In addition to the new content, Palworld’s 1.0 update also made significant changes to the existing mechanics. Besides the visuals, loading into the world, be it an older save or a new one, small things like combat, movement, and many other QoL features will feel much smoother. The update also tackles the meta issue of some pals always being preferred over others, which makes every Pal capture more meaningful.
Here are the 10 major changes in the Palworld 1.0 update that make the game feel fresh. Do note that the update listed is quite extensive, and this list only includes rework or changes to the existing mechanics in the game.
For the most part, Partner Skills in Palworld were generic and didn’t really catch the eye. However, with the 1.0 update, the devs have reworked the Partner Skills of over 200 Pals. Instead of simply granting more attack speed and damage, they have specific bonuses. Some even replace the old bonus entirely with something that suits the Pal's theme.
The most talked-about aspect of Palworld’s release was that you can use Pals to handle most tasks in the game, and with the 1.0 update, things are even better. You now have 10 levels of Work Suitability, which will improve each time your Pal levels up. The result will be many more hardworking Pals in your roster, and the change rewards you for focusing on improving specific Pals for specific tasks.
Getting your Pals to deal with enemies is fun, but there are times when you also need to face enemies. The game now allows you to attack while dashing, which prevents breaking the flow of combat. Additionally, dodging while attacking or aiming will change into a dash, and the action will not interrupt your weapon reload.
Tired of choosing among multiple good weapons in your inventory? Palword 1.0 adds more weapon slots you can unlock. You can now have up to two additional weapons, which also saves you some inventory slots for the new resources.
Pal Active Skills are those you use against enemies after you capture them, and some of them dealt more damage than intended, so there’s a slight nerf. However, the changes mean the Pals deal damage at least on par with the player's, making many underused Pals more viable. Players were often pigeonholed into using specific companions, but there should be more diversity in companions after the update.
How many times have you missed capturing an exceptional Pal because of the capture rate? Well, with the Palworld 1.0 update, the capture rates have been improved for everything you can fit inside the Spheres. You still need specific Spheres to capture special Pals, but the overall chance of turning them into your companion is now higher when they are on low health.
While not as extensive as other changes, if you’re interested in Palworld’s lore, the story quest has also been overhauled to steamlike your journey towards the World Tree naturally. There are also new NPC side quests if you like story bits within the game.
Wildlife Sanctuaries are now much more distinct, with unique environments and scenery. They are now much larger in size and actually look like protected conservation areas. Security has also been upgraded across all Sanctuaries, which makes exploration more challenging. As a reward, you can find multiple exclusive pals and materials across different Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Another small-looking yet impactful change is the rework of Pal exp gain. They now get more experience, which in turn improves their combat and work capabilities. Simply put the ones you want to upgrade in your team, and they will improve passively even if you don’t use them as much.
If you were already maxed out on character level and equipment before the update, this change may not be very exciting. However, for those starting a new game, the appearance of Wandering Merchant more often means you can get your hands on useful items early on.
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