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Last Updated: 29 October 2026 @ 09:48 CE(S)T

Quality of Life Mods

These could also be called functional mods or feature patches but it's all about adding functionality that makes the experience nicer without modifying the world or story as such. These patches can concern the UI, keybindings but also all kinds of added functionality. I recommend perusing the various lists and compilations and see what appeals to you.

There are two types of functional mods, as detailed below. You will probably find that there is significant overlap between both types, meaning that there are quite a few mods that exist both as a Union and as a Ninja mod. These days, most of the newer or sophisticated mods seem to be Union plugins. Since Unions is almost always installed anyway, I would recommend you stick with those, unless you have a compelling reason to (also) use Ninja mods. That way there are fewer components to install.

Union

First and foremost Union is a patch that enables the game on modern PCs, both in terms of hardware and software. It is highly recommended you install this and mandatory for many mods.

At the same time there are numerous plugins for Union that add functionality on top of the base games and can thus be considered mods. To my knowledge, Union plugins are more common in the Russian community which makes them somewhat more inaccessible to people like me who don't speak Russian. Nonetheless here are a few places to get started:

If you don't want to hunt down all kinds of plugins manually, there are ways to make it a little easier:

  • Myrtana Mod Manager (has native Linux version): This offers a click-a-button style way to install Union (plus its requirements), the D3D11 renderer (two versions available) and a good selection of Union plugins. It also offers installing a few total conversion or enhancement mods. Nice enough to use, especially for quickly getting Union plugins. Not all of the ones I like are available here, though.
  • Resource Manager: This also offers installing Union plus its requirements to your Gothic game, as well as a selection of plugins. I was not able to test this thoroughly, however, because of ongoing network issues when connecting to the server (which are not on my end). You might have more luck with it.

For recommendations for mods/plugins see below.

Ninja

Ninja is a standalone mod whose sole purpose it is to serve as a basis for other mods. Here are a few places to look

Personal Recommendations

Here is a non-exhaustive list of mods I found useful or nice to have to varying degrees (you can download them here). These can usually be installed regardless of what other extension/conversion mod is installed.

The installation process depends on the mod in question. Some have a dedicated executable that needs to be run at some point during the whole installation process. In case of Union mods (e.g. zNoFriendlyFire) this needs to be done after installation of the Union mod itself. I usually install these mods after everything else is done which works fine.

Mods that are provided as .vdf files are installed by simply dropping the file inside the appropriate folder. These are:

  • Ninja: $BASE_DIRECTORY/Data directory.
  • Union: $BASE_DIRECTORY/Data/Plugins directory. If it doesn't exist yet, create it.

Union

  • Quickloot: Makes picking up stuff nice and effortless
  • Hedin advanced inventory: Nice tabbed inventory
  • Hedin Vob Locator: Locate items near the character
  • Hedin thief helper: Various QoL improvements for thieves like displaying chest combinations, icons for NPCs you can pickpocket etc.
  • Hedin 1H 2H splash: Adds splash damage to melee weapons, which makes fighting groups of enemies more realistic (and easier)
  • zUtilities: Loads of smaller but really nice changes, very configurable
  • zNoFriendlyFire: This mod disables friendly fire which makes using companions much nicer
  • zGamePad: Adds gamepad support with configurable UI glyphs. Pretty much mandatory for playing on Steam Deck (currently only works when playing the Steam version).
  • Gothic 2 Modernized: This is a set of mods that aim at making the game more modern in terms of looks and functionality. These include an item locator, gamepad support, combat feedback and a renderer (not compatible with Linux yet). All of these are easily configurable from the in-game settings. I especially recommend the first two.
  • FreeAim: Replaces standard auto-aim with free aiming. This is mechanically different from the Ninja free-aim mod (see below).

Ninja

  • BonusIndependentTraining: Binds the cost of training attributes and skills to how much points you've invested so far and not the effective value. This lets you consume permanent bonus consumables whenever you wish. One of my absolute favourite changes! Note that pretty much all enhancement/conversion mods implement this already.

  • FreeAim: Replaces the standard auto-aim mechanic with free aiming similar to Gothic 3. Offers two different modes, depending on the desired amount of realism. This mod completely changes the ranged combat gameplay and makes it much more dynamic, I recommend you give it a try. In my opinion, this is superior to the Union free-aim plugin.

  • PatchMenu: Adds menu entries to configure other mod options (see below)

  • Sprint, Adds possibility to sprint constantly, configurable (needs Patchmenu)

  • Quickloot: Adds the capability to pick up items and loot unlocked chests without an animation. By default bound to secondary mouse button

  • QuicksaveSlots: Adds support for several configurable quick save slots

  • OrderedLogs: Patches log entries to be ordered and coloured, if desired

  • PickLockHelper: Shows used combinations when picking locks so you don't have to memorize everything

  • BetterTorches: Adds a hotkey for torches and makes them nicer to use

  • Item Map: Adds collectible items to in-game maps, very configurable. Highly useful, especially when playing mods that change the position of valuable items around.

  • Trader Weapon Fix: Fixes the issue of traders always equipping the strongest weapon they sell

  • Item Locator: Add hotkey to highlight collectible items in the vicinity, very configurable and highly useful, especially when playing with texture or vegetation mods that make plants harder to spot.

  • PercentPotions: Changes potions to regenerate relative, not absolute, values

  • CategorizedInventory: Introduced a categorized inventory that can be tabbed through

Lutris Install Script

script:
  files:
  # Add this to the "files" section of an installation script
  - quickloot:
      filename: Quickloot.zip
      url: https://www.worldofgothic.de/download.php?id=1671
  - adv_inventory:
      filename: Hedin_Union_Adv_Inventory.vdf
      url: https://github.com/NichtPonczek/Gothic-Plugin-collection/raw/refs/heads/main/Hedin_Union_Adv_Inventory.vdf
  - zNoFriendlyFire:
      filename: zNoFriendlyFire.exe
      url: https://cloud.bfloeser.de/public.php/dav/files/A3WENzSsqYGGfRA/?accept=zip
  installer:
  # Add this to the end of the "installer" section of an installation script
  - extract:
      dst: $GAMEDIR/$gamedatapath
      file: quickloot
  - move:
      src: adv_inventory
      dst: $GAMEDIR/$gamedatapath/Plugins
  - task:
      arch: win32
      description: Install zNoFriendlyFire
      # Value of "executable" must match the list key in the "files" section above
      executable: zNoFriendlyFire
      name: wineexec
      prefix: $GAMEDIR
      working_dir: $GAMEDIR