Managing your Pals’ sanity can feel like herding cats sometimes, but don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. In this guide, I’ll break down how sanity works in Palworld and share tips and tricks to keep your Pals happy, healthy, and productive. Let’s dive right in!
Sanity Explained | How Sanity Works in Feybreak
Sanity is the cornerstone of your Pals’ productivity and well-being. Here’s the lowdown:
- Every Pal has a sanity bar. Let it drop too low, and you’ll see negative effects like mood swings, work refusal, or sickness.
- Sanity checks happen every 80–90 seconds in-game. Depending on their sanity level, Pals might keep working, take a bath, or stress-eat (yes, really).
Sanity Levels and Effects
Here’s a quick breakdown of sanity thresholds and what they mean for your Pals:
| Sanity Range | Possible Outcomes |
|---|---|
| 85–65 | Pals might keep working or take a bath. |
| 65–40 | Risk of refusal to work or mild tantrums. |
| Below 40 | High risk of sickness or stress-eating (Overeating). |
| 0 | Tantrums. |
Baths vs. Beds:
- Baths: A reliable sanity booster. Even low-tier hot springs work wonders in 80 seconds flat!
- Beds: Offer both health and sanity recovery but are less effective than baths. Pal Pods are an exception—they’re top-tier.
Sanity Recovery
Not all food is created equal, folks! Let’s break it down:
Raw Food:
- Most raw foods won’t restore sanity, but there are exceptions like honey and cotton candy.
Cooked Food:
- Cooked foods are your go-to for sanity recovery. Even basic options like baked berries or fried eggs provide at least +1 SAN.
- Top Picks for Sanity Recovery:
- Omelets: Easy to farm, grant +10% ATK, and restore sanity.
- Salad: A superstar, giving +11 SAN and a 30% work speed buff. Perfect for high-output bases.
- Minestrone: Comparable to Salad but shines in specific setups.
Pro Tip: Pals eat food from the leftmost slot in the food box when their satiety drops to 50%. Organize your food boxes to control what they eat first!
- Medicine: If a Pal gets sick (below 40 sanity), you’ll need medicine to cure them. The type of medicine depends on the severity of the illness:
- Low-quality medicine for minor issues.
- High-quality medicine for more serious conditions.
Pal Box Recovery:
- Sick Pals can also recover in the Pal Box, but it’s a slower, luck-based process. For example:
- Cold: 20% chance to recover per day.
- Depression: 10% chance to recover per day.
Sanity Drain and Workstations
Not all jobs are equally stressful. Here’s how workstations affect SAN:
| Workstation | SAN Drain per Check |
|---|---|
| Assembly Line | 0.2 |
| Mining/Furnace | 0.15 |
| Crusher/Mill | 0.11 |
| Plantation/Ranch | None |
Sanity Mitigation:
- Shroomers are your secret weapon:
- 6 condensed Shroomers can hit the -90% SAN reduction cap.
- 5 Shroomers + 1 Wave Generator work nearly as well.
- For standard bases, -25% SAN loss (e.g., 2–3 Shroomers) paired with Salad is usually enough.
Managing SAN Like a Pro
- Leverage Traits: Traits like “Swift,” “Runner,” and “Mastery of Fasting” enhance transport efficiency. Consider SAN-focused traits for aggressive work modes.
- Monitor Food and Medicine:
- Keep plenty of food for stress-eating moments.
- Stock up on medicine for emergencies—Med Racks work like automated food boxes for treatments.
- Beds and Breaks: Even nocturnal Pals take breaks in beds. Make sure every Pal has one to avoid stress penalties.
- Use the Monitoring Stand Wisely: Increasing work modes boosts productivity but requires SAN mitigation via Shroomers and high-quality food. Balance is key.
Common SAN Issues & Questions
Q: Why does my Pal drain SAN faster than others?
- Some traits (like Nocturnal or Vampiric) might interact with SAN mechanics. Anecdotal reports suggest dark-type Pals may have quirks here—further testing is needed.
Q: Why does SAN randomly tank at some bases?
- Possible causes include:
- Pals eating ingredients instead of cooked meals. Use a Guild Chest to prevent this.
- Bugs or loading issues, especially if you haven’t visited the base for a while.
Q: Can stress-eating harm my Pals?
- Nope! It’s actually a quick sanity fix. Just keep an eye on food supplies.
Wrap-Up
Sanity management in Palworld is all about finding the perfect balance between productivity and care. Sure, the occasional RNG hiccup might make things chaotic, but with the right strategies, your Pals will be thriving in no time. Invest in better facilities, stay stocked with food and medicine, and remember—it’s okay to let the Pal Box handle a few tough cases.
