To open a chest that says “Locked (Requires Kindling)” in Palworld, summon a Pal with the Kindling work suitability right next to the chest and let its AI automatically ignite and unlock it.
If you stumble across a treasure chest in the newer Sakurajima or Feybreak regions in Palworld and see a “Locked (Requires Kindling)” prompt, your standard keys will not help. These are elemental chests that respond only to a Pal’s work suitability. You simply need the right fire-type Pal in your party to do the work for you.
What the Requires Kindling prompt means
“Requires Kindling” marks a special elemental chest introduced in the Sakurajima and Feybreak updates, not a standard surface chest locked by a key. The game checks for the Kindling work suitability — the same fire-element skill used to run campfires, furnaces, and heaters — and ignores combat damage entirely.
This means hitting the chest with fire attacks or swinging a torch at it does nothing. The chest only unlocks when a Pal with the correct work suitability performs its kindling action on it. As long as the right Pal is present and close enough, its AI registers the chest as a work target and ignites it automatically.
Common mistakes and the Kindling-level reliability issue
The bigger issue is reliability. The exact minimum Kindling level required is contested. Level-1 Pals like Foxparks or Vanwyrm sometimes succeed, but players frequently report them failing to trigger the opening sequence. Whether this is a hard level-gate or simply an AI quirk where the Pal needs to stand close long enough to register is unresolved. For consistent results, players suggest using a Pal with Kindling level 2 or higher, with higher-tier Pals like Blazamut and Jormuntide Ignis consistently reported to work. If a level-1 Pal does not trigger the chest, try re-summoning it closer, or swap to a higher-tier Kindling Pal.
Summon your Kindling Pal to ignite and open the chest
STEP 1/5
Check your party for a Kindling Pal
Ensure you have a Pal with the Kindling work suitability in your active party before approaching the chest.
STEP 2/5
Summon the Pal next to the chest
Throw the Pal’s sphere to bring it out directly beside the chest so it is within range to register the interaction.
STEP 3/5
Wait for the lightbulb indicator
A lightbulb icon appears over the Pal’s head when its AI recognizes the chest, signaling it is about to act.
STEP 4/5
Let the Pal ignite the chest
The Pal automatically performs the kindling action to light and unlock the chest without any extra input.
STEP 5/5
Open the now-unlocked chest
Interact with the chest to loot the items inside once the Pal has ignited it.
If your Pal just stands there, unsummon it and throw the sphere again directly on top of the chest so it spawns within range — and if a level-1 Pal still will not trigger, swap to a Kindling level 2 or higher Pal like Suzaku.
Video help
Reliable Kindling Pals to use
| Pal | Kindling Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Foxparks | Lv 1 | Early-game option; may inconsistently trigger chests. |
| Vanwyrm | Lv 1 | Double-duty flyer; same reliability issues as Foxparks. |
| Suzaku | Lv 2 | Reported to work more reliably than level-1 Pals. |
| Blazamut | Lv 4 | High-tier Pal; consistently reported to open chests. |
| Jormuntide Ignis | Lv 4 | Top-tier Kindling Pal; highly reliable for elemental chests. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What loot drops from Kindling chests?
Kindling chests yield basic chest materials, Pal Dog Coins (the same drops you get from Mimog), and roughly 10 units of the element-specific Pal drop — for fire chests, that means Flame Organs. Players have also reported finding high-value items like Applied Technique Books inside.
Do these chests require standard keys (Copper, Silver, or Gold)?
No. Standard surface chests require Copper, Silver, or Gold Keys depending on the region — for example, Sakurajima chests need Gold Keys. Elemental locked chests rely purely on Pal work suitability, so you never need a key for them.
Can other elements lock chests, and how do I open those?
Yes. Chests can also require Watering or Electricity. You open them the exact same way: summon a Pal with the matching work suitability next to the chest and let its AI trigger the unlock.
What should I do if my Kindling Pal won’t trigger the chest?
First, unsummon and re-summon the Pal directly on top of the chest so it spawns within range. If a level-1 Pal still fails, swap to a Pal with Kindling level 2 or higher like Suzaku, Blazamut, or Jormuntide Ignis. As a last resort, quit the game and log back in — the AI sometimes needs a fresh session to register the chest.
