How To Upgrade Your Camp In Once Human

Once Human throws you into a post-apocalyptic world teeming with Aberrants and scarce resources. Survival hinges on your ability to scavenge, craft, and, most importantly, build a resilient and functional camp. Your camp isn't just a safe haven; it's the engine that drives your progression, allowing you to craft better gear, research new technologies, and ultimately thrive in this harsh environment. But a basic shack won't cut it for long. Upgrading your camp is crucial for long-term survival and unlocking the full potential of Once Human.

This guide will walk you through the essential steps to upgrade your camp, from understanding the fundamental mechanics to optimizing your layout for maximum efficiency. We'll cover everything from gathering the necessary resources to understanding the tech tree and utilizing the various camp structures effectively. So, let's get started and transform your humble beginnings into a fortified base of operations.

1. Understanding the Core Mechanics: Territory and Building

Before you start slapping down walls, it's important to understand the core mechanics that govern camp construction: Territory and Building.

  • Territory: Your camp's territory is defined by the Territory Core you place. This core acts as the heart of your base and determines the area you can build within. You can upgrade the Territory Core to expand your territory, allowing for larger and more complex structures. Early on, prioritize upgrading your Territory Core to create more space for essential crafting stations and defenses.

  • Building: Once Human utilizes a modular building system. You'll craft various building pieces like walls, floors, roofs, and stairs, and then connect them to create structures. Pay attention to the connection points and ensure pieces are properly aligned for maximum structural integrity. Experiment with different designs to find what works best for you.

2. Gathering Essential Resources: The Foundation of Progress

Upgrading your camp requires a steady supply of resources. Focus on gathering the following early on:

  • Wood: Used for basic building materials, fuel, and crafting. Chop down trees with an axe.
  • Stone: Used for stronger building materials, tools, and crafting. Mine stone deposits with a pickaxe.
  • Metal: Used for advanced tools, weapons, and building materials. Found in metal ore deposits and salvaged from abandoned vehicles.
  • Plant Fiber: Used for crafting cloth, bandages, and other essential items. Gathered from plants.

Efficient resource gathering is key. Consider building resource processing stations within your camp, such as a Wood Cutter and Stone Processor, to automate the conversion of raw resources into usable materials. Don't forget to assign survivors to these stations to increase their efficiency!

3. Prioritizing Essential Structures: The Building Blocks of Your Base

Not all structures are created equal. Focus on building the following essential structures first:

  • Territory Core: As mentioned earlier, this is the heart of your camp. Upgrade it as soon as possible to expand your building area.
  • Workbench: Allows you to craft basic tools, weapons, and building materials.
  • Cooking Station: Essential for preparing food, which provides buffs and restores health.
  • Storage Containers: Keep your resources organized and safe from decay.
  • Sleeping Bag/Bed: Provides a safe place to rest and recover health.
  • Defense Structures (Walls, Fences, Turrets): Protect your camp from Aberrant attacks.

These structures form the foundation of your camp and will allow you to progress further into the game.

4. Research and Development: Unlocking Advanced Technologies

The Tech Tree is your gateway to unlocking advanced structures, crafting recipes, and upgrades. Access it through the Research Station. Prioritize researching technologies that improve your camp's functionality and defense:

  • Advanced Building Materials: Unlock stronger walls, floors, and roofs to improve your camp's durability.
  • Advanced Crafting Stations: Unlock more efficient crafting stations that allow you to produce higher-quality items.
  • Defense Technologies: Unlock turrets, traps, and other defensive measures to protect your camp from Aberrant attacks.
  • Resource Processing Technologies: Unlock more efficient resource processing stations to streamline your resource gathering.

Strategic research is crucial for staying ahead of the curve and ensuring your camp can withstand increasingly challenging threats.

5. Optimizing Your Camp Layout: Efficiency and Defense

A well-designed camp layout is crucial for both efficiency and defense. Consider the following factors when planning your camp:

  • Resource Proximity: Place resource processing stations near their respective resource sources to minimize travel time.
  • Defensive Perimeter: Create a strong defensive perimeter around your camp using walls, fences, and turrets.
  • Chokepoints: Design your defenses to funnel enemies into chokepoints where they can be easily eliminated.
  • Internal Layout: Organize your crafting stations and storage containers for easy access and efficient workflow.
  • Lighting: Place lights strategically to improve visibility and deter Aberrants.

Experiment with different layouts to find what works best for your playstyle and the terrain around your camp.

6. Defending Your Camp: Protecting Your Investment

Aberrant attacks are a constant threat in Once Human. Implement the following defensive measures to protect your camp:

  • Walls and Fences: Create a strong barrier to slow down enemies and provide cover for your defenders.
  • Turrets: Place turrets strategically to provide automated fire support.
  • Traps: Utilize traps to inflict damage and slow down enemies.
  • Lighting: Place lights strategically to deter Aberrants and improve visibility.
  • Patrol Routes: Establish patrol routes for your survivors to detect and eliminate threats.

Regularly inspect and repair your defenses to ensure they are in good working order. Don't underestimate the importance of a well-defended camp.

7. Assigning Survivors: The Workforce of Your Camp

Survivors are essential for automating tasks and increasing your camp's efficiency. Assign survivors to the following tasks:

  • Resource Gathering: Assign survivors to gather resources such as wood, stone, and metal.
  • Resource Processing: Assign survivors to operate resource processing stations such as Wood Cutters and Stone Processors.
  • Crafting: Assign survivors to crafting stations to produce items and equipment.
  • Defense: Assign survivors to patrol routes and man turrets.

Each survivor has unique skills and attributes. Assign them to tasks that align with their strengths to maximize their efficiency. Keep your survivors well-fed and rested to maintain their morale and productivity.

8. Maintaining Your Camp: Long-Term Sustainability

Upgrading your camp is an ongoing process. Regularly maintain your structures, repair damage, and upgrade your defenses. Keep your resource stockpiles replenished and ensure your survivors are well-fed and rested. As you progress through the game, you'll unlock new technologies and building materials that will allow you to further improve your camp.

Conclusion: From Shack to Stronghold

Upgrading your camp in Once Human is a continuous journey of resource gathering, strategic planning, and technological advancement. By understanding the core mechanics, prioritizing essential structures, and optimizing your layout, you can transform your humble beginnings into a fortified base of operations that can withstand the challenges of the post-apocalyptic world. Remember to adapt your strategies as you progress and don't be afraid to experiment with different designs. With a well-planned and well-maintained camp, you'll be well-equipped to survive and thrive in Once Human. Now get out there and build something amazing!