What changed since Early Access
Version 1.0 adds Sunreach, the World Tree, seven smaller islands, renewed sanctuaries, settlements, ancient ruins, watchtowers, 72 Pals, a level cap of 80, and a reworked story path. It also changes combat, Pal skills, breeding, work, capture progression, crafting, bases, raids, multiplayer, UI, and balance.
Main-mission and sub-mission progress was reset because the flow and rewards changed. Some tutorial and Tower Boss missions can be recognized from existing Tower Boss defeat history, so inspect the mission log before repeating old objectives.
First 30 minutes checklist
- Confirm the game is running Version 1.0 and that old MOD files are removed.
- Load a backed-up copy or start a temporary fresh character before changing the only important world.
- Open the mission log and map to review reset objectives, watchtowers, and changed progression markers.
- Visit one important base and inspect boundaries, structures, storage, power, and Pal assignments.
- Open the Pal Box and review Partner Skills, Active Skills, Work Suitability, ranks, and favorites.
- For multiplayer, test saving, logout, restart, and reconnect before a long session.
Save backup
Pocketpair says existing saves can continue, but a backup should be created before the first Version 1.0 load. Keep the backup outside the active save folder and label it with the world name, date, platform, and pre-update version.
For a dedicated server, preserve world data, player data, settings, startup arguments, and the MOD or plugin list together. The ability to continue a save does not prove that every complex world will be unaffected. Needs in-game verification.
MOD cleanup
- Remove MOD files and MOD loaders manually; disabling them in a manager may not be enough.
- Unsubscribe from Steam Workshop MODs and use Steam's file-integrity check.
- Launch Version 1.0 without MODs before restoring anything.
- Only reinstall MODs whose creators confirm 1.0 compatibility, one at a time.
- Assume MOD-added items, Pals, quests, or structures may not survive removal. Needs in-game verification.
Base check
Inspect base boundaries, structure alignment, storage access, power, Pal assignments, work priorities, farming, ranching, and defensive structures. Aquatic Construction changed some outer playable boundaries; Pocketpair notes that saves from v0.7.3 or earlier can spawn outside the updated boundary and can use Emergency Escape from the Options menu.
Work Suitability now extends to 10 levels and all Pals were rebalanced for work. Raid behavior is wave-based, raid levels scale with assigned Work Pals, and defense structures no longer consume ammunition. Old base layouts and defense plans need in-game verification.
Pal check
- Review Partner Skill descriptions because more than 200 were reworked and many no longer stack across duplicate Pals.
- Review Active Skills because power, cooldown, behavior, and usability changed across nearly the entire skill set.
- Check Work Suitability, ranks, Souls, condensation plans, and breeding goals before spending rare resources.
- Do not assume an old best Pal, mount, worker, or breeding combination is still optimal. Needs in-game verification.
Server check
- Confirm the dedicated server and clients are on matching Version 1.0 builds.
- Review changed default world settings and compare them with the saved configuration.
- Test login, password restoration, saving, restart persistence, guild permissions, chat, and connection warnings.
- Enable voice chat only if the server needs it and the platform supports it.
- Measure stability with the real world and expected player load. Needs in-game verification.
What not to assume yet
- Do not assume old Pal, weapon, accessory, or Partner Skill tier lists remain accurate.
- Do not assume familiar resource routes, boss locations, base spots, or progression paths are unchanged.
- Do not assume the official optimization list guarantees a specific FPS or server-capacity improvement.
- Do not assume a disabled MOD is removed or compatible with Version 1.0.
- Do not publish universal best settings without testing. Needs in-game verification.
Source note
This returning-player guide is based on Pocketpair's official Palworld v1.0 Steam changelog and official MOD warning. It converts confirmed changes into a cautious return checklist while marking world-specific, hardware-specific, and balance-sensitive outcomes as needing gameplay verification.