Base Building 101: Complete Guide
Building a strong base is the difference between thriving and getting raided overnight. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything from placing your first foundation to creating an impenetrable fortress.
Table of Contents
Foundation Basics
Foundation Types
- • Square Foundation: 100 wood - Standard 1x1 building block
- • Triangle Foundation: 50 wood - Used for corners and honeycomb
- • Circle Foundation: 200 wood - Rare, used for special builds
Foundation Placement Rules
- Foundations must be placed on relatively flat ground
- Cannot overlap with rocks, trees, or other player structures
- Must be within building privilege to place near existing structures
- Can be placed slightly in water for ocean bases
Visual Guide: Foundation Grid
Basic 3x3 foundation layout with central TC placement
F = Foundation Square | TC = Tool Cupboard
Building Plan & Hammer
Building Plan
- • Cost: 100 wood to craft
- • Used to place all building blocks
- • Right-click to change building piece
- • Hold R to access building wheel
- • Shows material cost before placing
Hammer
- • Cost: 100 wood to craft
- • Used to upgrade/repair structures
- • Shows health and upgrade options
- • Can rotate items within 10 minutes
- • Essential for base maintenance
Starter Base Designs
The Classic 2x1
2 foundations side by side
- • Materials: ~2,000 wood, 50 metal frags
- • Upkeep: ~300 wood/day
- • Perfect for solo players
- • Quick to build and upgrade
The 2x2 with Airlock
2x2 square foundations + 1 triangle airlock
- • Materials: ~4,000 wood, 100 metal frags
- • Upkeep: ~600 wood/day
- • Airlock prevents full access if killed at door
- • Room for 4 large boxes + TC + furnaces
Honeycomb & Protection
What is Honeycomb?
Honeycomb is adding empty triangle or square foundations around your base's exterior. Raiders must blow through these extra layers to reach your loot, significantly increasing raid cost.
Honeycomb Visualization
Honeycomb protection around a 3x3 core base
H = Honeycomb (empty) | LOOT = Storage rooms | TC = Tool Cupboard
Honeycomb Benefits
- Increased raid cost: Each layer doubles the explosives needed
- Space for traps: Place shotgun traps in honeycomb
- Confuses raiders: Hard to identify loot rooms
- Stability bonus: Supports upper floors better
Shooting Floors & Peaks
Shooting Floor Design
Shooting floors allow you to defend your base from above. Use floor frames and low walls to create defensive positions.
- • Replace floors with floor frames for visibility
- • Add low walls around the perimeter
- • Include half walls for better angles
- • Consider window embrasures for protection
Pro Tip: Roof Camping Defense
Add a shooting floor with 360° visibility on top of your base. This deters door campers and lets you control the area around your base. Include a bed for quick respawns during defense.
Airlock Systems
Basic Airlock Types
Single Door Airlock
Most common, requires discipline to use properly
Double Door Airlock
Maximum security, prevents deep penetration
Airlock Rules
- • Never have both doors open at once
- • Always close the door behind you before opening the next
- • Keep airlock clear of items that block doors
- • Consider adding a shotgun trap for security
Tool Cupboard Placement
TC Placement Strategy
Central Placement
- ✅ Equal coverage all around
- ✅ Harder to raid directly
- ❌ Predictable location
- ❌ Takes up prime real estate
Offset Placement
- ✅ Confuses raiders
- ✅ More room for loot in center
- ❌ Uneven coverage
- ❌ Easier to grief from one side
TC Coverage
Standard TC provides ~16 foundation radius of building privilege. For larger bases, consider multiple TCs with overlapping coverage or external TCs for compound walls.
Material Upgrades
| Material | Health | C4 to Destroy | Rockets | Upgrade Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twig | 10 HP | - | - | Free |
| Wood | 250 HP | 1/4 C4 | 2 | 200 wood |
| Stone | 500 HP | 1 C4 | 4 | 300 stone |
| Metal | 1000 HP | 2 C4 | 8 | 200 metal |
| Armored | 2000 HP | 3 C4 | 15 | 25 HQM |
Upgrade Priority
- 1. Upgrade to stone ASAP (wood is flammable!)
- 2. Metal doors before metal walls
- 3. Armored doors on loot rooms
- 4. Consider mixed materials for cost efficiency
Advanced Techniques
Bunker Bases
Bunker bases use twig floors that collapse when destroyed, sealing entrances with armored walls. Requires careful planning but offers maximum security.
- • Build armored ceiling tiles above twig floors
- • Destroy twig when logging off to seal base
- • Rebuild twig floors to re-enter
- • Nearly unraidable when properly executed
Roof Stacking
Advanced building technique that allows multiple roof pieces in the same space, creating extra layers of protection.
- • Requires specific placement order
- • Can triple raid costs on specific walls
- • Often patched, check current meta
- • Practice in build servers first
Wide Gaps & Jump-Ups
Use half-height floors and strategic gaps to create paths only you know, confusing raiders.
- • Half walls + floors create hidden routes
- • Crouch jumps to access hidden areas
- • Window frames as one-way drops
- • Combine with shop fronts for visibility
Common Building Mistakes
Mistake #1: No Airlock
Building without an airlock means one door camp death gives full base access. Always include at least a single airlock.
Mistake #2: Window/Door Facing TC
Never place windows or doors that give direct line of sight to your TC. Raiders can destroy it without entering.
Mistake #3: Weak Side Walls Out
Walls have a weak side (smooth) that takes less damage. Always face the rough/strong side outward.
Mistake #4: Ladder-able Base
Overhangs and floor/roof placement can allow raiders to place ladders. Use half walls on edges to prevent this.
Related Guides & Tools
Upkeep Calculator
Calculate exact upkeep costs for your base
Raid Calculator
Test your base against different raid methods
Electricity Guide
Add automated defenses to your base
Building Materials
Browse all building materials and costs
Wipe Day Guide
Fast base building strategies for wipe day
All Calculators
Access all building and raid calculators
Master Base Building
Ready to calculate exactly how much your dream base will cost to maintain?