First things first, a 2x1 with a triangle airlock is your best friend when starting out this design works because it's resource efficient while being surprisingly tough to raid. You’ll want to build near smaller monuments (this gives you better control over your surroundings), and remember that your starter base isn't meant to be forever.

Let me share something interesting: the mini fort design is basically your 2x1 but with a shooting floor on top, which is perfect because you can spot door campers and store extra gear while maintaining a small footprint. The thrifty scot layout separates your tc from your loot room, and this matters because raiders usually expect them to be together (pretty clever, right?).

For security, you're looking at about 2,250 metal frags and 2,950 wood to get started these numbers might seem specific but they're actually the sweet spot for durability without burning through resources. Make sure you've got double door airlocks (because getting deep into someone's base shouldn't be as easy as waiting for them to open a single door), and consider adding a bunker setup if you can spare the resources. Something that's helped me a lot: putting concrete barricades on your roof creates amazing cover during firefights, and positioning your shooting floor near your airlock entrance forces raiders to think twice before causing trouble.

Good to know: if you're planning to expand later, build your starter with that in mind. The 2x1 design can easily grow into a compound without needing to tear everything down.