(NB. I recently learned a way to set the modlist automatically - scroll down for the instructions.)

RESHADE AND NEXUSMODS:

In order to get all of the visual fx, you have to install Reshade[reshade.me] (not a steam link). It's very easy! I am using a custom tweaked version of the YOBI Preset v1.2Lite (https://www.nexusmods.com/kenshi/mods/241).

You will also need Drugs Expanded[www.nexusmods.com] from Nexusmods.


MODLIST LISTED AS IT APPEARS IN THE KENSHI LAUNCHER:
(last updated 15 Mar 2020)

Player Faction Armor Color.mod
Shidan's Tweaks & Fixes.mod
Tweaks & Fixes No Tech Hunter Alliances.mod
Tweaks & Fixes No Research Artifacts.mod
Fixing Clipping Issues.mod
UKP.mod
EnhancedSurvivalChallenge.mod
GenMod.mod
oil.mod
tariffs.mod
Trade Prices.mod
TradeRework.mod
DrugsExpandedPatch.mod
Dark Nights & Reshade.mod
GenMod_LessGreen.mod
GenMod_LessBlue.mod
GenMod_Modul_03.mod
GenMod_Modul_02.mod
GenMod_MoreAlphas.mod
CCO.mod
CCO_RACES.mod
CCO_PACK_01.mod
CCO_RACES_PACK_01.mod
CCO_HIRES_01.mod
CCO_HIRES_02.mod
CCO_RACES_GLOW.mod
DEAD_HIVE_GLOW.mod
Faces+.mod
FacesAdd01.mod
CannibalHeads.mod
FishSticks.mod
HiveHeads.mod
Hive Prosthetics.mod
Grievewraiths.mod
Iron Skimmer.mod
GenMod_Cr_add01.mod
Foulhounds.mod
Mist Ghouls.mod
ScarierSpiders.mod
Throes of Obedience.mod
Ancient Terrors.mod
Vagrant Dealers.mod
Cannibal_Expansion.mod
Cannibal Hunters.mod
Skeletons.mod
ShriekingBandit_Expansion.mod
Starving Bandits new type.mod
Nomad Changes.mod
Faction Caravans.mod
Slaver Caravan.mod
Remove Outpost Slaver Raids.mod
Slave Camp Slots Balance.mod
Hiver_Expansion.mod
GenMod_HiveEX_comp.mod
Fix Relation(Healing)EN.mod
AllRacesSameRoute.mod
Everyone Has a Name, Janet.mod
wvr_MoreNamedPeoples.mod
More Names.mod
Expanded Name Set.mod
hippity hoppity you're now my property.mod
Talk to everyone.mod
DialoguePlus.mod
Dialogue Expanded.mod
Random Furniture.mod
Moisture Farming.mod
Metal Fencing.mod
Interior Design.mod
Forgotten Buildings.mod
Work_Bench_Variations.mod
HiveBuildings.mod
Hang Paintings.mod
Manufacturers Expanded.mod
Manufacturers Expanded - Craftable.mod
Ancient Technology Trader.mod
Luxury_Goods.mod
TexturedT5Walls.mod
blot slaverope.mod
Iron_Cuffs.mod
Parchment Crafting.mod
Expanded Lighting.mod
Clutter.mod
Crucifixion.mod
Burned alive.mod
Citadel.mod
CombatBoots.mod
SquareTopper.mod
Mediocre Black Armor.mod
Better Crop Fences.mod
Better Crop Fences GenMod Patch.mod
Wooden Dexterity Training Dummy.mod
Sparring - Melee Defense Training.mod
Remove Training Bar.mod
Remove Training Bar - Mod Patches.mod
Build Category Fix.mod
Slopeless.mod
Forgotten Buildings + Work Bench Variations Compatibility.mod
repeatable techs.mod
Security Plus.mod
WorkBench variation Patch01.mod
Imprisonment Plus.mod
moreBluePrints.mod
Prisoner_Food.mod
GenMod DR_DLC1.mod
LonghouseAdjustment.mod
Quiver.mod
BoltsMoreCharges.mod
NewRecruits.mod
More Bountys.mod
Recruitable Bounties.mod
Realistic Combat.mod
Clown.mod
More Meitous.mod
No Cut Efficiency.mod
ShriekingBandit_Expansion_NCE.mod
Hiver_Expansion_NCE.mod
Cannibal_Expansion_NCE.mod
NCE for Mediocre Black Armor.mod
NCE Patch Pack 2.mod
AnimationOverhaul.mod
Idle Stands.mod
Idle Stands Patch.mod
More Combat Animation.mod
Move Mod.mod
CCO_AOC_COMP_MOD.mod
CCO_COMP_MCA.mod
GenMod_CCO_all_anim_comp.mod
Cheat Start.mod
SC Competition Start.mod
CCO_STARTS_01.mod
CCO_STARTS_02.mod
GenMod_More_starts.mod
GenMod_CCO_Hive_Starts.mod
Nice Map [Tpg + Grid + Zones + Zone names].mod
More Fog.mod
Longer Night - Sunset At 7pm.mod
Lights for Dark Nights.mod
detail textures.mod
Compressed Textures Project.mod
Forgotten Buildings - Reduced Texture Size.mod
Reduced Particle Effects.mod
JoshLmoa's_DarkVanillaUI.mod
Transparent UI.mod
Font Redux.mod
Reactive World.mod
Take Over the World.mod
Ruin Restoration.mod
FallenGraceTownRemoval.mod
SlowHealing.mod
BlleedOut.mod
Pocket Change 2.0.mod
Toon's NPC mod.mod
Outpostlife.mod
NPC enjoys more shopping.mod
shoppingecon.mod
shopkeeper.mod
1Slaves Changes Mind.mod
Longer Mercenary Contracts.mod
Mercenary Reworked.mod
Attack Slots x5.mod
256 Squad Limit.mod
Don't Burst My Ear Drums.mod
Dangerous Hazards.mod
10x Longer Prison Sentences.mod
UICorrections.mod
Kenshi Community Loading Screens.mod
No Loading Screens Tips.mod
BCF-DrugsExpandedPatch-Compat.mod
FactionArmorColorSettings.mod
Darker Nights ++.mod
BCW no blue.mod
BuildingEditsThatIDontWantToInclude.mod
IdleTraining.mod
Minor Mesh Fixes.mod
Minor Mesh Fixes - Alt.mod

175 - 3 private mods = 172 total items

172 items - 2 nexusmods mods = 170 mods on steam to subscribe to.

Don't forget the nexusmods!


TO AUTOMATICALLY IMPORT THE MODLIST:

1. Subscribe to all mods. Install the nexusmods ones manually. Make sure kenshi is closed.

2. Copy the modlist text above into a text editor. I heartily recommend Sublime text editor[www.sublimetext.com].

3. Delete the private mods from the list. They all have text in parentheses. Make sure to fully delete the line each mod.

4. If you're using Sublime, scroll down to the bottom of the list and verify that the number of mods matches the total above.

5. Now, open your Kenshi install directory (should be in your steamapps/common directory) and look for mods.cfg. Open this file in your text editor.

6. Copy your prepared modlist to mods.cfg. Make sure to fully replace any data that was already there with your new modlist. Save the file.

7. Launch Kenshi. Your modlist should now be updated.

DIFFICULTY SCALING

Because of the limitations of the Kenshi engine, it is up to us as players to sort of self impose a difficulty on ourselves. In particular, I recommend scaling the squad size multiplier in some way to your own faction size. You can view that as a sort of baseline difficulty slider, as well as a slider that specifically increases the difficulty of wandering around. Adjusting 'Town Raid Events: size' can additionally be seen as a difficulty slider for defending one's base against other factions.

I do not advise increasing Global Population multiplier or Number of Nests multiplier any further than indicated here unless you are a masochist, and like the idea of travelling being extremely annoying.

These are the settings I use:

GAMEPLAY SETTINGS:

These are adjustable at any time in the menu:

Squad size multiplier: 2.25
Global Population multiplier: 1.25

Town Raid events: size: 3.25
Frequency: 1

Town attacks frequency: High
Dismemberment: Frequent


ADVANCED SETTINGS:

These are only adjustable when starting a new game, or when importing:

Hunger Time: Slightly reduced (to the left)
Chance of Death: Slightly increased (to the right)
Global Damage Multiplier: Slightly increased, same as chance of death
Production Speed: Unchanged
Research Speed: Unchanged
Building Speed: Unchanged
Number of Nests Multiplier: Slightly increased, same as chance of death

Bandits Loot the Player: True
Easy Prospecting: False

PLAYER FACTION ARMOR COLOR

This modpack supports your own custom faction armor color using new custom colormaps that will make those colors really stand out. You need some basic knowledge of the FCS in order to do this, but it is extremely easy.

This functionality is included as part of Faction Armor Colors - Better Colormaps, and the instructions are provided by the author on that mod's page.

Once you complete the mod, you can place your version in the place of 'FactionArmorColorSettings' in my modlist.

LOAD ORDER RESOURCE

I found this recently while looking through guides on steam, and while it isn't needed to use this modpack, I thought it would still be doing good service to the community to leave it listed here. You may find this useful if you attempt to customize my modlist, or create your own.

Proper Load Order & You