The Witcher 3 Modding Guide for Steam Deck (Linux)

[RasitAyaz]

Updated at 17 November 2024

This is a simple guide on how to set up The Witcher 3 Mod Manager and Script Merger on your Steam Deck running SteamOS. Enter desktop mode and let's get started.

 

Protontricks

• Install Protontricks from Discover store. It is a wrapper script that allows you to easily run Windows executables and Winetricks commands for Steam Play/Proton games. We will use it to run Mod Manager and Script Merger.

• Mod Manager and Script Merger will ask for you to locate your game installation folder. Based on your installation, your game directory should appear in;

• Internal storage: "Z:/home/deck/.steam/steam/steamapps/common"

• SD card: "E:/steamapps/common"

• If your game is installed in internal storage, you need to enable hidden files using Protontricks. Open "Protontricks > Select the default wineprefix > Run winecfg > Drives" and check "Show dot files" box.

 

Script Merger

• I suggest using the New Script Merger by Phaz42 as it has bunch of useful features that makes the process much easier if you're dealing with large number of mods. But you can also use the Original Script Merger.

• Original one should work right away but new one requires an extra step since it requires .NET 6 to run: Open "Protontricks > Select the default wineprefix > Install a Windows DLL or component". Check "dotnet6" and "dotnetdesktop6" on the list and click OK. Complete the installation wizards that will appear.

 

Mod Manager

• Download Mod Manager, extract to folder, run the executable with Protontricks app and select The Witcher 3 from the game list. This will make it run on TW3's wineprefix.

• It should ask for "witcher3.exe" location, select "bin/x64/witcher3.exe" or "bin/x64_dx12/witcher3.exe" inside your game installation.

• Also locate your Script Merger executable from top menu: "Settings > Configure Settings > Change Script Merger Path".

 

You're ready to go, start installing your mods! Here's a mod I recommend to replace Steam Controller input hints with Xbox hints:

• Steam normally forces Steam Controller icons on the game UI for the deck, you can replace them with Xbox or PlayStation icons using this mod.

[PIrKo22]

Thx for the guide. I cant make it work. Can u make a video guide?

[RasitAyaz]

Thx for the guide. I cant make it work. Can u make a video guide?

at what part did you stuck?

[dphans]

Can you provide absolute path of "Home/Documents", the path "/home/Documents" is correct, isn't it?

[RasitAyaz]

On 2/13/2024 at 9:51 AM, dphans said:

Can you provide absolute path of "Home/Documents", the path "/home/Documents" is correct, isn't it?

you probably figured it out by yourself a month ago but it should be /home/deck/Documents

Edited March 10 by RasitAyaz

[RAIDEROFTHELASTARCH]

Excellent guide Rasit!

I've looked everywhere on Dolphin but i cannot find  'Home/.steam/steamapps/compatdata/292030/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents'.

Any advice?

It would be much appreciated...

With my thanks.

 

[RAIDEROFTHELASTARCH]

Finally found it.

Thanks a million....

[RAIDEROFTHELASTARCH]

Hi

I'm back with another question:

Managed to successfully launch both the Mod Manager and the Script Merger;

But then the Mod Manager started: [finishing for prefix "Witcher 3". Exit code is: "-1"] and kept quitting and not opening.

Can anything be done about it? Can the Mod Manager made to stop shutting down Rasit?

Awaiting your kind reply.

With my thanks.

 

[RasitAyaz]

@RAIDEROFTHELASTARCH late response but I've completely revamped the guide by following a much more simpler approach. you can check it out if you're still having issues.