Palworld - Controls

Palworld mixes third person combat, creature catching, exploration, crafting, building and mounted movement, so a few buttons perform different actions depending on what you are doing. The most important controls to learn early are aiming, throwing Pal Spheres, summoning a Pal, changing your active Pal, rolling and opening the build menu.

The PlayStation controls below follow the current controller layout shown in the game. PC controls are also included because Palworld lets keyboard players remap a large number of individual actions.

Palworld PS5 Controls

Movement and Combat Controls

The left stick moves your character and the right stick controls the camera. Press L3 to sprint, Cross to jump and Circle to roll or crouch depending on the situation.

R2 performs your main attack and is also used as Riding Skill 1 while mounted. Hold L2 to aim ranged weapons. Square reloads compatible weapons, although the same button can activate a Pal Partner Skill when that action is available.

Roll before the attack lands

Circle is one of the most important defensive buttons in Palworld. Do not wait for an enemy attack to connect. Watch the animation and roll as the strike or projectile is about to reach you.

How to Throw a Pal Sphere on PS5

Press R1 to prepare and throw your selected Pal Sphere. Use D Pad Down to cycle through available Sphere types.

A better Sphere does not guarantee a capture. Lowering the target's health and using a Sphere appropriate for the Pal's strength can dramatically improve your chances.

Do not waste valuable Spheres

Check the displayed capture chance before throwing expensive Spheres at a healthy Pal. Weakening the target first usually saves resources.

Pal Controls

Use D Pad Left and Right to select a Pal from your party, then press L1 to summon it. Press R3 to open Pal commands when you need to change how your active Pal behaves.

Partner Skills differ between Pals. Some provide direct attacks, while others enable mounts, weapons, mobility or utility actions.

Mounted Pal Controls

Palworld reuses several normal combat buttons while riding a mount.

The exact result depends on the Pal you are riding. Flying, ground and aquatic mounts can behave differently, so check the Partner Skill description after unlocking a new mount.

Building Controls

Press D Pad Up to open the Build Menu. From there you can choose structures, production stations, storage, furniture and defensive objects that you have unlocked through Technology.

Building efficiently matters because Pals need clear routes between beds, storage containers and work stations. A beautiful base that constantly traps workers is usually less useful than a simple layout with open paths.

Palworld PC Keyboard Controls

Useful PC Shortcuts

Keyboard players have direct shortcuts for screens that controller users generally reach through menus. M opens the World Map, I opens Inventory, T opens Technology and P opens Pal related information.

X enables Auto Run, which is particularly useful during long journeys before you unlock faster mounts.

Can You Change the Controls in Palworld?

Yes. Palworld includes controller and keyboard remapping options. Open Settings and go to Controls to review or change your bindings.

The PS5 version also provides settings for stick sensitivity, stick inversion, vibration and adaptive trigger effects. If aiming or camera movement feels uncomfortable, changing sensitivity is usually more useful than forcing yourself to adapt to the default value.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you throw a Pal Sphere on PS5?

Press R1. Use D Pad Down when you want to switch to another Sphere type.

How do you summon a Pal?

Select the Pal with D Pad Left or Right and press L1.

How do you change weapons?

Press Triangle on the default PS5 layout.

How do you reload?

Press Square when using a weapon that requires reloading.

How do you dodge?

Press Circle while moving to perform a roll.

How do you crouch?

Circle also handles crouching when the contextual action calls for it.

How do you sprint?

Press L3 while moving.

How do you open the build menu?

Press D Pad Up on PlayStation.

How do you command a Pal?

Press R3 to access Pal commands.

Can Palworld controls be remapped?

Yes. Controller and keyboard bindings can be customized from the Controls settings.

Learn the Pal Controls before Anything Else

The fastest way to become comfortable with Palworld is to memorize four inputs: L1 to summon your selected Pal, R1 to throw a Sphere, D Pad Left or Right to change Pals and D Pad Down to change Sphere type. Once those actions become automatic, combat and capturing feel much smoother.

See our Palworld Tips and Tricks Guide for capturing Pals, building a useful base, choosing workers, exploration and progression advice.