RimWorld: Colony Building Guide

Welcome to the ultimate RimWorld: Colony Building Guide! Dive into the fascinating world of RimWorld and master the art of crafting the perfect colony. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, this guide will provide you with essential strategies and tips to elevate your gameplay. We'll cover crucial aspects like Planning Your Base Layout to maximize space and efficiency, Building Essential Structures to ensure your colonists' safety and well-being, and Managing Power and Resources to keep everything running smoothly. Additionally, we'll delve into Setting Up Workstations and Production for optimal productivity, and share Tips for Efficient Construction to speed up your build time. Get ready to transform your dusty outpost into a thriving oasis with this comprehensive guide!

Planning Your Base Layout

So, you're surviving on a harsh new world, and it’s time to set up your colony. Getting the layout right can mean the difference between a flourishing settlement and a quick trip back to the Random Event screen. Here’s how you can make sure your base is set up for success.

Start Small, Expand Wisely

RimWorld colonies often start with just a few colonists and grow larger over time. To save resources, start small. Build just what you need: a sleeping area, a place to eat, and a storage room. As you collect more materials and gain more colonists, expand your base bit by bit.

Choose Your Location Carefully

First things first: location, location, location. Your base’s location is crucial. Look for flat areas with plenty of growable soil. Proximity to natural resources like steel, wood, and components is also important. Look for natural defenses like mountains or water bodies to reduce vulnerable angles.

Zoning for the Win

Zones help you manage what your colonists do and where they do it. Use stockpile zones to keep your resources organized. Designate different rooms for different purposes: bedrooms, kitchen, workshop, and hospital. Don’t underestimate zoning--it keeps everything tidy and efficient.

Rooms: Size and Function Matter

Each room in your base has different needs. Colonists get unhappy in rooms that are too small or unattractive, so give them enough space (5x5 is a good start). Here are some basic room ideas:

• Bedrooms: Keep them simple but nice. A single bed, a dresser, maybe a plant.
• Kitchen: Include a stove and a butcher table. Store food here to cut travel time.
• Dining Room: Place a table and chairs. Eating in a nice room makes colonists happier.
• Workshop: Craft tables, tool benches, and storage for materials.
• Hospital: Beds and medical supplies. Cleanliness is important, so avoid putting the hospital near dirty zones.

Defense Setup

Defending your colony is key. Use natural terrain to your advantage. Mountains and rivers can funnel enemies into your traps. Build walls to create choke points and place turrets in strategic locations. Sandbags and barricades help in gunfights by giving cover.

Efficient Pathways

Colonists spend a lot of time walking around. Efficient pathways can speed up their task times. Make sure important areas like the kitchen, dining room, and workshops are centrally located. Use paved walkways to speed up movement, especially in places colonists frequent.

Power and Temperature Control

You'll need power to run your machines and lights. Start with simple wind turbines or solar panels. Batteries store energy for nights and eclipses. Keep your battery rooms away from wooden structures to prevent fires.

Temperature control is just as important. Use heaters in cold biomes and coolers in hot ones. Make sure your food storage has a cooler to keep food from spoiling and freeze corpses (yeah, it's grim, but it's useful).

Future-Proofing

Think ahead. Your small base will grow, so leave room for expansion. Future-proof by spacing out rooms so you can add walls, doors, and new areas without major renovations. Plan for new facilities like prisons, research labs, and recreation areas.

Summing It Up

Setting up your base in RimWorld is all about planning and adaptability. Start with the basics and expand as your colony grows. Keep an eye on defense, efficiency, and room functions, and you’ll be attacking raids and booming with progress in no time.

That's it! Follow these guidelines, and you'll have a well-planned base that stands the test of time--and raids. Happy colonizing!

Building Essential Structures

So you just crash-landed on this strange planet, huh? Welcome to RimWorld, where your new job title is "survivor architect." Building the right structures early on can mean the difference between life and death for your colonists. Let's cover some of the must-build structures to get your colony off the ground and keep it running smoothly.

Shelter: Your Basic Bunker

First things first, your colonists need a roof over their heads. Start by whipping up a basic shelter. This can be as simple as a small wooden or steel building. Make sure it’s big enough to fit beds for everyone. Add some doors and call it home, for now.

• Rooms: Aim for 6x6 tiles. Not too big, but allows for some comfort.
• Materials: Use wood if you’ve got trees. Steel is tougher but scarce early on.
• Beds: Sleeping spots are free but terrible. Build beds as soon as you can.

Storage Room: Organize Your Goodies

A dedicated storage room keeps your supplies safe and organized. You don't want food rotting in the open, or precious materials scattered all over.

• Size: Depends on how much stuff you’ve got, but 10x10 is usually a good start.
• Stockpile Zone: Set zones using the Storage button. You can adjust them for different items like food, chunks, and manufactured goods.
• Flooring: Dirt is fine initially, but smooth floors stop stuff from deteriorating fast.

Kitchen: Where the Magic Happens

Hungry colonists are cranky colonists. Build a kitchen and get a cook stove rolling.

• Location: Close to your food storage to minimize walking time.
• Essential Items: Stove (ideally electric or fueled) and a butcher table.
• Rooms: Make sure it’s indoors. No one wants to cook in the rain.
• Cleanliness: Dirty kitchens cause food poisoning. Stick to stone floors as soon as you can.

Dining Room: More Than Just Eating

A dining room gives your colonists a place to eat and relax. Eating without a table demoralizes them, so let’s avoid food tantrums.

• Simple Setup: At least one table and enough chairs for everyone.
• Decoration: Add beauty with plants or art to boost mood.
• Lighting: Well-lit rooms are happier rooms.

Medical Room: Life-Saver

Eventually, someone’s going to get hurt or sick. A medical room ensures they get better or die trying (preferably get better).

• Size Matters: A small room with a couple of beds and a table will do at first.
• Medical Beds: Regular beds work, but medical beds speed up recovery.
• Cleanliness: Keep it clean to prevent infections. Use sterile tile if you can afford it.

Workshop: Where the Work Happens

As your colony grows, you’ll need a workshop for crafting and smelting.

• Benches: Start with a simple crafting spot and upgrade to proper benches like a machining bench or electric smelter.
• Space: Plan for expansion. You’ll need more benches for complex projects.
• Temperature Control: Keep it cool. Heat from workbenches can make colonists sick.

Rec Room: Keep 'Em Happy

A rec room helps your colonists blow off steam. The happier your colonists, the better they work and the less likely they are to go on a killing spree.

• Fun Stuff: Equip it with items like chess tables, horseshoes pins, and TVs.
• Layout: Enough room for colonists to move around comfortably.
• Beauty: A beautiful rec room doubles as a mood booster.

Security: Defend Your Turf

Finally, don’t forget about security structures. Raiders are always lurking.

• Walls and Sandbags: Basic but effective. Create choke points and cover for your colonists to shoot from.
• Traps: Cheap, deadly defense. Line pathways with trap spikes.
• Turrets: Automated but expensive. Use them sparingly at first.

By focusing on these essential structures, you'll set a strong foundation for your RimWorld colony, letting you survive (and thrive) on this harsh, unpredictable planet. Just remember, always be ready to adjust your plans because in RimWorld, the only constant is chaos.

Managing Power and Resources

In RimWorld, keeping your colony running smoothly means efficiently managing your power and resources. It’s like being the best off-the-grid homesteader ever--but with more killer squirrels and raiders. Here’s how to make sure your colony stays on top of its game.

Power Sources: Pros and Cons

1. Solar Panels
Great On Sunny Days

Solar panels are a solid way to start generating power. They’re easy to set up and don’t require much maintenance. Plus, they don’t pollute your environment. But they do have their downsides--like only working during the day. If it’s cloudy or nighttime, you’re out of luck.

2. Wind Turbines
Keeping It Breezy

Wind turbines offer a more consistent power source because they work day and night. However, wind speed varies, so sometimes they'll generate less power than you need. Make sure to clear away any trees or structures in their vicinity; they need a clear path to work efficiently.

3. Geothermal Generators
The Powerhouse

Once you’ve researched geothermal power, these generators are where it’s at. They provide a massive, consistent power output. The big challenge is they can only be placed on steam geysers, which might not be conveniently located. Protect these generators at all costs.

4. Batteries
Store That Juice

Batteries are your best friends when it comes to storing excess power from your solar panels and wind turbines. But be cautious--they can short circuit and cause fires if too much electricity is stored. Keep them in a safe, temperature-controlled room.

Resource Management Tips

1. Growing Crops
Farm Smart

The backbone of your colony's food supply is crops. Start simple with rice (quick to grow) and potatoes (great yield). As your colony expands, diversify with corn, strawberries, and other crops. Use hydroponics when you can--they grow food faster and don’t depend on soil quality.

2. Hunting and Livestock
Meat on the Menu

Hunting wildlife is a great way to get meat. Just be careful; not all animals are easy targets. Tame and breed animals like muffalo and chickens for a reliable meat source and other resources like milk, wool, and eggs.

3. Mining and Stonecutting
Dig Deep

Mining is essential for acquiring steel, components, and other minerals. Aim to mine compacted machinery for components early on. Stonecutting is perfect for building durable structures. Granite and slate are solid choices for walls and fortifications.

4. Trading and Caravaning
Bargain Bin Bonanza

Eventually, you'll want to trade with other factions. Build trade beacons and set up stockpiles to easily sell excess goods. Send caravans to nearby settlements to trade or make alliances, but always prepare for the worst. Pack enough food and bring some weapons.

5. Maintaining Balance
Don’t Overextend

It’s super tempting to build everything ASAP, but manage your colonists' workload carefully. Overworked colonists get cranky and make mistakes, and that can lead to disasters. Prioritize what's crucial and build up gradually.

Power and Resource Priorities

1. Early Game: Focus on getting reliable food and basic power up. Solar panels, a few wind turbines, and planting crops should be your first steps.
2. Mid-Game: Start diversifying your resources. Set up animal breeding, hydroponics, and a battery bank. Get geothermal power if you can.
3. Late Game: Aim for sustainability. Optimize your colony layout, ensuring every space and resource is maximized. Secure your power grid and diversify your production.

By mastering power and resource management, you’ll ensure that your colony not only survives but thrives in RimWorld’s harsh environment. Pay attention to these basics, and you'll be well on your way to a successful and self-sufficient colony. Happy colonizing!

Setting Up Workstations and Production

Introduction

In RimWorld, creating a thriving colony requires efficient workstations and production lines. Whether it’s crafting weapons or whipping up meals, having the right setup can make a huge difference in your colony’s productivity. Let’s walk through the essentials to get your colony’s production on point.

Choosing the Right Workstations

Your first step is selecting the necessary workstations for your colony. Early on, prioritize those that meet basic needs like food and shelter. Here's a breakdown of crucial early-game workstations:

• Butcher Table: Use this to turn hunted animals into meat and leather.
• Stove or Campfire: Essential for cooking meals to avoid the raw food penalty.
• Stonecutter’s Table: Craft blocks to build stronger structures.
• Research Bench: Unlock advanced technologies that can enhance your colony’s capabilities.

As your colony progresses, you’ll want to introduce more specialized workstations like the Tailoring Bench for clothes or the Machining Table for crafting guns and tools.

Location, Location, Location

Where you place your workstations matters. Keep these tips in mind when deciding their locations:

• Centralized Placement: Have your workstations close to the relevant resource stockpiles to save time on hauling materials.
• Separated Zones: Different workstations might need different environments. For example, cooking areas should be kept clean and free from contaminants.
• Accessibility: Ensure that your colonists can reach workstations easily without having to navigate through a maze of furniture.

Optimizing Your Production Line

Efficient production is key to running a smooth colony. Follow these best practices to optimize your workflow:

Organize Tasks with Work Priorities

Assign colonists to tasks they’re skilled at and make sure the highest priority work is always done first:

• Right Click to Prioritize: If someone needs to focus on a specific task, you can right-click to override other jobs temporarily.
• Manual Priorities: Use the Work tab to set specific priorities, putting the most critical jobs like cooking and doctoring at the top.

Use Bills to Manage Production

Bills are your orders for what gets produced at each workstation:

• Smart Queuing: Queue up multiple items, but remember to balance your colonists’ workloads to prevent burnout.
• Set Limits: You can control the quantity of items produced by setting limits in the bill settings. For example, ensure you always have a stock of 10 meals.
• Skill Requirements: Some tasks need specific skill levels. Set these requirements in the bills to prevent unskilled workers from wasting resources.

Automating with Managers

As your colony grows, managing production manually for each workstation becomes challenging. This is where the Manager Table comes in:

• Set Production Goals: Automatically manage tasks like chopping wood or mining.
• Automated Bills: Assign a colonist as a manager, and they’ll keep an eye on resource levels and issue orders as needed.
• Scheduling: Set up schedules for recurring tasks to keep a steady flow of resources.

Don’t Forget the Aesthetics

Your colonists value a nice-looking workspace. Boost productivity and mood by:

• Decorating: Add plants, sculptures, and nice flooring.
• Lighting: Ensure workstations are well-lit to avoid the darkness debuff.
• Cleanliness: Keep areas tidy to prevent negative moodlets and increase efficiency.

Conclusion

Setting up efficient workstations and production chains is crucial for a prosperous RimWorld colony. Prioritize key workstations early on, smartly position them, optimize your workflow, and automate where possible. Keeping these tips in mind will help you turn your colony into a well-oiled machine, ready to face whatever challenges the game throws your way.

Remember, a happy colonist is a productive colonist. So keep workspaces practical and pleasing and watch your colony flourish!

RimWorld: Colony Building Guide

Tips for Efficient Construction

Building your dream colony in RimWorld can sometimes feel like juggling rabid squirrels. But don’t worry - with these tips, you'll build efficiently and keep your colonists happy.

Plan Before You Build

Nothing wastes time like building a structure, only to tear it down and start over. Use the Planning Tool to sketch your layout before getting down to business. Imagine where your colonists will sleep, eat, and work. Think about storage, defenses, and future expansions. It’s a lot easier to adjust things that haven’t been built yet.

Prioritize Tasks

Your colonists can only do so much at once. Get the most important stuff done first by prioritizing tasks. Use the Work Tab to assign construction jobs and set their importance. Focus on essential structures like shelters, kitchens, and defenses. You don’t want to be caught in a raid with unfinished walls.

Use the Right Materials

Not all building materials are created equal. Wood is quick to build but burns easily. Stone takes longer to construct but offers excellent resistance to fire and attacks. When you’re starting out, use wood for speed, but transition to stone for key structures. Steel is another good option - it’s durable and quicker to build with than stone.

Optimize Pathfinding

Your colonists will waste loads of time walking back and forth if paths aren’t optimized. Build pathways and doors in strategic places. For example, make sure your kitchen is close to your crop fields and dining area to shorten travel times. Keep storerooms near crafting benches to speed up production.

Grow Your Workforce

You’ll need more hands on deck as your colony grows. Assign multiple colonists to construction tasks, but make sure they have decent Construction skill to avoid shabby walls and delays. If someone has a passion for construction, let them work on that skill - it pays off as they build faster and make fewer mistakes.

Use Blueprints

Blueprints are lifesavers. If you come up with a design you love, save it as a blueprint. You can reuse it for future projects without redrawing the entire layout. This is especially handy for repetitive tasks like building bedrooms or defensive structures.

Leverage the Environment

Don't overlook the environment around you. For instance, if there's a natural choke point on the map like a narrow valley, incorporate it into your defense plans. Trees can be chopped down for wood, and hills can provide natural cover and resources. Use the land to your advantage to save time and resources.

Manage Your Resources

Keep an eye on your stockpiles. Running out of materials can halt construction and leave your colony vulnerable. Set up designated storage zones for key resources near construction areas. This minimizes travel time when colonists fetch materials. Also, don’t forget to add drug labs for making medicine if your colonists encounter injuries during construction.

Schedule Downtime

Make sure your builders aren’t overworked. Constant labor can lead to mistakes, mental breaks, or illnesses. Set a balanced schedule in the Assign Tab with work, recreation, and sleep periods. Happy colonists are productive colonists.

Final Thoughts

Efficient construction is about planning, resource management, and keeping your colonists on task. Follow these tips to streamline your building process and turn your colony into a well-oiled machine. You’ll save time, resources, and a lot of headaches.

Get ready to watch your colony thrive, and remember: a good foundation is the key to any great RimWorld story!