Enshrouded 1.0: First Base & Blacksmith Home

This guide explains how to build your first settlement base and set up the Blacksmith’s home in Enshrouded’s 1.0 release. You’ll learn the core mechanics of the Flame Altar, how to place and upgrade the Blacksmith, and how to design a functional early-game base that supports crafting and survival.

Background: The Flame Altar and Base Building

Enshrouded’s building system revolves around the Flame Altar, a construct you place to claim territory. The altar acts as your respawn point, fast-travel hub, and the center of your base’s protection radius. In 1.0, the system remains largely unchanged from Early Access, but the starting quests now guide you more explicitly toward establishing a functional settlement early on.

Your base radius expands as you upgrade the altar using Flame Essence, which you gather from the Shroud and from defeating enemies. A level 1 altar covers a modest area—enough for a small house and a few crafting stations. Each upgrade increases the radius and allows you to place more NPCs, including the Blacksmith.

How It Works: Unlocking the Blacksmith

The Blacksmith is one of the first NPCs you can recruit. After completing the “Find the Blacksmith” quest, you rescue him from a crypt in the Springlands. Once rescued, he appears at your base, but he needs a proper home to function at full capacity.

To house the Blacksmith, you must build a structure with specific requirements. The game checks for the following:

• A closed room with walls, a door, and a roof
• A bed for the NPC to sleep in
• A crafting station (the Forge) placed within the room
• The room must be inside your Flame Altar’s radius

Once these conditions are met, the Blacksmith will claim the bed and begin offering his services: forging tools, weapons, and armor. He also unlocks the Forge, which is essential for processing metal bars.

How to Choose: Picking a Base Location

The location of your first base matters more than you might think. You want a spot that balances resources, safety, and convenience. The game’s starting area, the Springlands, offers several viable spots, but the ideal location depends on your playstyle.

• Proximity to the Shroud: You’ll need to enter the Shroud regularly for Flame Essence and resources. A base near a Shroud edge saves travel time.
• Resource nodes: Look for clay, stone, and ore deposits nearby. You’ll need these for building and crafting.
• Open space: The altar’s radius is limited, so choose a flat area that allows for future expansion without obstruction.
• Water access: While not essential, a nearby water source helps with farming and cooking later.

A popular spot is the plateau just south of the first tower, near the road. It’s flat, has clay and stone nearby, and is close to the first Shroud area. Avoid building too close to the Shroud’s edge, as enemies can spawn nearby and damage your base.

Building Your First Settlement: Step-by-Step

Once you’ve chosen a location, follow these steps to set up a functional base:

1. Place the Flame Altar: From the build menu, select the altar and place it on the ground. The altar’s radius is shown as a translucent circle.
2. Gather materials: Collect wood from trees, stone from boulders, and plant fiber from shrubs. You’ll need these for basic building blocks.
3. Build a foundation: Use the building hammer to place a foundation (wood or stone). A 5×5 foundation is a good start.
4. Construct walls and a roof: Place walls around the foundation, leaving a gap for a door. Add a roof using sloped or flat pieces.
5. Add a door: Craft a wooden door and place it in the gap. Ensure it’s properly aligned.
6. Place a bed: Craft a bed from the build menu (requires wood and fiber). Place it inside the room.
7. Set up the Forge: After rescuing the Blacksmith, craft a Forge from the build menu (requires stone and wood). Place it inside the room.
8. Assign the Blacksmith: Interact with the Blacksmith and select “Rest” to assign him to the bed. He’ll now stay in the area.

Your base is now functional. You can add more crafting stations, storage, and decorations as you progress.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

Many players run into issues when setting up their first base. Here are the most common problems and how to solve them:

• NPC not using the bed: This usually means the room isn’t fully enclosed. Check for missing wall pieces or a gap in the roof. Also, ensure the bed is not blocked by other objects.
• Base radius too small: If you can’t place the Forge within the altar’s radius, upgrade the altar to level 2. You’ll need Flame Essence, which you can find in the Shroud’s chests and by defeating enemies.
• Enemies attacking the base: The Flame Altar attracts enemies, especially at night. Build a fence or wall around your base to keep them out. Also, place torches to reduce enemy spawns nearby.
• Blacksmith not offering services: Make sure the Forge is placed and the Blacksmith is assigned to the bed. If he’s still idle, try removing and re-placing the bed or Forge.

A common misconception is that you need a large base from the start. In reality, a small, well-organized base is more efficient early on. You can always expand later.

Costs and Materials: What You Need

Building a basic base and housing the Blacksmith requires a modest amount of materials. Here’s a rough estimate for a 5×5 wooden base:

• Wood (logs): ~150-200 logs for foundation, walls, and roof
• Stone: ~50-100 stones for the Forge and possibly stone walls
• Plant fiber: ~20-30 for the bed and basic crafting
• String: Crafted from plant fiber, needed for the bed
• Flame Essence: At least 10 to upgrade the altar to level 2 (if needed)

These numbers vary based on the size and materials you choose. Stone walls require more stone but offer better protection. You can gather all these materials within the first few hours of gameplay.

Alternatives: Other Base Locations and Designs

While the Springlands are the starting area, you can build your base anywhere in the world. Some players prefer building near the first fast-travel tower for convenience, while others choose to build near the Blacksmith’s crypt to save travel time.

If you want a more defensive base, consider building on a cliff or in a cave. These locations offer natural protection but may lack space for expansion. Another alternative is to build multiple small bases, each serving a different purpose (e.g., a mining outpost, a farming base).

Design-wise, you can opt for a simple box house, a multi-story tower, or an underground bunker. The building system allows for creative freedom, but keep in mind that NPCs need a bed and a crafting station to function. As long as those are present, the design doesn’t matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I upgrade my Flame Altar?

Interact with the Flame Altar and select “Upgrade.” You’ll need Flame Essence, which you can find in the Shroud (in chests and from enemies) and by completing certain quests. Each upgrade increases the base radius and allows more NPCs to be placed.

Can I move my base after building it?

Yes, but it’s not straightforward. You can dismantle your structures and rebuild them elsewhere, but the Flame Altar itself cannot be moved once placed. You’ll need to build a new altar at the new location and dismantle the old one. This costs resources, so plan your base location carefully.

What is the best first base location?

There’s no single “best” location, but a good spot is near the first tower, close to the Shroud, and with access to stone and clay. The plateau south of the first tower is a popular choice. Avoid areas with frequent enemy spawns or too close to the Shroud’s edge.

Why is my Blacksmith not staying in his house?

Ensure the room is fully enclosed (walls, door, roof) and that the bed is placed inside. The Blacksmith needs a bed to claim as his own. Also, make sure the Forge is within the same room and that the room is within the Flame Altar’s radius.

Can I have multiple NPCs in one base?

Yes, you can have multiple NPCs, but each requires a bed and their specific crafting station. The number of NPCs you can have is limited by your Flame Altar’s level. Higher-level altars allow more NPCs to be placed.

How do I get more Flame Essence?

Flame Essence is found in the Shroud, usually in chests or dropped by enemies. You can also get it from completing quests and from the Flame Sanctum. As you explore, you’ll find more sources.

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