What makes a good base site?

[mystikmind2005]

so i am up to the tutorial stage where it tells me to build a base computer and go find a suitable site.... have no idea what a 'suitable site' would be?

I was thinking near a starport? or such a place to trade?

[Darth Cervantes]

you can add a trade module to the bases so there is no need to build next to a trade port. There really is no bad place to build a base but if you want nanites you could build one near runaway mould

[warpoodle2600]

You will be able to build anywhere on any planet so don't stress too much about the first build. Just built whatever and where ever your heart wants.

[Mobios]

I usually build a base near an Electromagnetic power spot or at a deep mine/gas pocket spot.

[Erich]

Originally posted by mystikmind2005:

so i am up to the tutorial stage where it tells me to build a base computer and go find a suitable site.... have no idea what a 'suitable site' would be?

I was thinking near a starport? or such a place to trade?

I am deep in tutorial too.

Never tried to set up base close to Ports and other settlements myself.

But I gonna try and find out how close my base can be to local installations.

Base Computer , probably will warn you if some territorial issues pops up.

PS. If, just IF, your Base PC let you know that you can not set up Base - I do not know if you be able pick up your Base PC and go somewhere else.

[Erich]

Originally posted by Darth Cervantes:

you can add a trade module to the bases so there is no need to build next to a trade port. There really is no bad place to build a base but if you want nanites you could build one near runaway mould

Trade module ? In tutorial ?

[cogvos]

For your 1st base, don't worry too much. Just find somewhere with a view you like that is relatively flat.

A few tips: Don't make the mistake I did of by clearing trees or rocks as they can grow back. Also don't flatten the ground with the terrain manipulator as this can also grow back and bury your base.

If you find a nice view, but its on a hill build the computer and then a few walls (you can switch to the build camera for more freedom with 'b' on a PC) with floors on those. You can use the sloping roof parts to build a ramp initially as you probably won't have the blueprints for stairs. You can move the computer later so its inside if you like.

Its a good idea to avoid areas with hazardous flora, simply as these things are a pain to keep cutting down. Other than that wherever you like. The base computer will give you various building parts over time and you will be able to get more from a thing called the space anomaly later.

Your initial base can be powered using the biofuel reactor and later solar panels so don't worry about trying to find an electromagnetic hot-spot. These make powering larger bases much much easier, however I suspect that you probably don't have the required survey device in your multi-tool to be able to find one right now.

The trade device mentioned is a copy of the trade terminal you find in space stations, you will get its blueprints later.

Welcome to the game :)

[smurfy]

Contrary to some of the advice above, as a very first base in your first playthrough in the tutorial, putting it near a Minor Settlement or better yet, a planetary Trade platform is a very good idea as it will be quite a while yet before you can build your own trade terminal within your base.
Having a base near a trade platform gives you easy access to not only a trade terminal but regular interactions with NPC lifeforms for trade/faction advancement/language learning etc

[Shadow Strider]

it depends on what you want the base for...
in my opinion there are 4 main base types:
1. A home base - this is mostly for the enjoyment of the build and the location is primarily related to the scenery.

2. trading posts: for these you want to find 3 star (ie. wealthy, booming) systems, then locate a planetary trading outpost, in my experience they give the best trade rates. building a base for each trade type makes it easy to earn some quick cash if you need to

3. resource farms - for these you want to consider locating good quality hotspots for electricity/minerals/gases

4. A marker for a point of interest - dropping a base by a nice S class starship crash site, or a pillar with an S class weapon can allow you to return to the location periodically to get more copies after they respawn. Or dropping one near a portal can let you access the portal network quickly and easily.

electricity hotspots are useful for all types, but aren't critical as you can always use solar panels and batteries instead.

[Lailantie]

Once the tutorial wants me to build a base, I usually build it just where I am. Most of the time, the planet isn't nice and I don't want to have a base there anyway, so whenever I come across a better place I drop a base computer, go back to my old base and delete it.

In my current new game I happened to end up on a nice weather plaent and found some fungal mould. I put a save beacon next to it and then moved my first base there. Fortunately I got the blueprint of the advanced mining laser from some machinery, so I could actually farm the fungal mould, so I started swimming in nanites right from the start :)

[Aurumworks]

Building your first base near a minor settlement is probably the most convenient as you will need the construction materials from the technology trader there often enough.

[yaerav]

I think that the best place to build a base is at an archaeological site. I have never done this myself, but the two reasons why I really want to now are that

Major reasons:
1: for some reason, environmental effects do not apply to archaological sites. Which means that even on extreme planets, you can just enjoy your day.
2: agressive wildlife does not seem to appear at these locations either, so, no hassle from beasties either.
3: These sites give you a lot of nice flat terrain to work with, so you won't even need to put your base on stilts to avoid terrain shananigans

Minor reasons:
4: The structures at these sites are quite nice, and lend themselves well to be incorporated in a build.
5: Anytime you want to annoy some sentinels, you can easiily do that, ane then shoot at them from the safety of your home.

[Chirico Cuvie]

- nice environment that you like
- power source nearby
- mineable resources nearby (check sell price with trading rocket)

[Felis_Exploria]

Originally posted by yaerav:

I think that the best place to build a base is at an archaeological site. I have never done this myself, but the two reasons why I really want to now are that

Major reasons:
1: for some reason, environmental effects do not apply to archaological sites. Which means that even on extreme planets, you can just enjoy your day.
2: agressive wildlife does not seem to appear at these locations either, so, no hassle from beasties either.
3: These sites give you a lot of nice flat terrain to work with, so you won't even need to put your base on stilts to avoid terrain shananigans

Minor reasons:
4: The structures at these sites are quite nice, and lend themselves well to be incorporated in a build.
5: Anytime you want to annoy some sentinels, you can easiily do that, ane then shoot at them from the safety of your home.

[mystikmind2005]

Originally posted by Aurumworks:

Building your first base near a minor settlement is probably the most convenient as you will need the construction materials from the technology trader there often enough.

This is what i was thinking, but all the feedback from everyone here is helpful, so, i guess it comes down to whichever i find first - archaeological site or trading station or those other things.... thank you all!

[UncreativelyNamed]

In my opinion: Don't stress about it. For the early tutorial's purposes, you only need to build a box, with maybe a few more attached boxes if you want to do the side mission where you get specialists who will give you little missions and free blueprints as rewards. You can build that literally anywhere. Near to a POI can be helpful, but it isn't required.

When you learn more of the game, if you get into base-building, you'll maybe want to pick spots to take advantage of certain resources or just find pretty spots and then build to maximize views and such. Then you can move the specialists you recruit, if you choose to do so, there. But for the tutorial? Just plunk a box down anywhere and move on. Don't get bogged down in it.