Dying in Palworld can be frustrating, especially if it means losing your hard-earned gear or even your loyal Pals. To this end, it’s well worth knowing about the different death penalties in Palworld and (critically) how to change these to fit your own gameplay preferences. In turn, whether you’re looking to customize a Palworld multiplayer server based on the preferences of the players, or if you’re playing solo and just want to optimize your game based on what you prefer, we’ve outlined everything you’ll need to know to help you tailor your game experience.

First of all, we’ll dive into the different death penalty settings in Palworld and which of these is the default option. Indeed, there are four different death penalty settings in Palworld, each one escalating in severity. As such, this can allow you to choose whether you want to play a more chilled out game experience or a tougher survival challenge.
Now, the most forgiving option is No Drops, which ensures that nothing is lost when you die. You’ll respawn with all of your items, equipment, and Pals, making it the perfect choice for relaxed exploration or building-focused playthroughs. It’s also a great option while you’re just learning the game. A step up in difficulty is the Drop All Items Except Equipment setting. Here, you’ll lose everything in your inventory except your gear. Weapons, armor, and other equipment stay with you, but materials, consumables, and resources drop at your death location. You’ll need to return quickly to reclaim them before they disappear or get pinched by other players in a multiplayer game.
Things get even tougher still with the Drop All Items mode, and as the name suggests, this setting strips you of everything, including all of your equipped gear. While your Pals at least will remain safe, all your possessions will fall onto the ground where you died, and if you don’t recover them in time, they’ll be gone forever. This could be a lot of incredibly valuable gear, so you’ll want to think carefully about what you take with you on an adventure.
And, finally, the most punishing option of all is Drop All Items and Pals on Team. We don’t really need to explain this mode, but in short, this setting makes death a devastating blow, and one that’ll pretty much put you back to square one; indeed, not only will you lose every item and piece of gear you’ve got on you, but also your active Pal team. For hardcore survival players, this creates an incredibly high stakes game where every decision counts. For casual adventurers, however, this can feel overwhelming, so only choose this mode if you really want to up the ante and add tension to your game.

So, we’ve looked at the four different death penalty settings in Palworld, and as you’ll likely have seen, the difference between these modes is night and day! Given this, it’s worth knowing how to change up your gameplay, and fortunately, changing the death penalty settings in Palworld is simple enough once you know how.
To start with, head to the World Select screen, where you can choose which world to load. Then, at the bottom of the screen, you should see the option to “Change World Settings” next to the delete button. Here, you’ll be able to open the custom settings menu; then, simply scroll to the death penalty section, and pick the option you prefer.
Of course, before you begin tweaking your game settings, it’s generally best practice to launch your game on a private Palworld multiplayer server. After all, with a private server, you’ll also be able to access all of your server settings, thus allowing you to control your gameplay experience and make the most of your time playing with friends.

As we’ve seen, there are a range of different severities for the Death Penalty in Palworld, and choosing the right one can have a significant impact on your game. But which is right for your game?
Well, beginners will probably find No Drops or Drop All Items Except Equipment more forgiving, allowing you to learn how the game works to start with. Meanwhile, players looking for a balanced challenge will often gravitate towards Drop All Items, which forces careful decision-making without stripping everything away. Finally, hardcore survival fans or competitive multiplayer groups may prefer the Drop All Items and Pals on Team mode, where every mistake could cost them their companions.
Yes. You can go into World Settings from the World Select screen at any time and adjust the death penalty mode in your game.
In most cases, yes. Items that you drop will remain at your death location and can be reclaimed if you return quickly enough. However, if too much time passes, they will vanish permanently.
Death in Palworld doesn’t have to mean disaster - and, with the ability to fine-tune your penalty settings, you can shape the game to match your own idea of fun. So, whether you want to eliminate the risk entirely or embrace the full survival experience, there’s an option for every player to really make the most of their Palworld gaming experience. So, if you’ve ever wondered: what happens when you die in Palworld - now you know!
Copyright 2019-2025 © ScalaCube - All Rights Reserved.