Base Building & Customization (Supergroup Bases)

Welcome, heroes and villains, to the ultimate guide to Supergroup Base building and customization in City of Heroes! Your Supergroup Base isn't just a hangout; it's a strategic hub, a social center, and a testament to your Supergroup's power and style. This detailed walkthrough will cover everything from initial acquisition to advanced customization, ensuring your base stands out in Paragon City or the Rogue Isles.

Acquiring Your Supergroup Base

Before you can customize, you need a base! The process is straightforward, but requires a Supergroup and some influence.

Form a Supergroup: If you haven't already, gather your allies and form a Supergroup. This is done by speaking to a Supergroup Registrar in Atlas Park (Heroes) or Mercy Island (Villains).
Gather Influence: Supergroup Bases are purchased with Supergroup Influence. This currency is earned by all members contributing to the Supergroup's activities, such as completing missions, defeating enemies, and donating items.
Purchase a Base Plot: Once your Supergroup has sufficient influence, the Supergroup Leader or a member with appropriate permissions can purchase a base plot.
- Hero Bases: Head to the Architect Entertainment building in Atlas Park and speak to the Base Architect.
- Villain Bases: Visit the Architect Entertainment building in Port Oakes and speak to the Base Architect.
The initial cost for a basic plot is generally around 50,000 Supergroup Influence.
Enter Your Base: After purchase, you can enter your base through the Base Portal located near the Architect Entertainment building in your respective starting zone.

Understanding the Base Editor Interface

Once inside your base, you'll access the Base Editor to begin construction and customization. The editor is intuitive but has several key components:

Accessing the Editor: Press the 'B' key (default) or click the "Base Editor" button on your UI.
Editor Modes:
- Build Mode: This is where you place rooms, hallways, and structural components.
- Decorate Mode: Used for placing furniture, decorations, and functional items.
- Permissions Mode: Manage who can do what in your base.
- Storage Mode: Access your Supergroup's base storage.
Influence & Energy: Building and decorating consume Supergroup Influence and Base Energy. Base Energy regenerates over time, but can also be purchased with Influence or earned through certain base upgrades.

Building Your Base Layout (Build Mode)

The foundation of your base is its layout. Plan carefully to optimize space and functionality.

Starting Room: Your base begins with a single, small room. This is your initial entry point.
Adding Rooms & Hallways:
- Open the Base Editor and select "Build Mode."
- Browse the categories for "Rooms" and "Hallways."
- Click on a desired room or hallway type (e.g., "Standard Room," "Long Hallway," "Corner Room").
- Drag and drop the component into your base. Use the rotation tools to orient it correctly.
- Connect rooms and hallways by snapping them together. Green outlines indicate a valid connection.
- Cost: Each component has an Influence and Energy cost. Larger rooms and more complex hallways cost more.
Expanding Your Base: As your Supergroup grows, you'll want to expand. Consider adding specialized rooms for different functions:
- Meeting Rooms: For Supergroup gatherings and planning.
- Training Rooms: Equipped with sparring targets.
- Crafting Labs: For access to crafting stations.
- Medical Bays: For healing and resupply.
Deleting Components: To remove a component, select it in Build Mode and click the "Delete" button. This will refund a portion of the Influence and Energy spent.

Decorating & Functionality (Decorate Mode)

This is where your base truly comes to life. Decorate Mode allows you to place a vast array of items, both aesthetic and functional.

Functional Items (Crucial for Supergroup Operations)

Prioritize these items to maximize your base's utility:

Base Teleporter: Absolutely essential. Allows Supergroup members to teleport directly to the base from anywhere in Paragon City or the Rogue Isles. Purchase from the "Functional" category.
Supergroup Storage: Provides shared storage for your Supergroup. Crucial for sharing crafting materials, enhancements, and other items. Found in "Functional."
Supergroup Bank: Allows members to deposit and withdraw Supergroup Influence. Located in "Functional."
Supergroup Mailbox: Enables in-game mail access from within the base. Found in "Functional."
Crafting Stations:
- Workbenches: For basic crafting.
- Advanced Workstations: Required for higher-tier crafting recipes.
- Salvage Bins: To convert unwanted items into crafting salvage.
These are typically found under "Crafting" or "Functional" categories.
Medical Bay Equipment:
- Healing Stations: Restore health and endurance quickly.
- Respecification Stations: Allow members to re-spec their powers and enhancements (requires a Respec Token).
Look in "Medical" or "Functional."
Sparring Targets: Essential for testing builds and practicing rotations. Found under "Training."

Aesthetic Customization (Make it Your Own!)

Beyond functionality, decorate your base to reflect your Supergroup's identity.

Furniture: Chairs, tables, couches, desks – create comfortable lounges or functional workspaces. Explore categories like "Seating," "Tables," and "Storage Furniture."
Lighting: Brighten up dark corners or set a mood with various lamps, overhead lights, and wall sconces. Check the "Lighting" category.
Wall & Floor Textures: Change the appearance of your base's surfaces. This is done through the "Base Options" menu, not by placing individual items. Experiment with different themes like "Tech," "Industrial," "Natural," or "Heroic."
Decorations: Statues, plants, trophies, banners, and more. These items add personality and flair. Browse categories like "Art," "Plants," "Trophies," and "Miscellaneous."
Base Themes: Consider purchasing a full base theme from the Paragon Market or earning them through in-game events. Themes often include unique textures, lighting, and even some exclusive decorations.

Managing Base Permissions

The "Permissions Mode" is critical for controlling who can do what within your Supergroup Base. Access it through the Base Editor.

Supergroup Ranks: Permissions are assigned based on Supergroup Ranks (e.g., Leader, Captain, Member).
Assigning Permissions: For each rank, you can grant or revoke specific abilities:
- Build/Decorate: Allows members to add, move, or delete base components and decorations.
- Access Storage: Permits access to the Supergroup Storage.
- Access Bank: Allows use of the Supergroup Bank.
- Modify Permissions: Grants the ability to change other members' base permissions (usually restricted to Leader/Captain).
- Control Base Energy: Allows members to purchase Base Energy.
Guest Access: You can also set permissions for non-Supergroup members who visit your base, such as allowing them to use functional items like healing stations or sparring targets.

Advanced Base Strategies & Tips

Influence Generation: Encourage all Supergroup members to contribute influence. Running missions together, defeating enemies, and donating salvage are excellent ways to accumulate influence quickly.
Energy Management: Keep an eye on your Base Energy. Large bases with many functional items consume more. Consider purchasing "Energy Generators" (found in "Functional") to increase your passive energy regeneration rate.
Themed Bases: Plan a theme for your base early on. Whether it's a high-tech lab, a mystical sanctuary, or a gritty underground bunker, a consistent theme enhances the overall experience.
Community Hub: Designate areas for social interaction. A large meeting room, a lounge area, or even a small arena for sparring can foster Supergroup camaraderie.
Regular Maintenance: Periodically review your base layout and decorations. As your Supergroup evolves, so too should your base. Remove unused items, add new functional components, and refresh the decor.
Paragon Market Items: The Paragon Market offers exclusive base items, decorations, and even full base themes. While not essential, these can significantly enhance your base's aesthetics and functionality.

With these guidelines, your Supergroup Base will become a formidable and welcoming stronghold, a true home away from home in the vast world of City of Heroes!