Common’hood: 5 Best Tips for Beginners

It was never going to be easy, finding the winning formula for a sustainable economy in the immediate aftermath of an apocalyptic event. On the contrary, it was only ever going to be an uphill struggle from the get-go, as foreshadowed in Plethora Project’s base-building and community management sim, Common’hood. And it’s a real doozy alright, the idea of rebuilding a world from the grassy roots up when the odds are forever against your favor. However, with a few tips under your belt, accomplishing even the toughest tasks can wind up becoming surprisingly manageable — even in a game like Common’hood.

So, how exactly does one build a thriving community in a post-apocalyptic environment? Well, here’s what we’d suggest doing just as soon as you get ahold of your first settlement and the responsibility that comes with ruling it. Let’s talk tips, budding builders.

5. Befriend Everyone

The people in your settlement are the backbone of the world around you, and the one thing keeping the cogs forever in motion and the economy balanced out. Knowing that, and how each member of the community has a vital role in the sustainability of the base, will help you to become a better all-round leader, and more importantly, one that pays their citizens with utmost respect and care.

As well as providing additional lore and information on your surroundings, NPCs can also offer out various types of resources and services—duties that will help shape the future of your community and its general infrastructure. If you fail to communicate with these people, then you’ll lose out on just about every important asset that’ll be needed later on in the base-building process. So, after you’ve grown accustomed to your surroundings, aim to study the population and the perks that each member can bring to the table.

4. Clear the Debris

Once you’ve successfully managed to befriend the entire community, you’ll want to turn your attention to another problem—a dirtier issue that, unfortunately, will require more of a hands-on approach. The good news is, meeting all of the NPCs will eventually reward you with a shovel, which can then be used to remove all the clutter that hogs the bulk of the campsite and surrounding areas. So. before you start researching new things, remove everything in sight, including the piles of rubble and dirt.

The plus side of carrying out such a mundane task is that each pile of debris houses a set amount of resources for you to claim. It goes without saying that, if you’re intending on building a fully functioning base, then you’ll need as many of these materials as possible. So again, before you make headway on the research side of things, aim to brush all the clutter under the rug and flesh out your treasury with items of value and importance.

3. Lay the Foundation

After you’ve familiarized yourself with the locals and swept the floor of all its debris and leftovers, you’ll want unload your core items: Father’s Books, Tent, Workbench, and a Generator. The Father’s Books will act as a key tool during your stay in Common’hood, as they’ll help you research new items and craft other useful tools to further develop your base. The Tent, as little as it may be, will serve as your temporary home, and will boost your energy levels at the end of each day. The Workbench, which will go hand-in-hand with your Father’s Books, will provide you with various blueprints and other buildable gear. And finally, there’s the Generator, which will provide power for your entire settlement.

Once you’ve positioned your key items somewhere in the base, you’ll want to start work on researching one particular thing: a Planar, which can be located beneath the Machine Manufacturing tab in the research menu. This will complete one of the initial missions, and will unlock several new nodes for you to pursue at a later time.

2. Grow, Grow, Grow!

On top of earning the respect of your citizens, you’ll also need to keep their productivity levels high by keeping them fed. What’s good here is that, while your peers will need food to function, at no point will you have to feast on any of the ingredients you’ve salvaged. To keep your community alive and kicking, you’ll need to fix the workbench opposite the trader in your settlement. Once done, you will have the option to craft wooden beams, which will in turn unlock the planter blueprint. You will need this to start growing vegetables and other ingredients.

Providing that you’ve been following the steps and preliminary instructions given to you by the local NPCs, you should have the option to grow a few potatoes. Note that any foods you acquire will be stored in a central lockup in your settlement, and will be accessible to anyone you persuade to join your community.

1. Check the Community Crates

Community crates are another thing you’ll want to check out every once in a while, especially when you’re in need of a few new materials and items to help boost your base’s overall appeal. These crates, which can be accessed by everyone in the community, often store all the materials you deposit, and are therefore free of charge for anyone who considers themselves an asset to your ongoing restoration efforts.

Of course, as you build your relationships with the people around you, you’ll come to earn trust. And with more trust, as with anything else, comes more perks. So, do yourself a favor and establish a few lifelong friendships; these will eventually blossom into worthwhile connections that’ll frequently pump out new gear for you to collect and utilize. In other words, try not to neglect your friends — especially the ones who have more to give than the average castaway.

So, what’s your take? Do you have any useful tips for Common’hood newcomers? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.