Pathing & AI Explained

How Pal pathing and AI behavior works in Palworld bases, why Pals get stuck or wander off, and how to design layouts that actually function.

Last updated: 2026-01-27

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If your base feels inefficient, chaotic, or “buggy,” it’s usually not bad luck—it’s pathing and AI behavior interacting badly with your layout.

This guide explains how Pal pathing works at a practical level, why problems happen, and how to design bases that work with the AI instead of fighting it.

Related foundation: Worker roles explained

The core idea: Pals follow simple rules

Pal AI is not smart. It doesn’t plan optimally—it reacts.

In practice, Pals:

  • choose the nearest valid task
  • re-evaluate tasks often
  • take the shortest available path (not the best one)
  • get confused by tight spaces and overlapping routes

Your job is to remove bad choices, not expect smarter behavior.

Why Pals get stuck or wander

Most pathing problems come from one of these causes.

1) Overcrowded layouts

Too many stations in a small area causes:

  • collision issues
  • blocked paths
  • task re-evaluation loops

If Pals bump into each other constantly, productivity collapses.

2) Long or unclear paths

AI prefers:

  • straight lines
  • wide paths
  • visible destinations

Stairs, tight corners, and zig-zag routes increase failure rates.

3) Too many valid tasks

When a Pal can:

  • craft
  • harvest
  • transport
  • power all at once, it keeps changing its mind.

This is why role clarity matters:

Pathing-friendly base design principles

These rules solve most problems immediately.

Keep paths wide and simple

  • avoid narrow corridors
  • avoid decorative clutter in walkways
  • leave extra space around stations

If a path looks tight to you, it’s too tight for AI.

Reduce vertical complexity

Vertical builds look cool but:

  • increase pathing errors
  • break line-of-sight decisions
  • cause stuck behavior

Flat bases are more reliable, especially for production.

Group related stations

Place stations that work together near each other:

  • crafting near storage
  • processing near raw inputs
  • output near transport routes

Distance = downtime.

How AI task switching hurts you

Every time a Pal switches tasks, you lose:

  • travel time
  • partial progress
  • workstation uptime

Pathing issues increase task switching, which compounds the loss.

This is why:

  • mixed-role Pals underperform
  • dedicated transport Pals are powerful
  • fewer workers often outperform many

Related:

Common AI-related mistakes

Mistake: stacking stations “because it fits”

Fix: spacing matters more than density.

Mistake: letting everyone transport

Fix: transport-only Pals stabilize the system.

Mistake: blaming stats for AI behavior

Fix: fix layout and role clarity first.

Mistake: rebuilding everything instead of simplifying

Fix: remove tasks and stations before adding more.

A simple troubleshooting checklist

If your base feels broken, check these in order:

  1. Are paths wide and unobstructed?
  2. Are stations overcrowded?
  3. Do Pals have too many allowed tasks?
  4. Is storage close to producers?
  5. Are transport tasks separated?

Fixing even one often improves everything.

When AI problems are unavoidable

Early game and very large bases will always have some inefficiency.

That’s normal.

The goal is not perfection—it’s predictability:

  • workers stay working
  • transport keeps flowing
  • production completes reliably

How this ties everything together

Pathing and AI affect:

  • worker roles
  • work speed effectiveness
  • passive skill value
  • base scalability

If your base works well:

  • stats matter more
  • passives shine
  • progression feels smoother

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