MechWarrior 5 is an underrated title and a decent one in its own right. However, it can be said that the game lacks in a large number of areas, from lackluster contracts to meek salvage rewards and the meager variation of Battlemechs.

Luckily fans of the Battletech series and MechWarrior games have taken it upon themselves to create dozens of fantastic mods to rectify the game’s many misgivings. That said, the following are some of what we considered the must-haves when it comes to modding MechWarrior 5.

Image via Piranha Games Inc

Yet Another Mech Lab

Customization and weapon variety are critical things that many players felt were lacking when playingMechWarrior 5.Luckily, this is where Yet Another Mech Lab comes to save the day.

Yet Another Mech Lab adds a ton to the game and overhauls how players build and customize their mechs. The first significant change is redesigning the mech lab system to align withMechWarrior Online’ssystem. MechWarrior Online’s mech variations were also added to the game and can be bought and salvaged.

Image via Piranha Games Inc

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Yet Another Mech Lab also changes various things such as better salvaging, equipping rules, and various other utilities. Players can also now use headlights, a UAV drone, and much more.

However, Yet Another Mech Lab is just the base mod, and there are two more sub-mods you need to grab along with the main mod. The first is Yet Another MechYet Another Weapon and Yet Another Weapon Clan. These two mods add tons more weapons to the game and are must-haves for any true-blooded MechWarrior.

Image via Piranha Games Inc

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Lore Based Mech Variants

Lore Based Mech Variants is a simple mod that just adds more mechs to the game based on the lore of the setting. Because of this, it’s a decent mod to throw into your list for stompy boys to shoot and pilot. But if playing with Yet Another Mech Lab, you will need to download the YAML version of the mod.

TTRulez AI Mod2

Another mod that is simply a must-install is TTRulez’s ai mod. The mod changes the behavior of yourAI lance matesand that of the enemy forces to be more intelligent when it comes to warfare and combat. So download this mod and watch as the rival Battlemechs both destroy legs and blow out your back and run away.

Better Spawns

Better Spawns changes the spawn behavior of the various enemy types in the game to spawn farther from the player. It’s simple and a welcome change and makes the game feel all the more enjoyable, as enemies close in on you from a distance.

Advanced Zoom

Advance Zoom adds a new zoom scope that goes all the way up to both 4 and 8 times magnifications. We recommend giving it a shot, especially if you likesniping with PPCs.However, keep in mind when used in night vision mode, the scope will remain in non-night vision mode.

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Camo Spec

Camo Spec adds well over 100 skins that can be placed on yourBattlemechsto add further customization to a game that lacks a lot of it.All skinsare also taken from other MechWarrior games and also include common military camos.

Enable Infantry

A cut feature of MechWarrior 5 was the implementation of infantry, this mod enables infantry and allows them to spawn in game. If you add this mod as it stands, you may find that infantry feel weak and rather useless. So as a fix you may use a mod likeInfantry Tweaksto make them feel more useful and a threat if ignored. But be warned, using infantry and the Tweak mod can increase performance, so use at your own risk.

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How to Install MechWarrior 5 Mods

Before installing mods, you need to first learn how to install them. In short, installing the mods depends on the type of mod you downloaded. Mods that only havepakfiles need to be placed in the\MW5Mercs\MW5Mercs\Content\Paks folder.

Regular mods with multiple files can go into the game’s mod folder instead. you may find the game’s mod folder at\MW5Mercs\MW5Mercs\Mods.

But before you try installing mods, it’s best to make sure to check theupload date and the descriptionof the mods. The reason is that certain mods can become outdated as games get updates andnew DLCs.

The other reason is that certain mods can not work with other mods. Because of this, it’s highly recommended you read descriptions and update dates to save you a lot of modtroubleshooting later down the line.