Solarpunk Best Base Location: 7 Top Picks
Where you build your main base decides how fast you reach end-game. We tested every named island in the 1.0.4 patch. Here are the 7 best base locations, with the trade-offs spelled out so you can pick the one that fits your playstyle.
The 7 Top Picks
| Rank | Island | Best For | Size | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Verdant Spire | Mid-game | Medium | 3 ore veins, central to 4 other islands, gentle slopes |
| 2 | Sunrise Atoll | Starter | Small | Calm weather, easy to defend, perfect for first 10 hours |
| 3 | Old Forge Isle | End-game | Large | Pre-built forge foundation, 5 ore types, late-game resources |
| 4 | Mistfall Crater | Mid-game | Medium | Rich clay & copper, low rain, good for power-heavy bases |
| 5 | Sky Citadel | End-game | Large | Phoenix spawns, rare ore veins, 2 traders in range |
| 6 | Driftwood Cove | Starter | Small | Quiet, easy to explore, perfect for solo first play-through |
| 7 | Tidebreak Bay | Mid-game | Medium | 4 river sources for irrigation, 2 named islands in flight range |
How to Choose (3 Questions)
- Solo or co-op? Co-op bases need more space. Skip Small islands; aim for Medium or Large.
- Starter or end-game? You will move once around hour 10-15. Pick a Small island now, plan a Medium for later.
- Power-heavy or farm-heavy? Power bases want a hilltop (wind turbine). Farm bases want a river (gravity-fed irrigation).
The 4 Mistakes When Choosing a Base
- Building on a Tiny island — outgrown in 4 hours, blocks cannot be moved.
- Building too far from a trader — 10+ minute flights for every resupply.
- Building on a Storm-belt island — constant wind damage to unanchored blocks.
- Building in a fog zone — scouts will lose their bearings.
When to Move Your Base
Move at hour 10-15, when:
- You have unlocked the airship (45-min research).
- Your starter base feels cramped (no room for a 12-machine factory).
- You need ore types your starter island does not have.
Next Steps
Picked your island? Read the Base Building guide for the 3 ready-to-build layouts.