Learn By Doing Returns 2.6 (Deprecated)
🟡 Updated this yearPreview

🔍 Analysis
- 👍 2.0% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
- 🏆 #75 of 191 Gameplay mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
This mod has to be installed on server and client updated for 2. 5, Let me know any issues with 2. 5
- []This mod adds 17 action skills to 7 days to die which are all levelled from 1 to 100 using in-game actions and skill books. (NOTE: currently speech can only be levelled through skill points and books due to some dead code by TFP. Will fix eventually)[/]
- []Removes the hated learn by reading system instead using a system of perks governed by your skills to unlock recipes with schematics re-added as well to provide an alternative progression method. Old skill magazines now give boosts to your skills but are much rarer.[/]
- []Reworks, removes and adds a variety of perks totalling up to about 100 perks with a variety of new supported playstyles.[/]
- []Provides minor changes to nerd armor and nomad armor to work better in the new progression system.[/]
- []Reworks ammo crafting to be based off of perks OR schematics and changes their old skill books to have new effects.[/]
- []Removes ALL stamina-on-kill effects to improve challenge and immersion. Completion bonuses of most weapon skill books are now a headshot damage boost.[/]
- []Also removes Urban Combat's adrenaline effect to make armor choices more meaningful, replaced with a carry weight buff.[/]
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[]Reworks food and weapon/tool progression. You now have access to a greater variety of starting foods, like bacon and eggs, no longer requiring recipes and iron tier tools and melee weapons no longer require schematics BUT they have been returned to their alpha 19 state of requiring a workbench to craft.[/]
Compatibility:
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[]The mod does NOT work with my Tools are Melee weapons mod BUT the functionality is included in this mod so you don't need it anyway.,[/]
[]You need patches to play with most weapon mods etc.[/]
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[]Google Gemini was used for data replacement (this just means I used it to reduce the amount of copy pasting I had to do, which saved time.) and for data visualization (this means I used it to make me some graphs while testing the XP curves)[/]
[]No ai was used to write any text, write any code, generate ideas, create any images, or other assets. You will not feel any AI presence in the mod what-so-ever[/]
- []This is v1. 3 of the mod. It will have bugs and balance issues. Let me know in the bug reports or discussion tabs if you have concerns to report.[/]
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[]To Max Fox's Youtube Channel which helped me learn how to mod.[/]
[]To Guppy's Unnofficial 7dtd Modding Server on discord whose members are exceptionally nice and helpful and provided much needed guidance on making this mod and others.[/]
[]To Spherii in particular for his extra assistance in making this mod, and inevitable future assistance when I start to add scripts. Pls pray for his santiy.[/]
[]To my discord server for feedback and testing.[/]
[]To my members and patrons for GIVING ME MONEY YEYEYEHEHEHEHE[/]
[]And you, for reading this far. Wowee well done. You can read, that puts you ahead of 99% of people you will find in the discussion tab unfortunately [/]
Video Summary:
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[]The mod does NOT work with my Tools are Melee weapons mod BUT the functionality is included in this mod so you don't need it anyway.,[/]
Learn By Doing Returns 2.6 is a deprecated gameplay overhaul for 7 Days to Die that replaces the learn-by-reading system with 17 action skills leveled through gameplay and skill books. It reworks or adds about 100 perks, adjusts armor, ammo crafting, and progression, and removes stamina-on-kill effects. Requires server and client installation.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- 368 endorsements indicate community approval.
- 18,163 downloads show significant usage.
- Regular updates (last updated 2025-12-29) suggest active maintenance.
⚠️ Cons
- Mod is deprecated, meaning it may no longer be supported.
- Requires installation on both server and client, adding complexity.
- Not compatible with other weapon mods without patches, and does not work with the author's 'Tools are Melee weapons' mod.
This mod is for 7 Days to Die players who prefer a skill-based progression system over the default learn-by-reading mechanics and enjoy extensive perk overhauls. It is not for those who want a simple mod or play with many other weapon mods, as compatibility patches are needed. Since it is deprecated, players should be comfortable with potential lack of future updates.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Install the mod on both the server and client to ensure it works correctly.
- If you use other weapon mods, look for compatibility patches to avoid conflicts.
- Be aware that speech skill can only be leveled through skill points and books due to game code limitations.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- 7 Days To Die Mods
- Author
- IzPrebuilt
- Version
- 1.3
- Downloads
- 18,163
- Endorsements
- 368
- Category
- Gameplay
- Created
- 9/15/2025
- Updated
- 12/29/2025
🧩 Commonly Used Together
Users add these mods to the same collections — a real compatibility signal, not an AI guess.
🔧 How to Install 7 Days to Die Mods
Use Vortex or manual. Most mods go in /Mods/ folder.
📖 Full step-by-step install guide for 7 Days to Die →
Visit the official mod page for specific installation instructions for this mod.
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