Palworld has seen updates here and there since its launch earlier this year, but its biggest came on June 27, 2024 with the Sakurajima update. In addition to a slew of new endgame content and updated mechanics, the focal point is the eponymous island that makes up the game’s latest region. But what should you do when you arrive?
Here are all the primary activities and tasks to tackle on Sakurajima island. We’ll even tell you how to capture a Selyne!
Catch some new Pals!
It shouldn’t be a surprise that one of the best activities to do here will be catching more Pals. The Sakurajima update added 14 brand-new Pals along with ten new subspecies versions. Although a few can be encountered throughout other areas of the world map or only in certain situations, nearly all of them have a home on Sakurajima itself. Exploring the island is a great way to fill out your Paldex and discover some new unpaid workers—err, I mean friends.
Challenge the new Alpha Pals
In that same vein, I recommend taking on the new Alpha Pals introduced. Outside of the dungeons, you have your choice between a level 54 Menasting Terra and a level 55 Knocklem. Aside from being a fun challenge and a great way to farm some rewards, each will be a welcome asset to your max-leveled teams. They’re both powerful Ground-type Pals that can help against Electric-types.
Take on Saya, the latest Faction Leader
Another challenging reminder of the increased level cap is the new tower boss. Saya is the leader of the Moonflower faction and resides at the island’s center in the aptly named Moonflower Tower. Her Pal Selyne is the strongest tower boss so far at level 55, which means you should expect a tough fight.
Read More: How to Defeat Saya & Selyne in Palworld
Aside from earning some nice rewards and bragging rights, defeating these two (along with the other bosses) will unlock Hard Mode versions of them all. Beating Saya & Selyne is just the first step towards taking on the most difficult content in Palworld.
Capture a Selyne (if you’re lucky)
After struggling against Selyne at Moonflower Tower, it’s only natural that you’ll want your very own. Finding one is unfortunately a task on its own because it requires a pretty specific situation. Here are the important factors you need to know:
- Selyne will only spawn during the newly added Meteorite Events. You can only catch them during a Meteorite Event specifically, not the Supply Drop event which is lumped under the same category. It’s entirely up to chance which event the game decides to give you.
- The event needs to trigger for you in the Sakurajima region. At any other location, you’ll find some Xenovaders or perhaps a Xenogard if you’re lucky. Selyne will only spawn for you if the event occurs on the new island.
- These events run on a timer. The community estimates that they usually occur once every three hours of playtime. It’s not dependent on an in-game day’s length, but should trigger around every three real-time hours.
All of this means you need to be at the right place and time and hope the odds are in your favor. Set a timer once a Meteorite/Supply Drop Event occurs or mentally take note of the time. Once you’re nearing three hours, head to Sakurajima and pray you get a Meteorite. Once the stars align and you do see one, make sure you take care of any Syndicate members or nearby hostile pals. You don’t want to lose your chance to have a Selyne because of some angry NPCs.
Farm high-valued Scrap Piles
Scrap Piles, added with the Sakurajima update, are a great source of loot. Players can rummage through these to find some decent loot. These aren’t limited to any location and can be found all over the map.
Read More: How To Increase Accessory Slots In Palworld
That being said, the quality of this loot does seem to vary based on location. Scrap Piles are usually better in areas with strong enemies, for example. From Dog Coins (which you’ll need to open more Accessory Slots) to expensive ammo and even Legendary Spheres, all of the best loot I’ve received from these piles has been on Sakurajima Island.
Find more of those annoyingly hidden Lifmunk Effigies
One of the many system updates in the Sakurajima update is the addition of new Lifmunk Effigies. Accommodating these are two more enhancement opportunities to raise your capture rate at Statues of Power. Considering how difficult it can be to capture Pals close to the new level cap, finding these will be a big help. All of the added Lifmunk Effigies can be found in sneaky places throughout the Sakurajima island, so I suggest being extra thorough and checking every giant mushroom and cliffside.
Run through Cherry Blossom Cave dungeons
Every primary biome in Palworld has themed dungeons to go along with it. The Sakurajima Region is no different as it features the unique Cherry Blossom Cave Dungeons. Aside from standing out the most with its mishmash of Japanese-inspired decor, you’ll also be able to fight Alpha versions of the newest Pals.
Read More: Here’s How To Take Down Palworld’s Enormous New Raid Boss
The rewards make these well worth your time too. Rare accessories and schematics can be found from a defeated Alpha Boss as well as the Treasure Chests at the end of the dungeon. Those interested in challenging the new raid boss will want to run these dungeons too since this seems to be the only place so far to find Blazamut Ryu Slab Fragments.
Establish a Crude Oil base
The Sakurajima update added five more Technology levels, which include new weapons and armor. The basic building block of these is the new Crude Oil material. Not only do these require an expensive Crude Oil Extractor which in itself is quite the electricity hog, but they’re also scarcely found throughout all previous locations.
Sakurajima on the other hand features an abundance of areas to gather oil. There are quite a few spots to plop a couple of extractors down (along with a Large Power Generator) and wait for the oil to start accumulating. I recommend making a base on the island for this essential resource. All of the endgame content, whether it’s the Oil Rig Stronghold or some of the tough challenges I mentioned above, will be more manageable if you’ve crafted the best gear.
Sakurajima Island isn’t just a beautiful place to explore, it features some excellent additions to Palworld’s gameplay that are well worth your time.
