The Unofficial Guide to Smuggling Mods

This guide is intended to serve as a reference on best practices for sharing smuggled mods in Smuggler's Den. It will be updated with user suggestions (which should be sent in as replies or suggested edits) and new information over time. This is version 1.1, updated March 15, 2026. **File Hosting Services and Mirroring** Typically, it is recommended to upload smuggled mods to more than one file host; this process is commonly referred to as "mirroring". Ideally, the file should be mirrored at least 3 times on different file hosting providers. This keeps the files available in the event that one or more of your links dies for one reason or another, and gives others a chance to re-upload or update a smuggled mod. Post three links! **Recommended File Hosts (in no particular order):** MEGA.nz >Free accounts have 20GB of storage space. If one is concerned about privacy, it's hard to go wrong with MEGA. Free accounts are deleted after 3 months of inactivity. This can be prevented by logging in once during that period. Paid accounts are never considered inactive. Google Drive >Free accounts have 15GB of storage space. The most widely used consumer file host on the planet. Free accounts are deleted after 2 years of inactivity. This can be prevented by using any Google service (including using Google Drive) within that period. Paid accounts are never considered inactive. Proton Drive >Free accounts have 5GB of storage space. Another privacy-driven file host. Free accounts are deleted after 12 months of inactivity. This can be prevented by logging into the account at any point during that period. Paid accounts are never considered inactive. Microsoft OneDrive >Free accounts have 5GB of storage space. Microsoft's answer to Google Drive. Free accounts are deleted after 2 years of inactivity. This can be prevented by logging into the account at any point during that period. Paid accounts are never considered inactive. **Services/Sites to AVOID:** Mediafire >Free accounts have 10 GB of storage space with a 5GB limit per file with ads on the download page. Without registering, your account will be deleted after 14 days. Dropbox >Free accounts only have 2GB of storage space. Inactive accounts are deleted after 12 months. Not worth making an account for our purposes. Modding Sites >Websites such as moddb, Nexus Mods and AFK Mods are run by modders who will take down smuggled mods with little resistance. Discord >Do not use Discord to host files. They are usually deleted automatically after a time regardless of account status. **Copyright** Modding a video game that has an active copyright violates the intellectual property rights of the copyright holder. Of course, most of them don't really care, and some of them (like Bethesda and Valve) actively embrace this practice and have successfully (and unsuccessfully) integrated modding into their respective business models. Legally, anyone who makes a mod for a video game with an active copyright does not possess the authority to have their work taken down or removed from the Internet or elsewhere. This doesn't stop some mod authors from trying, of course, and at times they can even be successful. This is why mirroring is encouraged.