All Palworld difficulty settings and how to change them

The difficulty settings can be changed right after the main menu.
Palworld difficulty settings can be changed right after the main menu. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc._

The variety of Palworld difficulty settings ensures that the adventure can be enjoyed in different flavors, from relaxing strolls to heart-pounding challenges. This guide dives deep into Palworld's difficulty settings. Learn how to customize your experience, adjust the pace of progress, and conquer even the fiercest foes.

Whether you're a seasoned trainer or a curious newcomer, this comprehensive rundown will help you tailor Palworld to your perfect wild ride.


What are the Palworld difficulty settings?

Difficulty selection screen as seen in the game. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc.)
Difficulty selection screen as seen in the game. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc.)

Palworld appeals to players of different kinds. While one kind will run after catching them all and completing their Paldeck, there will be others who simply want to enjoy the challenging aspect of the game.

The game offers four different difficulty settings: Casual, Normal, Difficult, or Custom. Every setting has intricate options that affect almost every action you can take in this game. These settings affect not only your gameplay in general but the players' interactions with Pals and every other PvE aspect as well.


How to choose appropriate Palworld difficulty settings

Casual Palworld difficulty settings as seen in the game. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc.)
Casual Palworld difficulty settings as seen in the game. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc.)

Pocket Pair has left no stone unturned to let you tailor your own experience. Let's take a closer look at each difficulty setting and understand how they make the gaming experience vastly different.


1) Difficulty - Casual

Description of Casual Mode. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc.)
Description of Casual Mode. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc.)

For the gamer out there who wants a chill and soothing experience without having to face any repercussions, Casual is the way to go. This is the easiest of the Palworld difficulty settings, and the player faces no repercussions upon death.

This might be the best game mode for those who do not care about a challenge but still want to explore the lands and enjoy Palworld.


2) Difficulty - Normal

Description of Normal Mode. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc.)
Description of Normal Mode. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc.)

This is going to be the most common among the difficulty settings out there. While this does not offer a Souls-like difficulty or an insane grind, it still manages to retain some of the penalty systems and improvises on the RNG elements.

Catching Pals becomes slightly more challenging here, with the probability counter being dropped down. From this setting onward, you also start losing out on your loot if you die in Palworld.


3) Difficulty - Hard

Description of Hard Mode. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc.)
Description of Hard Mode. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc.)

If you are a hardcore gamer who is out for a challenge and wants to test your limits, then this is the best choice in the Palworld difficulty settings for you. Everything is made more challenging in this mode, starting from even the most simple activities.

The most notable aspects of this mode include players' and their Pals' attacks doing less damage and them taking more damage. This mode also grants lesser exp from every action, and the timeframe of every action is also increased.


4) Difficulty - Custom

Palworld lets you create a custom difficulty setting to choose how each counter will work. This is an interesting choice, as it truly lets the game take on a sandbox approach.

Players can enjoy a tailor-made game mode suited to their liking. Want more experience while making it difficult to catch Pals in Palworld? Done. Want a faster day-night cycle? Easily managed. Want to level up super fast? Just one setting. You can tweak everything individually as per your needs.


Comparing all the Palworld difficulty settings

Casual

Normal

Hard

Day Time Speed

1

1

1

Night Time Speed

1

1

1

EXP Rate

1.3

1

0.8

Pal Capture Rate

2

1

0.8

Pal Appearance Rate

1

1

1

Damage from Pals multiplier

1

1

1

Damage to Pals multiplier

1

1

1

Pal Hunger Depletion Rate

1

1

1

Pal Stamina Reduction Rate

1

1

1

Pal Auto HP Regeneration Rate

1

1

1

Pal Sleep Health Regeneration Rate (Health Regeneration Rate in Pal Box)

1

1

1

Damage from Player multiplier

1.5

1

0.5

Damage to Player multiplier

0.7

1

4

Player Hunger Depletion Rate

1

1

1

Player Stamina Reduction Rate

1

1

1

Player auto HP Regeneration Rate

1

1

1

Player Sleep HP Regeneration Rate

1

1

1

Damage to Structure Multiplier

1

1

1

Structure deterioration rate

1

1

1

Maximum number of dropped items in a world

3000

3000

3000

Gatherable items Multiplier

2

1

0.5

Gatherable Objects HP Multiplier

1

1

1

Gatherable objects respawn interval

1

1

1

Dropped Items Multiplier

2

1

0.5

Time (h) to incubate Massive Egg

0

2

72

Enable Raid Events

On

On

On

Death penalty

No drops

Drop All

Items

Drop all items and Pals on team

Automatically Delete Offline Guilds After Set Time

On

On

On

Time (h) Until Offline Guilds are Automatically Deleted

72

72

72

Max number of guilds

20

20

20


How to change Palworld difficulty settings

New World creation screen as seen in-game. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc.)
New World creation screen as seen in-game. (Image via Pocket Pair, Inc.)

The difficulty settings can be changed anytime in Palworld, but it can only be done from the home screen menu. This means that any change that you want to make to the parameters has to be done before starting the game session.

If you want to make any changes after starting the session, you must use the “return to title” option and change the settings accordingly before logging on to the world again.

If you find that the chosen difficulty is less suitable for your preferences, the only recourse is to create a "new world" with the desired difficulty settings from the start. So, choose your difficulty wisely before setting forth on your adventure, as adjustments are only possible at the beginning of a new journey.


Whether you seek a relaxing stroll, a standard challenge, or an intense experience, this guide delves into the intricacies of Palworld's difficulty options, each bringing a unique flavor to your journey. Adjust the difficulty, embrace the challenges, and make the vibrant alien paradise your own!

If you're a beginner and just starting on your journey, these 10 best beginner Palworld tips might help you find your way around.


Check out our Palworld guides to have an easier time in-game:

Palworld Merchants: Locations, items, and types || 15 Palworld Pal designs that are similar to popular Pokemon || 10 strongest Pals in Palworld || Is Palworld coming to PS4 & PS5? || Palworld tier list || How to breed Jormuntide Ignis in Palworld || 10 highest damage-dealing Pals in Palworld || All tower bosses and their locations || 10 Palworld glitches that makes your life easier in-game || 10 breeding combinations to get overpowered Pals early in Palworld

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