One of the most unique features in Fallout 4 is the ability to create settlements and through that, your own personal bases. You can set up defense positions, have resources, put settlers to work in order to create a thriving community in the post-apocalyptic Wasteland. This completely changes the way you can approach Fallout 4 if you’re into the base building. So with that in mind, here are the top 15 base locations which are excellent in the game! 

10 . Spectacle Island ( Best for Isolation)

Spectacle Island is an isolated island located near the Warwick Homestead. What makes this settlement amazing is that is huge and can be made into a small thriving community within itself. The mirelurks around can be killed to fully unlock the settlements. The island is also composed of many resources including corn, razorgrain, tarberry etc. 

What’s great about it:

• Isolated island
• A huge area that can be made into thriving community
• Includes many useful resources

How to get there:

• Near Warwick Homestead
• On the coast southeast of Boston

9 . The Mechanist’s Lair (Best for Robots)

The Mechanist’s Lair is located under the Robco Sales and Service Center. This location can only be unlocked after the Automatron DLC is completed. The Mechanist, Isabel Cruz can be a settler here if she is spared but she won’t take up any space. She can give you special missions occasionally to destroy rogue robots roaming around the Commonwealth which is useful for earning quick XP. As a radio beacon can’t be set here, you need to move settlers to this location. You can establish supply lines with your settlers as you can’t set up food resources in this settlement. 

What’s great about it:

• Access to special Mechanist missions
• Can earn quick XP
• Access to free Robco workbench

How to get there:

• Hidden underneath the RobCo Sales & Service Center
• Unlocked after dealing with the Mechanist in the Automatron DLC

8 . The Castle (Best for Minutemen)

The Castle is the headquarters of the Minutemen of the Commonwealth located east to the Gwinnett Restaurant and Brewery. It can be unlocked when the player progresses with the Minutemen storyline and completed the Taking Independence quest. The location is huge and can be used for a large number of settlers and supply lines. You also unlock the ability to use the artillery after unlocking this settlement.

What’s great about it:

• Great for the Minutemen
• Can house a large number of settlers
• Can use artillery after unlocking

How to get there:

• During the mission ‘Taking Independence’

7 . Starlight Drive-In (Best for Stockpiling Resources and Artillery Base)

This location is a drive-in movie theater filled with a large movie screen and  a bunch of wrecked cars. The location can be unlocked as a settlement when Preston Garvey tells the Sole Survivor to secure it. The area is very large and can be used to a lot of settlers. It can also be used as an artillery base if needed.

What’s great about it:

• Very large settlement
• Can house a large number of settlers
• Stockpile of resources
• Can be used as an artillery base

How to get there:

• Via securing mission from Preston Garvey

6 . Warwick Homestead (Best for Small Offensive)

Warwick Homestead is occupied by the Warwick family and their employees. The settlement is located by the sea and is filled with different kinds of crops which can be taken by the player. The settlement can be unlocked either by completing the Minutemen mission, Warwick Homestead: Greenskins or the Institute quest, Building a Better Crop.

What’s great about it:

• Already has resources
• By the ocean
• Great defense location

How to get there:

• Via mission from Institute or Preston 

5 . Echo Lake Lumber Mill (Best for Small Offensive)

This settlement is located in Far Harbor and can only be unlocked after completing Small Bertha’s quest relating to it. It is one of the largest settlements in the game and can be used to house the maximum number of settlers. The location is also useful for setting up proper defense positions and stores. Supply lines can also be set up.

What’s great about it:

• Located in Far Harbor
• Huge settlement for settlers
• Great defense setups and positions

How to get there:

• Via mission from Small Bertha

4 . Longfellow’s Cabin (Best for Isolation)

Longfellow’s Cabin is probably the first location you can unlock as a settlement in the Far Harbor DLC. By recruiting Old Longfellow as a companion, the location can be used as a settlement. While it has a somewhat rocky surface, it can be used to set up a useful defense position when it is attacked by the creatures from the Fog. Wandering merchants can also be attracted by setting up trade posts.

What’s great about it:

• A small island surrounded by ocean
• Great defense positions
• Protection from human enemies in Far Harbor

How to get there:

• By unlocking Longfellow as a companion

3 . Sanctuary Hills (Best for Minutemen and Player)

Sanctuary Hills is the long lost home of the Sole Survivor before the Great War. It can be acquired as a settlement when Preston Garvey and the people under his protection decide to move there for safety. The location is important as if one decides to pursue the Minutemen questline, they need to visit this location constantly. Shops, supply lines, and defense posts can be set up to benefit the settlers.

What’s great about it:

• Already has settlement resources for scrapping
• Perfect for Minutemen quest location
• Great defense setups

How to get there:

• Via Minutemen quest as settlement
• Meeting Codsworth after getting out from Vault 111

2 . Red Rocket Truck Stop (Best for Player)

Red Rocket Truck Stop is another important location in the game that can be used as a settlement. The place is where you first meet Dogmeat and has an armor and weapons workbench, a power armor station, and a chemistry station. It has all the necessary crafting benches to start you off your journey across the Commonwealth. With mods and DLC items, it can be made to look the same as it was pre-war.

What’s great about it:

• Pathway to many locations
• Built in workbenches
• Can find Dogmeat

How to get there:

• While roaming the Commonwealth near Sanctuary Hills

1 . Vault 88 (Best for Isolation and Large Defensive Attack)

Finally, we have Vault 88, your very own vault which you can acquire after completing the Vault-Tec DLC. Up to 30 settlers can be housed in this settlement, all with their very own Vault suit and Pip-Boy. Settlers can be assigned to various shops and stations along with recreational activities which increases the happiness of the settlement. The vault can be designed according to your own taste and there is no limit to this. The mods make it even more better.

What’s great about it:

• Customizable fully
• Can house a large number of settlers
• Innumerable defense setups and store setups

How to get there:

• Via Vault-Tec DLC

And with these locations, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to setup your own personal bases. Each of these have their own specialty and strategic location, so its upto you to pick the best one. Good Luck Fellow Survivors!