I still remember the first time I caught a Rooby in Palworld. It was on Marsh Island, and I had no idea how much this little fire fox would change my early-game experience. As one of only two Pals with the Kindling Work Suitability that you can catch early on, Rooby quickly became the backbone of my first base. If you're just starting out in 2026, let me tell you why Rooby deserves a spot on your team.

Where to Find Rooby in Palworld

Finding Rooby isn't too hard if you know where to look. They don't spawn in every starting area, but the places they do appear are generous with spawns. I've had the most luck on Marsh Island, where they seem to pop up all over the place. The Flying Fish Coast is another good spot, but you'll need to focus on the eastern portion of the zone. And then there's Forgotten Island, which is practically a Rooby paradise.

If you've already moved beyond the starting zones, don't worry. You can also find Rooby north of the Eastern Wild Island. Look for a strip of volcanic land on the island directly north of it. That's where I found my second and third Rooby, and it made getting the EXP bonus for catching 10 of them a breeze.

Here's a quick reference table for the spawn locations:

Catching Rooby Without Killing It

Rooby isn't a terribly dangerous Pal in combat, but you still need to be careful. Their fire attacks can leave you with a damage-over-time effect, so try to dodge whenever you see flames coming your way. The bigger problem is that Rooby's health tends to be quite low, especially in the locations I mentioned. If you're not careful, you might accidentally kill it before you can throw a Sphere.

To avoid that, I recommend using melee weapons or traps to weaken it. A simple club or a well-placed trap can bring its health down just enough without overdoing it. I've lost a few Rooby by being too aggressive with my bow, so learn from my mistakes. Once it's weak, toss a Pal Sphere and hope for the best. With a bit of patience, you'll have your own Rooby in no time.

Rooby's Role in Your Base

This is where Rooby truly shines. As a Fire Pal with Kindling 1, Rooby can cook food and power furnaces around your base. That might not sound like much, but in the early game, it's a game-changer. I remember struggling to keep my other Pals fed until I put Rooby to work. Their low food requirements mean they don't eat much, which is perfect when you're just getting established.

Sure, later on you'll probably replace Rooby with a Pal that has a higher Kindling Work Suitability. But for those first few days, Rooby is an invaluable ally. They keep the furnaces running, cook meals for you and your other Pals, and ask for very little in return. I always keep at least one Rooby around until I can find a better Kindling Pal.

Combat and Moves

In combat, Rooby is straightforward but effective. Their fire attacks can light foes aflame, causing lingering damage over time. That's great for fending off Grass Pals, who are weak to fire. I've used Rooby to clear out groups of Grass Pals many times, and the damage over time often finishes off enemies that try to run away.

Rooby also has a small-ish hitbox, which helps them avoid attacks more easily. That doesn't mean they're invincible, but they can dodge quite a few hits. Just don't expect them to tank damage like a Rock Pal. Rooby is best used as a hit-and-run attacker, setting enemies on fire and then backing off while the flames do their work.

Final Thoughts

If you're starting a new save in Palworld in 2026, do yourself a favor and catch a Rooby as soon as you can. They're easy to find, easy to catch if you're careful, and incredibly useful for any early-game base. The EXP bonus for catching 10 of them is just the cherry on top. I've started multiple playthroughs, and Rooby is always one of the first Pals I seek out.

So grab your club, head to Marsh Island, and get yourself a Rooby. You won't regret it. 🔥