How do I install CurseForge on Steam Deck
As a hardcore WoW player, one of the first things I installed on my new Steam Deck was CurseForge. With over 30,000 addons to choose from, CurseForge is by far the top destination for enhancing your Azeroth adventures. But getting it running smoothly on Valve‘s handheld can take some tinkering. Fortunately, I‘m here to walk you through the entire process, step-by-step!
Quick Answer on How to Install
For those looking for the TLDR, here‘s a quick summary:
- Install Lutris to handle apps like Battle.net
- Download the Linux installer directly from CurseForge
- Run the installer to set up the CurseForge mod manager
- Find and install your favorite WoW addons!
Easy enough right? But if you want some more context and details, read on for my full guide…
Getting Started with Lutris
Now I know what you‘re thinking…can‘t I just download and run the Windows version of CurseForge with Proton? Technically yes, but you‘ll run into all sorts of strange issues. The supported route is to use the native Linux installation.
That means we first need to install some helper apps on SteamOS, starting with Lutris. This open source gaming platform essentially handles installing and configuring all those Windows games and launchers we still need to play.
Here‘s how to get Lutris setup on your Deck:
- From the main Steam Deck UI, press the power button to open Quick Settings
- Choose "Switch to Desktop" to enter Desktop Mode
- Open the Discover Software app store
- Search for and install Lutris
Once installed, open Lutris and we can move on to Battle.net…
Installing Battle.net
If you want to access all your Blizzard games and utilize CurseForge for WoW, you‘ll need Battle.net installed. The good news is Lutris makes this a breeze:
- In the Lutris app, click the "+" icon to add a new game installer
- Search for "Battle.net" and select the installer
- On first launch it will download the necessary files and guides you through account setup
Follow the prompts to login to Battle.net and install any Blizzard games you own. World or Warcraft installed smoothly for me, detecting my existing PC licenses.
Lutris Battle.net Tips
- Leave the installer in place for future updates
- I suggest installing games to default Wine prefix location
- Skip desktop shortcuts to avoid clutter
Once your games are installed, exit Lutris and we can move onto CurseForge!
Downloading CurseForge Mod Manager
With Battle.net and WoW functioning via Lutris, it‘s time for those sweet, sweet addons! We‘ll need to grab the Linux installer for CurseForge directly from their site:
- Open your chosen Steam Deck browser and go to curseforge.com
- Click "Download" from the top navbar
- Select the ".deb" Linux package
- Launch the installer after download completes
Follow the prompts to get CurseForge installed to your Steam Deck. That shiny new mod manager icon will show up automatically with the rest of your Linux apps!
Finding WoW Addons
Launch the CurseForge app and click the "Get More Addons" button. This opens the addon browser connected to the mammoth CurseForge library. From here you can browse and install mods directly to your World of Warcraft installation.
I recommend starting out with some popular essentials:
- Deadly Boss Mods
- Bagnon
- Bartender4
Performance and Optimization
I know what else you‘re wondering…how does WoW really perform on the Steam Deck with addons? Quite impressively I found!
Using graphics setting profile 3 and locking 30 FPS, WoW remained very smooth with my moderate amount of addons enabled. Even throwing on some higher resolution textures via modular graphics packs didn‘t cause much issue.
However, thesetips can help optimize WoW further:
- Use DX11 graphics mode
- Limit FPS to 30 for battery life
- Disable nameplates in raids/BGs
- Close excess background apps
For more hardcore raiding, I suggest plugging the Deck into wall power and bumping settings to 60 FPS. Still very playable as long as you manage addons and graphics settings!
| Graphics Profile | Resolution | FPS |
| 1 | 1280×800 | 30-45 FPS |
| 3 | 1600×900 | 30-60 FPS |
Final Tips for CurseForge on Steam Deck
After spending many hours getting my WoW addon and modding fix on Steam Deck, here are some final troubleshooting tips I‘ve assembled:
- Still crashing? Try older Wine/Proton builds
- Addons not loading? Enable out of date addons
- Can‘t find Curse in app list? Reboot Deck
I hope this guide helps you CurseForge veterans out there get your favorite WoW addons loaded up on your new best friend, the Steam Deck. Let me know if you have any other questions down below, and as always – game on!
