I started a new character on a new server, my second start. I forgot how brutal the game start was. How do I get a base built when every day they come and destroy my base and kill me. Do I just need to build somewhere else? or will they find me no matter where I build? This feels hopeless and I thought I was doing so well
do not build a base until you can defend it. one way would be to build several (2-4) mini HV with a minigun turret placed around where you want to build your base for defence until you can put defences on your base.
When you look on the map, are you in Zirax territory when you start? Ive never had them attack so quick I couldnt set up a decent defense first. A few tips: 1. The little survival constructors are great for storing materials, find where you want your base and start stuffing those things full. I usually craft 3-4 of them. One for crafting ingots and stuff, and 2-3 for stuffing in as much wood as I can to create biofuel. 2. Do not turn the power on to your base until you have it set up. Hitting the power button starts the timer, but you can build and build without actually turning it on. 3. Sentry guns are pretty much pointless. They may have limited functionality in clearing predators that spawn close, but their range and damage is too limited to help much with drones. 4. Minigun turrets seem more effective than Cannon turrets. 5. Make sure you create an ammo crate for your base and put ammo in it! Its a common mistake many have made as they watch their guns lifelessly do nothing as enemy drones pound away.
Also, take manual control of your minigun turret instead of letting it fire on it's own. While controlled by the player, you can get an extra 25 meters or so outside the weapon's listed range and 2.5x the rate of fire. Making your one turret worth at least two.
I don't know how the server is setup for drone attacks but if its the same as single player then you switch on your base you usually get <10 days before an attack, then <5 days, then it counts down from 3. A good tip is to make the turrets and ammo but don't place then straight away. I've noticed if you do that then you are classed as more of a threat and you get attacked quicker. Leave placing then until you only and 1 or 2 days left before an attack.
This is interesting and Ill check when I get in, I generally try to place my turrets immediately and last I checked my timer was >10 days. But it could have changed. I am honestly a bit confused when I see people who talk about getting attacked so quickly, I have a few starts under my belt and in vanilla they always give me a pretty good bit of time before they hit. In the Reforged Eden scenario when they finally did hit, they were much more challenging, but still not terrible.
I'm new to the game, Alpha 12, I noticed it in one of my starts. I have just done a test now: I started a new world, spawned in a base and put a gen & fuel tank in. After the first night I got <10 days for an attack. (Not sure why they use the less than sign) In the morning I added 5 cannon Turrets to the base. After night 4 it said <5 days for an attack. So, I started another new world, spawned in a base and put a gen & fuel tank in. After the first night I got <10 days for an attack. I did not put any turrets on. After night 9 it said <5 days for an attack. So putting on the turrets makes the attack sooner, for me. Give it a try and let me know how you get on mate.
Build underground is the easiest way to fend off drones. They don't fire on terrain. Or build into the side of a mountain, for the same reason, but yes, most definitely be sure to have a couple turrets, ammo box and ammo ready to load and go when you build. I've often placed my core, then set up my turrets, ammo box and ammo before I start building base structures. Or, if you want to go the more direct and brutal solution, locate and destroy the drone base, and there won't be any more drone attacks.
