Creating a self-sufficient base in Kenshi is one of the most rewarding challenges in the game. It takes planning, patience, and the ability to manage resources effectively across many in-game days. Unlike other survival or city-building games, Kenshi offers a unique mix of RPG mechanics, open-world exploration, and base building, making the journey to self-sufficiency feel both strategic and immersive. Establishing a stable, functioning base that produces its own food, gear, and power is not just a way to survive the harsh world it’s a statement of independence in a lawless land full of danger and opportunity.
Choosing the Right Location
Importance of Base Location
In Kenshi, base location determines your access to essential resources and your vulnerability to raids. You want a location with fertile soil, water sources, stone and iron deposits, and preferably some natural defenses like hills or cliffs. It’s also wise to avoid areas that attract frequent attacks early on unless you’re well-defended.
Recommended Base Locations
- The Border Zone Easy to access with decent resources and manageable enemy presence.
- Stobe’s Gamble Rich in minerals and isolated, making it a good long-term location.
- Leviathan Coast Has plenty of water and stone, and fewer human enemies, but dangerous wildlife.
- Okran’s Pride Fertile land for farming and reasonably safe for mid-level players.
Starting the Base
Essential Buildings and Infrastructure
Before you can produce anything, you need to construct the fundamental structures. Start small and expand as your resources allow. Focus on these core buildings:
- Small Shack or Storm House Shelter for storage and beds.
- Stone Processor To create building materials from raw stone.
- Research Bench For unlocking essential technologies.
- Storage Containers Organize your resources effectively for automation.
Research Priorities
Research is key to becoming self-sufficient. Prioritize the following:
- Basic Farming
- Power Generation (Wind and Battery Power)
- Cooking and Food Production
- Iron Plates and Steel Bars
- Training Equipment
These unlock the ability to feed your base, equip your squads, and create weapons or armor in-house.
Power and Water Management
Generating Power
Power is needed to run various machines such as drills, lights, and crafting stations. Wind generators are the most efficient for early and mid-game bases. Set up multiple generators along with batteries to store excess power for windless days. In some areas, solar is less reliable due to the weather system, so test your region before overinvesting.
Supplying Water
Water is used in farming, cooking, and some manufacturing processes. If your base has water-rich terrain, you can build water wells. For arid zones, advanced wells and water storage tanks become necessary. A strong water supply ensures your crops grow and your people stay fed.
Food Production
Farming Setup
Self-sufficiency in food begins with farming. You can grow various crops depending on the environment:
- Greenfruit Basic but necessary for making Gohan and food cubes.
- Wheatstraw Used for making bread and strawflour.
- Cactus Ideal for desert bases, used in making dustwiches.
Assign at least one dedicated farmer with high laboring skill. Keep enough farms to feed all your characters and produce extra for storage or trade.
Cooking Stations
Once you have crops, you need to convert them into edible meals. Build cooking stoves to make:
- Gohan (Greenfruit + Riceweed)
- Dustwich (Cactus + Bread)
- Food Cubes (High-efficiency, requires advanced tech)
Assign a dedicated cook if possible. This reduces downtime and ensures your squad stays healthy and well-fed.
Mining and Manufacturing
Mining Operations
Raw materials like stone, iron, and copper are vital. Iron is especially important for producing armor and weapons. Set up mining drills and assign workers. Automate production with proper storage setups connected to crafting stations.
Crafting Equipment
To be truly self-sufficient, your base must produce its own gear. This includes:
- Weapon Smithy For crafting blades and polearms.
- Armor Smithy Produces armor with the help of fabrics, leather, and metal.
- Leather Tanning Bench Converts animal skins into usable leather.
Train smiths by crafting low-tier gear and slowly upgrading as their skill improves. High-quality gear lets you defend your base or outfit squads for external operations.
Defending Your Base
Building Defenses
Self-sufficiency means fending off attackers. Your base will eventually attract raiders, slavers, or wild beasts. Prepare by building:
- Walls and Gates Create choke points and delay attackers.
- Turrets Mounted crossbows to attack from a distance.
- Training Dummies Keep your squad combat-ready between raids.
Train a core militia with strong melee and ranged units. Don’t rely on defense structures alone your fighters are essential.
Raid Management
Different factions may try to extort or raid you. You can choose to fight, pay, or negotiate. Strong bases with good gear can eventually repel even major threats like the Holy Nation or United Cities patrols. Managing relations can also buy time to prepare for inevitable battles.
Expanding Your Base
Advanced Infrastructure
As you stabilize, consider adding:
- Training centers for stats like strength, dexterity, and toughness
- Animal pens to breed and store pack animals
- Medical stations to produce and store healing supplies
This will support larger squads, advanced expeditions, and even allow you to support other outposts or towns with your surplus resources.
Trade and Diplomacy
Trade routes can turn your self-sufficient base into a hub of wealth. Selling excess food, gear, and materials allows you to buy rare items or hire mercenaries. Consider establishing peaceful or profitable relations with neutral factions, or choose to dominate them instead.
Building a self-sufficient base in Kenshi is more than a survival tactic it’s a long-term investment in independence, control, and security. It takes planning, steady resource gathering, and efficient management of labor. As your base grows, so does your influence over the world around you. With time, patience, and a strong squad, you can turn even the most desolate piece of land into a thriving outpost that stands against any force the wasteland throws at it. Whether you play as a wandering nomad, exiled prince, or escaped slave, a self-sufficient base is your foundation for power and legacy in the brutal world of Kenshi.