(Estimated Read Time: 6 minutes)

Jumping from one place to another in Project Zomboid is a recipe for disaster and an early death. It can be ideal to build a base in Project Zomboid instead of relying on pre-generated residences and establishments. However, building an anti-zombie fortress is generally not easy. So, let this guide provide you with essential information to create the base of your dreams in this zombie survival title.

How to Build a Base in Project Zomboid

First, consider securing a temporary base in Project Zomboid before building one. After all, building a headquarters typically takes time, dedication, and patience to complete. Additionally, you must have a space to store your materials and tools to develop your command center. Speaking of materials and tools, here are the essential items you’ll need to build your base from start to finish:

• Hammer
• Saw
• Nails (and lots of them)
• Wrench
• Pipe Wrench
• Screwdriver
• Shovel
• Trowel
• Crowbar
• Sledgehammer

Increasing Your Carpentry Skill

After gathering the necessary materials and tools, leveling up your Carpentry skill before proceeding is ideal. Remember, some building operations are locked behind specific Carpentry levels. For example, you can only build stairs and rooftops with a Level 6 Carpentry skill.

Choosing the Perfect Location

Next, select the ideal location for your base in Knox Country. Although you can technically set up a base relatively anywhere on the map, it’s important to consider some factors before selecting the best location. Some of the things to think about for the location of your base include the following:

• Distance: The further you are from the city, the fewer the zombie encounters. However, don’t be too far from the city, or you’ll have to travel far to get resources.
• Food and water: A base near a body of water, like a river or pond, can be a great spot. That way, you can catch fish, clean yourself, and get water when needed.
• Seclusion: Apart from staying away from the undead, you might want a location that’s away from the prying eyes of other people. Consider this factor when you’re playing on an online multiplayer server.

Planning the Layout

Assuming that you found the perfect location for your base, the next step is to plan what your headquarters will look like. For this step, use carpentry modules to construct doors, walls, and furniture. After completion, start with the floors and walls to gain insight into your base's appearance. Remember, you can expand your base over time. So, focus on the establishment’s functionality rather than its aesthetics. Tip: Look at some houses and commercial establishments on the map for inspiration.

Building the Base

After building your base’s foundation, it’s time to introduce accessibility. At this point, place doors, windows, and fences. You can also build stairs and a second floor with enough resources. Note: Pay attention to your character’s health to prevent illness. For example, let your character rest when needed. Otherwise, negative effects will appear, such as reduced vision and melee damage. Also, don’t forget to fortify your base against zombie and human intruders. Below are some quick tips to help increase your base’s defenses:

• Barricade the windows: Sometimes, the undead would hop into your headquarters through an open window. Prevent this problem from happening by barricading windows with wooden planks or metal sheets.
• Use choke points: Block entry points with vehicles. Alternatively, place barbed fences along the perimeter of your base. Note that Build 41 introduced new rules for towing vehicles, which may make this task more challenging than before.
• Lay traps: Although autonomous traps don’t exist in Vanilla Project Zomboid, it’s possible to create makeshift distractions. For example, trigger a car alarm away from your base to do away with a zombie horde. Then, chuck an explosive device at the undead group to deal with them without wasting significant resources.

Additionally, consider creating an escape route. Always prioritize survival above everything else. Learn when to say goodbye to your base when things are beyond your control.

Generating Electricity

It’s important to mention that electricity isn’t a requirement for a base to become functional. However, living in the base for an extended period won’t be fun without power. Additionally, you can’t use certain items, such as appliances, without connecting them to an electrical source. One way to bring electricity to your base is by using generators. Search inside warehouses, garages, and sheds for these power sources. You can learn more about the locations of generators by reading our guide on that topic here.

Personalizing the Base

Once satisfied with your base’s defenses, consider turning the headquarters into a home. After all, you’ll spend significant time in that location. Note that base decorations generally depend on the artistic side of each player. Nonetheless, here are some tips to help kick-start beautifying the headquarters:

• Collect appliances, furniture, and other items from abandoned houses
• Plaster and paint the walls to give them a finished look
• Place rain collectors for a sustainable water source, especially if you’re far from a lake or pond