Why the Mod Deck Was Added
The Mod Deck Builder arrived with the October 2026 demo. Playtesters pointed out that unlocking more Mods diluted the reward pod pool, making it harder to pursue the builds they wanted. The developer agreed that unlocking something new should feel good.
The official demo announcement calls it a response to requests for more autonomy to balance out RNG. Adapting to what you are offered still matters. The deck simply gives you more control over the possibilities.
Mod Deck at a Glance
The confirmed Mod Deck rules, condensed.
- Added: October 2026 demo.
- Unlocks: after a couple of Mods are unlocked.
- Deck size: 10 common Mods + up to 2 Showstoppers.
- Effect: reward pods draw only from your deck.
- Changes: swap between expeditions.
- Upgrades: cost Biomass and Research Points.
The Rules
Dev Log #1 and the demo announcement describe the same rules. Gamezebo, TheSixthAxis and recap.games report them identically.
- Unlock: available after you have unlocked a couple of Mods.
- Size: 10 common Mods and up to 2 Showstoppers from your library.
- Effect: reward pods only draw from Mods in your deck during expeditions.
- Flexibility: swap the deck between expeditions as your library grows.
How Mods Reach You in a Run
You earn experience during a mission from fighting, building, gathering and finding objectives. When you level up, you call in a reward pod and choose one of three Mods. One preview counted more than a dozen Mods to unlock in the demo alone.
Examples seen in demo videos include increased fire rate, rockets spawning on critical hits and longer jetpack fuel. Others shown include a rocket barrage, faster structure repair and Hazard Pay for bonus credits per kill. Your deck decides which of these can appear.
Showstoppers
Showstoppers are the deck's special slots, limited to two. In one sponsored demo video, the Training screen lists cooldowns on Showstopper Mods as an upgradeable stat. That suggests they act like powerful, cooldown-based abilities.
The developer has not published a full Showstopper list, so we do not label specific Mods as Showstoppers. Players on the Steam forums list Gravity Bomb and Live Wire among blueprint-unlocked Mods, and the dev log says Gravity Bomb's chaos was toned down. We will add more once official details exist.
Unlocking and Upgrading Mods
Mods are unlocked in the research lab between missions. The lab tells you that anything unlocked enters the reward pool, assuming you survive long enough to see it. Some Mods also come from blueprints found on planets.
Mod upgrades now cost Biomass alongside Research Points, according to Dev Log #1. Upgrades show levels 1 to 3 rather than exact numbers, which players have flagged. Read our Biomass guide and Research Points guide to fund them.
Example Mods From the Demo
The developer has not published a full Mod list, but demo videos show many on screen. These examples help you picture what a deck can include. Exact values are not shown in the current build.
- Increased fire rate and magazine size.
- Rockets or gravity balls spawning on critical hits.
- Longer jetpack fuel duration.
- Rocket barrage.
- Hazard Pay: bonus credits for every enemy you kill.
- Faster structure repair.
- Courtesy Turret: upgrades can spawn higher-tier turrets you've unlocked.
Reward Pod Tips
Reward pods arrive often during a run. One previewer found themselves calling pods just to clear the on-screen prompt, then forgetting them until after a wave. Another noticed a teammate thinking a pod was theirs when it was not.
Call in pods during quiet moments and pick deliberately. One player discovered that teammates can pick up each other's dropped items, but not upgrade pods. Since your deck controls the options, every pick should fit your plan.
Hazard Pay Fix
Hazard Pay is one of the Mods with a notable fix. Before the demo, only the host received payouts from it. Dev Log #1 says that bug is fixed, so everyone now earns the bonus credits.
That makes Hazard Pay a solid team pick in co-op decks. Credits fund turret kits from the Fabricator. Pair it with players who focus on combat.
Building a Good Deck
Because pods only draw from your deck, leave out Mods that do not fit your plan. A support player might favour repair and credit Mods, while a fighter favours damage and fire rate. Co-op teams can split roles across decks.
One demo reviewer noted that the deck builder brings Mods in automatically and swapping one out was not obvious at first. Take a moment in the menu before each expedition. See best builds for how decks fit with weapons and turrets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you unlock the Mod Deck?
After unlocking a couple of Mods, according to the developer's dev log.
How many Showstoppers can you equip?
Up to 2, alongside 10 common Mods.
Can I change my Mod Deck mid-mission?
The developer says you swap decks between expeditions.
Why was the Mod Deck added?
Playtesters said unlocking more Mods diluted reward pods, making builds harder to pursue.
Where do you unlock Mods?
In the research lab, and through blueprints found on planets.
Official Trailer
Sources and Further Reading
- Dev Log #1 – Playtest to Demo Changes (official, Oct 7, 2026)
- The Gravhounds Demo is Coming! (official, Oct 7, 2026)
- Gamezebo – Gravhounds limited-time Steam demo
- TheSixthAxis – Gravhounds demo drops with improvements