Before starting the tutorial, you should know that after successfully modding Red Dead Redemption 2, you will only be able to play in Story Mode. As if you we're to attempt to join Red Dead Online, you would be kicked. So I highly suggest to take a screenshot of your Red Dead Redemption 2 folder, so when you want to play Red Dead Online, you can be able to take out the mods out of the Red Dead Redemption 2 folder. I will show you and explain it more within the tutorial.

Note: Make sure you launched Red Dead Redemption 2 at least once.

Open Steam and right click on Red Dead Redemption 2, click on Properties, click on Installed Files, then click on Verify Integrity of game files. This will make sure you aren't missing any needed files to run Red Dead Redemption 2 properly. And don't worry, after it finishes, it will put back any files that were missing that we're required/important.

Launch Red Dead Redemption 2.

Go into Settings, then head into Graphics. Scroll a bit far down until you find Graphics API, make sure that it's set to Vulkan. It's very important. But if it's not in Vulkan and you can't change it, then make sure you have Advanced Settings set to Unlocked. After you have finished with that, you can now exit out of the game.

Now head to Steam. Find Red Dead Redemption 2 and right click on it, hover above Manage, then click on Browse Local Files. Now take screenshots of your Red Dead Redemption 2 folder, and make sure you keep those screenshots somewhere you can easily access it, which in my opinion, I would keep it in a folder in my Desktop.

Next, you wanna download Lenny's Mod Loader, it is important as it is the one that enables you to use mods! Lenny's Mod Loader: https://www.rdr2mods.com/downloads/rdr2/tools/76-lennys-mod-loader-rdr/

Make sure to download the Main Files, not the old ones!

Go to where you downloaded the Lenny's Mod Loader, then open the lml_beta_rdr folder. When inside, open the ModLoader folder. Copy every file in the folder and paste it into your Red Dead Redemption 2 folder. Next, you want to go back to the lml_beta_rdr folder, then when inside, copy the ModManager folder, and paste it into the Red Dead Redemption 2 folder.

It should look like this after you're finished.



Before proceeding to the next step, make sure to copy the location of your Red Dead Remption 2 folder.

Open the ModManager folder which is located in your Red Dead Redemption 2 folder. When inside, double click on ModManager.UI



When ModManager opens, it should look like this. Click on the icon shown in the image.



After you pressed it, click on the 3 dots on the top right.



Then click on the little save button.


After that, you will need to select your Red Dead Redemption 2 folder, so to make it easy, just paste the location you copied earlier, and click select folder.


Great Job! You just finished setting up the Mod Loader! We still have a bit to do in order to make the mods work perfectly, but good news is we just finished majority of the tutorial to get the mods working!

Next, we're going to download Scripthook RDR2. ScriptHook RDR2: http://dev-c.com/rdr2/scripthookrdr2/

It should look like this, then click on the blue download button.

Go to the folder where you downloaded Scripthook RDR2. Open the ScripthookRDR2 folder. You will see 3 files, copy dinput8.dll and ScriptHookRDR2.dll only. Do not copy NativeTrainer.asi

If you are wondering how to copy individual folders, hold left ctrl key and click on the folders that you want to select. After that, press copy. Then paste those 2 files into your Red Dead Redemption folder.

And voilà, you are now done setting up ScriptHook RDR2, pretty easy.

Lastly, we will be downloading Online Content Unlocker. Online Content Unlocker: https://www.nexusmods.com/reddeadredemption2/mods/1688

Note: you need to log in/sign up in order to download mods from nexusmods.

After doing that, click on Manual on the top right side, then click on Download.

Head into the location where Online Content Unlocker is installed. Open Online Content Unlocker and you'll see an lml folder inside. Copy and paste the lml folder into your Red Dead Redemption 2 folder.

And for a conclusion, when downloading Mods, they will come with instructions on how to download them. But if not, here's one. When downloading a mod, you'll most likely see a lml folder, if you do, paste it into your Red Dead Redemption 2 folder. But if you see the name of the Mod instead of lml, paste it into the lml folder which is located in your Red Dead Redemption 2 folder. Also to note, if you ever see an asi file or an ini file, paste it into your Red Dead Redemption 2 folder.

CONGRATULATIONS!! You just finished everything on how to mod RDR2! Give yourself a pat on the back! I am proud of you broskie! As a reward, I am including my favorite RDR2 mods which make playing RDR2 story more fun! And don't worry, they won't include cheating, they just include things that would enhance your experience while going on with the RDR2 story!

Cineastic Euphoria Ragdoll Rework (C.E.R.R)
This is a Euphoria Mod! It will changes the way a npc falls/stumbles when shot! Which in this case, makes the npc fall more dramatically, which in my opinion is funny to see.
https://www.nexusmods.com/reddeadredemption2/mods/1388

Ped Damage Overhaul Reloaded
This mod makes combat more entertaining and at the same time, making it more challenging! There are 3 versions of this Mod, Light, Standard, Overhaul. Which in this case, I am using the Standard version for a more friendly story experience. It gives npc's a bit more health so they won't be so easy to kill, and it makes fist fights more entertaining! It also adds bleedouts to npc's, which makes the npc bleed out wherever he/she is shot. For example, if you were to shoot them in the leg, they would bleed out + they would stumble randomly while walking/running.
https://www.nexusmods.com/reddeadredemption2/mods/6635

BloodLust
This mod makes it so that there is more blood whenever someone gets shot! There is 3 versions to this mod, Bloodlust, which is the normal version, BloodCrave which is the less bloody version, and BloodBath which is the more than normal version. I use the BloodBath version.
https://www.nexusmods.com/reddeadredemption2/mods/1154

Immersive Scenarios
This mod makes it so that you can do actions that only npc's can do! It adds that nice little extra spice so that you can take a bit of time to enjoy the environment around you! Some of these actions include, playing the guitar, playing the piano, smoking while sitting down, peeing, and so much more!
https://www.nexusmods.com/reddeadredemption2/mods/1889

Crime and Law Rebalance and Enhancement
Going insane of how the law works in vanilla RDR2? Well don't worry! This mod makes it so that the law makes sense! One of these things include, you won't get wanted for crime that you did out in the wilderness, if you're wanted in a certain area, lawmen will walk around on their horses trying to look for you, and so much more!
https://www.nexusmods.com/reddeadredemption2/mods/569

Remove Screen Effects
It says it in it's name! This mod removes that dead eye filter, eagle eye filter, tonic consumption, and many more! You can also choose to remove those black lines you see during a cutscene to get a more nicer cutscene view! I personally use the Remove Camera shake and Cutscene black bars file!
https://www.nexusmods.com/reddeadredemption2/mods/1001

Visual Redemption
This mod is one of my favorite graphic mods out there! It gives RDR2 a more realistic experience and atmosphere! It also includes some optional add-ons if you want to tweak the mod to your likings!
https://www.razedmods.com/red-dead-redemption-ii

Whyem's DLC
This mod adds a huge amount of content to the game, including accessories, clothes, tattoos, hair styles, beard styles, and so much more! If you're a person who would love to have more customize features, then this is for you!
https://www.nexusmods.com/reddeadredemption2/mods/671

And that is the end of my guide! I hope I was able to be a huge help toward your modding journey for RDR2! Enjoy the wonders of modding! And just between us, if you want more mods, check out these 2 videos!

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKxd69KRB0E&t=175s
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL1ReGxVBZQ&t=73s

I hope you enjoyed our journey into modding! May God bless you all and may you have a great day broskie!