Getting Started with Red Dead Redemption 2 Modding
Script Hook RDR2, LML, offline-only discipline, and the recommended first mods
Red Dead Redemption 2 modding follows the GTA V playbook with RDR2-specific tools. The headline rule: never launch modded RDR2 with Red Dead Online. Rockstar bans for online mod use are real.
This guide walks the standard install on the PC version. The console releases don't support modding.
Step 1 — Plan for offline-only modding
Two safe paths:
- Separate install — copy your RDR2 install folder to a second location, mod the copy, never run the copy with Red Dead Online launched.
- Discipline on a single install — mod once, always launch via Rockstar Launcher's "Play Red Dead Redemption 2" (offline story), never launch online while mods are present.
Step 2 — Install Script Hook RDR2
Script Hook RDR2 by Alexander Blade. Same author as Script Hook V.
Download. Extract ScriptHookRDR2.dll and dinput8.dll into your RDR2 install directory.
Launch RDR2 (offline). Script Hook RDR2 loads alongside.
Step 3 — Install Script Hook RDR2 .NET (optional)
For .NET-based mods, install Script Hook RDR2 .NET. Same source.
After install, a scripts/ folder exists in the RDR2 directory. Drop .dll script mods here.
Step 4 — Install Lenny's Mod Loader (LML)
LML is the community asset-mod manager. Required for most non-script mods.
Extract to your RDR2 install. A lml/ folder is created — asset mods go into lml/<mod_name>/ subfolders.
LML loads mods at runtime without modifying base game files. Uninstalling is just deleting the mod's folder.
Step 5 — Install your first mods
Three popular first picks:
- Lenny's Simple Trainer — comprehensive trainer/QoL menu by LML's author.
- Red Dead Offline — converts RDR2's online-mode content into single-player accessibility. Adds horses, weapons, outfits from online to story mode.
- Improved Map — minimap and map UI improvements.
Install per each mod's README. Script mods go in root or scripts/; LML asset mods go in lml/.
Step 6 — Optional graphical mods
- Resorse-Loader / Beyond all Limits — push texture and shader fidelity beyond vanilla limits.
- Pleasing Reshade or other ReShade presets — post-processing tweaks.
Heavy on VRAM; test on your hardware.
Common gotchas
- Script Hook RDR2 version mismatch. Patch broke it. Wait for Alexander Blade's updated build.
- LML mod doesn't load. Confirm the mod folder structure matches LML's expected layout. Each mod has its own subfolder under
lml/. - Red Dead Online ban. Hopefully avoided.
- Game crashes on load. Script conflict or DLL mismatch. Disable mods one at a time to isolate.
- Mod requires older Script Hook RDR2. Some mods haven't been updated for newer patches. Either find an updated version or downpatch.
RDR2's mod community is smaller than GTA V's but follows similar patterns. The single-player-only constraint limits multiplayer modding possibilities but keeps the offline experience deep.