Skeletons in Kenshi are cool, but their capabilities are limited in the standard version. You cannot wear normal armor; the choice of models is minimal. Mods solve these problems and add content for those who want to live the entire game in the body of a robot.
I have put together Skeleton mods for Kenshi covering everything from visuals to mechanics. You can find more Kenshi content, including guides and mod lists, on my page collecting all my articles about the game.
Robotics Limb Base Skeletons
Want more variety among your Skeletons? This mod adds four new robot models, each with three variations – a total of twelve different appearance options. All of them are stylized as robotic limbs from the base game, so they fit organically into the lore. NPCs with these models will also spawn in the world.
- Four basic Skeleton models with unique designs
- Three variations for each model (12 combinations in total)
- Design based on the robotic limbs from the original game
- NPCs with new models appear in the world
✅ How it changes gameplay: You get more choice when creating a Skeleton character or recruiting iron companions. Instead of standard monotonous robots, you get visual variety, while the balance remains the same – purely cosmetic.
Type 389 Human Emulative Service Frame
A new recruitable Skeleton subrace integrated into Kenshi's factions. Type 389 is a lighter, less durable version of a standard robot, with compensating bonuses. Its smaller frame removes the Dodge penalty other Skeletons have, and its design favors Engineering and Sabres.
- New subrace of Type 389 Skeletons with unique characteristics
- 40% less oil (HP) than standard Skeletons
- A vulnerable stomach with human-level durability
- No dodge penalty due to smaller size
- Bonuses to Engineering and Sabres
- Rare recruits found in the world
- Optional addon for replacing limbs
- Compatibility patches for many popular mods
✅ How it changes gameplay: Type 389 is a Skeleton for those who want to play not as a tank, but as an agile fighter. The lower HP is offset by better evasion, making it an interesting choice for speed and agility builds. Plus, you can assemble a squad from this particular model for roleplay.
Skeleton Retexture
A simple visual mod that changes the textures of Skeleton bodies and heads. The author first made it just for himself, and then decided to share it. If you're tired of the standard look of robots, here's an alternative.
- New textures for Skeleton bodies
- New textures for Skeleton heads
- Periodic updates as new textures are ready
✅ How it changes gameplay: It does not; this is a purely visual upgrade. Skeletons look different, but their stats and mechanics stay the same. A good pick if you want better visuals.
Skeleton Changes
This mod unlocks armor slots for every Skeleton subrace. Vanilla robots cannot wear most equipment, and this removes that restriction. It works best alongside mods that make other Skeleton subraces playable.
- Unlocked all armor slots for Skeletons
- Changed descriptions of Skeleton races
- Compatible with recruiting mods for other subraces
✅ How it changes gameplay: Skeletons are no longer limited in terms of equipment. You can equip them with a full set of armor, which significantly increases their survivability in battle. In the original game, they quickly become weaker than other races in the later stages – the mod fixes this.
My Skeletons
Start as a character who survived for two years in the Iron Valleys after the Holy Nation burned down his settlement. You managed to pull several broken Skeletons out of the ruins and are now trying to fix them. You start in the Abandoned Town with a good reputation among Skeletons and Tech Hunters.
- Start in the Abandoned Town in the center of the map
- Several broken Skeletons in the squad for repair
- Higher starting stats for the main character
- Basic survival gear
- Excellent reputation with Skeletons and Tech Hunters
- Neutral reputation with Holy Nation (two years have passed)
✅ How it changes gameplay: Instead of the usual start, you get a ready-made backstory and motivation – to fix your comrades and take revenge on Okran fanatics. Broken Skeletons are a kind of investment: they are useless now, but after an upgrade they will become powerful fighters.
Skeleton Armor Slots Unlocked
Another armor-slot unlocker, this time from Steam Workshop. The author made it for a Skeleton-only playthrough because vanilla robots fall behind Shek in the late game. It unlocks every armor slot for all Skeleton types.
- All armor slots for Skeletons are open
- Works with all subraces
- Designed for late game balancing
✅ How it changes gameplay: Skeletons stop falling behind in the endgame. They are already demanding to maintain early on, needing parts instead of food, and by the late game they lose most fights against Shek. This mod evens things out by letting them wear a full set of armor.
Just Unlock Skeleton Subraces
It does exactly what it says in the name – it unlocks subraces of Skeletons that are already in the game, but are not available to the player. No new races, no new starts. Simply changes the "playable character" tag in the game files from false to true. Pure functionality without unnecessary bells and whistles.
- Unlocking existing Skeleton subraces
- No additional changes
- Compatible with other Skeleton mods
✅ How it changes gameplay: You get access to different Skeleton models when creating a character without installing heavy mods with a bunch of additional content. Minimalism that simply opens up what is already in the game.
Skeleton Starts
Three game starts for Skeleton-only playthroughs. "The Rusty Raiders (Crew)" gives you 12 robots with plenty of money and resources after a successful Traders Guild bank robbery. "The Rusty Raider (Solo)" leaves only the protagonist, Rust, alive after a failed operation wiped out the crew. "Stobe's Chosen" is a hardcore torso start in Stobe's Garden, with a unique left arm assembled from Stobe's remains.
- Three unique starts for Skeletons
- The Rusty Raiders (Crew): 12 Skeletons, 25,000 Cats, a large bounty, materials for a tier-three base, and unique buildings
- The Rusty Raider (Solo): one character, good equipment, 1,500 Cats, and a small bounty
- Stobe’s Chosen: a torso with one unique arm and a sword, starting in a dangerous location without the ability to hire helpers
- Unlocked all Skeleton subraces for other starts
✅ How it changes gameplay: Instead of spending hundreds of hours gathering robots, you start with a ready-made crew or a hardcore challenge. Crew is almost a cheat start for quickly founding your own Skeleton faction. Solo takes a traditional approach with a backstory. Stobe's Chosen is for anyone who found a regular torso start too easy.
Skeleton Empire Rebuilt
A large mod that lets you restore the Second Empire under Mad Cat-Lon. Reboot the emperor's mind, then help rebuild his fallen empire. Bringing him the leaders of the Ashlands domes earns rewards and new allied locations. You can conquer Sonorous Dark, Royal Valley, and Cheaters Run.
- Reboot Cat-Lon (save import required)
- Capture and reconstruction of many locations
- Three sub-factions of the Second Empire (nobility, guild, imperial hive)
- Ability to create ancient samurai armor
- Included Skeleton skins from other mods
- Unique NPCs and dialogue
✅ How it changes gameplay: You are no longer just a wanderer – you are building a full-fledged faction and changing the political map of the world. You kill or reboot the leaders of other groups, annexing their territories to the Skeleton empire. The mod turns Kenshi into a real land-grabbing strategy game with RPG elements. Only Skeletons can talk to Cat-Lon, so this content is strictly for our iron brothers.
XT-MKIII & XT-MKIV — Concept Art Skeletons
Two new Skeleton models from concept art from the loading screen. According to the lore, these are experimental versions of the third and fourth generations, which were supposed to be better than their predecessors, but did not live up to expectations. After the fall of the First Empire, they were abandoned – most still lie in the Distribution Center.
- XT-MKIII Skeletons: Scout, P4, Screamer, Loghead, Thrall, Lionhead and standard head
- XT-MKIV Skeletons: the same seven variations
- Two unique recruits
- New location – Ancient Distribution Center
✅ How it changes gameplay: More models to choose from and a new location to explore. XT-MKIII and XT-MKIV are cosmetic variants with small stat differences that give them slightly more specialized roles. Assemble a themed squad of experimental robots and roleplay the recovery of forgotten technology.
Recommendations for installing mods
The load order matters, especially if you have several mods that change the same parameters. Here are the basic rules:
- First install mods that unlock subraces (Just Unlock Skeleton Subraces, Skeleton Changes)
- Then visual mods (Skeleton Retexture, new models like Robotics Limb Base Skeletons)
- Then content mods (Type 389, XT-MKIII & XT-MKIV)
- Put global overhauls at the end (Skeleton Empire Rebuilt)
- After installing any mod that changes races or starting conditions, import the save
If you don't know how to properly install mods in Kenshi, I have a detailed guide on this topic – it covers everything from subscribing to the Steam Workshop to manual installation from the Nexus.
Let's go gather our army of Skeletons
Skeletons in Kenshi are more than emotionless chunks of metal, even if they can seem that way when you first start playing. They are a fully developed race with deep lore, unique mechanics, and plenty of roleplaying potential. These mods expand those possibilities, add visual variety, and even let you build an entire robot empire.
If I missed a good Skeleton mod, write to me. I will test it and add it to the list.
