Mother Base Guide | MGSV: The Phantom Pain

Mother Base is the Diamond Dogs’ headquarters in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. It’s a location outside the regular map, and you have to build it up and staff it, so you can use it to make more money, research new tech and train support teams. In this guide, we’re going to tell you all you need to know about Mother Base.

Note: Mother Base is strictly single-player. You build it up while following the story, and it cannot be invaded by other players (like the FOBs can). It is forever safe from intrusions.

Building Mother Base

When you start the game, you’ll only have the Command Platform. You’ll have to build up your base from scratch, and the direction you take will depend on what you value most, be it state-of-the-art equipment, support on the battlefield, independent teams or something else entirely. Expanding your HQ takes a lot of money and some time – building times go upward of 30 minutes.

The best way to obtain the funds you need to operate and expand is by doing Side Missions. Apart from the GMP and resources you’ll get, you’ll also have the chance to use your Fulton device to snatch vehicles, weapons, cargo containers and even people.

Recruiting Staff

Getting your hands on good personnel is even more important than having money. A skilled staff member can shave time off a research project, drive down the cost of a supply drop or improve a fireteams chance of success.

• The easiest way to get your hands on good, skilled soldiers is by kidnapping them from the field of battle. By using your Fulton balloons, you can snatch enemy soldiers and convert them to your cause.
• Use the binoculars to check their stats (and possibly special skills) beforehand, though – you don’t want to waste your limited supply of balloons on just anyone.
• The other, far less exciting way of recruiting is by way of volunteering. You can send a support team with a diplomat in search of potential new recruits.
• You can assign recruited staff to different jobs by yourself, which is pretty time-consuming, or you can let Miller do it for you (auto-assign option). People are reporting he doesn’t do a great job, though.

Mother Base Platforms

The base is located in the ocean, and consists of a series of connected platforms. You start with only a Command Platform, which is the heart of your base. You branch out from there, constructing different platforms, each with their own purpose. When you’ve filled Mother Base with staff, you’ll need to upgrade the command platform to increase your capacity.

1. R&D Platform allows you to research and develop new weapons and items. The number of people you have working there will determine the complexity of research you can attempt, as well as the speed with which it progresses. There will ideally be more teams here – one for your equipment, and one for each buddy.

2. Combat Unit Platform houses your fireteams. You can send them on dispatch missions to recruit new people, get resources, blow up Soviet infrastructure, etc. You’ll need good fighters, diplomats and botanists for this platform.

3. Base Development Platforms are used for acquiring and processing resources, as well as expanding the base more efficiently. You should build at least one, no matter your approach.

4. Support Platform, the place where your support teams are, should be upgraded if you rely on air drops and attack choppers. They’re in charge of Fulton extractions, getting the equipment you need to you in the field, interpreting foreign languages, providing cover fire, distractions and airstrikes.

5. Intel Platform is where you intelligence team resides. You’ll need their help to develop some of the more advanced blueprints, and will use them in the field to provide you with information about the area you’re in and the target you’re after.

6. Medical Platform is used to treat staff from injuries after dispatch missions.

Mother Base Customization

To really make it a suitable home for your troops, you can customize the look of Mother Base to a certain extent. You won’t be able to influence the way each platform is built, but you will be able to choose the dominant color for them. Even though Diamond Dogs will start with their standard emblem, you’ll have the chance to change it to your liking.