Tomb Raider 2013 How: To Install Mods Portable
Your portable install likely looks like this:
D:\Portable Games\Tomb Raider 2013\
Inside, you should see:
| Problem | Cause | Portable Fix |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Game crashes on launch after mod | Corrupt patch.000.tiger | Delete modded file. Restore your backup. |
| Mod works on PC #1 but not PC #2 | Different screen resolution or GPU driver | Copy your renderer.ini along with the mod. |
| TexMod says "Game not found" | TexMod expects a Steam/Epic registry entry | Use the .bat launcher method in Part 3, Type 2. |
| Mod appears as "pink/black checkerboard" | Missing texture file within the .tiger | The mod was poorly packed. Find a different version. |
| Save game corrupted after mod install | Mod changes inventory items or stats | Start a new game for mods that alter gameplay. |
Create a .bat file inside the game folder called Launch_TR_WithTexMod.bat:
@echo off
cd /d "%~dp0"
start TexMod\TexMod.exe -direct "Mods\mymod.tpf" -run "TombRaider.exe"
Edit mymod.tpf to your actual mod name. Keep all .tpf files in Tomb Raider\Mods\.
| Mod Type | Portable Compatible | Folder to Use |
|----------|--------------------|----------------|
| .tiger | ✅ Yes | \Patch\ |
| TexMod (.tpf) | ✅ Yes | Game root (alongside .exe) |
| Loose file replacers | ✅ Yes | \DLC\ or \Patch\ |
| Steam Workshop | ❌ No | – |
✅ Game folder is self-contained (no registry keys required).
✅ Mod loaders (TexMod, SpecialK) inside game folder.
✅ All .bat launchers use relative paths.
✅ Original bigfile.* backed up inside the folder.
✅ SpecialK.ini has Portable=true.
✅ Mods stored in subfolders (e.g. Mods/, SK_Res/).
✅ Tested on a second PC to confirm portability. tomb raider 2013 how to install mods portable
Now you have a fully portable, mod-ready copy of Tomb Raider (2013) that you can carry on a USB drive, share with a friend (who owns the game), or preserve as a modded time capsule. Happy raiding!
Installing mods for a portable version of Tomb Raider 2013 (the standard edition) is actually more straightforward than the standard Steam install because you don't have to deal with protected system folders or automated cloud syncing. Method 1: Manual "Drop-In" (Easiest for Portable)
Many mods for the 2013 game come as single replacement files, often named patch.000.tiger.
Locate your Game Folder: Open the folder where your portable Tomb Raider 2013 files are stored.
Backup the Original: Find the file named patch.000.tiger (usually in the main directory). Copy and paste it somewhere safe (like a "Backup" folder) so you can revert the mod later.
Install the Mod: Drag the modded patch.000.tiger file you downloaded into the game folder and select Replace.
Launch Game: Run the game from its executable (e.g., TombRaider.exe). You may need to change your outfit at the first campfire to see the changes. Method 2: Using the Mod Manager (Recommended) Your portable install likely looks like this: D:\Portable
If you are using multiple mods or complex mesh swaps, use the TrReboot Mod Manager from Nexus Mods.
Set Up the Tool: Create a new folder anywhere (on your USB drive or desktop) and extract the modding tools into it.
Point to Game Folder: Launch the ModManager.exe. It will ask for your game directory; browse to the location of your portable Tomb Raider 2013.
Add Mods: Click the plus (+) icon or drag and drop your mod's .zip file directly into the manager.
Enable and Run: Check the box next to the mod to enable it, then launch the game through the manager. Important Tips
Version Check: These tools generally do not work with the "Defitive Edition" of the game; they are meant for the standard 2013 release.
Hair Settings: If a modded outfit looks glitchy, try turning off TressFX (Lara's hair) in the game's graphics settings. | Problem | Cause | Portable Fix |
Portable Storage: Since you're running a portable version, keeping your mod manager folder on the same drive makes it easy to move between computers.
Check out this quick visual guide on using the modding tools specifically for the 2013 release:
SpecialK allows shader fixes, HUD mods, and better TexMod compatibility.
Before we touch any files, you must understand the difference. A standard installation (Steam/Epic) places files in two locations:
A portable version (e.g., GOG offline backup, a repack from FitGirl/Dodi, or a copied Steam folder) lives entirely in one folder. You can run TombRaider.exe from a USB stick.
The Problem: Most automatic mod installers (like TexMod or Special K) scan the registry to find the game. On a portable install, they will say "Game not found."
The Solution: We will use manual installation methods and drag-and-drop tools that don't care about your C: drive.
The biggest headache with portable games is that mod settings and save games are usually hidden in C:\Users\[YourName]\Documents\Square Enix\Tomb Raider.
To make your mods truly portable, you must force the game to read these from your USB drive.