Build advice wanted, elevated functional base near Swamp and Black Forest.

[blprice61]

I found a sliver of Meadows sandwiched in between Ocean, Swamp, and Black Forest. The peninsula? is too small and too low level for a normal base with standard defenses.

Having had prior success with an elevated cart-way through the swamps, I've decided to create my base atop three raised earth pillars of approx 7 meters above ground. I plan to dig a little around the base of each pillar to increase it closer to 9 meters because I have some 26 degree core wood support struts reinforcing the platform that I want to keep out of harm's way.

Each single block pillar seems capable of supporting a 5x5 structure, ofc two of the pillars will have kiln and smelter which will use up much of the space but I should pick up maybe an extra two meters between the connecting floors. If I need to expand the base later I should be able to add a few more pillars.

It is intended to be a purely functional build, not artistic or fancy so most of the vids and posts I've found aren't all that helpful. I'd appreciate any advice or links to information.

Thanks!

[Cap'n Bells]

7 to 9 meters doesnt feel high enough if trolls visit with trees in hand.. maybe ok for Abominators :-) so add an encircling second lower earth wall away from actual platforms to thwart trolls approach may stop Aboms too (note it doesnt matter if raised wall is ocean BF or Swamp)

[blprice61]

Thanks, not sure there's room enough for a decent earth wall but will double check. Also digging down to sea level around the pillars so should see a few extra meters. I'm not adverse to fighting it out with the trolls once I get properly buffed and geared but I've yet to build the kite track also working on log jam - hauling most lumber in remotely, leaving most of the trees around lay where they fall. Might need to plant some more...

The Abom's can't hit if you're on top of a crypt, pretty sure they can't go above 4 meters, maybe 5. Also thinking about reinforcing the floor with beams and one meter intervals in case 2* archer or horde of archers come visiting. Had that happen with the elevated cartway covered bridge in the swamp, then I could just keep moving so they never got to concentrate on one spot. Not sure how they'll behave with elevated base.

[Cap'n Bells]

they tend to attempt to get to you, therefore they end up beneath you.. allow for that in your vantage points... i build raised walkways between trees supported horizontally by corewood and effectively have a web of them so i can run away from above them and archer them from another angle easily..

[blprice61]

Originally posted by Cap'n Bells:

they tend to attempt to get to you, therefore they end up beneath you.. allow for that in your vantage points... i build raised walkways between trees supported horizontally by corewood and effectively have a web of them so i can run away from above them and archer them from another angle easily..

Did something similar on an earlier run with the covered bridge aka elevated cartway thru the swamp; had doors often, particularly when above support pillars :)

[blprice61]

Originally posted by GunsForBucks:

Personally I ditch out a good distance from all structures and even include a copper node or two if I can.

If you can't ditch due to water then I would consider moving my location so I could. Hillsides are good since you can just carve in a drop off rather than a ditch.

Not a fan of building by water... takes a lot more effort to make secure base defenses.

Edit add - The ideal situation in that regard for me would be to find a copper node as close as possible to iron crypts.

That might make more sense, just.. if this base defense idea works, well a lot less work overall than normal plus free deliveries from skeletons killing meadow game and draugrs killing dwarfs. Hoping to get a Troll and Abom fight going, already tangled with one Abom during scouting.

If this build doesn't work out I'll probably give your advice a shot, thanks :)

[Humpenstilzchen]

You could also build a treehouse on one of those big indestructable swamptrees.

[blprice61]

Originally posted by Humpenstilzchen:

You could also build a treehouse on one of those big indestructable swamptrees.

Yeah I gave that a thought but at this point I'm still just scouting and preparing. I like to have a decent defensible setup ready when I kill Elder; that's pretty much when I start paying attention to defense more than a grayling fence or something to slow a brute down a few seconds. Well, to be honest, the earlier events are so easy that its more archery practice during then melee practice at end lol.

[Gladi8er65]

Why not just build a safe base up in the tall, indestructible trees of the swamp?...

It is completely possible (on vanilla game) to build in those trees and even be able to place campfire or hearth as well as smelter and coal kiln, if you do it right.

Here is one I built which is clearly much higher than any land mob can reach

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2661983674

Hearth placed in the tree house in the swamps

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2643987894

Smelter and coal kiln placed up in the tree house in the swamps

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2643988771

Those big trees in the swamp can't be destroyed and they act as "ground" point for your building... Every piece touching the tree is blue (structural integrity), so it's quite easy to build up out of reach of most mobs.

[blprice61]

Originally posted by GunsForBucks:

Originally posted by Gladi8er65:

Why not just build a safe base up in the tall, indestructible trees of the swamp?...

It is completely possible (on vanilla game) to build in those trees and even be able to place campfire or hearth as well as smelter and coal kiln, if you do it right.

Here is one I built which is clearly much higher than any land mob can reach

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2661983674

Hearth placed in the tree house in the swamps

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2643987894

Smelter and coal kiln placed up in the tree house in the swamps

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2643988771

Those big trees in the swamp can't be destroyed and they act as "ground" point for your building... Every piece touching the tree is blue (structural integrity), so it's quite easy to build up out of reach of most mobs.

Main reason for me is being dumb and fall damage.
If you have over 100 health you will live but may also be surrounded ha ha.

Yeah I second that. Normally I play permadeath or limited lives house rules so.. even though this run is just plain vanilla (for a change of pace) I can't help but shudder at making a wrong turn or running off a ladder or.. I'd find some way to fall I'm sure.

That said, I do use those 'forever' trees in the swamp for anchor points when I find a chain of crypts and build an elevated cartway.

At the moment though, I'm just 'graduating' from Black Forest, and even though I've found turnips, I'm still bronze, finewood, and mix of troll and bronze armor with a deerskin cape. Don't even have the swamp key yet as I'm making sure my new outpost turned main base has defenses, and mothballing/re-purposing older bases (making them non-event triggering in the process). Like I mentioned, lots of permadeath runs, so paranoid and probably way too careful :laugh:

[skOsH♥]

The goal is to find a tiny island or small rock in the ocean where you can swim to and from. Then lay down a bunch of stakes and make an elevated base

[blprice61]

Finally finished outpost
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2834993836

Did some tests with my builder (creative mode) on another world; 8 meters is beyond the limit to club troll reach. Due to thinking only over 6 meters was needed initially, I had to dig out a.. pit around the pillars.. eh a bit early for a dedicated rock quarry but *shrug*.

Thanks again to everyone for their input and advice, helped clarify my thinking!