To open a chest that requires Watering in Palworld, stand next to it with a Pal that has the Watering work suitability in your active party, summon it directly on the chest, and wait for it to perform its watering animation to unlock the lock.
Elemental chests in Palworld lock behind specific work suitabilities rather than simple keys. A chest marked “Locked (requires Watering)” will not budge for gold or brute force — it needs a Pal that actually knows how to water things. The mechanic is straightforward once you know the summoning trick, but players regularly run into positioning bugs and Pal selection errors that keep the lid shut.
Elemental chests and the Watering requirement
Elemental chests were introduced around the v0.5.0 patch and spawn primarily in late-game zones like Sakurajima beaches and other high-level regions. Instead of demanding a Copper, Silver, or Gold Key like standard red glowing chests, these locks check for a specific work suitability — in this case, Watering. The interaction prompt will read “Locked (requires Watering)” when you approach.
It is critical to note that the chest checks for the Watering work suitability, not merely the Water element. A Pal can be a Water-type creature and still lack the Watering work icon on its status screen, which means it cannot open the chest. There is no Gold Coin cost, no key to craft, and no way to bypass the lock by attacking it. You simply need the right Pal to perform its watering task on the chest.
How to open a chest that requires Watering in Palworld
STEP 1/4
Find a Pal with Watering
Ensure a Pal with the Watering work suitability, like a Celaray or Jormuntide, is in your active party.
STEP 2/4
Summon the Pal right beside the chest
Do not have it out beforehand; pull the Pal out directly at the chest so the game registers the lock as a work target.
STEP 3/4
Wait for the watering animation
The Pal will get a light bulb above its head and begin watering the chest to clear the lock.
STEP 4/4
Interact with the unlocked chest
Once the watering animation finishes, the lock clears and the chest opens to spill its loot.
Summon your Watering Pal directly on top of the chest — if it is already out from battling, the chest often fails to register as a work target.
Video help
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
The single most common failure is having the Pal already summoned before reaching the chest. If you have been battling with it out in the open, the chest sometimes does not “click in” as a valid work target. The fix is to dismiss the Pal and throw it out again right beside the chest. When positioned correctly, the Pal will get a light bulb above its head and recognize the lock as something it can water.
Beyond the summoning bug, players make a few predictable errors. Using a Water-element Pal that does not have Watering work suitability will never trigger the unlock, no matter how many times you throw it at the chest. Attack the chest with skills — even water attacks — does nothing; the Pal must perform its work animation, not a combat move. Remaining mounted on a Pal also causes problems, so dismount and let the Pal operate in worker mode on the ground.
Loot and drops from Watering chests
Elemental chests are designed to reward higher-tier loot than normal chests, making them prime farming targets. Players commonly pull rare schematics, better gear, and a small amount of Pal Gold (sometimes called “dog coins”) from these locks. For Watering chests specifically, you can expect roughly 10 Pal Fluids as a reliable drop. Some players have also reported finding Skill Fruits matching the chest’s element, though exact drop rates vary and are not officially published.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a specific Watering level or a specific Pal to open the chest?
Current community findings suggest any Pal with the Watering work suitability can open the chest, regardless of its level. One player reportedly opened a Watering chest with a low-level Lucky Celaray, while other reports describe a Level 3 Relaxasaurus Lux failing on an electric chest before a Level 4 Orzerk succeeded. This suggests either lower levels work fine for Watering chests specifically, or the mechanic is currently buggy and inconsistent.
Do elemental chests respawn, and how long does it take?
Yes, treasure chests — including elemental ones — respawn after a set in-game time in their fixed locations. Dungeons take roughly 3 to 5 hours to reset their loot, allowing route-based farming for rare schematics and materials.
How do I open red glowing chests in Palworld?
Red glowing chests are different from elemental chests and require specific crafted or looted keys: a Copper Key, Silver Key, or Gold Key. Pal skills will not open them, so you must find or craft the matching key type.
