How to Build the Perfect Colony in RimWorld: Tips for Beginners

So, you’ve decided to dive into the chaotic yet addictive world of RimWorld. Buckle up, because you're in for a wild ride! Building your first colony might seem daunting, but with a bit of guidance, you’ll be thriving in this harsh, unpredictable universe in no time. This guide is here to help you craft the perfect colony, offering tips and tricks that’ll keep your colonists happy and your base intact.

Choose Your Scenario Wisely

When you’re starting out, the game gives you a few different scenarios to choose from. These set the stage for your colony’s journey. The default “Crashlanded” scenario is ideal for beginners. You start with three colonists, some decent supplies, and a little bit of room to breathe. It’s like getting a head start in a race where everyone else is still tying their shoes.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try the “Rich Explorer” scenario, but be warned: it's a tougher road. You’ll have just one colonist, and while they’ll be decked out with fancy gear, they’ll be more alone than a cowboy in the desert. But hey, if you like a challenge, go for it! For beginners, though, “Crashlanded” gives you a balanced start, with enough resources to set up a decent base without breaking a sweat.

Picking Your Colonists: A Balance Act

Now that you've picked your scenario, it’s time to choose your colonists. This part is crucial. Each colonist comes with their own set of skills, traits, and quirks. The key here is balance. You want a good mix of abilities, kind of like assembling a rock band where each member has their own instrument to play.

Aim to have at least one colonist who’s good at construction and another who’s skilled in growing. These are your bread and butter, the foundation of your colony’s survival. Having someone who’s handy with medicine isn’t a bad idea either—unless you want to watch your colonists suffer from every little scratch and scrape.

While skills are important, don’t forget to check out their traits. Traits can make or break your colony. For example, a colonist who’s “Too Smart” might learn faster but will have mental breakdowns more often than not. On the flip side, a “Sanguine” colonist will keep their cool under pressure, even when things are going sideways. Choose wisely, and you’ll have a crew that can handle whatever RimWorld throws at them.

Location, Location, Location: Finding the Perfect Spot

Just like in real estate, in RimWorld, location is everything. When it’s time to set up your base, don’t just plop down anywhere. Look for a spot with plenty of resources nearby—like rich soil for farming and a good source of water (though water is a bit of a luxury). Being near mountains is also a smart move because you can dig into them for resources and use them as natural defenses.

Avoid setting up shop in the middle of a forest unless you want to deal with constant wildfires. Trust me, nothing ruins a day like watching your hard-built base go up in flames. Instead, find a balance between open space and natural barriers. A spot near a river or on the edge of a mountain range can give you the protection you need without cramping your style.

Building Your Base: Start Small, Think Big

When you start building, it’s tempting to go big right off the bat, but resist the urge. In RimWorld, slow and steady wins the race. Start with the essentials: a small shelter, a place to store your stuff, and a basic growing zone for food. It’s like laying the foundation for a house—you’ve got to make sure the basics are solid before you start adding extra floors.

Your first priority should be to set up a simple barracks for your colonists. It doesn’t need to be fancy; just something to keep them out of the rain and away from the elements. A roof over their heads will keep them from getting sick, which, believe me, is something you want to avoid.

Next, set up a stockpile zone. This is where you’ll store all your supplies. Keep it close to your barracks so your colonists don’t have to trek across the map every time they need to grab something. Efficiency is the name of the game here. The less time they spend hauling, the more time they can spend building and improving the base.

Food and Farming: Keeping Your Colonists Well-Fed

Nothing sends a colony into chaos faster than a food shortage. Make sure you start farming as soon as possible. Set up a growing zone in rich soil to maximize your yield. Rice grows quickly and can save your colonists from going hungry in a pinch, but it’s a good idea to diversify. Plant some potatoes for a more long-term food source—they take longer to grow but have a higher yield.

Don’t forget to hunt for some extra protein. Deploying your settlers to track and hunt local fauna can ensure a consistent source of meat, but be careful—some animals bite back. Stick to hunting smaller animals like rabbits or deer at first, and avoid the more dangerous creatures until you’ve got better weapons and skills.

Managing Your Colonists: Keep ’Em Happy

Colonists are people too, and if you don’t keep them happy, they’ll let you know. Unhappy colonists are more likely to snap, and a mental breakdown in RimWorld can be as bad as a full-blown attack from enemies. Keep an eye on their mood indicators and take action if things start to go south.

One of the easiest ways to keep your colonists happy is by giving them a nice place to sleep. Upgrade their barracks to private bedrooms as soon as you can. Even a small room with a bed, a table, and a chair can make a world of difference. Your colonists will appreciate the effort, and their mood will reflect it.

Another thing to watch out for is the social dynamics within your colony. Colonists can form relationships, both good and bad. If two colonists start butting heads, it might be worth keeping them separated to avoid conflict. On the other hand, if a pair becomes romantically involved, you might want to give them a room to share. Happy couples mean happier colonists, and that’s a win for everyone.

Defending Your Base: Prepare for the Worst

RimWorld isn’t just about building a nice base—it’s about defending it too. At some point, enemies will come knocking, and you’d better be ready. Setting up defenses early can mean the difference between survival and watching your colony crumble.

Start by building some basic walls around your base. Even a simple wooden wall can slow down attackers and give your colonists time to prepare. Place a few sandbags or barricades near choke points to create defensive positions. Your colonists can hide behind these when enemies attack, giving them a better chance to fight back.

Traps are another handy way to keep your colony safe. Placing traps in narrow pathways or just outside your walls can take out enemies before they even reach your base. Just be careful where you put them—you don’t want your colonists or pets to accidentally trigger them.

Growing Your Colony: Slow and Steady Expansion

As your colony grows, you’ll start to feel the itch to expand. New colonists will join, either by wandering in or as prisoners you’ve convinced to join your cause. It’s tempting to build bigger and faster, but remember—each new colonist means more mouths to feed and more beds to provide.

Take your time with expansion. Focus on building up your food supply and defenses before you start adding more people to the mix. A well-fed, well-defended colony can handle a lot more than one that’s stretched too thin.

When you’re ready to expand, prioritize building new bedrooms, a proper kitchen, and maybe even a workshop for crafting. These will make your colony more efficient and improve your colonists’ quality of life. Remember, a happy colony is a successful colony.

The Long Haul: Preparing for the Future

Once your colony is up and running, it’s time to start thinking about the future. RimWorld is a game of survival, but it’s also a game of progress. Research new technologies, build better equipment, and prepare for the inevitable challenges that will come your way.

Research should be a top priority once you’ve got the basics covered. Start with simple techs like solar panels or batteries to improve your power supply, and then move on to more advanced topics like medicine or weaponry. The more you research, the better equipped your colony will be to handle whatever comes its way.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the journey. RimWorld is a game of stories, and every colony has its own tale to tell. Whether your colony thrives or falls, each playthrough is unique, and that’s what makes the game so engaging. So, take a deep breath, dive in, and see where the rim of the world takes you.