Base Building & Construction Guide

Base Building & Construction Guide

Welcome, Flameborn, to the definitive guide on establishing your sanctuary within the perilous lands of Enshrouded! A well-constructed base is not just a place to rest your weary head; it's your crafting hub, your safe haven from the Shroud, and your strategic stronghold against the dangers that lurk. This guide will walk you through the essential steps, from laying your first foundation to creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing home.

Initial Base Setup: Your First Shelter

Before you can dream of grand castles, you need a basic shelter. Your very first base will likely be a simple structure designed to house your essential crafting stations and provide a safe respawn point.

1. Place Your Flame Altar: This is the absolute cornerstone of your base.
   • How to Obtain: The Flame Altar is one of the first crafting recipes you'll unlock. You'll need 5x Stone and 5x Shroud Core. Shroud Cores are dropped by enemies within the Shroud.
   • Placement Strategy: Choose a relatively flat area, preferably outside the Shroud, and close to resources like trees and stone. Avoid placing it too close to enemy spawns or steep cliffs. Remember, the Flame Altar defines your buildable area.
   • Activating the Altar: Once placed, interact with it to activate its protective aura and establish your territory.
2. Gather Basic Materials: You'll need a steady supply of Wood Logs and Stone for your initial construction.
   • Wood Logs: Chop down any trees you see. Early game, you'll mostly use regular trees.
   • Stone: Mine stone deposits using your Pickaxe. Look for grey rock formations.
3. Craft a Workbench: This is your primary crafting station for basic building blocks.
   • How to Obtain: The Workbench recipe is available early on. You'll need 3x Wood Logs and 3x String. String can be crafted from Plant Fiber.
   • Placement: Place it within your Flame Altar's influence.
4. Construct Your First Walls and Roof:
   • Building Blocks: Access the "Building" menu (default key 'B'). Start with basic Rough Wood Blocks and Rough Stone Blocks. These are crafted at your Workbench.
   • Wall Placement: Snap blocks together to form walls. You can choose various wall types (full wall, half wall, window frame, door frame).
   • Roofing: Use Rough Wood Roof Blocks to create a simple sloped roof. Ensure it covers your entire structure to protect from elements and provide a sense of enclosure.
5. Add a Door and a Bed:
   • Door: Craft a Rough Wood Door at your Workbench and place it in a door frame.
   • Bed: Craft a Simple Bed (requires 5x Plant Fiber, 2x Wood Logs) and place it inside. This sets your respawn point.

Expanding Your Base: Functionality and Aesthetics

Once you have a basic shelter, you can begin to expand and refine your base. This involves unlocking new crafting stations, gathering more advanced materials, and improving the overall design.

Unlocking Craftspeople and Advanced Stations

Your base becomes truly powerful with the help of the various Craftspeople you rescue. Each one brings unique crafting recipes and unlocks new building materials.

• The Blacksmith (Oswald Anders):
  • Location: Found in the Ancient Vault - Blacksmith, located northeast of the starting area.
  • Unlocks: Forge, Charcoal Kiln, Smelter, and recipes for metal tools, weapons, and more durable building materials like Metal Plates and Iron Bars.
  • Impact on Building: Allows for crafting stronger doors, windows, and decorative metal elements.
• The Hunter (Athalanne):
  • Location: Found in the Ancient Vault - Hunter, typically west of the starting area.
  • Unlocks: Tanning Station, Drying Rack, and recipes for armor, arrows, and leather-based decorations.
  • Impact on Building: While not directly building blocks, the Hunter's stations are crucial for crafting materials that can be used in decorative elements or for crafting better tools for gathering.
• The Alchemist (Balthazar):
  • Location: Found in the Ancient Vault - Alchemist, often south-east of the starting area.
  • Unlocks: Alchemy Station, Grinding Stones, and recipes for potions, spells, and alchemical ingredients.
  • Impact on Building: Unlocks recipes for advanced materials like Glass (from Sand and Charcoal) for windows, and various dyes for customizing your building blocks.
• The Carpenter (Cade Hawkwind):
  • Location: Found in the Ancient Vault - Carpenter, usually further north or west.
  • Unlocks: Table Saw, Circular Saw, and a vast array of advanced wood-based building blocks, furniture, and decorative items.
  • Impact on Building: This is a game-changer for aesthetics. You'll gain access to Fine Wood Blocks, various types of stairs, railings, intricate roof designs, and a wide selection of furniture.
• The Farmer (Emily Fray):
  • Location: Found in the Ancient Vault - Farmer, often in the Revelwood region.
  • Unlocks: Seedbed, Beehive, and recipes for farming plots, food production, and some rustic decorations.
  • Impact on Building: Crucial for creating sustainable food sources within your base, and provides decorative farming elements.

Advanced Building Techniques and Materials

As you progress, you'll unlock more sophisticated building options:

• Stone Masonry: With the Blacksmith, you can craft a Stone Cutter. This allows you to refine raw Stone into more aesthetically pleasing and durable blocks like Cut Stone Blocks, Stone Bricks, and various decorative stone elements.
• Terraforming: Your Pickaxe isn't just for mining! You can use it to flatten terrain around your base, create pathways, or even dig out basements. Hold 'E' while equipping your Pickaxe to switch between mining and terraforming modes.
• Structural Integrity: While Enshrouded doesn't have a complex structural integrity system, ensuring your roof is adequately supported by walls or pillars is good practice and improves aesthetics.
• Lighting: Don't forget illumination! Craft Torches, Candles, and later, more advanced light sources like Lanterns (from the Blacksmith) to brighten your interior and deter some Shroud creatures at night.
• Furniture and Decorations: The Carpenter is your best friend here. Craft tables, chairs, shelves, and various other decorative items to make your base feel like a home. Don't underestimate the power of a well-placed rug or painting!
• Multi-Story Structures: Once you have access to stairs (from the Carpenter), you can begin building upward. Plan your floor layouts carefully to ensure easy navigation.
• Water Features: While not directly buildable, finding natural water sources near your base can be beneficial for farming or simply for aesthetic appeal.

Strategic Base Placement and Multiple Bases

Consider more than just aesthetics when choosing your base locations:

• Resource Proximity: Placing a base near abundant sources of Wood, Stone, Clay, or specific ore veins (like Copper or Iron) will save you immense travel time.
• Shroud Accessibility: While your main base should be outside the Shroud, consider establishing smaller, temporary outposts near Shroud entrances or within the Shroud itself (if you've upgraded your Flame Altar) to facilitate resource gathering or questing.
• Elevation and Defense: Building on higher ground can offer a tactical advantage against ground-based enemies. Consider creating defensive walls or moats if you anticipate frequent attacks (though enemy raids are less common in early access).
• Multiple Flame Altars: As you upgrade your Flame Altar, you'll unlock the ability to place multiple altars. Use these to establish smaller, specialized bases or outposts in different regions of the map. For example, a mining outpost in a mineral-rich area, or a farming base in a fertile valley.

Remember, your base is a reflection of your journey in Enshrouded. Experiment with different designs, materials, and layouts. Have fun building your perfect sanctuary!