Where build your base

[Red Sabre]

I just started to play the game and I don't know if I should build a base near the pod or find another place to exlpore

[Amanoob105]

The short answer is, anywhere you want it. It's really as simple as, if you see a location you like then build it there as the only wrong answer is a place you don't want to build a base.
Possible exception of right in the middle of the same shallows (starting area) because as the game goes on you will want easy access to deeper waters.
But even then there's nothing that says you can't do exactly that.

To start with I would recommend building a simple "shed" below the lifepod just so you have a place to store the excess you pick up.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1387678055
The window is optional and if you put the door on either the ceiling or floor it will give you more wall space.

Then when traveling the map if you see a location and find yourself thinking "this could make for a pretty good sport for a base" then you have found your new home.

[dreamrider]

With proper Locker placement, your "shed" can store well over 700 units of "stuff".
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2616311113
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2616312013

Also, this near identical topic seems to come up over, and over, and over.
But new players never seem to be able to search out any of the recent advice.
The last time there was a significant thread on this topic, one of our veteran forum denizens, Cougarific, provided a list of most of the threads discussing base location over the last year or two.
Here is the link to that thread:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/264710/discussions/0/3266806084896405237/

[godfather]

i like to build 1 main base/port above water. then build a secret submarine base underwater.(grand reef is a good area for a submarine base.) you can always build a small out post in remote locations. i completed the game. but still like to go out on patrols. resupply at sea is always better then going back to you HQ/base.

[slyfoxninja]

I built my first and really primary one right next to the pod then built smaller bases in the important areas.

[Teratus]

Different spots each time but usually in the safe shallows.

One time I built a base around the Alien Gun Moonpool so I could dock my Cyclops there which was fun ^^

[admiral1018]

One of the more popular spots is in the grassy plateau near lifepod 17. The advantages to that area over the shallows are that it's more open (easier for Cyclops navigation) and has access to more resources that will be within scanner room range.

However, it's entirely up to you. Feel free to build a base anywhere you think is pretty and would like to set down roots. There isn't a wrong way to play this game.

[Smoked Turkey]

My favorite spot is in the jellyshroom caves, however its not really practical for anything other then good view

[admiral1018]

Originally posted by Smoked Turkey:

My favorite spot is in the jellyshroom caves, however its not really practical for anything other then good view

If you want to go a little crazy, you can always build a base there and connect it via vertical connector to the surface, where maybe you have a Moonpool and small base as well. This way you get fast/easy access to the caves for the view and can have the best of both worlds.

[Michael Lemmons]

You can easily build several bases all over. I'd say a good idea is near resources you need, like Magnetite, so you can Scan for them. The trouble with building scanner rooms near the kelp is that the stalkers will up and carry off your cameras, even if they're attached to your base.

[admiral1018]

You can just pick up the drones and store them in a locker until you want to use them if that's an issue. Most players really don't use the drones much, so Stalkers taking them just contributes to a few extra teeth in the area.

[QueenPixxa]

One small base very very deep is always convenient.

[indigo]

I built my first base about 40 meters from my escape pod. The region is good for basic materials, food and gave me a great jumping-off point to explore into other regions.

Now I have a few bases, spread across the map. It's good for navigation, good to have a place to stop off for food and rest, and provides places to recharge power cells - because nothing beats a 2000+ meter swim to the nearest recharging point.

[dreamrider]

@Admiral1018:
I LOVE my camera drones! Very useful.
I've gone through 6 or 8 recently, but they are effectively free, every time I build my temporary hunting blind ...er...Scanner Room camp.

I recently took down my first adult Ghost. Mostly drones, but eventually, at 0,0,0, the local gasopods helped.

[QueenPixxa]

Originally posted by dreamrider:

@Admiral1018:
I LOVE my camera drones! Very useful.
I've gone through 6 or 8 recently, but they are effectively free, every time I build my temporary hunting blind ...er...Scanner Room camp.

I recently took down my first adult Ghost. Mostly drones, but eventually, at 0,0,0, the local gasopods helped.

I like the way you make use of local fauna, it is a clever way to get rid of unwelcome guests.

[admiral1018]

Originally posted by dreamrider:

@Admiral1018:
I LOVE my camera drones! Very useful.
I've gone through 6 or 8 recently, but they are effectively free, every time I build my temporary hunting blind ...er...Scanner Room camp.

I recently took down my first adult Ghost. Mostly drones, but eventually, at 0,0,0, the local gasopods helped.

Yes, effectively free due to a glitch. This was actually fixed in BZ, with scanner rooms no longer giving free drones. I wonder if anyone ever crafts them in that game. They actually are much more useful in Below Zero given the small map size, but the recipe is way too expensive.