The Sakurajima Expansion for Palworld has introduced the must-have Dark- and Fire-type Pal, Bushi Noct, a versatile powerhouse for combat and base work. Its unique skill set and strategic flexibility make it an essential asset for navigating the Palpagos Islands in 2026.
The Sakurajima Expansion for Palworld has introduced a host of fascinating new creatures, but few have captured the community's imagination quite like Bushi Noct. As a mysterious variant of the original Bushi, this Dark- and Fire-type Pal has become a cornerstone for many trainers' squads and bases since its debut. In 2026, with the meta well-established, Bushi Noct's role as a versatile combatant and a reliable base worker has only been solidified. Its unique aesthetic and potent skill set make it a must-have for any serious player navigating the ever-expanding Palpagos Islands.

π‘οΈ Bushi Noct: Features & Abilities
Bushi Noct is not just a reskin; it's a powerhouse with a distinct identity. This Pal boasts a blend of Dark and Fire elemental affinities, making it a formidable foe in the right matchups. Its base stats, potential drops, and work suitability make it an invaluable asset.
Key Attributes:
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Elemental Type: Dark & Fire
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Combat Role: High-damage melee striker with versatile ranged options.
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Work Suitability: Excellent for various base activities, enhancing productivity significantly.
Its combat prowess is particularly noteworthy. Bushi Noct excels against Neutral, Grass, and Ice-type Pals, but trainers must be cautious as it is vulnerable to Dragon and Water-type attacks. This duality requires strategic thinking when deploying it in battle.
βοΈ Mastering Bushi Noct's Combat Skills
What truly sets Bushi Noct apart is its intimidating skill set. As it levels up, it automatically learns a variety of powerful moves:
| Skill Name | Type | Level Learned | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Burst | Dark | 1 | A quick, close-range dark energy attack. |
| Spirit Fire | Fire | 7 | Summons ethereal flames to damage foes. |
| Dark Laser | Dark | 15 | Fires a concentrated beam of dark energy. |
| Nightmare Ball | Dark | 22 | Launches a sphere of pure nightmare energy. |
| Ignis Blast | Fire | 30 | Unleashes a powerful explosion of fire. |
| Flame Wall | Fire | 40 | Erects a wall of fire for area denial and damage. |
| Abyssal Slash | Dark | 50 | Its ultimate move, a devastating melee sword strike. |
π₯ Pro-Tip for 2026: The game's Skill Fruit system allows for incredible customization. Don't feel limited by its dual typing! You can teach Bushi Noct powerful skills from other elements, like a Water move to cover its weakness or an Earth move for additional utility. This flexibility is key to building a truly unpredictable and powerful Pal.
π Where to Find This Elusive Pal
Finding Bushi Noct is an adventure in itself. This rare Pal is exclusive to the Sakurajima Island region and adheres to a strict nocturnal schedule.
Primary Locations:
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Surface World: Roams the grassy plains and hills of Sakurajima only at night. Look for its distinctive silhouette against the moonlit sky. It often travels alone, making a one-on-one encounter possible.
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Dungeons: Can also be found within the confines of Sakurajima's dungeons, regardless of the time of day inside.

The map marker for Bushi Noct typically has a blue hue. Patience is key, as it may not spawn every night. Exploring in co-op can help cover more ground!
π― The Art of Capture: How to Catch Bushi Noct
Catching this warrior requires preparation and precision. Hereβs my tried-and-true method for 2026:
Step 1: Gear Up with the Best Spheres
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Ultimate Goal: Use an Ultimate Pal Sphere. This offers the highest capture rate.
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Good Alternative: Legendary Spheres are a solid choice, offering about a 20% base capture chance on a weakened Bushi Noct.
Step 2: Assemble the Right Team
Exploit its elemental weaknesses! Bring strong Water-type or Dragon-type Pals to battle.
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Water-type Recommendation: Jormuntide, Emperor of the Sea, can tank hits and deal super-effective damage.
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Dragon-type Recommendation: Jetragon offers immense speed and firepower to whittle down its health quickly.
Step 3: The Battle Strategy

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Maintain Distance: Bushi Noct has dangerous ranged attacks and can summon Flame Walls. Keep mobile.
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Weaken, Don't Obliterate: The goal is to reduce its HP to a low level, not to knock it out. Be careful with your strongest attacks.
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Aim for the Back: If you can maneuver behind it, you'll get a capture bonus. Use terrain to your advantage.
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Throw Your Sphere: Once its health is in the red, throw your highest-quality Pal Sphere. Cross your fingers!
π£ Breeding Your Own Bushi Noct
If hunting proves difficult, you can create your own through breeding. As of 2026, two specific breeding combinations are confirmed to produce a Bushi Noct egg:
β Confirmed Breeding Pairs:
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Bushi Noct (Male) + Bushi Noct (Female)
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Bushi (Male/Female) + Sootseer (Opposite Gender)
How to Breed:
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Unlock the Breeding Farm at Technology Level 19.
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Construct the Farm at your base.
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Prepare a Cake: You'll need this special item to encourage breeding. The recipe is:
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x5 Flour
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x8 Red Berries
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x7 Milk
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x8 Eggs
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x2 Honey
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Place the Cake in the chest inside the Breeding Farm.
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Assign Your Pals: Pick up your chosen male and female Pal and drop them near the Breeding Farm. They should automatically start the process.
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Wait and Incubate: A progress bar will appear. Once complete, you'll get an egg! Place it in an Egg Incubator to hatch your very own Bushi Noct.
Breeding is fantastic for getting Pals with ideal Passive Skills, so it's worth the investment for a perfect Bushi Noct.
β¨ Final Verdict for 2026
Two years after its introduction, Bushi Noct remains a top-tier Pal. Its blend of offensive power, dark aesthetic, and base utility secures its place in many late-game teams. Whether you're a collector, a competitive battler, or a base-building enthusiast, the journey to find, catch, and raise a Bushi Noct is a quintessential Palworld experience. So gear up, wait for nightfall on Sakurajima, and add this shadowy swordsman to your Paldeck. You won't regret it.