If you decide to build your own base instead of occupying a (metal walled) house, then your first question will be, WHERE the base should be build. In this wiki-page all options are shown and explained with each pros and cons. Independent from the location is also the second question HOW FAR AWAY from houses or the rad city your settlement should be. This point also gets explained afterwards.
Location Options:
Base Location Options
There´s basically 5 options (A to E) in any map where you can chose from (see graphics to the right). The order goes from a rough evaluation from worst (A) to best (E) opportunity. But certainly in special cases or strategies any location can be the favourite. For example if you chose the Level Rushing Strategy, then it might be a good idea to chose locations A or B for your temporary base to be able to attract and hunt as many ghouls as possible, and to avoid contact to other players.
- A - between middle and any border of the map: Pros: full range (full circle) for gathering resources but not as good as position B (map middle) Cons: all 4 base sides have to be build and maintained/defended (in total a very big drawback!) Conclusion: only suitable for big professional teams who know what they do and why
- B - exact middle of the map: Pros: * fullest range for gathering resouces * easiest map domination (if adequate equipment and team size is given) Cons: all 4 base sides have to be build AND maintained/defended (in total a very big drawback!) Conclusion: only suitable for big professional teams who know what they do and why
- C - one of the 4 corners: Pros: the borders have the effect that 2 base sides don´t have to be build and are indestructible Cons: * only a fourth of the possible range (quarter circle) for gathering resources * no chance for building a real backdoor (shortest distance between base doors) * since every player sees quickly the single but most obvious advantage point and overrate it, and because they don´t see all the strong cons, they all want to build at the corners - it´s a heavily seeked (from noobs to savages) and overcrowded location Conclusion: only suitable for big professional teams who know what they do and why
- D - middle of left or right border: Pros: * good range (half circle) for gathering resources * 1 base side (border) doesn´t have to be build and stays indestructible * real backdoor possible (1 door at top, 1 door at the bottom, both towards the border) Cons: * if you design your base to be rectangular with biggest distance between door and backdoor, then it won´t fit on your screen - you don´t have an overview Conclusion: good choice, but due to game optimization to 3:2 screen ratio maybe not the best one
- E - middle of top or bottom border: Pros: * good range (half circle) for gathering resources * 1 base side (border) doesn´t have to be build and stays indestructible * real backdoor possible (1 door to the left, 1 door to the right, both towards the border) * if you design your base to be rectangular with biggest distance between door and backdoor, then it will fit on your screen - you have best overview Cons: maybe crowded by advanced players since its the best choice Conclusion: best choice, especially if you are following the field-tested Example Base For 1-2 Players guide. If you are going for laser-equipment, then you will prefer the top border location (e.g. A3/A4) to be able to collect the mandatory big wires easier from the irradiated city building #2 (middle of top city border).
Base distance to abandoned houses or the irradiated city:
If you build your base too close to a house, then lots of people will spot you and, since many are following the Least Investment Strategy, will annoy you. Every player needs stuff from houses, so in almost all cases it´s a bad idea to settle too close. This is also valid for those who think it would be a good idea to settle between 2 houses or a house and the border. Many players will give you hell in these cases.
If you build your base too far away from a house, you will lose a lot of time and have longer risky distances to overcome. You will need lots of resources from houses, so in almost all cases it´s a bad idea to settle too far away.
The rad-city is needed much later, when you require the thick wires for laser/tesla-stuff. Professional teams might prefer to have a short way to the rad city. Some strategies might be grounded on making heavy use of the rad city too. But for normal players or noob teams, it´s more an late end-game option to go for laser equipment and therefore it might be better to avoid to settle too close to the rad city.