Best Pets in Core Keeper: Pet Tier List by Build

Summary

How to get pets, and the best pets

You get pets by hatching a pet egg in an Egg Incubator (needs power) for 30 minutes. There are 17 pets, and you can only bring one at a time (see how to get and raise pets).
Melee (physical): Owlux (damage +15.1%; up to +22.5% with duplicate talents). Runner-up: Pheromoth (+12.8%).
Ranged (physical): Pheromoth (damage +17.9%; up to +23.6% with duplicate talents). Runner-up: Owlux (+15.4%).
Magic: Arcane Symbiote (damage +12.9%; up to +22.7% with duplicate talents). Runner-up: Owlux (+11.6%).
Summoner: Earie (damage +48.4%; up to +67.0% with duplicate talents). Runner-up: Arcane Symbiote (+1.6%).
For buff pets, "Triple Trouble" (2% chance to deal triple damage) is the strongest talent for melee, ranged and magic builds alike. Your damage % is already high from other gear, so a separate multiplier like triple damage adds more (talent order table).
If you want a pet that fights alongside you, the hardest-hitting attack pet is Snugglygrade (Lv.1 damage 341–415). Attack pets do not boost your own damage, so pick a buff pet if you want maximum damage.
The numbers show how much your expected damage per second goes up from endgame gear when you add the pet's base effects plus its 5 best talents (how we calculate it).

Best Pets by Build (Melee, Ranged, Magic, Summoner)

Buff pets ranked for each build by how much they raise your damage (expected damage per second). The value is the base effect plus the 5 best talents, assuming all 5 are different. "With duplicates" is the ideal case where the best talent was rolled 5 or more times in the egg (very rare).

Best pets for Melee (physical) builds

Rank	Pet	Damage gain	Base effect only	Best talents in order	With duplicates
1	Owlux	+15.1%	+2.1%	Triple Trouble → Crane Style → Spirit of the Hawk → Divebombing → Plume Power	+22.5%
2	Pheromoth	+12.8%	+0.0%	Triple Trouble → Crane Style → Spirit of the Hawk → Divebombing → Plume Power	+20.0%
3	Arcane Symbiote	+11.7%	+0.0%	Triple Trouble → Crane Style → Spirit of the Hawk → Divebombing	+20.0%

Best pets for Ranged (physical) builds

Rank	Pet	Damage gain	Base effect only	Best talents in order	With duplicates
1	Pheromoth	+17.9%	+4.6%	Triple Trouble → Spirit of the Hawk → Crane Style → Flock Together → Plume Projectile	+23.6%
2	Owlux	+15.4%	+2.4%	Triple Trouble → Spirit of the Hawk → Crane Style → Flock Together → Plume Projectile	+21.0%
3	Arcane Symbiote	+11.5%	+0.0%	Triple Trouble → Spirit of the Hawk → Crane Style → Flock Together	+18.2%

Best pets for Magic builds

Rank	Pet	Damage gain	Base effect only	Best talents in order	With duplicates
1	Arcane Symbiote	+12.9%	+2.3%	Triple Trouble → Spirit of the Hawk → Crane Style → Arcane Beast	+22.7%
2	Owlux	+11.6%	+2.1%	Triple Trouble → Spirit of the Hawk → Crane Style	+22.5%
3	Pheromoth	+9.3%	+0.0%	Triple Trouble → Spirit of the Hawk → Crane Style	+20.0%

Best pets for Summoner builds

Rank	Pet	Damage gain	Base effect only	Best talents in order	With duplicates
1	Earie	+48.4%	+17.6%	Breaking Skin → Drone Dominance → Provoked Swarm → Battle Born → Laser Pointer Play	+67.0%
2	Arcane Symbiote	+1.6%	+0.0%	Mana Bowl	+8.0%

The odds of getting duplicate talents (how many copies of a talent end up among the 9) are listed on each pet's item page under "How many talents can you get?".

Buff Pet Stats (Pets That Boost Their Owner)

Buff pets do not attack. Instead they boost their owner (damage, movement speed and so on). The base effect is active from the start, and talents add more effects on top.

Pet	Type	Damage (Lv.1)	Base effects
Owlux	Buff	—	+7.6% movement speed +6.5% damage
Pheromoth	Buff	—	+12.6% physical range damage +7% dodge chance
Arcane Symbiote	Buff	—	+28 magic barrier +11% mana regeneration while casting
Earie	Buff	—	+1 max minion count +7.2% minion damage

Best Talent Order for Buff Pets (by Build)

Starting from endgame gear (Lv.20), we pick talents one at a time, always taking the one that raises damage (expected DPS) the most. The table shows that order and the total after 5 picks (base effect included). See the damage formula guide for details.

Pet	Build	Best order (gain from each pick)	Total of 5	With duplicate talents
Owlux	Melee (physical)	Triple Trouble (+4.0%) → Crane Style (+2.7%) → Spirit of the Hawk (+2.6%) → Divebombing (+1.9%) → Plume Power (+0.9%)	+15.1%	Triple Trouble ×5: +22.5%
Owlux	Ranged (physical)	Triple Trouble (+3.6%) → Spirit of the Hawk (+3.0%) → Crane Style (+2.5%) → Flock Together (+1.9%) → Plume Projectile (+1.1%)	+15.4%	Triple Trouble ×5: +21.0%
Owlux	Magic	Triple Trouble (+4.0%) → Spirit of the Hawk (+3.0%) → Crane Style (+2.0%)	+11.6%	Triple Trouble ×5: +22.5%
Pheromoth	Melee (physical)	Triple Trouble (+4.0%) → Crane Style (+2.7%) → Spirit of the Hawk (+2.6%) → Divebombing (+1.9%) → Plume Power (+1.0%)	+12.8%	Triple Trouble ×5: +20.0%
Pheromoth	Ranged (physical)	Triple Trouble (+3.6%) → Spirit of the Hawk (+3.0%) → Crane Style (+2.5%) → Flock Together (+1.9%) → Plume Projectile (+1.0%)	+17.9%	Triple Trouble ×5: +23.6%
Pheromoth	Magic	Triple Trouble (+4.0%) → Spirit of the Hawk (+3.0%) → Crane Style (+2.0%)	+9.3%	Triple Trouble ×5: +20.0%
Arcane Symbiote	Melee (physical)	Triple Trouble (+4.0%) → Crane Style (+2.7%) → Spirit of the Hawk (+2.6%) → Divebombing (+1.9%)	+11.7%	Triple Trouble ×5: +20.0%
Arcane Symbiote	Ranged (physical)	Triple Trouble (+3.6%) → Spirit of the Hawk (+3.0%) → Crane Style (+2.5%) → Flock Together (+1.9%)	+11.5%	Triple Trouble ×5: +18.2%
Arcane Symbiote	Magic	Triple Trouble (+4.0%) → Spirit of the Hawk (+3.0%) → Crane Style (+2.0%) → Arcane Beast (+1.0%)	+12.9%	Triple Trouble ×5: +22.7%
Arcane Symbiote	Summoner	Mana Bowl (+1.6%)	+1.6%	Mana Bowl ×5: +8.0%
Earie	Summoner	Breaking Skin (+7.8%) → Drone Dominance (+7.5%) → Provoked Swarm (+3.6%) → Battle Born (+3.1%) → Laser Pointer Play (+1.9%)	+48.4%	Breaking Skin ×3, Drone Dominance ×2: +67.0%

When a pet hatches, 9 talents are picked at random from its pool, and the same talent can appear more than once. That is the only way to stack a talent. Getting the same talent 5 times out of 9 is very rare (about 0.2%, or 1 in 400 pets, with a pool of 8), so the "with duplicates" column is a best case. Per-pet odds are on each pet's page. Talents that do not affect damage, such as movement speed, are not counted here.

Strongest Attack Pets (by Damage)

Melee and ranged attack pets sorted by Lv.1 damage. A pet's damage grows as it levels up (max level 10).

Rank	Pet	Type	Damage (Lv.1)	Base effects
1	Snugglygrade	Melee	341–415	+15% chance to gain mana on hit
2	Cattiva	Melee	224–272	+4% chance to stun targets on melee hit +12% critical hit chance
3	Hoppet	Ranged	166–202	+17% chance on hit to apply slippery movement +100% chance to knockback on range hit
4	Azeos Jr.	Ranged	166–202	+10% chance to stun targets on ranged hit +2 projectile shards on hit
5	Subterrier	Melee	110–134	+10% chance to stun targets on melee hit +8% critical hit chance
6	Electro-Pet	Melee	110–134	+20% chance to stun targets on melee hit
7	Embertail	Ranged	110–134	+2 glow +16 burn damage applied on hit
8	Fanhare	Ranged	110–134	+12% chance to apply poison on hit, which reduces enemy healing received by 75% +1 target(s) pierced by projectiles
9	Jr. Orange Slime	Melee	—	Reduces the target's movement speed by -11.7% for 4 sec +8% damage against bosses
10	Jr. Blue Slime	Melee	—	+13% chance on hit to apply slippery movement +15% damage against bosses
11	Jr. Purple Slime	Melee	—	+12% chance to apply poison on hit, which reduces enemy healing received by 75% +15% damage against bosses
12	Jr. Lava Slime	Melee	—	+2 glow +15% damage against bosses
13	Prince Slime	Melee	—	+30% damage against bosses

Talent Pool of Every Pet

When a pet hatches from its egg, 9 talents are picked at random from the pool for its type (duplicates are possible). Points earned from leveling up unlock the picked talents.

SubterrierMelee

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Breaking Skin: +30% critical hit damage
Intimidating Presence: +100% longer stun durations
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Off-Leash: +7% chance on hit to deal triple amount of damage
Paralyzing Fangs: +10% chance to stun targets on melee hit
Predator's Mark: +50% damage against stunned targets
Puffing Up: +10% physical melee damage

EmbertailRanged

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Breaking Skin: +30% critical hit damage
Burning Anger: +40 burn damage applied on hit
Flaming Treat: +15% chance on hit to consume target's burning effect and deal the total burning damage immediately
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Leap Attack: +30% range attack speed
Puffing Up: +10% physical range damage
Spirit Animal: +2 glow

OwluxBuff

Avian Run: +5% movement speedApplies to owner
Crane Style: +10% critical hit damageApplies to owner
Divebombing: +3% melee attack speedApplies to owner
Flock Together: +3% range attack speedApplies to owner
Plume Power: +3% physical melee damageApplies to owner
Plume Projectile: +3% physical range damageApplies to owner
Spirit of the Hawk: +3% critical hit chanceApplies to owner
Triple Trouble: +2% chance on hit to deal triple amount of damageApplies to owner

Jr. Orange SlimeMelee

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Breaking Skin: +30% critical hit damage
Hungry Fang: Deal up to +30% more damage based on targets remaining health
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Leap Attack: +30% melee attack speed
Puffing Up: +10% physical melee damage
Sticky Toy: Reduces the target's movement speed by +14% for 4 sec
Zoomies: +30% movement speed

FanhareRanged

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Bite Wound Infection: +15% chance to apply poison on hit, which reduces enemy healing received by 75%
Breaking Skin: +30% critical hit damage
Hypersonic Claw: +1 target(s) pierced by projectiles
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Leap Attack: +30% range attack speed
Off-Leash: +7% chance on hit to deal triple amount of damage
Puffing Up: +10% physical range damage

Jr. Blue SlimeMelee

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Breaking Skin: +30% critical hit damage
Hungry Fang: Deal up to +30% more damage based on targets remaining health
Icky Tongue: +15% chance on hit to apply slippery movement
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Leap Attack: +30% melee attack speed
Puffing Up: +10% physical melee damage
Zoomies: +30% movement speed

Jr. Purple SlimeMelee

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Bite Wound Infection: +15% chance to apply poison on hit, which reduces enemy healing received by 75%
Breaking Skin: +30% critical hit damage
Hungry Fang: Deal up to +30% more damage based on targets remaining health
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Leap Attack: +30% melee attack speed
Puffing Up: +10% physical melee damage
Zoomies: +30% movement speed

Jr. Lava SlimeMelee

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Breaking Skin: +30% critical hit damage
Burning Anger: +40 burn damage applied on hit
Hungry Fang: Deal up to +30% more damage based on targets remaining health
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Leap Attack: +30% melee attack speed
Puffing Up: +10% physical melee damage
Spirit Animal: +2 glow
Zoomies: +30% movement speed

Prince SlimeMelee

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Breaking Skin: +30% critical hit damage
Hungry Fang: Deal up to +30% more damage based on targets remaining health
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Leap Attack: +30% melee attack speed
Puffing Up: +10% physical melee damage
Zoomies: +30% movement speed

PheromothBuff

Crane Style: +10% critical hit damageApplies to owner
Divebombing: +3% melee attack speedApplies to owner
Flock Together: +3% range attack speedApplies to owner
Plume Power: +3% physical melee damageApplies to owner
Plume Projectile: +3% physical range damageApplies to owner
Spirit of the Hawk: +3% critical hit chanceApplies to owner
Triple Trouble: +2% chance on hit to deal triple amount of damageApplies to owner
Winged Escape: Snare and stun durations reduced by +10%Applies to owner

SnugglygradeMelee

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Breaking Skin: +30% critical hit damage
Energy tap: +10% chance to gain mana on hit
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Leap Attack: +30% melee attack speed
Off-Leash: +7% chance on hit to deal triple amount of damage
Puffing Up: +10% physical melee damage
Zoomies: +30% movement speed

Arcane SymbioteBuff

Arcane Beast: +3% magic damageApplies to owner
Avian Run: +5% movement speedApplies to owner
Crane Style: +10% critical hit damageApplies to owner
Divebombing: +3% melee attack speedApplies to owner
Flock Together: +3% range attack speedApplies to owner
Mana Bowl: +2 mana every secApplies to owner
Spirit of the Hawk: +3% critical hit chanceApplies to owner
Triple Trouble: +2% chance on hit to deal triple amount of damageApplies to owner

Electro-PetMelee

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Intimidating Presence: +100% longer stun durations
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Off-Leash: +7% chance on hit to deal triple amount of damage
Paralyzing Fangs: +10% chance to stun targets on melee hit
Predator's Mark: +50% damage against stunned targets
Puffing Up: +10% physical melee damage
Territorial Fallout: All nearby enemies take +20 radioactive damage every other sec

EarieBuff

Battle Born: +8% minion damageApplies to owner
Breaking Skin: +30% minion critical hit damageApplies to owner
Drone Dominance: +15% minion damage against bossesApplies to owner
Laser Pointer Play: +3% minion critical hit chanceApplies to owner
Lightened Channeling: -5% minion mana reservation costApplies to owner
Provoked Swarm: +12% minion attack speedApplies to owner

HoppetRanged

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Breaking Skin: +30% critical hit damage
Icky Tongue: +15% chance on hit to apply slippery movement
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Leap Attack: +30% range attack speed
Off-Leash: +7% chance on hit to deal triple amount of damage
Puffing Up: +10% physical range damage

CattivaMelee

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Breaking Skin: +30% critical hit damage
Intimidating Presence: +100% longer stun durations
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Off-Leash: +7% chance on hit to deal triple amount of damage
Paralyzing Fangs: +2% chance to stun targets on melee hit
Predator's Mark: +50% damage against stunned targets
Puffing Up: +10% physical melee damage

Azeos Jr.Ranged

Asserting Dominance: +15% damage against bosses
Ball Toy: +1 projectile shards on hit
Breaking Skin: +30% critical hit damage
Intimidating Presence: +100% longer stun durations
Laser Pointer Play: +10% critical hit chance
Leap Attack: +30% range attack speed
Puffing Up: +10% physical range damage

Unless a note on the page says otherwise, numbers are read from the game files of Core Keeper 1.3.0.6 (prefabs, configuration files, drop tables and the game's program) and calculated by this site, including upgraded (per-level) values, sell prices and mana costs. Names and descriptions are the game's official English text. Only reinforcing materials, minion and pet attacks and some food values are based on the Core Keeper Wiki (Fandom) data (CC BY-SA 3.0). Core Keeper and its images are © Pugstorm. This is an unofficial fan site.