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Steam Deck Installation

Install to Internal Storage Only

Before starting, make sure Hades II is installed to the Steam Deck's internal storage, NOT the MicroSD card!

Part 1 - Getting r2modman to work in Gaming Mode​

1. Enter Desktop Mode​

  • Press the STEAM button.
  • Go to Power.
  • Select Switch to Desktop.

2. Download and install AppImageLauncher​

Why AppImageLauncher?

Steam will not run .AppImage files by default and we need a workaround for this.

  • Download the AppImageLauncher installer from the AppImageLauncher Github releases page.
  • Move the AppImageLauncher .AppImage file to your Home directory. Home directory
  • Open up Konsole (from the bottom left Start button > System > Konsole) Open Konsole
  • Copy the following text:
chmod +x appimagelauncher-lite-2.2.0-travis995-0f91801-x86_64.AppImage
./appimagelauncher-lite-2.2.0-travis995-0f91801-x86_64.AppImage install
  • Paste it into Konsole using the Paste button in the top-right of the application. Paste into Konsole
  • Press Enter on your keyboard (STEAM+X).

3. Download and install r2modman​

  • Download the r2modman installer from the Thunderstore r2modman page
    • Important - use the "Manual Download" button! Download button
  • Open the downloaded file and move the r2modman .AppImage file into your Home/Applications directory. r2modman in Applications directory

4. Add r2modman as a Non-Steam Game​

  • Open Steam in Desktop Mode. There should be a shortcut on your desktop.
  • Click the Games menu.
  • Click Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library. Adding Non-Steam Game
  • Locate r2modman (version number) in the list by scrolling, NOT Browse.
  • Select it and click Add Selected Programs.

Congratulations! You can now open r2modman in Gaming Mode, in the Non-Steam category of your library.

Controlling r2modman

You will want to either use the Touchscreen for mouse control within r2modman, or change the Controller scheme in Steam for the r2modman "game" to be set to the Keyboard (WASD) and Mouse template.

Part 2 - Booting Hades II directly with mods in Gaming Mode​

What does this mean?

The steps in Part 1 only allow you to run modded if you start r2modman, then select Start Modded. These steps will further automate the process, forcing the Hades II shortcut to properly load your mods.

1. Enter Desktop Mode​

  • Press the STEAM button.
  • Go to Power.
  • Select Switch to Desktop.

2. Open r2modman​

  • Search for Hades II.
  • Click Select Game.
  • Click Select Profile to continue with the Default profile (or make a new profile if you like).
  • Browse the Online mod section.
  • Install at least ONE mod.
  • Click Settings.
  • Scroll down to Change Hades II folder and click.
  • Navigate into the Ship directory.
  • Select Hades2.exe.
  • Click Select Executable.
  • Keeping r2modman open, go to Step 3.

3. Open Steam​

  • Go to the Properties for Hades II.
  • In General > Launch Options, input the following text:
WINEDLLOVERRIDES=d3d12=n,b %command%
  • In r2modman, click Help and scroll to the bottom.
  • Click the Copy launch arguments button.
  • Go back to your Steam Launch Options, press space after the %command% portion, and paste the copied launch arguments.
  • It should now look something like this, assuming your profile is named Default:
WINEDLLOVERRIDES=d3d12=n,b %command% --rom_modding_root_folder "/home/deck/.config/r2modmanPlus-local/HadesII/profiles/Default"

4. Launch the game in Desktop Mode​

External keyboard suggested

You will likely need a way to plug in/bluetooth a physical keyboard, as the Steam Deck’s on-screen keyboard can be weird for this next part.

  • In r2modman, click Start Modded.
  • Load a save, preferably where you are in the Crossroads.
  • Important - the Steam Deck keyboard does NOT have an insert key, so this next part may be easier with a keyboard connected.
  • The ImGui interface will pop up and require you to press insert to dismiss it. Onboarding screen
    • If you have a physical keyboard connected, you can press insert to close the GUI and simply continue playing.
    • If you do NOT have a physical keyboard connected, first use the touchscreen to press where it says VK_INSERT. This will allow you to set a new bind.
    • Bring up the keyboard with STEAM+X.
    • Press a new key - I suggest Tab.
    • Close the keyboard.
    • Press the Close button in-game.
    • Exit the game.
What is the ImGui bind for?

Certain mods can only configured in-game with the ImGui menu.

5. Go back to Gaming Mode​

You should now be able to start Hades II directly, with your mods loaded. Enjoy!

Troubleshooting​

r2modman doesn't start in Gaming Mode anymore!​

You've most likely downloaded an update to r2modman, and your shortcut is now pointing to something that doesn't exist. Delete your old r2modman shortcut, then go back to Desktop Mode and repeat Step 4.

Hell2Modding/ImGui is stuck with Insert as a bind!​

  • The default ImGui keybind is insert, which the Steam Deck keyboard doesn't have. There are a few ways past this:

Option 1. Pair a keyboard in Desktop mode and set a different bind.​

Option 2. Manually edit the bind:​

  • In r2modman, go to the Config editor under the OTHER section.
  • Locate Hell2Modding-Hell2Modding-Hotkeys.cfg.
  • Click Open File (NOT Edit config).
  • Change the line to: gui_toggle = 'VK_TAB'
  • Save.
  • This will set the key to Tab.

I'm stuck on the Hell2Modding console!​

  • Press the STEAM button.
  • In the Hades II game menu, switch the window back to Hades II. Switch window

Acknowledgements​

  • Thank you to Kenorah for writing the bulk of the guide, and providing great screenshots!
  • The Lethal Company wiki (https://lethal.wiki/installation/installing-r2modman-linux) for laying the groundwork of how I understood to get r2modman running through Game Mode
  • Hades Modding Discord
    • Jowday - for being my first point of contact regarding Steam Deck installation and bouncing ideas off
    • Ellomenop - for always being there when I fall short of Hades modding inquiries