Getting Started
Balatro is a game built using Love2D v11.5, a framework for developing games that uses Lua. If you're unfamiliar with Lua or similar scripting languages, I suggest reading up on the Lua documentation. For the most part, mods that use existing APIs, such as mods that add cards, won't use Love2D functions, so you won't need to read too much about it.
Before you can actually begin to create a mod, do the following:
- READ THE OFFICIAL BALATRO MODDING RULES
- Please respect Localthunk by following these rules.
- The official Balatro Discord server is also where you can find help for questions unanswered by this guide.
- Decompile Balatro. The easiest way is to use 7Zip, rightclick Balatro.exe, then use 7Zip to extract it.
- This is the most important step. Vanilla Balatro is where you will learn the absolute most things about how to mod the game
- I suggest doing this once before installing a mod loader, then again afterwards. Some installation methods modify the Balatro.exe, and having both versions is beneficial to understanding why bugs in your mod may exist.
- Install a mod loader of your choice. As of writing this guide, the options are Steamodded or Balamod
- I personally use a slightly modified build of Balamod, but this guide will be providing information on how to write mods for both mod loaders, as well as how to create mods with compatibility with both loaders.
With these steps, you can now move to one of the two mod loader starting steps pages.
Steamodded
Steamodded
Balamod
Balamod has extensive documentation of its complete features here
The page you want to view at this stage is the Modding Basics page. This page explains how to structure a Balamod mod, and the functions of each component of the mod folder.
Balamod provides hooks for most of Love2D's functions, documented in Balamod's documentation, with more detailed documentation on the Love2D wiki
When learning, do not be afraid of looking at other modder's open source mods. Balamod's mod directory has a list of mods, their descriptions, and a URL to their github page.
Balamod
Balamod has extensive documentation of its complete features here
The page you want to view at this stage is the Modding Basics page. This page explains how to structure a Balamod mod, and the functions of each component of the mod folder.
Balamod provides hooks for most of Love2D's functions, documented in Balamod's documentation, with more detailed documentation on the Love2D wiki
When learning, do not be afraid of looking at other modder's open source mods. Balamod's mod directory has a list of mods, their descriptions, and a URL to their github page.