When it comes to crafting your own Food, Weapons, Armor, Arrows, Robotic Limbs, and more in Kenshi, building your own base is essential. However, choosing the right location for your base requires careful consideration. By using the ‘Prospect’ skill on a character, you can gather important information about the surrounding area, such as the availability of Stone, Fertility, Water, Copper, Iron, and more.
Stone is particularly crucial in the early stages when you need Building Materials. However, if you find yourself in an area with low Stone, you can always purchase Building Materials from stores and traders. Fertility indicates how well crops will grow in a specific area. If you have unlocked Hydroponics, Fertility becomes less significant as you can grow crops indoors.
Water reveals the amount of water present in the area. Having access to a high Water supply is beneficial if you plan to operate a farm. If growing crops is not part of your plan, then Water and Fertility are not major concerns. Lastly, Copper and Iron are two vital resources to consider. When searching for a suitable location for your base, it is advisable to choose an area near at least one Copper and Iron node.
Step by step Guide: Setting up your first base & All you need to know
Building your initial base in Kenshi can be quite overwhelming due to the multitude of options available, the various tech trees to explore, and the lack of knowledge on what is effective and why. This guide aims to provide some clarity on these aspects and offer tips and tricks for constructing your first base.
Before embarking on any construction, I suggest purchasing a building in a familiar town and installing a Research Bench inside. This will allow you to dedicate time to exploring the Research tab and familiarize yourself with its contents. Additionally, you can conduct research without the constant worry of enemy raids. It is crucial to undertake this step now because as soon as you construct any building outside of a town, enemy raids will be directed towards it. Unless your characters are well-equipped to handle such threats, it is advisable to begin in a friendly town.
For those who prefer video tutorials, I have created a Youtube video that discusses the recommended technology to research first. In this video, I also provide guidance on purchasing a house in a town, among other valuable information. If you are interested, feel free to check out my Kenshi Researching Youtube Video! Prior to venturing outside of a town to construct your base, I strongly urge you to thoroughly research all available options. Once every recipe necessitates Ancient Research Books or Engineering Research, you can consider your research complete.
Once you feel prepared to establish your first base, it is essential to gather an ample supply of materials before heading to your chosen location. Typically, you should bring enough materials to construct a building, Stone Mine, Stone Processor, Iron Refinery, Storage Containers, Defensive Walls, Beds, and any additional items based on your preferences.
1. 100 Iron Plates
2. 200 Building Materials
3. 20 Electrical Components
4. 20 Fabric
Once you have gathered all the necessary materials, it is time to proceed to the designated location for our base. If you have not yet decided on a suitable location, I highly suggest referring to my Kenshi Base Locations Guide. This guide provides over a dozen reliable locations where you can construct your base. For those who are new to Kenshi, I strongly advise establishing your operations in The Border Zone. This area is ideal for beginners as the enemies are weak and base raids are infrequent.
If you find yourself struggling to defend against enemy attacks when starting your base, consider hiring a group of mercenaries to safeguard your outpost for an entire week. You can locate mercenaries for hire at various Bars and Inns throughout Kenshi.
Caution: Frequent enemy attacks in Kenshi often result in the theft of food from your Food Store, unless you take measures to prevent them from entering your base or its buildings. If you find it difficult to handle these attacks on your own, it is highly recommended that you hire mercenaries to provide protection for you!
Upon arriving at the chosen plot of land to establish my base, my first priority is to construct a building. Depending on the location, I usually prioritize building some Beds in case of an attack, allowing my characters to rest and recover their health quickly. Additionally, I make sure to set up a Food Store and stock it with food, ensuring that my characters have a place to go when they are hungry. The need to immediately construct a Research Bench may vary depending on whether or not you have completed all necessary research prior to establishing your base, as it unlocks new technologies.
Next, it is important to plan the placement of your Stone Mine/Stone Processor and determine the layout of your base’s walls. Ideally, your base should be situated near deposits of Iron and Copper. If these resources are available, it is advisable to plan the placement of your Iron Refinery and Steel Refinery machines accordingly. I typically position them near the Iron deposit, along with several Iron Ore Storage containers, to minimize the distance my characters have to travel.
This covers the initial steps I take with my base. However, to proceed with the rest of the base, it is crucial to determine the objective you want your base to fulfill. Are you primarily focused on farming? Perhaps you aim to specialize in weapon smithing or armor smithing? Or maybe you prefer a well-rounded base that dabbles in various activities. Based on your answers to these questions, you will need to determine the size of your base and what you intend to produce within it.
To simplify matters, I have compiled a list of essential buildings that every base requires. Additionally, further down the page, you will find a detailed breakdown of numerous crafting stations and other valuable items that can be created using your base.
Once these initial considerations are addressed, the next step is to plan the power source for your base. If the area lacks wind, you will need to construct a Generator and a Biofuel Distillery. Additionally, you will need to establish a farm for either Greenfruit, Wheatstraw, or Hemp (if you have researched it), which can be converted into fuel at the Biofuel Distillery.
Required Base Constructions:
Stone Mine is an essential structure to construct when establishing a new base. It holds great importance as stone is utilized in the production of Building Materials, which are necessary for constructing various components of your base.
To effectively process the stone you mine, a Stone Processor is required. Without it, you won’t be able to create any Building Materials. It is advisable to construct the Stone Processor in close proximity to your Stone Mine and assign workers to operate it, converting the mined stone into Building Materials.
In order to transform Iron Ore into Iron Plates, Iron Refineries are indispensable. These plates are extensively used in the construction of various structures within your base, as well as for crafting purposes.
For more advanced crafting and technological advancements in your base, Steel Refineries are crucial. Steel bars are specifically required for creating advanced items and technologies.
If the area where you are building your base has access to wind, it is recommended to utilize the Prospecting skill to determine the presence of wind. If wind is available, you can construct Wind Generators, which will supply power to your base. Additionally, it is necessary to produce Batteries to store power for times when the wind is not blowing.
However, if wind power is not accessible in your base location, you will need to create a Generator and a Biofuel Distillery to produce Fuel for power generation. This alternative power source becomes essential in the absence of wind power.
Generator and Biofuel Distillery are essential if your base lacks access to wind power. These two structures work together to produce Fuel, which is necessary for powering your base.
Batteries are a crucial component for every base in Kenshi. They serve as the primary method of storing power for an extended period of time.
Beds hold great significance in your base. Sleeping in a bed provides a substantial x8 Healing bonus, which proves invaluable when establishing your base in a hostile environment prone to frequent attacks.
Water is vital for crop growth and various crafting recipes, including food and alcohol production. It is advisable to have a couple of wells or a Rain Catcher if your base is located in a rainy area.
A Food Store is a must-have in your base. When your characters are hungry, they will automatically visit the Food Store to grab food. Failing to construct one will result in them not actively seeking out food.
Crafting Stations that use Metals:
Weapon Smith: To obtain high-quality weapons in Kenshi, it is highly recommended to have a Weapon Smith in your base and level up their skill to 90+. Although it may require a significant investment, the returns will be worth it. The first level Weapon Smith only requires Iron Plates, while the second level also requires Fabric. If you are looking for a cost-effective way to improve your Weapon Smithing skill, it is advisable to stick with a level 1 Weapon Smith for as long as possible.
Robotics Bench: By having a Robotics Bench, you can create Skeleton Repair Kits, as well as Economy and High Quality Skeleton Limbs. If you are interested in crafting for profit, Skeleton Repair Kits are an excellent choice. For more detailed information, refer to my Money Making with a Robotics Bench Guide.
Electrical Workbench: If you intend to produce Electrical Components at your base, an Electrical Workbench is essential. Apart from their obvious uses in crafting, you can also generate a decent income by mass producing and selling Electrical Components in various stores across Kenshi. For further details, consult my Making Money with an Electrical Workbench Guide.
Arrow Making Bench: Crossbows require bolts, which can be crafted using an Arrow Making Bench or purchased from an Archery vendor in a town. To create Crossbow Bolts, you will need either Iron Plates or Steel bars, depending on the type of bolts you desire.
Skeleton Limbs Bench: With a Skeleton Limbs Bench, you will have the ability to craft every type of Skeleton Limb available in the game. This bench is particularly valuable for players in the endgame stage of Kenshi, as it allows for the easy acquisition of [Specialist] and [Masterwork] quality limbs of specific types.
Crafting Stations that use Crops:
Fabric Loom: In Kenshi, if you wish to produce Fabric on your own, you will need to construct a Fabric Loom. There are two versions of this loom, one for Hemp and one for Cotton, and both can be unlocked through research. As you progress further in the Research tree, you will eventually have the ability to create Automatic Fabric Looms, which consume power but do not require manual operation.
Cooking Stove: This crafting station is essential for cooking the food that your Squads will consume. In my experience, the best foods to make are Rice Bowls and/or Gohan. I would advise against recipes that require Bread, as making Bread necessitates a Bread Oven and a Grain Silo, adding more tasks for your characters and increasing the likelihood of them getting stuck on one part.
Grog Machine: Grog is the most expensive alcohol in the game in terms of the amount of Cats you receive per item. It is made from Wheatstraw, which can be grown in both Arid and Green Environments. If you find yourself in an Arid Environment, your only alternative for producing alcohol is Cactus Rum. For more information on Making Money with Grog, please follow the provided link.
Rum Still: Rum is the alcohol in Kenshi that can be made from Cactus ingredients. If you are in an Arid Environment, this is likely the alcohol you will want to produce for profit. To learn more about making money with Cactus Rum, please refer to the provided guide.
Sake Still: If you are growing Riceweed at your base, you will be producing Sake as the alcohol. This particular alcohol is native to Swamp Environments and usually sells for a higher price in Arid Environments. For more information on making money with Sake, please follow the provided link.
Hemp Processor: Interested in making your own Hashish? A Hemp Processor is the tool you need! For those unfamiliar with Hash in Kenshi, it is essentially a narcotic that is illegal in most areas of the world, just like Hemp, the material used to produce it. However, there are certain towns or vendors where you can find it.
At Tech Level 5, the option of Hydroponics will unlock for you, enabling the cultivation of Hemp, Riceweed, Greenfruit, and Wheatstraw indoors, albeit at the expense of power. These indoor gardens will be significantly more space-efficient, allowing you to accommodate a greater number of gardens within a limited area. Additionally, you have the option to install Hydroponics on the rooftop of a building, allowing them to benefit from natural water supply during rainfall.
Miscellaneous Crafting Stations:
Water is a crucial resource in Kenshi, especially if you are involved in farming, alcohol production, or cooking. There are two options available for obtaining water in the game: Wells and Rain Collectors. The choice between the two depends on the zone you are in. If your zone rarely experiences rain, it is advisable to use a Well. On the other hand, if your zone has frequent showers, a Rain Collector would be more suitable. Initially, Wells require a character to constantly attend to them, but once upgraded, they only require power. Rain Collectors, on the other hand, are fully automated. It is worth noting that even Acid Rain is considered regular rain in this game.
If your base lacks wind as a power source, you will need to utilize a Biofuel Distillery and a Generator. Greenfruit or Hemp can be converted into Fuel at the Biofuel Distillery, which is then used to power the Generator. A character must be assigned to work at the Biofuel Distillery in order to produce Fuel.
The Bread Oven is where you can make Bread, as the name suggests. First, you need to grind Wheatstraw into Strawflour, and then bake it in the oven to create Bread. It is necessary to assign a character to operate the oven and handle the Bread.
To convert Wheatstraw into Strawflour, a Grain Silo is required. Initially, a character needs to manually grind the Wheatstraw in the Grain Silo. However, with further progress, an Automatic Grain Silo can be obtained, which consumes power but does not require manual operation. The Automatic Grain Silo is unlocked through research.
The Leather Armour Crafting Bench is capable of producing various types of Light Armor, as well as undergarments like Leather Turtle Necks and Leather Hiver Vests. It is recommended to have one of these benches in order to obtain a large quantity of high-quality shirts for your human and hiver characters. Additionally, this bench can also be used to create Tr. (Translator?)
Plate Beating Station: This particular crafting station serves the purpose of producing Armour Plating, which acts as a crucial ingredient in numerous recipes for Heavy Armour Smithy. Similar to other crafting stations that involve subcombines, working at this station will also enhance your proficiency in Armour Smithing.
Version 1:
Chainmail Sheet Fabrication Bench: With the aid of this crafting station, you have the ability to fabricate Chainmail Sheets, which are extensively utilized in the creation of various Medium Armor at the Chain Armour Crafting Bench. Engaging with this crafting station will result in an advancement of your Armour Smithing skill.
Version 2:
Copper Alloy Bench: As the name suggests, this crafting station enables the production of Copper Alloy Plates. Although these plates are not in high demand for many items, I often find myself utilizing them for constructing the Outpost s-III and Outpost s-IV buildings.
Version 3:
Ore Drill: Serving as a predominantly autonomous mining method for Iron Ore, the initial two Ore Drills you unlock will require manual operation. However, the final rank of this drill will provide a fully automated approach to mining Iron Ore. To access these drills, you must reach Tech Level 5 and once unlocked in the research tree, acquiring numerous AI Cores will be necessary for learning them.
Base Building Tips:
Ensure that you construct storage containers in close proximity to your crafting benches. This will enable your characters to swiftly unload their creations and gather materials for future production without having to leave the area.
In the event of enemy raids on your base, it is crucial to intercept them and hinder their progress towards the building housing your Food Stores. Numerous base raids result in the confiscation of your food as a form of “payment” for occupying their territory.
Base Locations Quick List
Fog Island – Mega Base
Base Rating: 10/10
Environment: 70% Green, 75% Arid
Enemy Attacks: Often but low level
Resources: Iron, Copper, Stone, Water
Other: Close proximity to Mongrel which has good armor and skeleton limb vendors for [Masterwork] and [Specialist] gear
Among all the locations discussed on this page, this particular one stands out as my personal favorite, and it may even rank within my top three choices. Situated in the northeastern part of Fog Islands, there lies a plateau that boasts an abundance of Iron, surpassing any conceivable usage, and offers ample space for constructing a colossal base. Additionally, in close proximity to the northern edge of this area, you will discover a single Copper node, intermingled with approximately five Iron Nodes. Furthermore, a short distance south of our base in the fog, two more Copper nodes await your exploration.
Regrettably, the only drawback of this location is the absence of water. However, this predicament can be easily resolved by constructing wells in the misty region just south of your base, adjacent to the two Copper Nodes, where a bountiful supply of water, amounting to 100%, can be found.
South Wetlands – Farm
Base Rating: 6/10
Environment: Swamp 100%
Enemy Attacks: Slave Raids and Swamp Raptors if you grow crops
Resources: Farmland – no mines
Other: This spot is good for a small farm unit for making food
In my opinion, what sets this location apart is its safety. The only two events that may cause inconvenience are the UC Tax Man, who requests Cats on a weekly basis, and slave raids. However, based on my personal experience, these events struggle to reach your base due to its isolated island-like position and the presence of numerous hostile enemy patrols in the vicinity.
Shem – Mining Outpost/Base
Base Rating: 8/10
Environment: Arid 100% and Green 10%
Enemy Attacks: Frequent; Dust Bandits most common
Resources: 2 Copper and 1 Iron Deposit (or more depending on size and location of base)
Other: N/A
Although it may appear inhospitable at first glance, Shem is an excellent location for establishing a base. The southern part of this zone offers abundant Copper and Iron deposits, conveniently situated near small lakes. Constructing your base in this area will strategically force enemy units to navigate through water in order to reach your front gate, creating a killbox/choke point where wall mounted turrets can effectively eliminate them.
Swamp Base
Base Rating: 8/10
Environment: 100% Swamp
Enemy Attacks: Frequent; Stone Rats and Red Sabre Raids
Resources: Copper, Iron and constant Water
Other: N/A
In the swamp, this location stands out to me the most due to its close proximity to Shark, Mud Town, and the Grayflayer Village. However, it is important to note that the Shopkeeper in Grayflayer is at risk of frequent attacks, which may result in their demise. I personally experienced losing both vendors there and had to Import Game to retrieve them.
Moreover, this location boasts 2 Copper Mines and 4 Iron Mines, which is quite abundant for the swamp. Additionally, we can take advantage of the swamp’s resources by growing ample amounts of Hemp to produce Hash, as well as Fabrics and Biofuel. Riceweed is also a profitable crop to cultivate here, as it can be transformed into Rice Bowls to feed our characters and Sake for extra income. Overall, I believe this is one of the superior midgame bases that one can establish. Personally, I enjoy setting up shop here and producing a large quantity of Fabric using Hemp, followed by an abundance of Hash if I have access to the necessary crafting station.
Unlocking Hash requires some investment in the researching tree. If you haven’t unlocked it yet, I suggest focusing on making Sake instead, as it is easier to unlock. Lastly, if you plan on establishing a base in the swamp, I recommend familiarizing yourself with the Hash/Sake/Skeleton Repair Kit Trading Route, as it can greatly benefit us given our base’s location.
Shrieking Forest/Floodlands Border Base
Base Rating: 4/10
Environment: 100% Green
Enemy Attacks: Unrelenting
Resources: Iron, Copper
Other: Great for leveling up Toughness and Combat stats due to the constant onslaught of enemies
This location is ideal for building a base if you desire constant enemy sieges. The Shrieking Forest is inhabited by numerous groups of naked bandits who appear to be limitless in number. Whenever I venture into this area, I am frequently assaulted by Shrieking Bandits, making it impossible to navigate through the zone without being disturbed.
One advantage of constructing a base in this zone is the continuous attacks, which provide ample opportunities to enhance combat skills and Toughness.
Note: Throughout my entire stay here, I did not encounter a single planned base raid or visit.
The Great Desert – Mining Outpost
Base Rating: 4/10
Environment: 100% Arid
Enemy Attacks: Sand Ninja, Slave Raiders, United Heroes League
Resources: 2 Copper, 1 Iron
Other: Trader’s Guild Taxes and United Cities Taxes must be paid here
I extensively explored The Great Desert and have determined that this is undoubtedly the most optimal site for establishing a base. The surrounding area boasts an abundance of Iron and an ample supply of Copper, fulfilling all our material needs. However, it is important to note that the fertility of the land and access to water are severely limited, to the extent of being virtually non-existent. Consequently, I would primarily recommend utilizing this base as a mining outpost.
During my time here, I focused on producing a significant quantity of Skeleton Repair Kits, which I then sold in the nearby towns. This proved to be a profitable venture.
Unfortunately, residing in this location comes with its drawbacks. You will constantly face harassment from various factions, including Sand Ninjas, Slave Raiders, and the United Heroes League. The United Heroes League will only attack if you fail to pay the Trader’s Guild fees, but once they initiate an assault, they are relentless. Additionally, you will have to contend with regular demands for taxes from The Traders Guild and United Cities.
On a positive note, the wind power at this location is remarkably consistent and rarely diminishes. In my experience, there may be a brief period of reduced wind speed lasting around 30 minutes to an hour (in-game time) once or twice a day, but it quickly returns to full force. Overall, power supply was never a concern in this area.
Raptor Island Base – Farm/Mega Base Location
Base Rating: 6/10
Environment: Arid 100% and Green 10%
Enemy Attacks: Cannibals & Swamp Raptors
Resources: Lots of Iron and Water
Other: Great location for leveling up combat stats and Toughness If you desire solitude from relentless enemy attacks and seek to enhance your combat abilities and toughness by battling a group of Swamp Raptors, this base is ideal. At this specific location, you will only face one type of raid, namely Cannibal Swarms, which usually traverse from Dreg to your base. Nevertheless, should you opt to cultivate crops at this base, you can provoke constant attacks from Swamp Raptors as they are lured by the prospect of devouring your harvest. This strategic move will enable you to take advantage of their artificial intelligence, thereby facilitating effortless improvements in your toughness and combat skills.
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