My Time at Sandrock: How to Capture and Train Monster Pets

Separate paid monster capture from free pet training

Capturing wild monsters uses the Monster Whisperer DLC toolset. Pet training and combat were also added as free features in the 1.3 update. Owning an ordinary NPC pet and capturing a wild monster are therefore different acquisition routes. [1]

You can use the free pet system without buying extra monster choices. For an NPC pet, the developer describes raising friendship until an Adopt interaction appears; that is not the Meatball capture procedure used for marked monsters. [2]

Collect capture Meatballs from the workshop mailbox

After obtaining the DLC, check the workshop mailbox for its pet items and capture Meatballs. The developer identifies the mailbox delivery as the starting supply rather than an item that must be found on every wild creature. [3]

Steps

1. Collect the delivered capture Meatballs from the workshop mailbox. [3]
2. When you need more Meatballs, visit the Boutique Store in City Hall. [3]

Choose a monster marked with the pink paw

The pink paw icon identifies capture-eligible monsters. Examples in the developer’s guide include the desert Pensky and snakes on cliffs. Do not assume every unmarked hostile creature is a valid target. [3]

Capture Meatballs have different qualities; higher-quality ones make capture easier. The developer does not supply a universal success percentage, so a higher tier should not be described as a guaranteed catch. [3]

Steps

1. Use your capture Meatballs on an eligible pink-paw monster. [3]
2. Consider a higher-quality Meatball when you want the documented increase in capture ease. [3]

Treat rare shiny monsters as harder catches

The DLC also includes special shiny rare monsters in different places. The developer describes some as hidden and difficult to catch. This guide does not invent guaranteed spawn coordinates or claim that a missed attempt is a bug. [3]

Level the captured pet and choose its role

A pet’s combat skills depend on level and quality. Developing the pet matters after acquisition; simply catching one does not mean it already has its strongest combat performance. [2]

Steps

1. Level the pet by feeding it or gaining battle experience. [2]
2. Use the pet’s developing abilities for resource gathering or battle support according to the role you want. [3]