Ancient Pal Manuscripts are a rare Feybreak update material best obtained by sending Pals on expeditions from the Pal Expedition Station or by trading Bounty Tokens to Vigilante Bounty Officers.
Ancient Pal Manuscripts in Palworld are a rare material introduced in the Feybreak update, and they serve a single, highly valuable purpose: fueling the Pal Labor Research Laboratory. If you want to permanently upgrade your base operations and Pal efficiency, you need a steady supply of them. They cannot be bought with standard Gold, nor are they just another form of Technology Points. Instead, you have to actively earn them through targeted exploration and combat loops, with expeditions and bounty trading acting as your primary routes.
What Ancient Pal Manuscripts are used for
Classified as a Rare material, the Ancient Pal Manuscript is described in-game as an ancient manuscript written on Pal hide. Items sole purpose is to act as a specialized currency for the Pal Labor Research Laboratory, a structure unlocked later in your technology tree. Interacting with the laboratory opens a massive passive skill tree featuring over 100 research options that grant permanent buffs to your base, such as productivity increases and specialized labor bonuses.
Because these manuscripts are consumed in batches for every research node, you will need a continuous supply to push through the higher tiers of base upgrades. They are not spent on standard technology unlocks, so do not confuse them with the regular Technology Points you earn from leveling up.
Building and using the Pal Expedition Station to farm Ancient Pal Manuscripts
STEP 1/5
Unlock the Pal Expedition Station
Reach level 15 and spend 2 Technology Points to unlock the station.
STEP 2/5
Build the station at your base
Gather 20 Wood, 20 Stone, and 5 Paldium Fragment to construct the terminal.
STEP 3/5
Select an expedition
Pick any available expedition, as every listed route includes the manuscript as a possible reward.
STEP 4/5
Auto-assign your Pals
STEP 5/5
Collect your manuscripts
Wait for the expedition to conclude and collect the Ancient Pal Manuscripts your Pals brought back.
Video help
Trading Bounty Tokens to Vigilante Bounty Officers
If you want a more active farming route, you can hunt overworld bounty targets. Engaging and defeating these targets rewards you with Bounty Tokens. Once you have a stockpile of tokens, you can trade them to Vigilante Bounty Officers in exchange for Ancient Pal Manuscripts. These targets can reportedly be fought more than once, allowing you to repeatedly farm tokens as they respawn.
The closest early-game access point for turning tokens in is an officer located near the Small Settlement fast-travel point at coordinates approximately (73, -486). The exact token cost per manuscript is not consistently reported and may change between patches, so be sure to check the in-game trade window for current values before spending your hard-earned tokens.
Common mistakes when farming manuscripts
The biggest misconception is that Ancient Pal Manuscripts can be purchased with Gold. They cannot be bought with standard currency and must be earned exclusively through expeditions and bounty trading. Players also frequently confuse them with standard Technology Points, not realizing that manuscripts act solely as the currency for the Pal Labor Research Laboratory’s passive skill tree.
Check your Pal Expedition Station once per hour to collect manuscripts and immediately restart the cycle for a steady, passive supply.
Exact costs and unlock requirements
| Structure / Item | Unlock Level | Cost to Build / Unlock | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pal Expedition Station | Lv 15 | 2 Tech Points + 20 Wood + 20 Stone + 5 Paldium Fragment | Send Pals on expeditions |
| Pal Labor Research Laboratory | Lv 20 | 10 Ingot + 10 Paldium Fragment | Spends manuscripts on permanent buffs |
Before you can start farming manuscripts, you need to unlock and build the relevant stations. The Pal Expedition Station becomes available early on at level 15, while the Pal Labor Research Laboratory that actually spends the manuscripts unlocks at level 20. Individual research nodes at the laboratory will cost between 5 and 35 manuscripts each, depending on the strength of the buff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy Ancient Pal Manuscripts with Gold?
No, Ancient Pal Manuscripts cannot be purchased with standard Gold. They must be earned exclusively by sending Pals on expeditions or by trading Bounty Tokens to Vigilante Bounty Officers.
Do all Pal Expeditions give Ancient Pal Manuscripts?
Yes, every available expedition lists the Ancient Pal Manuscript as a possible reward on the side panel, meaning you can pick any route and still have a chance to obtain them.
How often should I check the Pal Expedition Station?
Checking the station once per hour ensures a continuous cycle of rewards. Collect your manuscripts as soon as an expedition concludes and immediately send your Pals out again to maximize your yield.
Where is the nearest Vigilante Bounty Officer to trade tokens?
A confirmed Vigilante Bounty Officer is located near the Small Settlement fast-travel point at coordinates approximately (73, -486), making it the closest early-game trading post for turning in your Bounty Tokens.
