💡 Proposal: Core Defense System for Horde Night in 7 Days to Die

[Amagumo]

Summary
Introduce a Base Core Defense mechanic by reworking the existing Land Claim Block (LCB) into a Core Block that acts as the heart of your base. On Horde Night, zombies will target this block instead of the player or each zombies when spawned in will have 1 objective. Destroy the core or the player. This way players can't cheese the AI. If the core is destroyed, your entire base — including loot, crafting stations, and power systems are lost. you're base basically blows up. This mechanic raises the stakes of base defense, eliminates cheese tactics, and creates more meaningful survival gameplay. Make a slight tweak so zombie don't stop spawning if you die on horde night

Problem with Current Horde Night Meta
Right now:

"Cheese bases" that abuse AI pathing dominate.

Death during Horde Night has low impact; your base and loot are still safe.

Multiple land claims allow players to create fallback zones and bait zombies.

There's no real consequence for poor base design — survival becomes mechanical, not meaningful.

The Core Defense Solution
Rework the Land Claim Block
Your Land Claim Block becomes your Core Block — you only get one.

Your Core block also has upgrade paths giving the player more options on how they want to defend their base.

You can only build key structures (like storage, crafting stations, beds, generators, workbenches, etc.) within the boundaries of your active Core Block.

You can still build outside the core zone (ladders, pathways, traps, etc.), but not storage or vital utility blocks.

This ensures your base is centralized and meaningful — not spread across cheese setups.

Core Block Functions:
Powers your base's integrity, electrical grid, and defensive systems.

If destroyed during Horde Night:

Base partially collapses or becomes unusable.

Storage is lost or destroyed.

You are forced to evacuate, rebuild, or relocate.

Respawn point is wiped or moved to a default location.

New Gameplay Dynamics
Current System:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Core Defense System
Unlimited LCBs → Easy cheese bases:::::::::::::::::::: One Core Block per player/team
Zombies chase player:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Zombies target Core Block directly
Base = invincible storage hub::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Base = vulnerable, must be protected
Death = minor XP loss:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Core loss = massive base setback
Building anywhere = exploits:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Only building core infrastructure inside LCB zone

Benefits to the Game
High-Stakes Defense
Losing your base is a major consequence, not just an inconvenience.

Increases tension and forces planning for each Horde Night.

Strategic Base Building
Players are rewarded for clever, resilient base layouts, not AI exploits.

Forces focus on centralized defense, fallback traps, and kill boxes.

Anti-Cheese Enforcement
Limiting essential builds to the LCB zone prevents decoy outposts or loot-splitting strategies that bypass Horde consequences.

🏚 Dynamic Progression
Players may need to move their base, scavenge lost materials, or establish temporary shelters after failure.

Encourages nomadic or modular gameplay.

Implementation Enhancements (Optional)
Core Upgrades: Improve durability or expand build zone radius with high-tier materials.

Core Mods: Add shielding, meltdown delay, or decoy functionality.

Emergency Protocol: Core enters "critical" state on destruction, giving 60 seconds to grab what you can.

Server Setting Option: Core Defense mode toggle for players who want more challenge.

Game Design Inspiration
They Are Billions – Game over if command center is destroyed.

State of Decay – Base becomes the emotional and mechanical center of survival.

Valheim – High cost for base loss drives meaningful investment and defense.

Why It Fits 7 Days to Die
Uses existing systems: LCB, building zones, zombie pathfinding, and base destruction.

Seamlessly integrates with multiplayer, PvE, and PvP playstyles.

Aligns with the game’s vision: “survive, scavenge, defend, rebuild.”

Final Thought
Transforming the Land Claim Block into a Core Block and enforcing its importance during Horde Night makes 7 Days to Die more tense, strategic, and rewarding. It creates real consequences for bad planning, discourages exploitative play, and deepens the emotional investment players have in their bases.

It’s no longer just about surviving the night — it’s about protecting what you’ve built, and being prepared to rise again if you fail.

 

[LittleNightma]

Although I don't agree with everything you suggested, base defense should be a bigger risk than it is so I really like this concept. You have put a lot of thought into it and it shows.

 

[Suxar]

On Horde Night, zombies will target this block instead of the player

Freebie. You won't even have to strain yourself. If people make AFK bases with current algorithms, then with such an algorithm everyone will make an AFK horde base.

Post automatically merged: Tuesday at 9:42 AM

Your Land Claim Block becomes your Core Block — you only get one.

Brilliant, that is, if you want to move - you'll fail. Live where you built your first base.

 

[EvilPolygons]

There are SO MANY reasons why this wouldn't work for a typical, standard game of 7DTD. The game is meant to be sandboxy and limiting players to a single base would be a huge step backwards in the game's evolution.

However, all that being said, this would make a FANTASTIC game mode (or overhaul mod) meant to be played on smaller maps. It really leans into the Tower Defense side of things.

I'm a huge fan of Orcs Must Die! and having something like this as an optional game mode would be incredibly fun.

 

[Amagumo]

Freebie. You won't even have to strain yourself. If people make AFK bases with current algorithms, then with such an algorithm everyone will make an AFK horde base.

Post automatically merged: Tuesday at 9:42 AM

Brilliant, that is, if you want to move - you'll fail. Live where you built your first base.

#1. they would obviously have to tweak the AI algorithm to fit the new system.

#2. they could make a base relocation system and put it on a cooldown of some sort.

 

[Suxar]

#1. they would obviously have to tweak the AI algorithm to fit the new system.

Do you even realize what you're writing? You've already chosen a block as your target, not a player. The algorithm is no longer important, it's secondary to the target.

#2. they could make a base relocation system and put it on a cooldown of some sort.

As soon as you removed the claim, the base became no man's land and anyone can do whatever they want there. They can take everything out of there, or break it. There is no concept of a base in the game, only the concept of territorial ownership.

 

[Amagumo]

Do you even realize what you're writing? You've already chosen a block as your target, not a player. The algorithm is no longer important, it's secondary to the target.

As soon as you removed the claim, the base became no man's land and anyone can do whatever they want there. They can take everything out of there, or break it. There is no concept of a base in the game, only the concept of territorial ownership.

#1. "On Horde Night, zombies will target this block instead of the player or each zombies when spawned in will have 1 objective. Destroy the core or the player. This way players can't cheese the AI."

it's literally in the first few sentences.

If you would've actually read what I wrote instead of coming off so aggressive for no reason you would know this.

Both systems are at play not just one.

Yes i'm aware of what I'm writing.

#2. "they could make a base relocation system and put it on a cooldown of some sort"

What I meant by this is that the player could move there entire base but it would be on a cool down so it couldn't be abused.

in a PVP sunario the base can't be moved if it has been attacked of if there is another player near it of some sort.

obviously there needs to be more thought put into the system and expanded upon it.

 

[Suxar]

in a PVP sunario the base can't be moved if it has been attacked of if there is another player near it of some sort.

For PvP this is not a problem, there destruction of the enemy base is one of the aspects of the game. But in PvE claim makes the base invulnerable to other players.

What I meant by this is that the player could move there entire base but it would be on a cool down so it couldn't be abused.

And what's the cooldown? A day, a week, a year? My last move lasted a week, if you count the time it took to build the new base.

 

[Amagumo]

For PvP this is not a problem, there destruction of the enemy base is one of the aspects of the game. But in PvE claim makes the base invulnerable to other players.


And what's the cooldown? A day, a week, a year? My last move lasted a week, if you count the time it took to build the new base.

I don't understand why you're asking me very specifics things. This is just an idea/concept it's not to be taken in the literal sense. I'm not a game dev for this game this would be for the developers to test and decide what is right.

 

[Suxar]

I don't understand why you're asking me very specifics things. This is just an idea/concept it's not to be taken in the literal sense. I'm not a game dev for this game this would be for the developers to test and decide what is right.

You've proposed a concept, then work on it. As the saying goes: "If you call yourself a mushroom, get into the box.(назвался груздём - полезай в короб)"

 

[Riamus]

You've proposed a concept, then work on it. As the saying goes: "If you call yourself a mushroom, get into the box.(назвался груздём - полезай в короб)"

That is a very unusual saying.

------

Anyhow, I do think it is good to have discussion about ideas. If you just say something like "make it so the land claim becomes the target of the zombies" and leave it at that, there isn't much reason to even think about it. But if you start discussing actual details, deciding what might or might not work, fine tuning it, etc., then you can improve the idea enough that it might be considered.

Personally, the original proposition doesn't interest me. I don't see any reason why I can't build my base however I want without being limited to placing it around the LCB. I also don't always want to place an LCB. But if you discuss specific details, you might change my mind as the original idea gets improved through discussion.

 

[EvilPolygons]

I still think the idea would make a great tower defense game mode. But it would suck as the default base mechanic in normal vanilla sandbox mode. Who the heck wants to be limited to 1 base at a time? Not me.

The only way something like this will see the light of day is if someone tries to mod it. Which is probably doable, as there's not much you can't do via c#. But it would take a huge amount of work. Still, I'd play it if someone got it working halfway decently. It would be fun to play on a tiny map.

 

[Suxar]

That is a very unusual saying.

This is a proverb, unfortunately it has not been translated into English very correctly.

Anyhow, I do think it is good to have discussion about ideas.

It's good to discuss, but the idea should work correctly in different game modes. In fact, we have 4 modes:
1 - Single player.
2 - Co-op with friends.
3 - Playing on a dedicated PvE server.
4 - Playing on a dedicated PvP server.
Each of these modes has its own characteristics. And the idea should work correctly in each of them.

And if you put forward an idea for discussion, then be prepared to defend it, as this happens with a diploma thesis or a doctoral dissertation. If the idea is too "raw", then it must either be refined or abandoned.

Post automatically merged: Thursday at 1:27 AM

I also don't always want to place an LCB.

In a single game, I also do it extremely rarely, except to complete a task and it is located at the point where I appeared in the game, and not at the base.

 

[Kalnazzar]

Summary
Introduce a Base Core Defense mechanic by reworking the existing Land Claim Block (LCB) into a Core Block that acts as the heart of your base. On Horde Night, zombies will target this block instead of the player or each zombies when spawned in will have 1 objective. Destroy the core or the player. This way players can't cheese the AI. If the core is destroyed, your entire base — including loot, crafting stations, and power systems are lost. you're base basically blows up. This mechanic raises the stakes of base defense, eliminates cheese tactics, and creates more meaningful survival gameplay. Make a slight tweak so zombie don't stop spawning if you die on horde night

Problem with Current Horde Night Meta
Right now:

"Cheese bases" that abuse AI pathing dominate.

Death during Horde Night has low impact; your base and loot are still safe.

Multiple land claims allow players to create fallback zones and bait zombies.

There's no real consequence for poor base design — survival becomes mechanical, not meaningful.

The Core Defense Solution
Rework the Land Claim Block
Your Land Claim Block becomes your Core Block — you only get one.

Your Core block also has upgrade paths giving the player more options on how they want to defend their base.

You can only build key structures (like storage, crafting stations, beds, generators, workbenches, etc.) within the boundaries of your active Core Block.

You can still build outside the core zone (ladders, pathways, traps, etc.), but not storage or vital utility blocks.

This ensures your base is centralized and meaningful — not spread across cheese setups.

Core Block Functions:
Powers your base's integrity, electrical grid, and defensive systems.

If destroyed during Horde Night:

Base partially collapses or becomes unusable.

Storage is lost or destroyed.

You are forced to evacuate, rebuild, or relocate.

Respawn point is wiped or moved to a default location.

New Gameplay Dynamics
Current System:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Core Defense System
Unlimited LCBs → Easy cheese bases:::::::::::::::::::: One Core Block per player/team
Zombies chase player:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Zombies target Core Block directly
Base = invincible storage hub::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Base = vulnerable, must be protected
Death = minor XP loss:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Core loss = massive base setback
Building anywhere = exploits:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Only building core infrastructure inside LCB zone

Benefits to the Game
High-Stakes Defense
Losing your base is a major consequence, not just an inconvenience.

Increases tension and forces planning for each Horde Night.

Strategic Base Building
Players are rewarded for clever, resilient base layouts, not AI exploits.

Forces focus on centralized defense, fallback traps, and kill boxes.

Anti-Cheese Enforcement
Limiting essential builds to the LCB zone prevents decoy outposts or loot-splitting strategies that bypass Horde consequences.

🏚 Dynamic Progression
Players may need to move their base, scavenge lost materials, or establish temporary shelters after failure.

Encourages nomadic or modular gameplay.

Implementation Enhancements (Optional)
Core Upgrades: Improve durability or expand build zone radius with high-tier materials.

Core Mods: Add shielding, meltdown delay, or decoy functionality.

Emergency Protocol: Core enters "critical" state on destruction, giving 60 seconds to grab what you can.

Server Setting Option: Core Defense mode toggle for players who want more challenge.

Game Design Inspiration
They Are Billions – Game over if command center is destroyed.

State of Decay – Base becomes the emotional and mechanical center of survival.

Valheim – High cost for base loss drives meaningful investment and defense.

Why It Fits 7 Days to Die
Uses existing systems: LCB, building zones, zombie pathfinding, and base destruction.

Seamlessly integrates with multiplayer, PvE, and PvP playstyles.

Aligns with the game’s vision: “survive, scavenge, defend, rebuild.”

Final Thought
Transforming the Land Claim Block into a Core Block and enforcing its importance during Horde Night makes 7 Days to Die more tense, strategic, and rewarding. It creates real consequences for bad planning, discourages exploitative play, and deepens the emotional investment players have in their bases.

It’s no longer just about surviving the night — it’s about protecting what you’ve built, and being prepared to rise again if you fail.

I like this but it would have to be a toggle in the settings for advanced tower base On/Off. But yes if designed well it would be good.