Part of playing a survival game like Hytale is in Exploration mode, which focuses on exploring the world. To survive overnight while monsters are out, you need a safe place to hide, a spot to store your extra items temporarily, and somewhere to keep your crafting tables safe.
Building a base in Hytale takes some planning. While there’s no one right way to do it, there are a few tips to keep in mind when deciding where and when to settle.
These tips are for creating a base in Exploration mode, assuming you’ll be unlocking materials and recipes as you go. If you’re in Creative mode with everything unlocked from the start, you have endless options and can build anything you imagine.
## Use What You Can At First
When starting a new world in Exploration mode, you only have your character’s clothes. Luckily, you can find easy-to-access resources around the overworld like sticks and loose stones that don’t require tools to gather.
Use these raw materials to make Crude Tools as soon as possible. A Crude Hatchet and Crude Pickaxe will make gathering wood and stone much faster. They can be crafted from your inventory menu’s Pocket Crafting option. Once you have better tools, gathering stronger materials for building becomes easier.
Your first base doesn’t need to be pretty. It just needs to keep monsters out and give you a safe place to store things. If night is coming and you’re not ready to fight, quickly throw together a simple structure from any available raw materials. An ugly but functional shelter is better than risking the night with no protection.
## Gather and Build With Available Resources
Before you craft a Furniture Workbench to make beds, you’ll need to wait out the night. Waiting in an impromptu shelter made of dirt and wood is safer than dying and losing everything when monsters attack after dark.
If you’re near a cave entrance, block the lower part to keep monsters underground, seal off the main entrance, but leave a small opening to watch the sunrise safely. In a forest, chop down thick-trunked trees, carve out sections, and use that wood to build a simple wall or shelter. It might not be pretty, but it’ll keep you safe until morning.
## Map Using Basic Resources, Then Improve
If your base location is ideal, but resources are limited, don’t worry. You’ll gather plenty of materials during your adventures—stone, wood, ores—so focus on establishing a sturdy structure first. You can always decorate or upgrade later.
It’s better to build a simple but solid shelter now and improve it later rather than delaying your first night or risking monsters and weather. Remember, demolishing sections with your pickaxe lets you recover materials and change your layout as you go.
## Build Using What’s Already There
If you come across abandoned structures, ruins, or villages, these can be turned into your home base. Exploring the world thoroughly can reveal great spots with useful loot and potential to expand or modify existing buildings.
If you stumble upon an empty house, place your bed inside to set that as your spawn point. Even if your house isn’t finished yet, sleeping in the bed sets your respawn location. When night falls, sleep in your bed to skip the dangerous hours, so you can get a fresh start in the morning.
## Find Ways To Add Visual Interest
Once you have a builder’s workbench and resources, make your base visually appealing rather than just functional. Rotate blocks to break up patterns, use colored wood or wool for accents, or blend materials in different areas to create unique looks. Inside, you can mix wood and stone materials to give your space character and style.
Adding decorative items like lights, pottery, seasonal decor, colored wool, or painted walls can make your base feel more like home, even if it’s still a work in progress.
## Pick a Good Location for Your Main Base
Choosing a strategic spot to settle allows for easier resource collection and safer exploration. Being near an underground mine entrance gives quick access to valuable minerals, while choosing a location close to natural food sources ensures you stay fed during long adventures.
Explore different areas before settling down—consider proximity to biomes, caves, and natural spawn points for animals. Make sure the location suits your preferred play style and has enough space for expansion if needed.
## Take Over Existing Structures
If building from the ground up doesn’t appeal to you, look for pre-made structures like houses, ruins, or villages. These can be moved into or used as bases, saving you time. Many of these structures are generated naturally and can serve as a starting point.
If you find an empty house early on, place your bed inside to gain ownership and set your respawn point there. Using existing structures helps you avoid early construction work and can give you a head start in establishing your home.
## Find Ways To Make Your Base Visually Interesting
Even after building your initial shelter, you can add personal touches. Rotate block orientations to create different patterns. Use contrasting materials or colors for accents. Inside, mix textures and styles to make each space stand out.
Decorate with lights, plants, furniture, and other ornaments to give your base personality. Experiment with different designs and materials to create a space that looks good and feels like home.
## Leave Space Outside for Farming
Food is essential for survival, especially if you’re engaging in combat, exploring caves, or fighting other players. Plan for farming outside your main base by leaving space for crop plots, animal pens, or both.
Plant berry bushes, till soil for crops, and set up fences to keep out wild animals and monsters. Access to fresh food helps keep your character healthy and well-fed on long journeys.
## Expand or Move When Needed
Once your initial base is established, you might find it’s not big enough, especially if friends join or you discover new resources. Building additional rooms or expanding your current base is straightforward—just add new sections if space allows.
If you want to switch to a different biome or find a better spot, you can pack up what’s important and rebuild elsewhere. Sleeping in a bed in your new location resets your spawn point, making moving a smooth process.
