Mods for new robots in Kenshi

There is something uniquely satisfying about assembling a squad of clanking, whirring death machines in Kenshi's desolate wastelands. Forget worrying about food or bleeding out; give me a team of Skeletons and robotic spiders, and I am happy.

This list is a core part of my Kenshi page , which collects ways to customize and improve our adventures in this sandbox. Today, we are looking at the best robot mods for Kenshi.

Old Ironsides

Tired of regular security spiders? The Old Ironsides Creature Mod adds a massive kung fu-skilled robot that will absolutely dominate the battlefield. Think of him as a walking apocalypse with retractable blades on his arms.

• 13 different body types that you can change using equipped backpacks.
• Recruitable versions scattered throughout the world, including four unique characters such as Zagan in Squin and Kenji in Black Desert City.
• A custom game start that gives you one of these giants from the very beginning.
• Eight different combat animations that unlock as your Martial Arts skill increases.

✅ Gameplay changes: This mod introduces a new powerful ally who can single-handedly turn the tide of battle. Hostile options also add significant complexity to areas with guard spiders, forcing you to rethink the approach to exploring ancient ruins. This is a fantastic addition for those who want a truly menacing robotic companion.

A Balanced Cybernetic and Android Race 2.0

If you want to start playing as a custom cyborg in Kenshi that feels both powerful and balanced, this is it. It adds two entirely new races that aren't just slightly modified humans; they are created from scratch with unique characteristics and mechanics.

• Two new races: Cybernetic Man and Android.
• Balanced stats: cybernetic humans gain a Dexterity bonus, while Androids gain a Strength bonus
• Immune to most weather effects, but still vulnerable to gas or burning.
• Considered "robots", so Holy Nation will definitely have questions for you.

✅ Gameplay changes: This mod offers a fresh way to start the game by providing a different set of strengths and weaknesses. You won't have to worry about farming, but you will have to stock up on repair kits instead of bandages. It changes your priorities from the very beginning.

Mogwai Old-World Robots

Ever felt like the Kenshi fauna was all flesh and blood? This mod populates the world with five new types of robotic animals, adding some much-needed mechanical variety to the wild.

• Five new robotic animals: Default Drone, Assassin Drone, Sentinel/Miner Bot, Sentinel-9 Security Bot, and Revenant.
• Companions to Recruit: Tame them with AI Cores.
• Robot Merchants: Special traders who sell reprogrammed versions of these bots.
• Three color options for added visual style.

✅ Gameplay changes: These mechanical animals offer an excellent alternative to organic pack animals such as garru or bonedogs, especially for a Skeleton-only squad.

Thrashers — New ‘Old Machines’ Enemy Type

If you thought harpoon turrets were evil, wait until you meet the walking version. Thrashers are mobile, long-range platforms that patrol the world and are ready to turn your squad into a pincushion from a distance where you won't even notice them.

• New Enemy Type: Slow but deadly walking Harpoon Turret.
• Ranged Threat: Unsurpassed in long-range combat, forcing the search for new tactical approaches.
• Habitats: Found in the Iron Valleys, the Forbidden Island, the Ashlands and swamps.
• Swamp Variant: A slightly weaker version, overgrown with plants.

✅ Gameplay changes: Thrashers makes traveling through certain areas much more dangerous. You can't just run ahead; you will have to use the terrain for cover and quickly close the distance. They add tactical depth to battles and make you appreciate the Skeleton characters, who are better able to withstand their attacks.

Processor Unit — Robotic Pack Mule

Processor Unit adds a small, fast, lanky robotic pack mule. It is an ideal replacement for organic pack animals in Skeleton playthroughs, with the ability to cross any terrain without trouble.

• New Robo-Mule: A fast and weather-resistant beast of burden.
• World integration: found in wild herds and sold by Skeleton traders
• Equipment: a custom tank-shaped backpack for carrying items
• Dark Secret: They are known to… process corpses and unconscious people into fuel. Fortunately, there are patches that disable this feature.

✅ Gameplay changes: Processor Units are incredibly useful companions for a lone character or a small mobile squad. They are fast enough to avoid threats while carrying plenty of loot.

Sailbacks — Mechanical Beasts of Burden

If the Processor Unit is a robotic gazelle, the Sailback is a mechanical leviathan. These massive, silent constructs glide across the wasteland, their sails swaying like ancient banners. Ideal hauling machines.

• New Giant Mechanical Beast: Unrivaled Weight Capacity.
• Dual Purpose: Can be used as a beast of burden or a power generator.
• Natural Spawn: Found in Skeleton Zones and sold by Skeleton Traders.
• Lore: two small nomadic factions hunt and sell them

✅ Gameplay changes: Sailbacks are a game changer for base builders and caravanners. Their ability to transport enormous volumes of cargo greatly simplifies large-scale operations. Yes, they are slow, but their benefits are undeniable.

Iron Hounds

Ever thought bonedogs would be cooler as robots? Iron Hounds does exactly that, adding robotic dogs with the lethality of Iron Spiders.

• Six variants of robotic hounds: Each is adapted to its own biome.
• Unique Taming System: Requires a "recovery kit" to recruit a downed hound.
• Purchasing: Regular Iron Hounds can be purchased from rare merchants for a high price.
• Equipment: Can carry small animal backpacks.

✅ Gameplay changes: Iron Hounds make the wilderness more dangerous. They are much tougher than bonedogs and can easily overwhelm small squads with numbers. Taming one feels like an achievement, giving you a powerful, loyal fighter that needs no food.

Wheel Spider

The Wheel Spider mod answers a question I never would have thought to ask: what if Iron Spiders could transform and roll like droidekas? The result is both cool and scary.

• New variant of Iron Spider: Transforms and rolls while moving and fighting.
• Fast attacks: rolling makes their movement unpredictable
• Two versions: Simple (enemies only) and TameBeasties version (can be recruited).

✅ Gameplay changes: Wheel spiders make battles with security robots much more dynamic. Their burst attacks can break formations and wreak havoc. An excellent addition that adds variety to the usual skirmishes.

Iron Skimmer

Another great option for mechanical fauna is the Iron Skimmer mod. It adds a creature that is faster and stronger than the Iron Spider, but has less durable limbs.

• New robotic creature: Faster and stronger than the regular Iron Spider.
• Loot carriers: Sometimes they carry barrels with various rubbish.
• Variants: Available as a normal enemy or in a TameBeasties compatible version.

✅ Gameplay changes: Iron Skimmers are fast enough to threaten anyone with low Athletics. They close the gap instantly and tie up ranged fighters. The loot they carry makes hunting them potentially profitable, though risky.

Blood Carrier

One of the most unique creature mods. Blood Carrier adds a mosquito-like robot that roams the wasteland in search of blood. It sounds as creepy as it looks.

• Robot Mosquito: Seeks blood and has powerful regeneration.
• Fragile, but tenacious: High health, but a small supply of “blood/oil”, which is why it quickly breaks down when wounded.
• Custom Start: The Robot Explorer scenario where you start with a low level Blood Carrier.
• New item: Adds a "bloody mask" for characters.

✅ Gameplay changes: Blood Carrier is high risk, high reward. His unusual characteristics make him a unique fighter, and his design adds a horror element to the Ashlands. A truly creative and scary addition.

Scarier Security Spiders

If standard Security Spiders are not scary enough, this mod should do the trick. It adds the Butcher Spider, a hulking four-legged robot designed to convert biomass into fuel.

• New enemy: Butcher Spider, a more dangerous version of security spiders.
• Challenge to the Player: Designed to make exploration more challenging later in the game.
• Recruitment Opportunity: You can find a broken spider in the factory and fix it for your faction.

✅ Gameplay changes: Butcher Spider lives up to its name. This is a brutal enemy that brings back a sense of real danger to ancient laboratories. And finding and repairing a broken copy feels like a full-fledged quest with a worthy reward.

Mech Leviathans

Because regular leviathans didn't seem huge enough. The Mech Leviathans mod adds three colossal, non-respawning robotic titans to the Deadlands. These are real world bosses.

• New Boss: Massive Mechanical Leviathan.
• Hardcore difficulty: Designed for the final battles of the game.
• Limit: There are only three such creatures in the world, they roam the Deadlands and do not respawn.
• Unique loot: Special rewards for victory.

✅ Gameplay changes: The mod adds a real goal for the endgame. Hunting the Mechanical Leviathan is an epic challenge that will test your squad's mettle. The perfect challenge for Kenshi veterans.

Robotics Limb Base Skeletons

Tired of the same Skeleton models? This mod adds four new types based on the design of the game's prosthetics. With three variations of each type, you get 12 new models for variety.

• 12 new variants with designs based on Industrial Lifter Arms, Scout Legs, KLR-series limbs, and Stealth Legs
• Unique stats: Each model has its own pros and cons.
• Integration: Found as NPCs and available for hire.

✅ Gameplay changes: The mod significantly expands the visual variety of Skeletons. Creating a fully robotic squad becomes more interesting: you can select models for specific roles – tanks, scouts or thieves.

Type 389 Skeleton Subrace

This mod adds a lighter, more humanoid Skeleton subrace. Type 389 is less durable than its bulky relatives, but compensates with higher Dexterity and Engineering skills.

• New Skeleton subrace: Lighter and less durable, but more maneuverable.
• Bonuses: Dodge and Engineering, ideal for technicians or stealth roles
• Rarity: Not found often, making them a valuable find.

✅ Gameplay changes: Type 389 offers a different style of playing as Skeletons. You are not a walking tank, but a dexterous technician or assassin. An excellent choice for those who like a more subtle approach to combat.

Hazards Unit

The Hazards Unit mod introduces a very… rounded sub-race of Skeletons. These spherical machines are designed to survive in toxic environments, and their spherical armor is virtually impenetrable.

• New subrace: Durable spherical Skeleton.
• Endgame content: New high-level hostile faction, boss and cities in the Venge location.
• Unique Recruit: A special unit called "8-Ball" can be found in Brink.
• Equipment: Spherical armor can also be worn by other races (it looks hilarious).

✅ Gameplay changes: Hazards Units add a serious challenge in the later stages of the game. Their raids are brutal, and cities are dangerous to approach. This is a new target for experienced players and a powerful Skeleton type for your collection.

Lifter Unit

Based on the design of an industrial press (Crimper), the Lifter Unit mod introduces a sub-race of Skeletons designed for hard work and brute force. Their frame is stronger and more powerful than the others.

• New Subrace: Based on Crimper's design, emphasis on strength.
• Recruits: Several unique Lifter units can be found in the world.
• Enemies: There are also hostile options for battles.
• Compatibility: Works with the Recruitable Prisoners mod.

✅ Gameplay changes: Lifter Units are the ultimate heavyweights. Their strength makes them excellent warriors and workers. An excellent addition for a powerful vanguard or effective base work.

Economy Chad

Every mod does not have to add something overpowered. Economy Chad does the opposite, introducing a deliberately badly designed Skeleton. Apparently, two Hive prosthetics makers had a little too much grog.

• A deliberately weak subrace.
• Challenging stats: 95 HP, Strength and Toughness penalties, and Science and Robotics bonuses
• Unique start: play an Economy Skeleton escaping its creators
• Slavery: Sold as "slaves" in the Western Hive.

✅ Gameplay changes: This mod is about overcoming hardship. Playing an Economy Skeleton demands more care, planning, and cunning. It teaches humility while making every small victory count. For committed masochists.

Cleanser Drone

While the mod is still in development, Cleanser Drone adds a new sub-race of Skeletons designed to cleanse the world of waste. These drones roam the ruins and contaminated areas, carrying out their age-old program.

• New subrace (WIP): Based on cleanup units.
• Spawn: Live in Ashlands and Toxic Zones.
• Recruit: One can be found in Mourn.
• Plans: The author plans to add a city, faction and more recruits.

✅ Gameplay changes: In its current form, Cleanser Drone adds variety to the ranks of Skeletons and revitalizes empty, dangerous areas. The development of the mod is worth following.

Hive Cybernetics

This mod puts an interesting twist on Hivers with a subrace designed for the endgame. It adds cybernetic head textures and gives Hivers Skeleton attributes, making them incredibly durable.

• New Hiver subrace with Skeleton attributes: HP, regeneration, and immunities
• Equipment: Custom cyber armor and limbs.
• Locations: New faction and city on the Fog Islands.
• Research: New technology tree for discovering powerful cybernetics.

✅ Gameplay changes: Hive Cybernetics lets you combine the best of Hiver and Skeleton. Powerful-looking, stylish equipment provides a satisfying sense of progress as your Hive soldiers become doomsday cyborgs.

Ara Mod

And finally – something special. Ara Mod adds an anthropomorphic android cat to the game. The mod is based on Fluff-Kevlar art and has two versions: balanced and super powerful.

• New race: Anthropomorphic robot cat.
• Two versions: balanced with Skeleton stats, or overpowered
• Style: Unique appearance.

✅ This is primarily a cosmetic mod, but an entertaining one. Add a character with a distinctive appearance to your squad. Whether you want a fair fight or a godlike ally is your choice.

Recommendations for installing mods

Installing mods in Kenshi is usually easy, especially through the Steam Workshop. Just subscribe and the launcher will do the rest. But here are a couple of tips to avoid problems:

1. Load Order: You can change the order of mods in the Kenshi launcher. Those lower in the list are loaded last and overwrite the ones at the top. Always read the mod description for load order instructions.
2. Save import: Many major mods that add factions, towns, or world states require you to import your save with Import Game for changes to take effect. The Import button is in the main menu.
3. Look for patches: Popular mods often have compatibility patches to work with other hits (for example, TameBeasties or More Combat Animations). Check the description for links.
4. Don't overdo it: The temptation to install a hundred mods is great, but this is the path to crashes. Add mods in batches and check the stability of the game.

Good luck with the new robots in Kenshi

There you go: a whole garage of Kenshi robot mods for building your ideal mechanical army. Field a squad of kung-fu mechs, recruit a pack of iron dogs, or start a new life as a deliberately dysfunctional Economy Skeleton.

If I missed a mod or you know another interesting one, leave a comment. I will test it and add it if it fits. I am always ready to try something that works in a mod setup without conflicts.