Light patch
This will get the basic stuff setup. Basically uncensor and finctionality mods, as well as adding Studio (a character poser for taking screenshots. Trust me, if you get into that, Illusion games are suddenly worth the price they're asking on steam)

This does NOT include any clothing mods or other really large mods like that, so this is basically if you do NOT intend to download cards from any third party services, just happy to make your own with what the game offers from the outset, but you want more functionality in the game, like uncensor.

If you change your mind in the future, the functionality to download clothing mods is bundled, but it's recommended you download the full patch if you're thinking about fully modding your game.

Only the Full patch has a magnet link, see bellow.

Full patch
This is the most comprehensive version, including everything from the Standard patch plus all clothing mods available in the sideloader modpack (A collection of clothing and similar mods, like tattoos, hairs etc). This means that the installer will be quite large, but it's highly recommended to go with this option if you're thinking to load cards from third parties etc.

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:NX2FIANJFGFZLA6VAWCBVTZVI2X36XTF

Unlike the SB patch, the HF patch offers more customization during installation. It is still very straight forward, and if you just want to install the basic installation, you don't need to worry much about the options offered, just proceeding through the installation as you would with any normal installation.

Now, you're the more adventurous person, and want to know EXACTLY what goes into your game, and you don't mind spending hours making sure you know every small detail?

If yes, then this might be for you >.<

Do note, modders by and large are making mods with the JP version in mind, not the steam version, so installing the SB or HF patch first is HIGHLY recommended, as that will basically convert your game to the JP game for the best possible modding compatibility. This will get you going with a modding environment directly on the steam version, but problems may occur due to changes in how the steam version is built.

By going this route without installing SB or HF first, you will also not get studio, which in my opinion is the main value proposition in this game.

Now, for the VAST amount of users, this is not recommended. You can step wrong and end up messing up your install or just face random, really hard to troubleshoot errors, but here's a guide to get the basics setup, aka that which is needed in every modding setup for this game. From there I will guide you to resources to get the rest going.

If you want all the mods listed here in a single micropack, I have collected them in a single zip over at my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/68370003
That contains just what I've listed bellow (Excl. the illusion patch). It's much smaller so will get you started with the basic stuff you need for selfmanaging.

If you go this route, make sure you install the patch from illusions site first: http://hs2steam.illusion.jp/index_en.php

OK, every good building is built from the foundation. All modding in this game requires the base framework to be installed. Luckily this is super simple.

Download: https://github.com/BepInEx/BepInEx/releases

Walkthrough:
- HS2 is a x64 game, so you want the latest release marked x64. At time of writing 'BepInEx_x64_5.4.19.0.zip'
- Extract the zip into your game folder (Should give you a winhttp.dll, doorstop_config.ini and a BepInEx folder, you can just delete the changelog.txt if you want)
- Open the doorstop_config.ini
- Change `redirectOutputLog=false` to `redirectOutputLog=true`
- At this point, start the game once, then quit at the menu. (this is to generate the BepInEx configuration)
- If all went well, you will see a new file in /BepInEx/config named BepInEx.cfg

Another big one, this one allows you to configure the plugins ingame, instead of plowing through configuration files.

Download: https://github.com/BepInEx/BepInEx.ConfigurationManager/releases (current at time of writing: BepInEx.ConfigurationManager_v17.0.zip)

Walkthrough:
Once downloaded, just extract to the game folder.

BepisPlugins is the core of modding, and all other mods pretty much derives from it, so this too is absolutely required for the modding foundation.

Download: https://github.com/IllusionMods/BepisPlugins/releases (current at time of writing: HS2_BepisPlugins_r18.2.zip)

IllusionFixes, as the name implies, is a collection of fixes that addresses problems with the game identified by the community.

Download: https://github.com/IllusionMods/IllusionFixes/releases (current at time of writing: IllusionFixes_HoneySelect2_v20.0.zip)

Walkthrough:
Once downloaded, just extract to the game folder.

This is a library used to simplify making plugins, as such it's required by almost every plugin ever made for HoneySelect 2.

Download: https://github.com/IllusionMods/IllusionModdingAPI/releases (current at time of writing: HS2API_v1.33.zip)

Walkthrough:
Once downloaded, just extract to the game folder.

This will allow some more character customization, but more importantly, the UncensorSelector plugin relies on this.

Download: https://github.com/ManlyMarco/Illusion-Overlay-Mods/releases (current at time of writing: HS2_OverlayMods_6.0.7.0.zip)

Another mod that doesn't do much on its own, but other mods rely on, for instance, some uncensors rely on this to add bones to the body.

Download: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/635561819548680196/991371600693841940/BonesFramework.dll

Walkthrough:
Once downloaded, just copy to the /BepInEx/Plugins folder.

This is the main plugin responsible for removing censorship in the game, so some chance you want this one.

Download: https://github.com/IllusionMods/KK_Plugins#uncensorselector

Walkthrough:
Once downloaded, just extract to the game folder.

This is mostly a supporting plugin, another one many modders utilize to make their mods possible.

Download: https://github.com/bbepis/XUnity.AutoTranslator/releases (current at time of writing: XUnity.ResourceRedirector-BepInEx-2.0.0.zip)

The original launcher that comes with the game is... a bit lacking in functionality, let's address that.
This is a fanmade launcher which is more visually appealing, but more importantly has quite a few improvements on the original launcher.

Download: https://github.com/IllusionMods/IllusionLaunchers/releases (current at time of writing: IllusionLaunchers_HoneySelect.2.Steam_3.3.0.0.zip)

Walkthrough:
Once downloaded, just extract to the game folder, overwriting any conflicts.

(After installing this you may delete the following folders:
- ja-JP
- zh-CN
- zh-TW
They're resource files for the vanilla launchers and are no longer necessary, the fan launcher stores its files in /BepInEx/LauncherEN)

This is an utility used for administering mods, plugins etc.
Besides that though, this is the application responsible for updating zipmods (Mods containing clothing etc) from a server location.

Download: https://github.com/IllusionMods/KKManager/releases (current at time of writing: KKManager_v0.19.0.7z)

- In your game folder, create a folder named `[UTILITY] KKManager`
- Extract the contents of the install 7z into this folder

If all went well, the next time you open the launcher, you will now have a update button and a KKManager button. Pressing the update button will compare your mod setup to the server mod setup and offer you the ability to download clothing mods etc. Since you intend to selfmanage, I'll assume that the only thing you want for now is the Uncensors, so press the update button at this time in the game launcher.

Download the 'Sideloader Modpack - Uncensors for UncensorSelector' to get the uncensor data. If you want to download this without the use of KKManager, you can pick and choose at https://sideload.betterrepack.com/download/AISHS2/

--Work In Progress--