tModLoader

The 1.4.5.8 update landed as tModLoader’s main version milestone, accompanied by a broad wave of 1.4.5-facing modding tools. Trust Prompt for Downloaded Mods added a warning for mods installed outside the Workshop, while Mod Browser ratings and expanded language support improved mod discovery and access.

• Version and platform support: The 1.4.5.8 update added an in-game menu for switching between beta branches, and the version switcher identified obsolete preview versions. It also addressed the Linux 1 FPS issue, Steam Workshop startup crashes, and launch problems affecting GOG and high-resolution-display users.
• Mod author toolkit: New APIs, hooks, and compatibility work expanded what mods could implement.
  • ModifyEquipTextureDraw, ModifyItemDraw, and Projectile.GetDefaultDrawData enabled more control over equipment and projectile rendering.
  • The Flail API, WingGlidingSpeeds, updated Whip support, and ExampleGolfClub improved support for specialized weapon and movement behaviors.
  • Global Substitution, ModSystem.RequiresScreenTarget, and biome- and NPC-specific happiness dialogue added new customization paths.
  • Modded Grass Support reached the Preview Branch for experimentation rather than a general release.
• Mod discovery, safety, and localization: Trust Prompt for Downloaded Mods warned about the risks of externally downloaded mods, while the Mod Browser gained rating buttons and visible mod ratings. New mods generated localization template files, and tModLoader added support for Japanese, Korean, and Traditional Chinese; localization updates also covered Chinese, Polish, Japanese, and Russian.

tModLoader introduced over 350 new mods in January 2026, enhancing the modding experience significantly. Additionally, the new mod detection for unlisted or banned mods launched on May 1, 2026, allowing players to continue using their favorite mods even if they faced restrictions.

• New Content: Various features and tools were added to improve modding.

  • Adjustable Potion Delay APIs launched in November 2025.
  • New NPC Interaction Hooks were introduced in September 2025, allowing for deeper interactions with NPCs.
  • tModCodeAssist Rework included improvements for mod developers in September 2025.
  • Equipment Loadouts Support for ModAccessorySlot was added in July 2025.

• Performance Improvements: The dedicated server management script was updated on May 1, 2026, enhancing server management capabilities.

• Quality of Life Enhancements: Several updates improved user experience and modding efficiency.

  • Launch scripts were improved to prevent unnecessary folder deletions in January 2026.
  • The Preserve Mods List menu sorting mode choice was implemented in November 2025, allowing players to maintain their preferred sorting settings.

• UI/UX Updates: The achievement menu button was updated in January 2026, and the fullscreen limitation for the capture UI open folder button was removed, improving overall usability.

The May 2025 additions delivered Biome Conversion Support and Custom and Named ID Sets Support, giving mods new hooks for world conversion and shared data sets. They also added Customizable Swaying Tiles and the Basic Tile Entity Example, while the wider update cycle focused on mod-authoring tools and runtime improvements.

• Biome Conversion Support and Custom and Named ID Sets Support: Expanded the modding API with several foundational tools.
  • Biome Conversion Support: Added Convert() for ModBlockTypes and Tile/WallLoader.RegisterConversion().
  • Custom and Named ID Sets Support: Let mods create and share their own Sets.
  • Customizable Swaying Tiles: Added ExampleChandelier and new ModTile hooks for wind-swaying tiles.
  • Basic Tile Entity Example: Added helper methods for working with tiles and tile entities.
• In-game Workshop Tag Filtering and New CLI for Mac and Linux modders: Improved mod discovery and development workflows.
  • In-game Workshop Tag Filtering: Made it easier to find mods, including those supporting native languages.
  • New CLI for Mac and Linux modders: Opened more contribution and development options on those platforms.
  • ModConfig Menu Access: Added direct access to the ModConfig menu.
  • Increased Workshop Publication Requirements: Required Workshop mods to include a custom icon and useful description.
  • Podman Support for Dedicated Servers: Added container support for dedicated-server setups.
• Multi-Tile Wind Sway Capabilities and Improved Startup Time: Combined visual, performance, and multiplayer-facing improvements.
  • Multi-Tile Wind Sway Capabilities: Allowed multi-tile objects to sway in the wind.
  • Support for Modded Clouds: Enabled custom cloud effects.
  • Map Backgrounds Use Sky Color: Allowed map backgrounds to use sky or custom draw colors.
  • Improved Startup Time: Postponed .tmod hash verification to shorten startup.
  • Network Lag Fix Caused by Shimmer Buff: Resolved multiplayer lag caused by the Shimmer buff.
  • Skeletron Prime’s Laser Arm Shooting Frequency Fixed: Corrected its multiplayer firing rate.

tModLoader 1.4.4 became the default experience on August 1, 2023, marking a major generational shift for Terraria modding. Existing 1.4 mods were incompatible with the new version, while 1.4.3-legacy remained available through Steam Beta and 1.4.4 introduced substantial API, localization, and mod-management changes.

• Version transition: tModLoader 1.4.4 introduced major code changes and a new generation of mods, with automatic save-file migration and Workshop version tags for 1.4.4 and 1.4.3. The 1.4.3-legacy branch preserved access to older mods, while the preview beta gave modders a place to prepare for monthly updates.
• Modding APIs: Several core systems were modernized:
  • Declarative Shops made NPC shop definitions easier to manage.
  • Player/NPC Damage Hooks Rework simplified hit hooks and added new capabilities.
  • Max Health and Mana Manipulation API enabled permanent stat adjustments.
  • DashID formalized Player.dashType values, while TileID.Sets expanded tile placement beside non-solid tiles.
• Localization and configuration: Localization moved fully into .hjson files, with ModConfig Auto Localization and ModConfigShowcaseAcceptClientChanges support. Config Rework Part 1, BuffDefinition, and the updated Mod.GetLocalization method also gave mod authors more structured configuration and text-management tools.
• Mod browser and platform improvements: The Revamped Mod Browser UI improved browsing speed, and dependency mods could now auto-enable after reload. GlobalType Performance and Player.clientClone Performance received notable optimizations, while MUSL/Alpine Linux launch support and more reliable world and player saving broadened platform and stability support.

tModLoader for Terraria 1.4+ became the default Steam version on June 3, 2022, bringing the mod loader onto Terraria’s 1.4 branch. tModPorter arrived to help developers migrate 1.3 mods, while 64-bit and .NET 6 support delivered a major underlying performance upgrade.

• Terraria 1.4 migration: The default Steam build moved to Terraria 1.4+, while the 1.3-legacy and 1.4-preview branches remained available for players and developers managing compatibility.
• Modding toolkit: The release expanded core tools for mod creators.
  • tModPorter assisted with transitioning mods from 1.3 to 1.4.
  • ModPylon and GlobalPylon introduced custom pylons, with teleport-position controls and later fixes for failed teleports.
  • Mod Pack Revamp Part 1 froze copies of every mod in a pack, improving reproducibility.
  • MonoMod performance improvements made code injection more than ten times faster.
• Gameplay and API additions: Several systems gained new hooks or broader mod support.
  • Continuous Projectile Damage Updates enabled continuous damage behavior across all damage classes.
  • NPC save and load support let custom NPC data persist and prevented affected NPCs from naturally despawning.
  • Modded Whips Creation added dedicated settings for creating custom whips.
  • Recipe absorbed CreateRecipe and CloneRecipe, simplifying recipe creation without requiring a Mod instance.
• Multiplayer and platform reliability: Mod Syncing on Fast Connections resolved bad-header and synchronization failures, while Players/NPCs Falling Through Map in MP addressed a serious multiplayer world issue. 4K/QHD Display Resolution Support was also restored after resolution settings caused severe performance drops on high-resolution monitors.

Introduction of the 1.4 tModLoader Preview System split the Alpha experience between the 1.4-preview and 1.4-stable branches. The transition also introduced OnSpawn Hooks and DamageClass Overhaul Part 2, expanding both the modding API and combat-stat framework.

• 1.4 branch model: The new branch structure gave 1.4 development a preview channel, while stable updates received test periods of up to one month before promotion.
  • 1.4-preview: Hosted the continuing Alpha experience and provided a target for 1.3 mod developers to begin porting their work.
  • 1.4-stable: Received tested changes, with instructions explaining how players could switch between the two branches.
• Modding API additions: Several systems gained new hooks and extension points.
  • OnSpawn Hooks: Items, NPCs, and projectiles received initialization hooks with access to IEntitySource arguments.
  • Buff Draw Hooks: ModBuff and GlobalBuff gained PreDraw, PostDraw, and RightClick.
  • CanFallThroughPlatforms: ModNPC and GlobalNPC gained conditional platform-fall-through checks.
  • NPC Profile System Extension: SetNPCNameList replaced the TownNPCName hook, with a global equivalent added.
• DamageClass Overhaul Part 2: StatModifier gained Flat and Base fields, while attack speed and armor penetration became supported stats and hybrid items were incorporated into damage classes.
• Mod management and integration: Outdated Mods Notification warned players about Alpha-era mods, while Workshop Tag Code introduced preliminary tags for future feedback. Tile Smart Interact Fixes corrected ModTile.HasSmartInteract handling and added parameters and hooks for conditional checks; Mid-month Fixes also addressed held-item animations and credit-roll crashes.

tModLoader’s Steam release made the mod loader available through Steam on May 16, letting players install and play it alongside Terraria. The launch delivered tModLoader 1.3.5 across Windows, Mac, and Linux, while Steam Workshop support was announced as planned rather than delivered.

• Steam integration: Players could run vanilla Terraria and tModLoader simultaneously through Steam. tModLoader also supported installation in any location and kept the Mod Browser functional without forcing Steam Workshop use.
• Initial platform scope: The initial tModLoader 1.3.5 release remained on Terraria 1.3.5; Terraria 1.4 support was deferred, and the first build was 32-bit despite ongoing 64-bit discussions.
• Modding workflow: Terraria.exe received multi-core pre-JIT loading to improve mod startup performance. Content-directory checks, mod-creation error logging, and fallback saves through savehere.txt also arrived.
• Compatibility and stability: GOG Installation Support Restored worked with Terraria v1.4.0.4, while updated hashes supported Terraria v1.4.0.5. tModLoader also added warnings for loading 1.4 worlds and players, fixed the music-loading issue, and resolved the NPC Spawn Issue.