When you first boot up Satisfactory, whether it’s your first time playing or a returning player checking out the recent 1.0 launch, you’ll have a few options. When starting a new game, you have four maps to select: Grass Fields, Rocky Desert, Northern Forest, and Dune Desert. The first map, Grass Fields, is the recommended starting point for new pioneers. The second recommended location is the Rocky Desert. I don’t recommend either of those, though. Instead, here’s the best starting location in Satisfactory, as recommended by someone who has played the game since its earliest days in Early Access!
Where to Start in Satisfactory
Instead of choosing one of the usual starting locations—Grass Fields or Rocky Desert—I recommend you take a chance and start your journey in the Dune Desert. Sure, it’s a more challenging environment, specifically regarding power production, as the game tells you, but it also offers the most usable space for a large factory. Furthermore, within walking distance of the starting spawn, you’ll find a number of valuable resources necessary to push into the mid- and late-game.
That said, alongside power generation, you’ll find it’s tough to find specific late-game resources, including oil and uranium. You can find them, of course, but you’ll travel a bit further. But the same can be said about any of the game’s starting locations. They all have pros and cons in each column to consider.
At the end of the day, the starting location you choose in Satisfactory depends on your comfort level. If you don’t mind a challenge, I’ll recommend the Dune Desert all day. But if you want to take things slow, learning the game’s mechanics at a casual pace, then the Grass Fields are the go-to for many new players.
Related: Where to Find the Satisfactory Save Location
Satisfactory Starting Tips and Tricks
- Take your time! There’s no rush in Satisfactory, as you can build the factory of your dreams slowly, expanding across the planet and progressing to the next tech level at your pace.
- Unless they altered any values recently, the biomass burner on the hub isn’t as efficient as the one you can build, so consider using your resources wisely.
- You need power for everything in Satisfactory, and the starting materials—leaves and wood—won’t suffice. You must automate biomass and use that to burn for energy.
- You can deconstruct any structure and receive a full refund, so don’t worry about where you place everything now. You can beautify and focus on efficiency down the line.
Do you have additional tips to share? You can comment below or join our official community forums to meet like-minded players!
