Palworld Co-op Explained: Multiplayer Modes, Guilds, and What's Shared
"Is Palworld co-op?" is one of the most common questions from new groups, and the answer is a clear yes, but the way it works confuses a lot of players. There are two separate ways to play together, your group can choose to share progress through guilds or stay independent, and a few things are never shared no matter what. This guide explains each multiplayer mode, how guilds actually work, what is and is not shared, and the settings that make the game feel genuinely cooperative.
The two ways to play together
Before you start, decide how your group will connect. There are exactly two co-op setups, and they have very different player caps and behavior.
| Mode | Max players | How it runs | World save lives on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invite Code co-op | 4 | The host's game, peer-to-peer | The host's machine |
| Dedicated server | 32 | A standalone server process, 24/7 | The server |
Invite Code co-op (up to 4 players)
One player loads a world and opens the in-game menu, where an Invite Code is shown. The other players use that code to join. This is the quickest way to play with a couple of friends, but it has real limits:
- A maximum of four players total, including the host.
- The world only exists while the host has the game open. If the host logs off, nobody can play in that world.
- The world save is stored on the host's machine, so the host's progress is the group's progress.
Dedicated server (up to 32 players)
A dedicated server is a separate process that holds the world independently of any single player. It supports up to 32 players, stays online whether or not the owner is logged in, and is the right choice for a larger or always-available group. If you are deciding between the two, the practical trigger is simple: more than four players, or wanting the world available when the host is offline, means you want a dedicated server. See Palworld Dedicated Server Setup for a step-by-step walkthrough, and server requirements for the hardware side.
Guilds: how cooperation actually works
This is the part that trips most groups up. Joining the same world does not automatically mean you are working together. When you start a multiplayer world, every player begins in their own separate guild, which means their bases and chests are private to them. To play cooperatively, everyone needs to join the same guild.
Joining a guild
Guilds are formed in-game between players who are already in the same world:
- Make sure everyone is in the same multiplayer world (one player's invite-code session or your dedicated server).
- Walk up to the player whose guild you want to join. A prompt to request to join their guild appears.
- Hold the join button (X on controller, or the on-screen keyboard prompt). The guild owner gets a pop-up and accepts.
A single guild can hold up to 20 members, so one owner plus 19 others. Most small co-op groups just have everyone join one guild and treat it as the team.
What is shared, and what is not
Being in the same guild shares some things and deliberately keeps others personal. Understanding this avoids arguments and confusion later.
| Shared within a guild | Never shared |
|---|---|
| Bases and everything built in them (workbenches, beds, production lines) | Your personal inventory items |
| Storage containers and chests at guild bases | Your experience and player level |
| Guildmate locations on the world map | The Pals in your own party and Palbox |
In other words, you build the base together and pool resources through shared chests, but you each level up on your own and keep your own captured Pals. If you have items you do not want guildmates taking from a shared chest, you can put them in a chest and set a password to lock it.
Bases per guild
The base limit is a guild-wide setting, not per player. The default is four bases for the entire guild, and the in-game vanilla maximum is ten. On a dedicated server you control this with the BaseCampMaxNumInGuild value in your server settings, and the number of working Pals per base is governed by BaseCampWorkerMaxNum (default 15). For raising the guild base count specifically, see Guild Base Limit Expansion.
Crossplay and co-op
Palworld co-op is cross-platform. Since the v0.5.0 update, players on PC (Steam), Xbox (including Game Pass), PlayStation 5, and Mac can play together, and crossplay is on by default on dedicated servers. One detail catches people out: characters are tied to the platform account, so the same person playing on two platforms has two separate characters on the same server. For the full picture, read Palworld Crossplay Setup and Is Palworld Cross-Platform?.
Settings for a more cooperative game
If your group wants the "work together, also do our own thing" feel, a few world settings help. These live in your world or server configuration; on a dedicated server they sit in PalWorldSettings.ini. Adjust them before you start so progress is consistent:
- Death penalty: set a softer option so a death does not punish the whole group. A relaxed setting keeps casual co-op friendly.
- Capture and breeding rates: raising these helps everyone keep similar Pal collections despite playing at different times.
- Base limits: if guildmates want their own projects, raise
BaseCampMaxNumInGuildso the shared base count does not run out. - Day and night length: longer days suit groups that like long building or exploration sessions together.
For the complete list of options and exactly where each one lives, see the Palworld server settings reference. Remember that changes to a dedicated server's configuration only take effect after a restart.
Frequently asked questions
How many people can play Palworld co-op?
Four players in an invite-code session, or up to 32 players on a dedicated server. There is no in-between, you pick one of the two modes.
Is Palworld split-screen or local co-op?
No. Palworld has no split-screen or couch co-op on any platform. Every player needs their own device and an internet connection.
Do we automatically share a base in multiplayer?
No. Everyone starts in their own guild with private bases and chests. You only share bases and storage after joining the same guild.
Do we share experience and Pals in a guild?
No. Bases, builds, and storage chests are shared within a guild, but experience, player level, personal inventory, and your own Pals stay individual.
Can I move my 4-player co-op world to a dedicated server later?
The two modes use different save structures, so there is no built-in in-game "convert to dedicated server" button. Plan for a dedicated server up front if you expect to grow past four players or want the world online around the clock.
How many bases can a guild have?
Four by default, up to a vanilla maximum of ten. On a dedicated server you change this with the BaseCampMaxNumInGuild setting.
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