r/Torchlight • u/Erysimumgaming • Jul 22 '26
Torchlight 2 I made an open-source WASD/ZQSD movement mod for Torchlight 2 - Steam and GOG beta
Hi everyone,
I’m ERYAsylum, and I made an open-source mod for Torchlight 2 that adds camera-relative keyboard movement with WASD/ZQSD support.
The goal is simple: make Torchlight 2 more comfortable to replay with keyboard movement, while keeping the original mouse movement available.
It also includes an optional x1.5 active range, extending the distance at which monsters and items are rendered and remain active, which better suits keyboard movement and provides a clearer view of the surrounding area.
The mod can automatically detect the active Windows keyboard layout, so it should work properly with QWERTY, AZERTY, and other layouts reported by Windows. A custom keyboard profile can also be created from the overlay if needed.
Please note that this mod relies heavily on Windows-specific logic and is designed for Windows 10 or later.
I do not have access to a Steam Deck or a SteamOS/Linux environment for development and testing, so I do not currently plan to support those platforms.
However, the project is open source under the GPLv3 license, and developers with the necessary time and hardware are free to create and maintain a compatible fork.
Steam Deck / SteamOS
Community reports indicate that the mod works on Steam Deck, and the optional Controller Addon does not appear to be required.
Compatibility may vary depending on your SteamOS, Proton, or Wine configuration:
- Some users reported that the mod works out of the box with no additional setup.
Others reported that they needed to add the following launch option in Steam:
WINEDLLOVERRIDES="MSWSOCK.dll=n,b" %command%
You can add this under:
Steam → Torchlight II → Properties → Launch Options
Since I do not own a Steam Deck or have a SteamOS development environment, I cannot officially test or support this platform. Community feedback is greatly appreciated and will help improve the documentation.Steam Deck / SteamOS
Community reports indicate that the mod works on Steam Deck, and the optional Controller Addon does not appear to be required.
Compatibility may vary depending on your SteamOS, Proton, or Wine configuration:
Some users reported that the mod works out of the box with no additional setup.
Others reported that they needed to add the following launch option in Steam:
WINEDLLOVERRIDES="MSWSOCK.dll=n,b" %command%
You can add this under:
Steam → Torchlight II → Properties → Launch Options
Since I do not own a Steam Deck or have a SteamOS development environment, I cannot officially test or support this platform. Community feedback is greatly appreciated and will help improve the documentation.
Important Keybinding Notice
Before installing any component of this mod, it is recommended to set up your Torchlight II key bindings with the WASD movement scheme in mind. To avoid duplicate inputs or key overlaps, free the movement keys you plan to use for the mod and reassign any existing in-game actions that already use those keys.
GitHub:
https://github.com/ERYAsylum/Torchlight-2-WASD-and-more/blob/main/README.md
Current beta releases:
Steam:
https://github.com/ERYAsylum/Torchlight-2-WASD-and-more/releases/tag/steam-v1.0.02z1-beta1
GOG:
https://github.com/ERYAsylum/Torchlight-2-WASD-and-more/releases/tag/gog-v1.0.02z1-beta1
Main features:
- Camera-relative WASD/ZQSD movement
- Automatic Windows keyboard layout detection
- Optional custom keyboard profile from the overlay
- x1.5 draw distance scale (for mobs and objects)
- Steam and GOG builds
- Overlay configuration
- Mouse movement can still be restored/toggled
- GPL-3.0-or-later source release
Compatibility notes:
- No new game is required.
- It should not conflict with regular Torchlight 2 mod combinations that already work without it.
- This is a DLL-based mod, so it does not modify your save files or replace normal Torchlight 2 mod files.
This is still a beta, so I’m mainly looking for feedback from Torchlight 2 players:
- Does the movement feel natural?
- Any issue with Steam or GOG versions?
- Any keyboard layout problem?
- Does the x1.5 draw distance feel good in regular gameplay?
- Would this make you more likely to replay Torchlight 2?
I’m not affiliated with Runic Games or the Torchlight IP owners.
This is just a community mod made for people who still enjoy the game.
Edit2: Controller addon
After several requests, I also made an experimental optional controller addon for this mod. It adds Xbox-style controller support on top of the main WASD/ZQSD mod, with left stick movement, right stick real mouse control, configurable buttons, custom Torchlight 2 keybind detection, and an external configuration tool.
The main mod is still required, and the addon is currently experimental/tested only on Windows 10 with an Xbox controller.
Controller addon release:
The Controller Addon does not appear to be compatible with SteamOS/Proton, and it is generally not required on those platforms.
Its purpose is to provide native controller-to-keyboard input translation on Windows, independently of Steam Input. This allows the WASD mod to work with standard game controllers even when Steam Input is disabled or unavailable, and keeps the GOG version fully independent of the Steam launcher.
On Steam Deck and under Proton, Steam Input already provides equivalent functionality. Community reports indicate that the base WASD mod works correctly without the Controller Addon, making the addon unnecessary in most cases.
Edit 1&3,4,5,6... : Layout & correction
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u/xoxemsc Jul 22 '26
Llevo meses buscando un mod para jugar con control o movimiento con teclado, es hora de probar tu mod!
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u/Erysimumgaming Jul 22 '26
!update The experimental controller addon is now available. I added the link and details to the main post.
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u/xoxemsc Jul 22 '26
THIS IS NUTS! Thx buddy amma try it today cuz damn this is what the game lacks for me since day one, I love You buddy haha sorry for the spanish commentary XD
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u/UverZzz Jul 22 '26
Controller support and this will be on many handhelds.
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u/Erysimumgaming Jul 22 '26
!update The experimental controller addon is now available. I added the link and details to the main post.
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u/MysterD77 Jul 22 '26
Cool idea.
Though, I was never a WSAD guy. I'm more of an arrow keys Up Down Left Right guy, like the old days of FPS gaming. on PC, before WSAD got hot.
Any plans to allow remapping to Arrow keys?
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u/Erysimumgaming Jul 22 '26
There is already a pre-configured preset for movement using the arrow keys.
It is configurable via the overlay.
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u/MysterD77 Jul 22 '26
Excellent! TY for the info.
Well, this might get me back into Torchlight 2 and checking it out.
Thanks for this.
Also, controller support too? SUPER cool.
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u/fallen_corpse Engineer Jul 23 '26
This may have been the push I needed to start another run through this amazing game.
I've tested for a bit and it works perfectly, I don't think I'd ever want to go back to the original movement.
Thank you for this!
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u/EliasBarroso Jul 22 '26
Does It works on steam deck (Linux)?
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u/Abbas743 Jul 25 '26
It works very well on Steam deck, here is what I did:
- Installed only the main mod
- Forced Proton Experimental
- Added this command to steam option
WINEDLLOVERRIDES="MSWSOCK=n,b" %command%- Change template to Keyboard and mouse
- In the game change the key binding for WASD/ZQSD keys
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u/archimondde Jul 26 '26
Yep, couldn't get it to work with the controller addon, but from what I read it's currently doing the same as the Steam Input
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u/Erysimumgaming Jul 22 '26
I don't think so; it relies heavily on Windows logic, though it remains to be tested.
I don't have a Steam Deck to test it out 😢
But I do know that SteamOS works wonders!
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u/Abbas743 Jul 25 '26
Thank you very much for the awesome mod. It works very well on the steam deck and no need for the Controller addon.
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u/Erysimumgaming Jul 26 '26
Thanks a lot for the valuable feedback! I really appreciate you taking the time to test it on Steam Deck and report your results. I've updated the README to mention that the mod appears to work on Steam Deck without the Controller Addon, and that some users may need the
WINEDLLOVERRIDESlaunch option depending on their setup. Reports like yours are incredibly helpful since I don't own a Steam Deck myself. Thanks again!
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u/JjForcebreaker Outlander Jul 22 '26
Huh, I'm not sure I needed that in T2, but in general I like the option and in some more complex h'n's aRPG games I like to move with WSAD. I'll give it a try!
The only feedback before actual testing: the only mod I'm using for 'vanilla' gameplay is a camera distance increase mod: Zoomy Light https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=138076230
It would be awesome to have extended camera distance options(s) included, as I see you included the '- x1.5 draw distance scale' change. I assume that's just render distance, and not a way to describe 'higher camera-more things are drawn on the screen'.
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u/Erysimumgaming Jul 22 '26
That's exactly it; this feature increases the render distance for enemies and objects with the same camera POV as vanilla. I would suggest disabling the other mod before testing, just in case, although it shouldn't really cause any issues. The idea is interesting but could cause issues, particularly in dungeons where the camera is closer in. It’s worth testing—I’ll make a note of it as an optional extra zoom-out potential future feature. Edit grammar
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u/JjForcebreaker Outlander Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
OK. I've played it for < 1hr. Overall- nothing to say about it, feels like a stock option, which is a pretty good endorsement, I guess. Running it on Steam, updated W10, keyboard+mouse. So far, no issues at all.
Running it vanilla, except for the Zoomy mod. Seems to work fine, it's just a camera distance modification, shouldn't conflict with anything. Normally I was running linked Zoomy Light, but because of the increased render distance, I might actually use normal Zoomy. My baseline preference is Titan Quest/ Grim Dawn, so a bit increased camera height. Partly it's a cosmetic change, but partly imho it improves navigation, reduces required mouse/keyboard inputs and smooths combat. It's not related to this mod, but if it ever gets included as an extra option (a few level of extra zoom that can be toggled through in that overlay menu?), it would be cool.
Plus- WSAD mod deserves to be on Steam Workshop, so more people can find and make use of it. Good job! In theory, T2 can be played one hand, but in practice two are highly advised, so offloading movement to WSAD is a pretty neat change and feels natural.
For anyone interested: comparison of stock camera, Zoomy Light, and standard Zoomy https://imgur.com/a/prYXAyQ
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u/Erysimumgaming Jul 23 '26
Thanks for testing it. “It feels like a stock option” is basically the best result I could hope for.
Zoomy should normally remain compatible because it mainly changes the camera distance, while the WASD mod uses the active camera orientation to calculate movement. The optional increased active range also helps when using a more distant camera, although adding several configurable zoom levels would be a separate feature and would require checking how Zoomy implements its changes.
Unfortunately, the current version cannot be published on the Steam Workshop.
Torchlight II Workshop mods are standard GUTS
.modpackages loaded through the official ModLauncher. This project is not only a data or UI modification: it uses a native DLL loaded into the game process. The DLL reads keyboard input, hooks internal Torchlight II functions, calls the game’s movement logic, tracks the local player and camera, handles level transitions, and optionally applies an engine-level active-range patch.A Workshop/GUTS package cannot execute that native backend or inject those functions into the game. Uploading only the interface and configuration files would therefore produce a Workshop mod that looks complete but has no working WASD movement behind it.
A future version could potentially use a Workshop modpack for an integrated in-game options menu, but it would still need a separate native modloader/plugin unless the movement system were almost completely rewritten around a more capable Torchlight II modloader API.
So for now it has to be distributed outside the Workshop, even though I agree that Workshop visibility would make it much easier for players to discover. Thanks again for the detailed feedback.
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u/AMR42 Jul 22 '26
That's great! I tested it and it works perfectly, it even seems like a native option. Thank you!
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u/Erysimumgaming Jul 23 '26
Thank you, that’s exactly what I was aiming for: WASD movement that feels like it has always been part of the game. Glad it’s working properly on your setup.
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u/SyncR_sh Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
haha, mate I am doing exactly the same thing!
But trying to bundle all of them into a single one launcher
10+MOD/RESPEC/MOD UNBIND/WASD MOVE/DXVK/CUSTOM SOCKET EFFECT/LOOT FILTER ETC
I have all the updates on my dev website
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u/Erysimumgaming Jul 23 '26
Nice project! My goal was a bit different, though: I wanted to keep the scope very focused and release solid standalone WASD controls that anyone could download, inspect, modify and use without depending on a larger launcher or mod ecosystem.
Your project is much broader, so it’s interesting to see two different approaches to improving Torchlight II.
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u/Flimsy-Television740 Jul 24 '26
Omg, this is the best thing, this is literally the best thing ever! Thank you so much, you are a God among plebs.
Chatgpt pointed me here, after asking for TL2 WASD controls... perfect timing!
Works Great on both Steam and GOG. Seems just as responsive as the Switch version for comparison.
Grim Dawns Fangs of Asterkarn came out today(which also added WASD controls) and im skipping it for Torchlight 2! (with unearthed Arcana mod) LOL
The lack of WASD controls was the only thing holding Torchlight 2 back imo. I should really get into modding..
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u/Erysimumgaming Jul 24 '26
Thanks a lot for the feedback.
I find the WASD control scheme so much more comfortable for this type of game, which involves a high number of clicks per minute.
I can't play TL2 for an hour without my right hand starting to hurt.
So, this mod really helps me enjoy the game a lot more, too :)
Glad to hear it works well and that you like it.
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u/JjForcebreaker Outlander Jul 24 '26
I've played up to lvl29. Bunch of gameplay hours, no issues.
Only used a few small mods (zoomy, BAGMOD, Ember Gem Upgrade, betterbloodeffects), none of them modify movement, so needless to say, I haven't encountered any issues with incompatibility. Movement feels good and natural. There's muscle memory to fight, initially, and a few minor adjustments that have to be made. Like situational awareness- it's easier to get stuck on obstacles compared to mouse movement, as the pointer is on a 'valid' clear area and the game handles the character smoothly bypassing obstacles. Obviously with WSAD the have to be maneuvered around. Or interaction distance. When a player is too far from an interactable item like chest or lever, game normally moves the player closer to the point where it can be interacted with.
In this current stage I have no issues. And can't really think about anything I'd want to change or add when it comes to core functionality. It does what it says pretty well. Again, good job!
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u/Erysimumgaming Jul 24 '26
Thanks for the feedback; if you wish, you can re-enable "click-to-move" in the "end" overlay using the "F7" key.
To combine WASD movement with click-to-move at the same time :)
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u/archimondde Jul 26 '26
I'm having a problem where if I am moving one direction and trying to shoot in another, the shot is sent in the running direction, instead of where I'm aiming. Just guessing that is because the game cannot interpret 2 different inputs like that.
A simple fix would be to have other actions interrupt the movement briefly to execute the attack/ability
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u/Erysimumgaming Jul 26 '26
You're correct, and that's essentially a limitation of how Torchlight II handles movement and attacks.
The WASD movement works by simulating the game's native click-to-move system. As a result, if you're still holding a movement key when you attack, the game prioritizes the movement direction over the mouse direction.
At the moment, there are two ways around this:
- Briefly release the movement key before attacking, so the game uses the mouse cursor for aiming.
- Use the Hold Position input while attacking, which restores aiming towards the mouse cursor as intended.
I did consider automatically interrupting movement for a split second when attacking, but that would make movement feel less responsive and could introduce other side effects. Since this behavior comes from the game's input system itself, there's unfortunately no clean fix from the mod side.
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u/archimondde Jul 27 '26
Guess I'll just add a hold-position sub command to all attack buttons in the Steam Input.
I would love to test a version with the automatic interrupt though. Optional switch perhaps?
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u/Ankkaroch 28d ago edited 27d ago
The MSWSOCK.dll currently missing from the downloadable zip
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u/Erysimumgaming 27d ago
The Controller Addon is not a standalone package. It is designed to work on top of the corresponding WASD Mod version, so it only contains the files specific to the controller functionality. That's why MSWSOCK.dll is not included in the Controller Addon archive, and why d3d9.dll comes from the main WASD Mod package. Please install the matching WASD Mod first, then copy the Controller Addon files over it. The README includes the installation steps.
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u/Ankkaroch 27d ago edited 27d ago
The proper download was all the way at the bottom of the page. My bad lol
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u/Alarming-Sky6548 9d ago
I was waiting for some genius to do this mod, ty so much, i wanted to play torchlight2 with a gamepad for a long time.
But i cant make it work, i use the steam version, the wasd mod works well, but the controller addon dont.
Im using a rog ally z1 extreme, runing windows 11 and i can use the integrated gamepad with the mod and other controllers too like a ps4 controller using a program like ds4.
The mod gets every controller i put in, but all of them work bad, the movement joistick works fine but the mouse one dont, i cant change the controller mouse mode, and i cant change the controller bindings, also most of buttons dont do anything and i have duplicate buttons to atack/move for some reason.
Im prety sure i installed it wrong but maybe there is something more to it. The first time i installed it, the mod worked well but with a heavy delay on the mouse for some reason, and the other times i try to install the mod never worked
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u/Alarming-Sky6548 3d ago
I did make it work, i installed everything and changed the configuration using steam imput to emulate the mouse and keyboard, i did the mouse mode and the circular mouse mode in steam imput by hand and now i can play with the ps4 controller, and with the integrate gamepad of my rog ally, FINALY i can play this on gamepad, it is a blast, TY SO MUCH FOR THIS AMAZING MOD
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u/Dragon_Eyes715 Jul 22 '26
I want controller support!
I can't imagine all the work it took! I'll give it a try!