Annoyances of base building...

[Engioc]

This isn't a complaint or rant, just a list of things I find annoying when trying to build a nice looking base and layout in Subnautica and BZ. Also, I'm not asking for any of theses to be addressed in BZ, just hoping base building can be made better in future if we eventually get a Subnautica 2.

Oh and note I am enjoying the game, but like in any game there are things that could be better.

- Ladders I can't rotate so they face the right way

- Moonpool can't be rotated (Original Subnautica only) - I know its possible in BZ

- Vertical attachments only usable on X, T, I sections. Why can't I use them with a multipurpose room, or the newer large rooms in BZ? Just let me attach them to the same spot ladders go.

- Not able to build foundations under the moonpool. I understand this is done because there needs to be enough room to get a vehicle in/out, but I would like to build them directly under the moonpool, allowing room for vehicle access. Having some foundation pieces under a moonpool makes getting a prawn suit lined up and in much easier. Even if someone was silly enough to build foundations that block vehicle access they'll soon realise its a problem, deconstruct and fix the problem, ie move it further down so a vehicle can still get in/out.

- The new large rooms in BZ are nice, but I find the partitions make rooms that are either too small or still too big. Length ways there is really only one usable attachment point for partitions, right down the middle of the room. I know there is a point on each side, but they are right next to the main walls of the large room, what is the point in placing a wall right next to a wall? All that does is create dead space on each side, and block out windows, I can only fit two rooms. I would have preferred the ability to have 3. Example:

- - Centre bedroom, with a toilet/shower one side, kitchen the other side, or
- - A centre hallway with rooms off to each side and at the end.

...(continued) I realise none of those rooms/items are necessary, but just saying if I wanted to build a fully fleshed out base with everything in it, well to me the possible ways to divide/configure these rooms doesn't work that well. I've tried lots of different ways to divide them up, and they all look stupid. I either can't fit in all the right items, or the room is half empty due to the lack of items in this game. All I can do is fill rooms out with a ton of desks and benches.

- Noisy Nuclear power. Maybe a nuclear reactor is noisy in real life (not sure since I've never been to one), but man how many levels down or away from my living area do I need to stuff this thing before I stop hearing it. BZ seems worse than it was in Subnautica. Can't there be a way to restrict noise so I only hear it while in the same room? I guess this one isn't strictly base building issue.

- Having to deconstruct another item before I can deconstruct the item I want to remove/change, a couple of examples:

- - I build partitions and create a small room, I stick a shower in the room next to the wall, I change my mind and want to move the wall, nope I have to remove the shower first. Why, its not even attached to the wall, its just next to the wall.

- - No I can't build the partition because on the lower level is a moonpool, first I have to remove the moonpool, build my partitions on the level above, then I can rebuild the moonpool on the lower level. If its ok to have a moonpool on the lower level when there are partitions above it, why can't I just build the partition without the need to remove the moonpool first?

...(continued) I won't cover every example where this sort of issue comes up, but it can be annoying having to deconstruct so many items just to re-arrange a base.

Again, I realise base building isn't really what this game is about, more about exploring, but having played games like 7 Days to Die where there is a ton of base building, Subnautica seems some what Shallows.

OK, I think that's enough, although there is one off topic item...

I wish I hadn't picked up some of the jukebox discs, and I wish I could skip a track without having to go up to the jukebox to do it.
- Divide Music - Survive - Average track, I don't hate it but I wouldn't choose to listen to it either. Skip.
- JT Music - Don't Hold Your Breath - He's not singing, he's talking, and it sounds terrible, skip, please skip. I won't hold my breath waiting for something worth hearing, crap music.
- Miracle of Sound - Deep Blue - Average track, I don't hate it but I wouldn't choose to listen to it either. Skip.
- NerdOut - Diving In Too Deep - Pretty good track, finally someone that can hold a note. Its modern pop, but I can enjoy it.
- Subnautica - Jukebox One - When does the singing start? I can listen to it, but I wouldn't miss it if it was removed.
- TryHardNinja - Deep Dive (feat. Zack Boucher) - He is a try hard. Stop trying, you have no talent, stop wasting your time pretending to be a singer. Skip.

Music isn't that important and the game music is better than any of the above tracks. Jukebox would have been better if it allowed me to add my own music. I guess some people might like that music, but I certainly don't. Only one of those tracks is worth listening to, and even then I question if it adds anything worthwhile to the game. If my opinion on that music offends anyone, too bad, I like good music and that isn't what I'd call good music.

[Just Chill]

Originally posted by Engioc:

Jukebox would have been better if it allowed me to add my own music.

It already does.

You simply have to move your MP3s or OGG files into

C:\Users\<Your Username>\Music\Unknown Worlds\Subnautica

You forgot that the dynamic stairs of hatches (when built on land) bug out, from time to time.
I wish that would be fixed as entering land bases is a real disturbance, especially if you have no habitat builder with you.

[Engioc]

Oh really, thanks, I didn't know that was possible. Will try that out.

Yeah the stairs is a problem but I figured that is a bug they'll fix. I already reported it in game and here in the bug section. To be honest I haven't noticed any updates but in the last day or two the stairs seem slightly better. Seems the higher the base is off the ground the more problems I get with stairs.

Having said that I've managed to build a base in the purple tree area Glacial Basin, and although it starts on a cliff, the majority of the base is off the edge of the cliff, its so high off the ground I'm actually above most of the trees.

There are some nice things I've discovered too, eg with the alien containment tanks in the large rooms. Stack two of the large rooms. In the lower level build two alien containment tanks, one at each end. On the level above build one alien containment tank in the middle of the room, all 3 tanks will become joined. Extend this further by building another large room above, and build two more tanks, all 5 tanks joined in a stagger format. Looks kind of odd, but it means you get more places to plant items in what is effectively one tank.

[wardenwolf]

I place foundations under my moonpools, only thing that happens is the legs of the moonpool usually disappear. It's fiddly with placement order, but I do it for the reason you mention, for my Prawn suit and for looks.

[Engioc]

Originally posted by wardenwolf:

I place foundations under my moonpools, only thing that happens is the legs of the moonpool usually disappear. It's fiddly with placement order, but I do it for the reason you mention, for my Prawn suit and for looks.

hmm ok, I'll have to try again, every time I've tried to do it the foundation shows red and wont let me build. I'm guessing it's another example of having to mess about with construction/deconstruction order.

[SmooshieBanana]

I personally never use foundations. After building an entire base and decking it out, only to misplace a foundation and not be able to remove it unless I remove everything in my base, soured me to using them.

[wardenwolf]

Originally posted by Engioc:

snip

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2530242915

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2530242805

[Engioc]

Originally posted by SmooshieBanana:

I personally never use foundations. After building an entire base and decking it out, only to misplace a foundation and not be able to remove it unless I remove everything in my base, soured me to using them.

I think the key is not to build the base directly on the foundation. I can build and remove foundations without needing to deconstruct the base, the only time I can't is if I have say a multipurpose room directly on the foundation.

So build foundation, build multipurpose room, stack another one on top, then remove the lower multipurpose room, and you should still be able to add/remove foundations. It looks a bit odd because you don't get the supports under the multipurpose room, but it works. Well that seems to work for me anyway, hopefully it should for you.

Here is a screenshot as example. So I would have to remove the bottom multipurpose room in order to remove the foundations under it, but I don't need to remove any of the levels above that. Note this is from the original Subnautica, hope this hasn't changed in BZ?
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2075679176

[Engioc]

I'll add another example to the list:

Can't deconstruct the partition on lower level until the door from the partition on the level above is removed first, why????

So basically if you want to build partitions work from the bottom up.

[Just Chill]

Originally posted by Engioc:

So basically if you want to build partitions work from the bottom up.

This issue bugs in both ways.

I've had 6 large rooms stacked and I changed many things about the partitions and realized that I have to remove the doors I added below and above, to be able to change something.

Quite annoying indeed.

Have you had issues with the control room and invisible walls?
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2509816906
Recorded at timecode 7:00.

[Engioc]

Have you had issues with the control room and invisible walls?

Not sure if its the same issue or not, but i do find I get stuck sometimes when I try to walk through it.

[Just Chill]

Originally posted by Engioc:

There are some nice things I've discovered too, eg with the alien containment tanks in the large rooms. Stack two of the large rooms. In the lower level build two alien containment tanks, one at each end. On the level above build one alien containment tank in the middle of the room, all 3 tanks will become joined. Extend this further by building another large room above, and build two more tanks, all 5 tanks joined in a stagger format. Looks kind of odd, but it means you get more places to plant items in what is effectively one tank.

I built something similar, but unfortunately it seems that this doesn't count as fully stacked. :(
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2530984318

The creepvines are exaclty placed at the hole, but they still stop growing when they think they meet the ceiling, even though there is no ceiling. :(


I think I am reporting this one as it would be so darn sweet if they can mature when placed properly underneath an opening,

[Engioc]

Originally posted by Just Chill:

Originally posted by Engioc:

There are some nice things I've discovered too, eg with the alien containment tanks in the large rooms. Stack two of the large rooms. In the lower level build two alien containment tanks, one at each end. On the level above build one alien containment tank in the middle of the room, all 3 tanks will become joined. Extend this further by building another large room above, and build two more tanks, all 5 tanks joined in a stagger format. Looks kind of odd, but it means you get more places to plant items in what is effectively one tank.

I built something similar, but unfortunately it seems that this doesn't count as fully stacked. :(
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2530984318

The creepvines are exaclty placed at the hole, but they still stop growing when they think they meet the ceiling, even though there is no ceiling. :(


I think I am reporting this one as it would be so darn sweet if they can mature when placed properly underneath an opening,

Yeah it would be nicer if they did mature when placed like that. The creatures inside seem to move freely between all tanks, so to some extent it recognises that they are stacked.

Its just a shame I can't place 3 in one large room and have them combine to make an even larger tank. So they merge sideways as well as stack up/down. In fact it'd be cool if I could do the same with the large rooms too. Not expecting this to be made to work in BZ though.