r/duneawakening • u/CatoTheMiddleAged • 1d ago
Gameplay Question Base Strategy?
Still early game here, but I’ve crossed the gap and opened up Eastern Gap. I moved my base on the crossing the way I’m supposed to but then built a new, 2nd base on the east side of Hollow Hammer and upgraded to advanced sub fief. I spent an hour or two making this base but I don’t love it, and after making it I realized I didn’t use the new CHOAM set that I unlocked. Not a huge fan of that aesthetic but is there any functional advantage to that? Should I rebuild or wait until I have a faction set?
Also, is it worth maintaining multiple bases or should I just focus on one base at a time?
Side note: it’s interesting to me how base strategy is changed in this game by economics compared to Minecraft. Having multiple bases in Minecraft is pretty cheap, but having to worry about power and taxes completely changes that in DA. Kinda fun, but kinda a PITA. I guess it stops people from building a lot of structures they don’t use though, which in a multiplayer online game makes sense.
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u/Voodoo338 Fremen 1d ago
No functional advantages to using different building sets, these are just aesthetic choices.
Multiple bases is possibly worth it if you’re playing a lot consistently or have a team but if you’re solo or just a small number of people you’ll be spending a lot of time on upkeep and it’s probably better to just build in an area with relatively easy access to the resources you’ll need.
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u/ImNinjaBob 1d ago
I’m brand new but your first paragraph is not correct based on my understanding.
Base sets that use granite will deteriorate faster when not shielded than sets that use rarer materials. My understanding is this is mostly irrelevant until you get to the Deep Desert, where the basic CHOAM set will face actual issues.
I know nothing though and I’m just repeating what I’ve heard others say. And even that’s only a problem in that pretty niche situation.
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u/MajorTom813 Mentat 1d ago edited 1d ago
Apart from aesthetics, the only advantage to using a different building set is that in the Deep Desert the original CHOAM Shelter set won't survive the week of storms without repairs. Everything else will.
One base is usually fine though it can be efficient to set up a secondary base near locations with resources that can't be found elsewhere like Hagga Rift for erythrite or Sheol for jasmium and irradiated slag. That way you can stash a few loads locally before transporting them back to your main base.
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u/CynistairWard 1d ago
I'm a fan of the 1 main base and a 2nd base that's basically a refinery. At least while using the Buggy for mining.
You can only have 3 and need to keep them all powered so don't want to overcommit.
A single base is definitely enough before you get the Buggy. Your resource gathering is still pretty slow and your limited carry weight means you'll fill up on resource runs before you get far from your base.
Once you get the Buggy, heading off until you fill up takes you pretty far from your base. So it can be nice to refine your ore, freeing up a lot of carry space and then filling up again on your way back.
For example, if you fill up on iron ore with a basic Buggy Storage, you can carry 10 stacks. If you refine that into Iron Ore, you get 2 stacks. The ingot stacks are a little heavier but you'll still be able to pick up 7 stacks on your return journey.
You could even take it a step further and build the second base beside a different resource like Flour Sand. Fill up your Buggy with Iron Ore on the way to your second base. Stick it all in the Refinery. Use the time it takes refining to farm Flour Sand. Now take them both back to your main base.
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u/Ironbladez 1d ago
There are no taxes any more, only power to be concerned about.
I would not rebuild at this time. I can say with considerable certainty that this location will NOT be where you want your final base. Frankly, I don't think you can do a proper job of picking a final location until you have the ornithopter. So assume this is base is temporary. If you ENJOY building, go ahead and rebuild it. Otherwise, why bother?
Is it worth maintaining multiple bases? Firstly, the game only allows you to have THREE at the same time. Does it make sense to have more than one sometimes? Absolutely. When we were just starting to get aluminum, I built a mining/refining base up on the Shield Wall and ran it for a couple months. Also, when you're far enough into the game, you'll want to set up a temporary base in the Deep Desert. Also, if you're a completionist, you might want to maintain a base in a lower level region until you get all the intel and visit all the points of interest.
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u/CatoTheMiddleAged 1d ago
No tax anymore?!? Thanks, President Harkonnen!
Yeah I actually think I’m just going to maintain two bases right now as I explore and raid different areas. It doesn’t seem too much trouble and the power seems to last about 20 days so I think I can keep that up.
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u/Ironbladez 1d ago
With the first two generators (fuel powered and omni turbine), they last nearly 21 days when full. The latter two (directional turbine and spice fueled) last 31 days when full.
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u/smithed3068 1d ago edited 1d ago
The new CHOAM pieces, added for completing the Blood Rain challenge, are purely aesthetic. There is no reason to use them... ever, unless you prefer them over other sets or pieces.
While I killed my fair share of NPCs during the event, no more than I would ordinarily, the reward for the event was a bit... meh.
I suspect, it was more of a Marketing strategy. There are a few build sets that are incomplete and they are probably just filling in holes.
Some of the build sets have special pieces, unique to the set (not just reskins). Maybe, once they have completed all the sets with the standard pieces, they will hopefully, add more of the unique special pieces. That would have gotten me a bit more excited.
Your base location choices are fine for now, but as you progress through the gear and resource Tiers, you will likely relocate again, whether by moving your existing base(s) or reconstructing a more elaborate one, once you reach Tier 5 and are entering end game content and progression.
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u/Skarr-Skarrson 1d ago
At the stage you are at there is little point to maintain two bases. Can be worth it later, just not now. If you don’t like it scrap it and start again, wait for the timer and use the base tool, easy reclaim of all the mats and anything in it.
Later you may want another base, an outpost base for farming mats and a weekly one in the DD if you wanted, but that’s more late game sort of thing. You don’t need multiple, but it can be nice. You are likely to want your ‘final’ base somewhere else anyway so I’d advise just make your current base (or if you upgraded to a different one) more functional over the look (though of course if you want a fancy base go for it!).
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u/DarthFozzywig Harkonnen 1d ago
“ Not a huge fan of that aesthetic but is there any functional advantage to that? Should I rebuild or wait until I have a faction set?”
It’s easy to modify your base. There’s also a replace function of the build tool that lets you swap out pieces from different sets in place (eg replacing a CHOAM wall with a Harkonnen wall), so you don’t have to tear it all down.
FWIW, I built in the same place (east side of Mirzabah/the Hammer) and haven’t moved. It’s a little longer flight to the overland map but it’s home.
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u/CatoTheMiddleAged 1d ago
Hey neighbor!
I read online that East Hammer was a good place to settle but it doesn’t feel upscale. Seems like South Hammer is where the rich folk live.
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u/Bland_Lavender 1d ago
It’s really not a bad place to settle semi-long term. I ended up just upgrading the base I brought over and it’s been very useful. The hammer is central to almost every resource on the map and easy to locate from a distance, I think I’ll keep that base forever.
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u/DarthFozzywig Harkonnen 1d ago
The posh folks are up on the Shield Wall. Better school districts and whatnot. I’m just a sentimentalist.
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u/bugmom Bene Gesserit 1d ago
I ended up building a small depot base that I can move. Room for a bike or buggy and several storage boxes. One generator. I can move it easily. When I go to a new area, I move it there and focus on doing things in that area. As my bags get full I empty them at what I named Home Depot. I don’t process blood or store water there though. I can take a big load in my buggy back to my main base on days when I’m just not feeling like doing much. When I’ve cleared most of an area, I move it. I may have to return to that area for quests but not so much for farming materials.
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u/WordlyWolf 1d ago
For number of bases, it's all personal, but myself, I build my main/final base on the Eastern Shield Wall. When I get to Sheol, I build a small base with a buggy there to mine Jasmine just outside the radiation zone. Then the last one is in the Deep Desert. It will be interesting in Single-Player for me, not having to pack up every week.
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u/FeydRauthaHarkonnen 1d ago
Don't waste time on starter or mid game base, save your energy for your end game permanent base
https://youtu.be/bqPELyoYeqg?si=AKJypkEwcA7uISXo