Palworld is Pocketpair's open-world survival crafting game where you capture creatures called Pals and put them to work in your base — or take them into combat. Often called 'Pokemon with guns,' it blends creature collection with factory automation, base building, and third-person shooter combat. The game hit 25 million players within its first month of Early Access and continues to receive major content updates adding new Pals, regions, and mechanics.
Palworld features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order — what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Windswept Hills | Level 1-10 | Starter Pals (Cattiva, Lamball, Chikipi), basic resources, first base location | Fire Type |
| 2 | Verdant Brook | Level 10-20 | Water Pals for Watering tasks, Ore nodes, dungeon loot | Fire Type |
| 3 | Astral Mountains | Level 30-40 | Rare Pal spawns, high-tier ores, legendary Pal encounters | Dark Type |
| 4 | Dessicated Desert | Level 25-35 | Fire Pals (Blazamut), Sulfur deposits, desert-exclusive Pal spawns | Dark Type |
| 5 | Frostbound Mountains | Level 40-50 | Ice Pals, Diamond deposits, legendary Pal spawn points, endgame materials | Dark Type |
Windswept Hills — Starting Area
The starting region with abundant basic resources like Wood, Stone, and Paldium. Hosts low-level Pals perfect for your first captures and base workers. Several fast travel points unlock here and the terrain is beginner-friendly.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 1-10 |
| Key Rewards | Starter Pals (Cattiva, Lamball, Chikipi), basic resources, first base location |
| Recommended Build | Fire Type |
| Key Equipment | Rocket Launcher |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Pal capture — this is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Verdant Brook.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Verdant Brook — Early Game
A lush riverside area with Grass and Water type Pals. Good farming resources and flat terrain ideal for a second base. Contains mid-level dungeon entrances with rare Pal spawns inside.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 10-20 |
| Key Rewards | Water Pals for Watering tasks, Ore nodes, dungeon loot |
| Recommended Build | Fire Type |
| Key Equipment | Rocket Launcher |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering base building automation — it's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Rocket Launcher if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Astral Mountains.
Astral Mountains — Mid Game
A high-altitude region with rare Pals and dangerous encounters. Flying mounts are strongly recommended. Contains high-tier ore deposits and some legendary Pal spawn locations. The thin air means less cover and more exposure to raids.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 30-40 |
| Key Rewards | Rare Pal spawns, high-tier ores, legendary Pal encounters |
| Recommended Build | Dark Type |
| Key Equipment | Rocket Launcher |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Assault Rifle becomes accessible here — prioritize getting it.
- Master breeding system for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Dessicated Desert — Late Game
A harsh desert biome requiring Heat Resistant Armor. Home to Fire and Ground type Pals, including several powerful combat Pals. Resource nodes here include Sulfur and other advanced crafting materials.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 25-35 |
| Key Rewards | Fire Pals (Blazamut), Sulfur deposits, desert-exclusive Pal spawns |
| Recommended Build | Dark Type |
| Key Equipment | Assault Rifle |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Assault Rifle should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- raid defense mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Frostbound Mountains.
Frostbound Mountains — Endgame
The endgame ice region with the toughest wild Pals and best resources. Ice Pals here have Cooling work suitability essential for certain production chains. Cold Resistant Armor is mandatory or you'll take continuous damage.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 40-50 |
| Key Rewards | Ice Pals, Diamond deposits, legendary Pal spawn points, endgame materials |
| Recommended Build | Dark Type |
| Key Equipment | Assault Rifle |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Dragon Type for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order — Windswept Hills → Verdant Brook → Astral Mountains → Dessicated Desert → Frostbound Mountains. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner — Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment — Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough — Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush — Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Palworld Guides
- Palworld Palworld Overview
- Palworld Best Builds
- Palworld Tier List
- Palworld Walkthrough
- Palworld Beginner's Guide
- Palworld Tips & Tricks
- Palworld Weapons Guide
- Palworld Combat Guide
- Palworld Boss Guide
- Palworld Crafting Guide
- Palworld Classes & Characters
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- ARK: Survival Evolved Maps & Locations — survival game with similar mechanics
- Valheim Maps & Locations — survival game with similar mechanics
