I went for this code, at the end of the day:
[state 5900, remap]
type = remappal
triggerall = enemy,Name = "Sandbag (Iara Edit)"
trigger1 = Teamside = 2 && numpartner = 0
trigger1 = enemy,palno = palno
source = 1, 1
dest = 1,8
ignorehitpause = 1
[state 5900, remap survival]
type = remappal
triggerall = enemy,Name = "Sandbag (Iara Edit)" && IsHomeTeam = 0
trigger1 = numpartner
trigger1 = ID > partner,ID || ID < partner,ID
trigger1 = enemy,palno = palno || partner,palno = palno
source = 1, 1
dest = 1,8
ignorehitpause = 1
There is probably a better way to attain what I want, but this will have to do. Palette 8 will be a 'secret' palette that I won't mind having repeated.