Bears are the classic Qud companion. Whether it’s a standard Bear, a Ferocious Bear, or the dreaded Slumberling (technically a different sprite but often found in similar biomes), bears possess massive HP pools and terrifying claws.

starting pet per run. If they die, they are generally gone for that run unless you use mods like Clever Girl Companion's Bond Best Pets and Their Benefits

While all pets add immense visual flavor and distinct personalities, a few stand out as the absolute best choices for utility, raw survival, or combat synergy. 1. Either/Or

Here’s a detailed, enthusiastic review focused on the best pet codes in Caves of Qud , written for a fellow player exploring the game’s lesser-known but wildly rewarding mechanics.

If you use explosive weapons, thermal grenades, or wide-area mutations like Pyrokinesis , you will hurt your pet. Always map out your area-of-effect attacks to ensure your companion isn't caught in the crossfire.

These codes work as of the latest stable branch (2026). Enter them via the in-game console or startup config. Don’t expect balance — these pets break the game in the best way possible.

Drop it in the comments — I’ll add the best ones to the list.

When looking for the "best" pet, you are usually seeking high HP, high Armor Value (AV), strong melee capabilities, or special psychological abilities. Legendary Baboons and Apes

+------------------------+-------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Pet Name | Behavior Type | Primary Ability / Core Niche | +------------------------+-------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Esbear | Active Combat | Mental Mirror, Sunder Mind (Esper) | | Gloaming | Incorporeal/Utility| Reveals map secrets, stays out of danger| | Iopinax the Younger | High Durability | Refracts all light-based energy attacks | | You, but mechanical | Dynamic Combat | Mimics the player's limb layout | | Ebenshabat | Non-Combat | Passive starapple farmer, never aggros | | either / or | High Chaos | Reality manipulation, item/liquid spawns| +------------------------+-------------------+-----------------------------------------+ 1. Best for Early-Game Firepower: Esbear Psychic Esper Bear.

Codes are primarily obtained by supporting the Freehold Games Patreon at the Arconaut ($5) tier or higher.

To add a pet to your game, follow these steps from the main menu: Caves of Qud Wiki Caves of Qud On the starting menu, select the "Redeem Code" option on the left side of the screen. Paste or type your unique pet code into the input box. If successful, a message stating "Your new pet is ready to love" will appear.