FAQ: Where should I build my base?

Quick rundown of base location areas on the map. Intended for beginners.
Last updated: v0.66

Map

Areas

Beginner

Players who don't yet have a good grasp of the combat mechanics (or are afraid of the cannibals) should start here.

1. "East Point": Very safe. No patrol routes, raids start very slowly. Lizards, rabbits, deer, raccoons, and squirrels, fish in the ponds downhill. There is a tiny village below to the southwest, which is good for gathering a few resources as it's rarely occupied. No cave entrances nearby. Highly recommended.
   
2. "Snow East": Usually safe.
   
3. "Snow Central": Usually safe. Recommended out of the snow areas (safest and best resources).
   
4. "Snow West": Usually safe. Fewer resources than the ones above.

Advanced

For players that want more challenge and reward. Includes the richest areas in The Forest.

1. "River Island": Surrounded by a creek that connects two branches of the main river. Attacked very frequently, but fun to defend because of the terrain. Plenty of most resources nearby.
   
2. South Lake: Rich in resources. The village on the east side is a good target for your first big "hostile takeover". Cave 2 entrance is right next to the village, and there are a couple others around the lake.
   
3. Geese Lake: Rich, lush, and scenic. Not as dangerous as it should be. Multiple cave entrances close by.
   
4. Crocodile Village: Another good place to try and take over from the cannibals. Plenty of resources, nice views, and surprisingly easy to defend.
   
5. "Central Hill": Good central location overlooking the river and sinkhole. Plane often crashes around this area. Some resources, a 2-hut village, and plenty of enemies.
   
6. "Yacht Peninsula": Many players like to build fortresses here. Has a big "weirwood tree" at the tip. No resources beyond a few herbs and leaves. Totally exposed, but enemies usually can't get up the sides so attacks will come from the north. And they will come often. You can also try a little further up (submerged cave south entrance) for more resources and slightly less combat.

Expert / Not Recommended

• the west coast: Highly dangerous because of the constant patrols, day and night. Nothing will go unnoticed for more than a few (in-game) hours. Personally, the only thing i build here is an outpost at the cave 6 (lawyer's cave) entrance near the containers.

1. Cave 7 Entrance: You have about 20 seconds to get ready for the fun.
   
2. Northwest Village/Snow Lake: Often as bad as the big one. Enjoy the mutants and molotovs.
   
3. Main Village: This is it, Crusoe. You're not a real conquistador until you kick them out of their own land.

[AxisTT]

We just made a huge fortified base next to the ship containers 😄

[redegg]

I'd say that the most northern point of the western coast, the pond right beside beginner spot 4, should be advanced instead of expert. Yes, it's right by the waterfront cannibal camps, but their patrol from there runs eastward along a clear slope and they don't tend to go north until they already know you're there. I've had a few saves where I've been able to fully wall in the ridge and the few paths from the beach before they really started dropping by.

Lots of resources there too. Boars to the south(east), rabbits south and east, deer everywhere, and even a raccoon spawn right by the pond. There's also aloe along the cannibal path, and their camps (which you can raid after they leave) have rope, skulls, luggage, red paint, and even an advanced spear on the furthest hut. Plenty of sticks and trees in reach. Rocks everywhere ofc. 8/10 spot imo

[Bread Offender]

geese lake my beloved

[pat_kon]

Damn, on my first try me and my friend decided to build exactly at the place where you wrote that this is the worst place to live, exactly in the center of number 3 :). And we were thinking "why the ♥♥♥♥ is there such a huge ammount of mutants" XXD

[h1r0]

Green 1, and between the second and third lake below are pretty safe. I have a base close the third lake, close the cliff, below green 1 and I was attacked once or twice during the entire game.
I have another base on red 3, and it is insane. Every day I fight against cannibals and every 3 days against mutants and cannibals, after 100 days it is common to fight against 3 mutants and 1 or 2 parties of cannibals at the same time.

[NEGRsenar]

me and my friend immediately built on red 3 and it was perfect but i dont understand why its saying the snow is beginner?? youll die so easily because of cold

[GeekPunk]

Guys it's been 20 days & haven't even seen any mutant above lol except the preprogrammed ones in caves(normal)

[Sparlax]

I always go with an island because the cannibals can't spawn or swim there. :]

[A-10 WARTHOG AMMUNITION CARRIER]

central hill, yellow 5, i love that area

[I <3 Feet]

house boats are also great for new players as your base cant be attacked when it is in the water and you can safely travel across the map with it