When Palworld was first announced, the Pokemon comparisons were immediate. Many fans call the game “Pokemon with guns,” and it’s not hard to see why. Several of the Pal designs in Palworld bear strong resemblances to specific Pokemon. Lifmunk, for example, looks a lot like Leafon, and Anubis could be Lucario’s long-lost twin. But that doesn’t mean every Pal is a straightforward Pokemon ripoff. In fact, there are quite a few fan favorites that are fun monster designs in their own right.
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The PalDeck in Palworld is nearing 200 Pals, including variants and additions from the game’s free expansions. That said, many of the best designs are still some of those early game critters that fans love to see. And while some of these designs may have some similarities with Pokemon, that’s kind of hard to avoid, as many Pokemon are based on actual real-life animals. Even so, these are some of the best Pal designs that aren’t just straightforward Pokemon clones.
7. Caprity
This massive bush-meets-goat Pal is as adorable as it is huge. This design combines a variety of cute critters, with its floppy rabbit ears and massive goat horns. Not to mention that big chunky body that’s kind of giving giant corgi vibes. The huge bush on its back adds to the whimsy and weirdness that make it obviously a Pal design.
Caprity also happens to be a really useful Pal to have on your base, adding to its popularity. And even if you can see some light Skiddo/Gogoat similarities, this one isn’t so alarming Pokemon-like as to seem like a ripoff with only a few details changed.
6. Ragnahawk
One thing about me is that if there’s a good bird design in a creature collector, it’s going to be on my team. And Ragnahawk is a solid bird of prey Pal design that just looks plain old cool. It’s got a fiery color palette with a little bit of darkness mixed in for good measure. This guy also happens to be a pretty decent flying mount, adding to the cool factor as you can soar around on its back.
I won’t lie to you, those claws do look a good bit like Corviknight’s, and the general concept of a fire-type bird brings Talonflame to mind. But even so, the design for Ragnahawk is something entirely new, managing to be more intimidating and sleeker to create a bird Pal you just want to catch every time.
5. Katress
Katress is Palworld’s proof that bipdel designs in creature collectors don’t have to be uncomfortable. This Pal is a sort of cat slash rabbit slash witch design, and honestly, I’m here for it. And I’m not alone. Katress is a very popular design thanks to its blend of all things magical and witchy. It can be both intimidating and surprisingly adorable, depending on the situation.
If you look at the witch hat and color scheme, you could certainly say there’s some vague Mismagius vibes with Katress. But that’s down to the witch hat and a purple color scheme that’s often associated with witches and magic. So, Katress feels like another Pal design that does something all its own.
4. Quivern
Another solid Pal design comes in the form of flying mount Quivern. This giant dragon-like Pokemon just gives off cuddly vibes. Its fluffy white fur and sweet, rounded face design give this Pal a friendly and slightly goofy vibe. Sure, it’s massive, but it’s more likely to snuggle you to death than full on attack, or so it appears. In-game, this Pal can indeed be pretty aggressive, at least until you catch one and tame it.
Quivern has big feathered wings and antennae that almost don’t match its body, but somehow in a cute way? Unlike several Pals, Quivern doesn’t immediately bring any Pokemon designs to mind, though there’s something of Dragonite’s dopeyness in its face. Still, when it comes to unique Pal designs, PocketPair kind of nailed this one.
3. Depresso
Listen, Depresso is an icon, okay? Does it have some things in common with some Pokemon like Espurr and Meowstic? Yes. But the personality that PocketPair managed to work into the design for this Pal quickly turned it into a series mascot. The vibes of chugging along with work despite a facial expression that betrays absolutely zero enthusiasm? Priceless.
Depresso’s name and facial expression do a lot to make this one of the top-tier Pal designs in Palworld to date. The grim expression, no matter what it’s doing, and its cute but sad vibes make Depresso one of my favorite Pals, and I’m not alone.
2. Splatterina
This dark-type Pal is one of a handful of Palworld designs that truly bear no immediate resemblance to any specific Pokemon. Splatterina is also one of the newer additions on ur list, arriving with the Feybreak update. She’s a truly terrifying goth ballerina who looks ready to end any opponent. The sharp angles of her hair and dress design add another layer of sharpness to this design that makes her both cool and scary all at once.
Splatterina’s Palpedia entry adds another layer of spooky lore that rivals the most terrifying of Pokedex entries. This Pal reportedly “has an uncontrollable urge to tear its prey apart” with each one of the species having its preferred method. Talk about a scary Pal design that delivers in both looks and lore.
1. Tarantriss
This Pal lets you swing around like Spider-Man, but that’s not the only reason it’s on our list. Is it a factor? As far as fun mounts go, yes, this element of the overall design had to be taken into consideration. But Tarantriss is also a fun spider Pal design visually. Tarantriss has a fluffy spider-like lower body and a cute, fluffy head with moth-like antennae. She’s both adorable and a little unsettling to look at, and along with those impressive webslinging moves, it makes Tarantriss a top-tier Pal design.
Like Splatterina, Tarantriss arrived in the Feybreak update, and it seems like PocketPair really leaned into more creative designs with these additions. There have been a few spider Pokemon, but Tarantriss doesn’t immediately look like a ripoff of any of them. Thanks to that humanoid and insect combo, Tarantriss is an original design that creates something cool to look at and fun to engage with in-game.
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Image courtesy of Focus Features.
