The Core Collection contains mods that significantly improve gameplay through small changes. The goal of the Core Collection is to be the answer to the common question "Just installed XCOM, what are some of the must-have mods I should play with?".

The collection preserves the overall gameplay experience of the XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, and does not include any major content additions or gameplay changes. It is meant to be the foundation to which you add bigger content mods, if you so desire.

Every mod in the collection undergoes strict screening process for bad modding practices to ensure stability and compatibility.

The collection also includes the [WOTC] Core Collection Meta Mod, which contains various compatibility patches, configuration and bug fixes for other mods in the Core Collection and the game itself.

Many mods included into the Collection have alternatives. And there are many additional optional mods that you can install, if they fit your playstyle / DLCs / others mods you want to use. You can find both mod categories here: ALTERNATIVE AND OPTIONAL MODS.

Plugin collections:

• [WOTC] Core Collection - Text - improves and expands various in-game descriptions and text. English only.

It is highly recommended that you use Alternative Mod Launcher to play XCOM 2 with mods.
Download it here.[github.com] Instructions are here.[github.com]


If you would like to use more mods on top of the Core Collection, make sure you go through these lists:

• List of Problematic Mods
  
• List of Mods with Fixes Available
  
• List of Superseded Mods

The following mods are already built into the Core Collection Meta Mod and you DO NOT need them:

• AWC Squadsight Fix
  
• Skulljack Feedback Fix
  
• [WOTC] Plasma Grenade Icon Fix

The collection is always a work in progress. Every once in a while I take a look at newly released mods and adjust the collection accordingly. Everyone is welcome to contribute to the project via methods described below.


Core Collection was not made with LWOTC in mind, but for the most part it is compatible. Notable exceptions are:

[WOTC] Cost-Based Ability Colors - compatible, but requires configuration edits. LWOTC has a built-in alternative.

[WOTC] Purifier Grenades Fix (and other Incendiary Grenade fixes) - incompatible and unnecessary, LWOTC removes grenades from Purifiers.
(WOTC) Revival Protocol Charges Fix - incompatible, LWOTC fixes this problem through other means.
WotC: "Increase Combat Intelligence" for everyone - unnecessary in LWOTC, as it removes this Covert Action.
[WOTC] Full Shadow Report - limited compatibility with LWOTC, requires MCM edits to avoid UI overlap.
[WOTC] One squad on new Avenger defense - integrated into LWOTC.
[WOTC] Better Armory Item Stats - integrated into LWOTC.


The Core Collection is a community project. It is built out of mods suggested by you, the people. In order to qualify for the collection, a mod must be:
1) Compatible with latest version of the XCOM 2: War of the Chosen and work with the stable version of the Highlander.
2) Does not require any DLC other than War of the Chosen itself.
3) Limited in scope to fixing bugs, quality of life or UI features. Balance changes are generally not allowed. Mods that add new cosmetic body parts are not allowed.
4) Has a high degree of stability and compatibility.

If you know of such a mod, please use the following google form[forms.gle] to submit it. Only together can we build a brighter tomorrow.

That google form has a list of approved and rejected mods, stating a reason why a certain mod was rejected. If you wish to discuss the verdict for a certain mod, you are welcome to do so at the XCOM 2 Modding Discord[discord.gg], in the #core_collection channel.

If you are a modmaker, you can contribute to the Meta Mod via github[github.com].


If you have issues with the mods listed in this collection, please be sure to comment about it.