Alright, let’s talk about trying to build decent bases in 7 Days to Die using blueprints. I got tired of my slapped-together shacks always getting overrun, so I figured, hey, maybe proper blueprints are the answer.
Getting Started: The Search
So, first thing I did was hit the web. Typed in stuff like “7 days to die house blueprints”, “best base designs”, you know the drill. Found a ton of images right away. Some looked amazing, like fortresses, massive things. Also found videos, walkthroughs of people building these mega-bases.
Spent a good while just looking through pictures, trying to figure out how they put ’em together. Some guys had these multi-level concrete monsters with intricate tunnels and traps. Looked really cool, I gotta admit.
Hitting a Snag
But here’s the thing. After looking at maybe twenty or thirty of these designs, I started noticing a pattern. Most of them were way too complicated! I mean, the amount of concrete mix or steel you’d need was insane, especially if you’re not deep into the late game or playing with boosted resources.
And a lot of them were just pictures. Nice to look at, sure, but not really a ‘blueprint’ you could easily follow step-by-step while zombies are breathing down your neck. Trying to count blocks from a screenshot while worrying about structural integrity? Not fun.
- Many designs needed tons of resources I didn’t have early on.
- Some lacked clear step-by-step instructions, just finished pictures.
- Others felt more like creative mode builds, not practical for actual survival playthroughs.
I even tried following a video guide once. Pausing, playing, trying to match block placements… it was slow. And honestly, sometimes the design just didn’t feel right for the spot I’d chosen on the map.
Changing Tactics: DIY Time
So, I kinda ditched the idea of finding the perfect pre-made blueprint online. Felt like I was spending more time searching than building. I decided to just start building myself, but this time, thinking more about design principles I saw in those fancy bases, rather than copying them exactly.
My new approach was simple:
- Start small and functional. Get basic defenses up first.
- Focus on pathing for the zombies. Make them go where I want them to go.
- Elevated positions are usually good. Keeps you out of immediate reach.
- Remember structural integrity! Pillars and supports are key. Watched a few bases collapse because I forgot this.
I started sketching really simple layouts on scrap paper. Just squares and lines showing walls, pillars, maybe a raised walkway or shooting platform. Nothing fancy, just the core idea.
The Result: Simple & Effective
In the end, I found building my own simple, modular designs worked way better for me. I developed a couple of basic layouts: a small, elevated cube base for early game, and a slightly larger one with a dedicated ‘kill corridor’ for horde nights. They weren’t as impressive as the huge castles I saw online, but they worked. They were easier to build, used fewer resources, and I could adapt them to different locations.
So yeah, searching for blueprints gave me some ideas, definitely. But actually getting my hands dirty, messing up, learning the game’s building physics, and designing something myself? That’s what really worked in the long run. The best ‘blueprint’ ended up being the one I made myself, suited to how I play.
