You guys — PC Gamer dropped their Palworld base guide and it's worth a read even if you think you know where to build. They break down two completely different early game philosophies instead of just giving one 'best spot.' The survivalist path starts with a small fort south of the Sanctuary area, which sounds tiny but forces disciplined resource management by limiting your initial footprint — that kind of intentional scarcity makes every later expansion feel earned rather than handed out. On the flip side there's the expansionist approach where you build bigger immediately; faster progression and more Pals under roof right now, though you risk overextending into aggressive Pal territory before your defenses are ready for it. It's a fascinating design choice that lets two different players enjoy the same game in totally different ways from hour one.

If you want concrete locations worth driving to here's what they recommend — head west of the island for some of the richest iron and coal deposits, then construct a mountain fortress up north where high terrain acts as natural defense against raids and flying Palmods alike. That northern peak is especially clever because it only lets ground attackers reach the base, effectively filtering out aerial threats by geography alone. There's also the raid-safe haven idea: building in areas with low hostility to minimize early harassment while you ramp up your army. Each choice changes how you engage with the game's progression loop — slower and more methodical or fast and aggressive — and I personally love that Palworld gives both options rather than forcing one playstyle on everyone.

Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/palworld-best-base-locations/