The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Base Locations in Subnautica
As a passionate Subnautica player with over 800 hours of in-game experience, I‘ve had the pleasure of establishing many undersea bases across various biomes. Over time, through trial and error, I‘ve determined definitive ideal locations based on playstyle, resource needs, aesthetic preferences and other key factors.
So if you‘re struggling to determine the prime spot to build your home away from home on planet 4546B, allow me to impart the wisdom gleaned from my extensive hands-on research.
How I Evaluate Base Locations
Before jumping into the individual biome breakdowns, I want to clarify how I assess the suitability of base sites based on the following criteria:
Access to Resources
Immediate proximity to essential crafting materials like metal, quartz and copper nuggets. Having a wealth of raw materials in your backyard saves tremendous time hunting and gathering.
Local Predator Population
The density of aggressive wildlife nearby. You want to minimize time defending your base from attacks. Prioritize less hostile biomes.
Constructability
The amount of open, flat and clear terrain available to build upon. Some areas are far more conducive to base building than others.
Power Generation Options
Whether solar, thermal or alternative energy sources are available nearby to sustain your growing power needs.
Adjacency to Other Biomes
Access to multiple distinct biomes in close proximity allows reaching key progression gateways faster.
Aesthetic Appeal
Finding a visually stunning landscape that inspires you and showcases the game‘s beauty. This is crucial for long-term enjoyment.
By objectively weighing each location across these pivotal criteria, I generate a grade-based ranking to quantify site suitability. Now let me share my top rated picks for bases in Subnautica!
Safe Shallows
Upon first leaving your emergency Life Pod, establishing a starter base within the nearby Safe Shallows simply makes logical sense. As the name implies, this sandy, coral cave-dotted region offers new players a calm sanctuary to gain their initial bearings.
Resources: Scattered limestone outcrops provide starter materials like titanium, quartz and copper with frequent fragment and crate debris spawns to scan/salvage.
Predators: Schools of passive fish and rays represent the main fauna. A very safe, hospitable biome.
Constructability: Open cave spaces and sparse terrain allow for clear building real estate.
Power: Direct sunlight exposure enables reliable solar panel energy generation.
Biome Access: Adjacent to Kelp Forests but most major biomes require longer-range transit.
Aesthetic Appeal: Bright, vibrant and colorful but somewhat plain compared to more exotic biomes.
In summary, the resource availability, power potential, constructed space and safety provide new survivors an ideal environment to establish their first temporary sanctuary as they learn the game‘s basics.
My Rating: 4/5 stars
Kelp Forest
Encircling borders of many starting Safe Shallows zones are vibrant Kelp Forests – named for the towering kelp structures studded with bio-luminescent bulbs up their stalks. Teeming with resources, the Kelp Forests make for superb base locations.
Resources: Limestone, sandstone and occasional shale outcrops supply copper, silver, gold and other valuables. Frequent wreck spawns too.
Predators: Stalkers steal loose items aggressively but other threats are limited aside from some Sand Sharks.
Constructability: The thick kelp stalks can visually obstruct base sight lines depending on placement.
Power: Surface sunlight is reachable for standard solar panels. Some thermal vents also available.
Biome Access: Borders the Plateaus, Jellyshroom Caves and Purple Vents–a gateway to major biomes once upgraded vehicles are attained.
Aesthetic Appeal: Otherworldly and incredibly beautiful, especially at night when the kelp glows brightly.
In conclusion, Kelp Forests represent a smart progression once you outgrow and deplete the starter Safe Shallows regions early on. The bountiful resources, solar/thermal power and adjacency to late game biomes checks all the boxes. Just mind the thieving Stalkers!
My Rating: 5/5 stars
Jellyshroom Caves
Upon entering this massive glittering cave network, most players gasp in awe at the sight of gigantic glowing mushrooms and vibrant alien flora covering the ceilings and floors. Teeming with valuable resources, the Jellyshroom Caves offer wondrous sights.
Resources: Shale ore deposits are packed with gold, lithium, diamonds and the ultra-rare magnetite crystals.
Predators: Some aggressive fauna like Crabsquids live here but large swaths remain passive.
Constructability: The alien architecture doesn‘t obstruct much sight line visibility which aids base building.
Power: Numerous lava geysers generate massive thermal energy. Solar inaccessible this deep though.
Biome Access: Links directly to the Lost River, Inactive Lava, and Blood Kelp Zones–essential endgame regions.
Aesthetic Appeal: Arguably the most visually spectacular and inspiring landscape among all biomes. The vibrant colors and scale are simply breathtaking.
In summary, seasoned players seeking a secluded, beautiful and resource rich environment will fall in love with constructing a mega base within the Jellyshroom Caves. The ENDGAME loot and biome access are supreme late game bonuses. Just prepare for extreme depths and pressures!
My Rating: 5/5 stars
Mushroom Forest
Yet another whimsical region defined by towering fungal formations, this magical surface-level forest biome delivers bountiful constructible space amidst enchanting scenery.
Resources: Metal salvages, quartz and other staples are plentiful thanks to the abundant limestone and sandstone outcrops.
Predators: Largely devoid of hostile predators aside from some Ampeels on the outskirts by the Dunes and Mountains.
Constructability: The towering mushrooms provide excellent vertical integration potential for bases while minimizing surface obstruction.
Power: Solar accessibility being near the surface along with some stray thermal vents.
Biome Access: Links directly to the Deep Grand Reef, Blood Kelp and Mountains zones.
Aesthetic Appeal: Few regions match the vibrant purples and glowing particle effects that permeate the alien skyline.
In summary, Mushroom Forest presents a gorgeous centralized location well suited for constructing lavish towering bases with access to essential resources, energy and bordering biomes. Just steer clear of the Ampeels!
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Lava Lakes/Cove Tree
Suspended over a massive subterranean lava lake nearly 1 km below the surface lies the solitary Cove Tree–an alien natural wonder with dangling tendrils that stretch downwards from its cave ceiling perch. Below churns scalding lava.
Resources: The Lava Lakes chamber contains vast mineral deposits and volcanic activity to harvest.
Predators: Zero hostile creatures populate this extreme depth.
Constructability: The craggy uneven cave ceilings and walls pose challenges for clean sight lines but produce very defensible position locations.
Power: Enormous thermal energy saturates the volcanically active lava pools and vents.
Biome Access: The ancient Skeleton, Inactive Lava Zones and Disease Research Facility connect directly to this central hub.
Aesthetic Appeal: Simply put, no view compares to gazing out over a bubbling lake of lava from your base nestled atop stalagmite pillars. Unparalleled beauty.
In summary, while extremely hazardous to access early on, constructing an end game base overlooking the Lava Lakes grants you a front row seat to 4546B‘s most awesome and lethal spectacle of nature while linking you to the most crucial deeper regions. Just mind the extreme heat and prepare thoroughly!
My Rating: 5/5 stars
Helpful General Tips
Beyond the prime biome base locations outlined above, adhering to certain universal best practices will aid your undersea building efforts:
- Reinforce foundations with additional structural supports pillars to minimize integrity damage from external pressures
- Build compartment reinforcements to fortify against local wildlife attacks
- Install defense systems like perimeter electrical fields to ward off predators
- Keep interior and exterior grow beds to cultivate sustainable food and resources
- Maintain power simplicity early by relying solely on solar initially before adding supplementary thermal and nuclear sources for robust energy redundancy
- Future proof initial starter base layouts allowing controlled expansions as your needs evolve
- Leverage vertical space when possible to maximize footprint real estate
Parting Words
Hopefully this guide has illuminated Subnautica‘s prime base building locations in order to empower your undersea colonization efforts on planet 4546B! My playtime experience has reinforced that picking the spot boils down to your personal priorities. Resource richness? Beauty? Safety? Progression access? Tailor to your needs!
While I firmly believe the biomes outlined above represent the definitive best locations for bases, don‘t just blindly follow my advice. Your adventure demands personal customization! Challenge my assessments and pioneer your own unique undersea haven.
Lastly, don‘t overthink it! There is no universally perfect base location in Subnautica. Part of the gameplay magic stems from organically exploring then constructing different outposts across varied exotic biomes over time.
Now get building, survivor! Want to share your experiences? Found the guide helpful? Let me know in the comments!
