In the wild and woolly world of Palworld, mastering the best weapons and firearms is crucial for survival, where strategic choices in damage per second and crafting costs define your success. This essential guide breaks down the arsenal from early-game staples to late-game powerhouses, helping you become a dominant Pal-taming gunslinger.
In the wild and woolly world of Palworld, where catching creatures is just as important as not getting caught yourself, having the right bang for your buck is crucial. Forget just throwing Poké Balls; here, you need something with a bit more… persuasion. The game, often cheekily called 'Pokémon with guns,' fully embraces its survival genre roots by letting players arm themselves to the teeth. But with a whole arsenal of firearms to choose from, and precious Technology Points and materials on the line, you've gotta be smart about where you invest. It’s not just about the biggest number; it’s about damage per second (dps), crafting costs, and asking yourself, "Will this help me survive, or just make a really loud noise before I get eaten?"
Before you can start your career as a Pal-taming gunslinger, you need a workshop for your deadly hobbies. The first major milestone is hitting Level 20 to unlock the Weapon Workbench. Once that's humming away in your base, you can get your guns through two main avenues: grinding your way up the Technology Tree with hard-earned points, or getting lucky and finding Blueprints out in the wild. Those Blueprints? They're like finding the answers to a test before you take it—letting you craft fancy gear without spending those precious Tech Points, which you can then save for other shiny things.
The Firepower Lineup: A Survivalist's Shopping List
Let's break down the boom-sticks, from your first wobbly steps into firearms to the late-game instruments of mass Pal-persuasion.
| Weapon Name | Unlock Level | Damage | DPS | The Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musket | 21 | 1000 | 167 | Your grandpa's rifle. Powerful, but so slow you can make a sandwich between shots. |
| Double-barrel Shotgun | 39 | 190 | 177 | The classic "get off my lawn" tool. Two quick booms, then a long, vulnerable pause. |
| Pump-action Shotgun | 42 | 220 | 187 | The Double-barrel's cooler, more efficient cousin. Holds nine shells and feels lighter. |
| Makeshift Handgun | 25 | 320 | 325 | The early game MVP. It's cheap, it's light, it gets the job done. |
| Handgun | 29 | 250 | 400 | Wait, what? This is the upgrade? It's… complicated. |
| Single-Shot Rifle | 36 | 1,100 | 495 | The Musket's glow-up. Hits like a truck, reloads much faster. A true workhorse. |
| Assault Rifle | 45 | 320 | 1,557 | The Swiss Army knife of guns. Control the spray, dominate the fray. |
| Rocket Launcher | 49 | 10,000 | 1,833 | For when you absolutely, positively need to delete everything in that general direction. |
8. Musket – The Noisy Doorstop
Right after you build your Weapon Workbench at level 20, the Musket becomes available. It hits like a freight train… once every minute or so. The reload time is brutal, leaving you whistling nervously while a pack of hungry Pals circles you. To make it, you'll need High-Quality Pal Oil, which you can get from certain Pals like Mammorest or Woolipop, or buy from wandering merchants in towns like Duneshelter.
7. Double-barrel Shotgun – The Close-Quarters Classic
Unlocked at level 39, this is your up-close-and-personal specialist. Unlike the Musket, it fires two shots before needing a reload, which is a game-changer in a frantic brawl. The reload is still slow, but the higher dps and two-shot capacity make it a solid step up, especially since it's cheaper to craft than some other options.
6. Pump-action Shotgun – The Room Clearer
An upgrade at level 42, this shotgun trades the double-barrel's two shots for a magazine that holds a whopping nine shells. It's lighter, holds more, and lets you keep firing in a panic. The catch? It needs a bunch of Refined Ingots, which are made from Ore and Coal in a furnace with a Kindling Pal assigned. Not cheap, but worth it for the firepower.
5. & 4. The Handgun Head-Scratcher
Here's where things get funny. The Makeshift Handgun (Level 25) is the real star. It's cheap, light, and its ammo is affordable. Gunpowder is the key ingredient for all ammo, made from Charcoal and Sulfur, or dropped by the Pal Tocotoco. Then, at level 29, you unlock the Handgun. It requires a higher level and more resources, but has lower overall damage than its "makeshift" predecessor! Its only real advantage is a slightly higher dps. Most veteran players will tell you: skip the fancy Handgun and stick with the Makeshift until you can get something much better. It's the definition of "if it ain't broke, don't spend all your resources on a slightly shinier version that might be broke."
3. Single-Shot Rifle – The Trusty Sniper
This is the weapon that makes you feel like a real hunter. Unlocked at level 36, it outclasses the Musket in every way: more damage, faster reload, longer range. Yes, the ammo is pricier, but it's worth it. Crafting it requires a powered Production Assembly Line to make Polymer, plus that ever-useful High-Quality Pal Oil.
2. Assault Rifle – The Go-To Workhorse
At level 45, you unlock the king of versatility. The Assault Rifle doesn't have the highest per-shot damage, but its massive magazine and blistering rate of fire give it the second-highest dps in the game. It lets you mow down groups of enemies or carefully control your damage when trying to capture a Pal without turning it into a fine red mist. It's the gun you'll use for 90% of late-game tasks because it just gets the job done.
1. Rocket Launcher – The Problem Solver
And finally, the pièce de résistance at level 49. The Rocket Launcher is less of a gun and more of a statement. It deals catastrophic, screen-shaking damage capable of wiping out boss health bars or entire enemy camps from a safe distance. It is, of course, hilariously expensive and complex to build, needing an Electric Furnace for Pal Metal Ingots and a Production Assembly Line for Carbon Fiber. But when you're rolling in late-game resources and have an efficient base, there's no better feeling than solving a difficult Pal problem with a tactical explosion.
The Ammo Economy & Final Thoughts
No matter which gun you choose, you'll need to feed it. Gunpowder is the lifeblood of your arsenal, crafted from Charcoal and Sulfur. Keep your Kindling Pals busy at the furnace and always loot those Sulfur nodes. Also, remember that killing bandits in caves or camps can net you free ammo—a nice bonus!
Choosing your weapon in Palworld is a balance of resources, playstyle, and what level you've managed to claw your way up to. Start with the Makeshift Handgun, graduate to the Single-Shot Rifle for precision, then settle into the comforting, brrrrt-ing embrace of the Assault Rifle for everyday chaos. Save the Rocket Launcher for those special occasions when you really want to make an entrance… or an exit. In the end, the best gun is the one that keeps you and your Pals alive to build another day.