Palworld 1.0.5 is the current build, released September 15, 2026, and it fixes terrain, building and other textures loading at significantly reduced resolution for some players, plus map icon filters turning off after respawn . Because it is a bug-fix build with no numeric changes, the base and material strategy still follows v1.0.4 from September 7, which touched gathering, combat, fishing, bases and UI. The 1.0 launch on July 10, 2026 is still the reference point for the current roster.
Applicable version: v1.0.5 (released 2026-09-15, bug-fix build; strategy baseline is v1.0.4, 2026-09-07)
Palworld 1.0.5 overview: now until winter
Nothing has shipped since 1.0.5 apart from the October 20 poll results and the update teaser . The in-game environment is therefore stable from mid-September to the winter update, so preparation done now will not be invalidated.
What 1.0.4 changed and why it still matters
1.0.4 lowered the Work Suitability needed to gather Ancient Bark to Lv. 1, set the default PC frame cap to 120, added name search to the Palpedia, swapped the Pal Critic requests from Selyne to Dogen on Sakurajima and from Bastigor to Faleris Aqua on Sunreach, and added a server setting for a per-player building limit . None of that was reverted in 1.0.5.
What we know about Side by Side
Officially: Winter 2026 and the name. No date, no Pal count, no mechanic details . Anything beyond that is speculation and should not be written as fact.
Palworld popularity poll results: what the top three mean
The 2026 Global Popularity Poll results landed on October 20: Pals were Sekhmet, Solenne and Chillet in that order, and characters were Zoe, Auri and Saya . The list changes no stats, but it is an official snapshot of what players actually use.
Use it as reference, not a tier list
A popularity poll measures affection, not power. Treating it as a tier list is a mistake, because real strength comes from Work Suitability, passives and combat performance .
Breeding hints from the top three
A top-three placement means the Pal's acquisition path and look are widely accepted, which usually also means its passive combinations are well documented in the community . Use those passives as a reference, but keep your base's needs first.
Palworld what to stockpile before winter
Verdict: Ancient Bark and Chromite first, then intermediate products such as Pal Metal Ingots and Circuit Boards. The reason is that their gathering depends on Work Suitability and base location, so a terrain or spawn change forces a supply line rebuild.
| Material | Priority | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Bark | High | Lv. 1 gathering since 1.0.4 |
| Chromite | High | Core material for high-tier gear |
| Pal Metal Ingot | Medium | Intermediate, replaceable |
| Circuit Board | Medium | Production line, stock inputs |
| Wood and Stone | Low | Gathered anywhere |
(Original priority table built on official patch notes and in-game material uses)
Why Ancient Bark moved up
1.0.4 lowered the Work Suitability for Ancient Bark to Lv. 1 (source: Palworld official announcement v1.0.4, 2026-09-07). Work that previously needed a high-gathering Pal is now doable by low-tier Pals, so the same base crew produces more bark.
Why Chromite cannot wait
Chromite deposits cluster in a few areas and travel distance is long, so a badly placed base halves the yield . Winter may adjust terrain and spawns, as 1.0.4 did in Sunreach and the World Tree area, so building stock now is cheaper than rebuilding a supply line later.
Palworld base decision: relocate or expand
Verdict: relocate if the nearest Chromite or Ancient Bark is more than one flight away, otherwise expand. The test is one-way travel time, because beyond a single flight the transport cost eats the output.
Relocation checklist
Three checks: at least two high-tier resources nearby, terrain flat enough for production facilities, and a location outside the no-build zones added in 1.0.4 . All three, or it is not worth the move.
Check the building cap before expanding
1.0.4 added a server setting letting admins cap buildings per player . On multiplayer servers, confirm that cap before expanding, or you end up with materials and nowhere to place them.
Palworld Pal audit: how to pick ten keepers
Base Pal count matters less than matching Work Suitability. A ten-Pal split looks like this: two to three gathering, two logging, two mining, one or two transport, one handiwork, and the rest for combat .
Single-job versus multi-job
A Pal with one high Work Suitability is more efficient, while a multi-job Pal is more flexible . Fixed production lines favor single-job Pals; lines that change often favor multi-job Pals.
Who to retire
Retire anything below Work Suitability level 2 without a unique passive . 1.0.4 added Work Suitability explanations and name search to the Palpedia, so checking takes seconds .
Palworld 1.0.5 known changes: frame cap, building limits, campfires
1.0.4 set the default PC frame cap to 120 . That changes how building and combat feel: higher frames make throwing and aiming more responsive, and also load the GPU harder, so machines near the limit should cap at 60 manually.
Campfires no longer ignite anyone
The same patch changed the rules so players, summoned Pals and base Pals no longer catch fire from player-built campfires . That makes campfire lighting safe and base layouts more flexible.
New no-build zones
That patch also added no-build areas around the desert Field Boss Suzaku, the desert main-mission cave and some Sakurajima mission locations . Avoid those coordinates when relocating.
Palworld FAQ
When does the winter update launch?
Officially only Winter 2026 and the name "Palworld: Side by Side" are confirmed; the date and content are not published .
Does Ancient Bark still need a high gathering level?
No. Since 1.0.4 the Work Suitability requirement for Ancient Bark is Lv. 1 .
What is the PC frame cap?
The default cap is now 120, and machines near their limit can cap at 60 manually .
Who won the popularity poll?
Pals: Sekhmet, Solenne, Chillet. Characters: Zoe, Auri, Saya .
Palworld action list for this week
- Audit base Pals and keep ten: two to three gathering, two logging, two mining, one or two transport, one handiwork.
- Stockpile Ancient Bark first, then Chromite.
- Relocate only if the nearest high-tier resource is more than one flight away, and stay out of no-build zones.
- Confirm the PC frame cap setting and lock to 60 if the machine struggles.
- Check the per-player building limit on multiplayer servers before expanding.
This prep list will be revised against the official Side by Side notes when they publish; the full Work Suitability table lives in the GameHub guide hub.