The recent 1.0 update for Pocketpair's monster-taming sensation, Palworld, has introduced a formidable end-game boss named Panthalus, and players are discovering it through accidental encounters with often dire consequences. This colossal creature, which bears a striking resemblance to the legendary Water-type Pokémon Kyogre, is a significant challenge even for well-prepared groups, let alone solo players or those with under-leveled Pals.
Clips circulating online show that even coordinated efforts by popular streamers like Gingy, Hutch, and Cloakzy narrowly succeeded against Panthalus, highlighting its immense difficulty. The surprise encounters seem to stem from players inadvertently stumbling upon Deserted Islet, the creature's habitat. While the game provides a warning through the need to gather fossils to teleport to the arena, the allure of potentially capturing the new Pal early can lead to unprepared players triggering the fight.
This similarity between Panthalus and Kyogre has not gone unnoticed by the community. It raises questions given Pocketpair's prior efforts to adjust some Pal designs to be less reminiscent of Pokémon prior to the 1.0 release. Regardless of the design choices, Panthalus stands as Palworld's most challenging encounter to date, serving as a harsh lesson for those who venture into its territory without sufficient preparation. The fight underscores the increased difficulty and scope of challenges present in Palworld's full release compared to its early access period.