Best Mods for 7 Days to Die (2025)

A curated collection of the best mods for 7 Days to Die 1.0 and 2.0. This list includes quality-of-life improvements, content additions, and total conversion overhauls tested for compatibility and stability.

Quality of Life Mods

These mods improve the game experience without drastically changing gameplay.

HUD & Interface

ModDescriptionWhy You Need It
HUD PlusCustomizable HUD with food/water bars, compass enhancementsSee vital stats at a glance without opening inventory
Loot IndicatorsColor-coded indicators for nearby lootNever miss hidden loot containers again
Bigger BackpackIncreases inventory slots (48/60/72 options)Less inventory management, more gameplay
Craft QueueShows all items currently being craftedTrack multiple crafting stations

Inventory & Storage

ModDescriptionWhy You Need It
Auto SortOne-click sorts items into nearby storagePress Alt+0 to auto-deposit matching items
Stack Size IncreaseHigher stack limits (10000, 30000 options)Store more resources per slot
Lockable Inventory SlotsLock hotbar slots from auto-stackingKeep your loadout organized

Gameplay Convenience

ModDescriptionWhy You Need It
Horns Open DoorsVehicle horn opens nearby doorsQuick base entry when zombies chase you
Trader Quest RefreshManually refresh trader quest listDon't wait 3 days for new quests
Stop Fuel WasteVehicles don't burn fuel when idleNo more returning to empty tank
Faster Walk/RunIncrease movement speedLess travel time, more action

Content Mods

Add new items, weapons, POIs, and gameplay elements.

Weapons & Combat

ModDescriptionAdds
Weapons of DestructionNew melee weapons pack22+ weapons: halberds, claymores, battle axes
Firearms ExpansionAdditional firearmsModern rifles, historical weapons, attachments
Mods UnboundRemove mod slot restrictionsPut any mod on any weapon, stack mods

World & POIs

ModDescriptionAdds
ZZTong's Custom POIsMassive POI expansion200+ new locations with vanilla compatibility
CompoPackCommunity POI collectionHundreds of community-made buildings
Wasteland ExpansionNew wasteland contentNew enemies, loot, and challenges

Vehicles & Transportation

ModDescriptionAdds
Bdub's VehiclesVehicle variety packHelicopters, boats, ATVs, tanks
More Vehicle StorageIncrease vehicle inventoryLarger trunk space for all vehicles

Performance Mods

Improve FPS and reduce lag.

ModDescriptionImpact
Despawn ZombiesFaster zombie corpse removalReduces entity count, improves FPS during hordes
Reduced GoreLess blood particle effectsBetter performance on lower-end systems
Optimized TexturesCompressed texture packLower VRAM usage, minimal visual change

Total Conversion Overhauls

Complete game transformations that change everything.

Darkness Falls

The most popular overhaul mod, adding a class system, new enemies, extended progression, and much more.

  • Classes: Farmer, Mechanic, Scientist, Laborer, etc.
  • Demons: New endgame enemy type
  • Extended Tech Tree: Titanium tier, laser weapons
  • Vehicles: Helicopters, tanks, VTOL aircraft
  • Difficulty: Significantly harder than vanilla

Best for: Experienced players wanting more challenge and content.

Undead Legacy

Hardcore survival with realistic mechanics.

  • Realistic Mechanics: Thirst, temperature, disease systems
  • Crafting Overhaul: Complex recipe chains
  • Vehicle System: Build vehicles from parts
  • Class System: Specialization paths

Best for: Players who want realistic survival mechanics.

War of the Walkers

More content, same feel as vanilla.

  • 40+ New Zombies: Variety without overwhelming
  • New Weapons: Balanced additions
  • Quality Focus: Polished, bug-free experience

Best for: Players who want vanilla+ experience.

Ravenhearst

Punishing difficulty and deep crafting systems.

  • Survival Focus: Hunger, thirst, disease are deadly
  • Complex Crafting: Multi-step recipes
  • Class System: Starting builds matter
  • Hardcore Difficulty: Not for beginners

Best for: Hardcore survival enthusiasts.

Server-Specific Mods

Mods specifically for server administration.

ModDescriptionUse Case
CSMMServer ManagerWeb interface, Discord integration, economy
BotmanChat bot + admin toolsAutomated moderation, teleports, shops
Server ToolsAdmin utility collectionRegion resets, player management
Allocs Server FixesBug fixes + APIWeb map, player data API

How to Install Mods

Method 1: Manual Installation

  1. Download mod from Nexus Mods or mod website
  2. Extract the mod folder
  3. Navigate to 7 Days to Die/Mods/
  4. Copy the mod folder into Mods directory
  5. Launch game - mod loads automatically

Method 2: 7D2D Mod Launcher

  1. Download 7D2D Mod Launcher
  2. Run the launcher
  3. Browse available mod packs
  4. Click "Install" on desired mods
  5. Launch game through the launcher

Recommended for total conversion mods - keeps original game files clean.

Method 3: Steam Workshop (Limited)

  1. Open Steam
  2. Go to 7 Days to Die Workshop
  3. Subscribe to desired mods
  4. Mods auto-download on game launch

Note: Workshop selection is limited compared to other sources.

Mod Compatibility

Safe to Combine

  • Most QoL mods work together
  • HUD mods + inventory mods
  • Weapon packs (usually)
  • POI packs (usually)

Do NOT Combine

  • Multiple overhaul mods (Darkness Falls + Undead Legacy = crash)
  • Mods that modify same XML files
  • EAC-required servers + client-side mods

Checking Compatibility

  • Read mod description for conflicts
  • Check mod comments/forums
  • Test in single player first
  • Keep mod list backed up

Recommended Mod Loadouts

Vanilla+ (Light Mods)

  • HUD Plus
  • Bigger Backpack (48)
  • Loot Indicators
  • Trader Quest Refresh

Enhanced Vanilla

  • Everything in Vanilla+
  • ZZTong's POIs
  • Weapons of Destruction
  • Bdub's Vehicles
  • Auto Sort

Hardcore Survival

  • Undead Legacy OR Ravenhearst
  • (These overhauls include their own mod ecosystem)

Mod Sources

SourceURLNotes
Nexus Modsnexusmods.com/7daystodieLargest mod collection
7D2D Mods7daystodiemods.comCurated, categorized
Official Forumscommunity.7daystodie.comDev-approved section
Steam WorkshopSteam clientEasy install, limited selection
GitHubgithub.comOpen source mods

Troubleshooting Mods

"Red Error" on Load

  • Mod version doesn't match game version
  • Download updated version of mod
  • Or wait for mod author to update

Game Crashes on Start

  • Remove mods one at a time to find conflict
  • Check output_log.txt for error messages
  • Verify game files via Steam

"Mod Not Loading"

  • Ensure mod folder is directly in /Mods/
  • Don't have nested folders (Mods/ModName/ModName/)
  • ModInfo.xml must be present in mod folder