Primary use
Unlocking base modules, power, storage, and first permanent habitat planning.
Base unlock tool
Habitat Builder Guide
Habitat Builder is a core item page because every base-building search eventually asks the same three things: where to scan it, what to reserve for the recipe, and where to place the first powered base.
Quick answer: Habitat Builder unlocks base building. Public guides point to two scans at the Welcome Center route, then a craft chain involving starter materials such as Titanium, Glass, Copper Wire, and Basic Battery. Use live station text for exact counts.
Reviewed .
Route status
Public-guide scan route plus multiple local starter-material pages.
In-game check
Use current craft text for material counts and recipe order.
Route and unlock plan
Welcome Center scan route southeast of the Lifepod.
Step 1
Bring a Basic Battery to the Welcome Center
Powering the facility is part of the same early route that leads to Bio Lab and base-building progress.
Step 2
Scan both Habitat Builder tools
Public guides describe two scan sources around the Welcome Center route.
Step 3
Reserve starter materials
Titanium, Glass, Copper Wire, and Basic Battery planning overlap here; do not spend every Copper piece on spare batteries first.
Step 4
Build small and powered
A useful first base is storage, power, Fabricator access, and safe oxygen returns before decoration.
Map and route leads
Use these markers as route-planning help, not as fixed spawn or recipe tables.
landmark
Welcome Center approach
Swim south-southeast from the Lifepod; bring a Basic Battery before making it a full stop.
Shallow to mid-shallow / GameSpot route walkthrough
blueprint
Habitat Builder scans
PC Gamer lists two Habitat Builder scans at the Welcome Center: one by the entrance crate and one in the cave below.
Shallow facility / PC Gamer Habitat Builder guide
base-spot
Lifepod starter base and current
Build under or beside the Lifepod first; PC Gamer notes a strong current about 60 m east for later turbine power.
Shallow / PC Gamer base-location guide
Player decisions
| Question | Status | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| First blocker | Scan route | The Welcome Center route matters before a recipe list does. |
| Material pressure | Starter chain | Titanium, Glass, Copper Wire, and Basic Battery are linked by the same early base-building decision. |
| Power choice | Practical setup | Solar and hydroelectric planning matter more than a large first layout. |
| Co-op use | Shared base priority | Agree on storage and material reservations before everyone spends the same starter stock. |
Route confidence
Public-guide backed
Scan route
PC Gamer route coverage points to two Welcome Center scan sources.
Public-guide backed
Recipe family
Starter material pages cross-link the supported Habitat Builder material chain.
Live UI check
Exact counts
Counts should come from current build text.
Patch-sensitive
Base part costs
Hotfixes can move base-part costs, so builder pages need periodic checks.
Useful links
Questions people ask
Where do I scan the Habitat Builder?
Public guides point to two scans on the Welcome Center route. Use the marker and verify both scan prompts in your build.
What materials should I reserve for Habitat Builder?
Reserve starter construction and electronics materials such as Titanium, Glass, Copper Wire, and Basic Battery, then follow current craft text for counts.
Should I build a large first base?
No. Build small, powered, and organized first; expand after storage, power, and return routes are stable.