Best Overall & Early-Game Outposts
For a reliable, easy-to-set-up base, Andraphon (Narion system) is a top contender. This barren moon offers a high concentration of vital early-game resources like Iron, Aluminum, Helium-3, and Beryllium in a safe, temperate environment. Its flat terrain makes construction simple, and it's ideal for a first outpost to fuel your initial crafting and expansion.
Another excellent early option is Kreet (also in the Narion system). It's rich in Iron, Lead, Helium-3, and Argon, making it perfect for upgrading weapons and gear. Its proximity to the starting area and lack of extreme conditions make it very accessible.
The Best for Multi-Resource Farming
For players looking to maximize efficiency, the goal is to find a location where multiple resource nodes overlap, allowing a single extractor to harvest several materials at once.
- Indum III-b (Indum system): This moon is arguably the most efficient location in the game. A specific site on its surface allows you to extract a staggering seven resources simultaneously: Cobalt, Iron, Copper, Nickel, Tantalum, Water, and Ytterbium. This makes it a one-stop shop for a vast array of crafting needs.
- Bessel III-b (Bessel system): A popular choice for its easy access to Aluminum, Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt. Its long day cycle (equivalent to over 1000 hours of universal time) means your extractors work for an extended period before you need to check back.
- Voss (Alpha Centauri system): This moon is a treasure trove for rare and valuable minerals. It's one of the few places to farm Tungsten, Uranium, Vanadium, and Dysprosium, resources crucial for high-end mods and weapons.
Specialized & Late-Game Outposts
As you progress, you'll need outposts dedicated to specific, rarer resources.
- Maheo II (Maheo system): This harsh, frozen world is the best place to farm Helium-3, a critical resource for fuel and advanced crafting. Be prepared for extreme cold.
- Linnaeus IV-b (Linnaeus system): While it offers fewer resources, its abundance of Iron and Aluminum in a safe environment makes it a reliable industrial mining hub.
- Zamka (Alpha Centauri system): A resource-rich but dangerous moon. It offers a wide variety of minerals, but you'll need to defend your outpost from frequent Ecliptic mercenary raids.
Key Base-Building Tips
- Scan for Overlaps: Use your scanner to find borders between different biomes, as this is where multiple resource nodes are most likely to overlap.
- Power is Paramount: Always ensure your total power generation exceeds your outpost's needs. Solar arrays and wind turbines are common early choices.
- Plan Your Layout: Start with the essentials: an airlock, extractors, power sources, and storage. You can always expand later.
- Defend Your Base: Build turrets (Ballistic, Laser, or Tick) to protect against pirates, wildlife, and other threats.
By choosing the right planet and planning your outpost carefully, you can create a self-sustaining resource engine that will power your journey across the Settled Systems.