Palworldis not only a fun game but also one that becomes challenging when facing stronger opponents. Unless you’ve adjusted the settings, dying causes you to drop all your gear at the spot where you perished, which can be exhausting to retrieve if it’s in a difficult area.

But what if you’re ready to take the challenge to the next level? Then it’s time to dive into the game’s Hardcore Mode. This mode is unforgiving—your Pals are permanently lost if their health hits zero, and your journey ends if yours drops to zero as well. To help you survive Hardcore Mode, we’ve prepared a guide with essential tips!

The player checks the Nitewing’s Palpedia entry in Palworld.

Get Pals And Tools To Boost Your Mobility Early On

One of the best things you can do for yourself is tocapture a flying Pal as soon as possible.This allows you to quickly escape from tough and frustrating enemies and travel faster. Without a flying Pal to ride, your mobility will be greatly restricted, leading to scenarios where death is almost inevitable.

Therefore,aim to capture Pals likeNitewing,Vanwyrm, orGaleclawin low-level zones early in the game. Until you manage to capture them, Pals that can be ridden with a saddle, likeRushoarandDirehowl, can significantly improve your survival chances by aiding in quick escapes.

The player holds a Katana on Dessicated Desert in Palworld.

Additionally,crafting items like theGrappling GunorNormal Parachuteearly on can provide extra flexibility in movement during challenging situations.

Always Maintain A Level And Type Advantage

The Palpagos islands are vast, and the Pals on each island vary in level. Some islands have extreme climates and high-level Pals, making them particularly dangerous. Heading to these islands unprepared is a risk you don’t want to take. Onlyventure to these areas once you’ve leveled up adequatelyand have a high-level team.

Below is a table recommending the minimum levels for visiting various islands:

The players’s Loupmoon is fighting against a wild Chikipi in Palworld.

1-10

10-15

The player is planning to catch an Alpha Mammorest in Palworld.

10-20

15-25

The player checks the recipe of the High Quality Recovery Meds in Palworld.

20-25

20-30

The player sends some Pals to expedition in Palworld.

30-35

30-40

The player finds a Dark Egg in the desert in Palworld.

35-50

40-45

The player uses a Rocket Launcher and kills three Moonflower Genins in Palworld.

40-50

50-55

The player checks the recipe of the Homeward Thudnercloud in Palworld.

50-60

Another critical aspect is the type advantage between Pals.Knowing the type advantagescan give you a significant edgein battles, while ignoring them can make fights far more difficult. Below is a type advantage chart to guide you:

The player assigns Mau Cryst to ranch in Palworld.

Ice and Grass

Neutral

Never Roam Without Spheres

Always keep plenty of Spheres with you. In Hardcore Mode,defeated Pals are permanently lost.Since you’ll inevitably lose Pals over your long journey, having a reserve of strong Pals is vital.Capturing as many Pals as possibleand keeping the best ones on standby is a good strategy.

Additionally,Spheres can temporarily disable Pals or NPCs during the capture animation, giving you a few seconds to escape tough situations. Don’t forget to craft Sphere Modules, as they can significantly improve your capture success rate.

Invest In Potions For Long-Term Gains

Spending time on potions can be highly rewarding.Certain potions provide permanent stat boosts, so gathering their ingredients and using them frequently will enhance your effectiveness against tough opponents. This way, you may rely on your character to support your Pals in battles rather than depending on them entirely.

Additionally,always carry recovery potionslike Recovery Meds for both yourself and your Pals.

To obtain materials like Lotus for these potions, you’ll need to explore dungeons and defeat raid bosses.Consider building a base dedicated to raidsto streamline your resource gathering.

Send Your Pals To Expeditions Frequently

The best part of expeditions is thatyour Pals automatically gather resources for you.Build the Pal Expedition Station as soon as you reach level 15. To shorten expedition durations, send a large number of Pals to expedition destinations toexceed their firepower requirement.This makes capturing more Pals an even more rewarding endeavor.

Defeating Tower Bosses unlocks additional expedition destinations, which can yield even more resources. Pairing these with Lumbering and Mining research subjects from the Pal Research Laboratory can further shorten expedition times and increase loot, giving you a significant resource advantage.

Prioritize Finding And Breeding Eggs

While exploring, you’re likely to come across eggs, so make sure to collect them. Eggsallow you to obtain Pals without engaging in any battlesor risks. The hatched Pals might become valuable members of your team. If they don’t meet your expectations, you canbutcher them with aMeat Cleaverto obtain resources.

Ensure you have an Electric Egg Incubator later in the game to speed up hatching. Additionally, the Pal Research Laboratory offers research subjects under the Kindling and Cooling categories that can accelerate egg hatching, so focus on these. For more controlled egg production,owning aBreeding Farmis essential.

Ranged Combat Is Your Best Ally

Hardcore Mode is unforgiving, meaning melee combat can often put you in peril.Opting for ranged weaponsallows you to maneuver more freely and escape dangerous situations. Melee combat becomes risky the moment your shield breaks, leaving you vulnerable.

Later,prioritize weapons with area damage, as they allow you to take out multiple targets simultaneously. Additionally,always monitor the durability of your weapons and armor.Having spares or the materials needed to repair them at your base can save you from precarious situations.

Homeward Thundercloud Is A Lifesaver

TheHomeward Thundercloudallows you to teleport to your nearest baseas long as you’re not in a dungeon. This eliminates the need to search for Great Eagle Statues, bringing you back to the safety of your base instantly.

To craft Homeward Thunderclouds,you’ll need the Dazzi Cloud, which can be found in Dessicated Desert. However, the harsh climate and strong Pals in the area can make this challenging. Instead,consider breeding Dazzi from Electric Eggsas a safer alternative. If you still plan to capture Dazzi in Dessicated Desert,stick close to Dunshelterto minimize risks.

Build A Ranch For Effortless Resource Collection

Gathering early-game resources can be time-consuming and dangerous. Build a Ranchas soon as you reach level fiveand assign specific Pals to produce materials for you. Below is a table of which materials are produced by different Pals when assigned to a Ranch:

Boost Productivity With Research

Build the Pal Labor Research Laboratory once you reach level 20. This facility enables you to focus on research projects thatgrant passive bonuses to all your bases.You can also unlock blueprints for technologies likeElectric Pylon,Water FountainStump and Axeto make your Pals more efficient.

For advanced research, you’ll need Ancient Pal Manuscripts.Obtain these by using Bounty Tokens, which can be earned from Wanted Fugitives on the map. However, ensure these fugitives are of a lower level than you before engaging in combat.

Place Your Bases Strategically

While your first base should be in a safe, low-level area away from Pals,subsequent bases should be near resources you’ll need later.For instance, establishing bases near Sulfur or Pure Quartz deposits can allow your Pals to gather these materials without requiring you to venture into dangerous areas.

Eventually, you canunlock technologies like Pure Quartz Mine and Sulfur Mine, enabling you to gather these resources safely from your secure bases.