Winter Burrow Base Upgrade Roadmap & Costs
Step‑by‑step guide to upgrading your burrow base in Winter Burrow — what to upgrade, in what order, and roughly what materials you’ll need.
Last updated: 2025‑11‑17
Upgrading your base (the burrow) is one of the core progression loops in Winter Burrow. As you gather materials, rebuild your home, unlock new areas and tools, your burrow evolves from a shabby refuge into a warm, functional hub. In this guide you’ll find a recommended upgrade sequence, approximate material costs, and smart strategies to optimise the build‑up so you don’t stall.
🔍 Why Base Upgrades Matter
Upgrading your base matters because:
- It unlocks new crafting stations and recipes (tools, furniture, food).
- It expands your usable space (for storage, crafting, rest) and supports the survival loops (warmth, rest, cooking).
- It ties into exploration: progressively clearing obstacles, unlocking basement levels, bridges, etc. For example, one beginner guide highlights that after strong tools you’ll be able to “expand your home and unlock the first floor”. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- It gives psychological (and gameplay) reward: you see visible improvement of your burrow which encourages further progression.
📋 Recommended Upgrade Sequence & Rough Costs
While the exact material numbers vary by version/patch, community guides suggest the following roadmap of upgrades. These are ordered so you can target them logically.
| Stage | Upgrade Description | Approximate Materials Needed* | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Basic Repair & Shelter | Repair your starting living space: fix fireplace/armchair, secure shelter. | Twigs × ~4‑6, Pebbles × ~8‑10, Sticks or Planks × ~5 | Establish safe base of operations (warmth + rest) |
| 2. Upgrade Workbench / Crafting Station | Build or repair your primary workbench for tools/furniture. | Beech/Birch Planks × ~6‑8, Twigs × ~4, Stone × ~3 | Unlock advanced crafting (tools, furniture) |
| 3. Unlock Storage & Expanded Space | Build cupboards, shelves, maybe unlock first basement access. | Planks × ~8‑10, Fibre/Yarn × ~5‑6, Stone × ~4 | Better inventory, more craft space, new area access |
| 4. Bridge / Outside Access Repair | Repair bridge or outdoor path to reach new zones. | Pebbles × ~10, Logs/Planks × ~6, maybe Granite Fragments × ~2 | Unlocks new gathering/exploration zones |
| 5. Basement / Second Floor Unlock | Unlock deeper part of burrow (basement) or second floor. | Granite × ~3, Beech/Birch/Planks × ~10, fibre/yarn × ~8 | Major progression—new tool recipes, zones |
| 6. Decoration & Furniture Tier Upgrades | Craft higher tier furniture sets (Birch, Oak, Pine) and upgrade aesthetics. | Wood Tier × ~12‑15, Fibre × ~10, maybe Leather/Tufts × ~5 | Improves cosy factor and hits achievement loops |
| 7. Fully Upgraded Hub | Final burrow upgrades: full furniture sets, all craft stations upgraded, max storage. | High tier wood × ~15‑20, Rare materials × ~8‑10 | 100% completion, full functionality, exploration freedom |
* These numbers are estimates based on early playthrough feedback. Your version may differ slightly.
🛠 Smart Strategy & Tips for Efficiency
- Gather broadly early: While repairing early shelters, keep gathering “basic” resources (twigs, sticks, pebbles) so you don’t hit a bottleneck later.
- Prioritise “unlock” upgrades over décor: For example, focus first on workbench and bridge repairs before spending many materials on furniture.
- Use excess materials for craft loops: If you have spare fibre/yarn or planks after base repair, invest them into crafting useful items (tools, clothing) rather than leaving them unused.
- Visit the outdoors for new resources once bridge/path repaired: As soon as you unlock new zones, take advantage to gather higher tier wood (like Birch, Oak) and stones (Granite) needed for later upgrades.
- Balance survival and upgrade work: Don’t let base upgrades stall your survival (warmth, food, tools). If your character is cold/hungry, prioritize food/fuel first so base work doesn’t become risky.
- Track your upgrade path: Consider keeping a simple list of “next burrow upgrade” so you’re not wandering aimlessly. This helps avoid the feeling of being stuck in progression.
On Reddit: “Just came out so I guess walkthroughs are still being written … every undone recipe and construction requires oak or granite which doesn’t seem obtainable yet.” :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
That means clarity on your next goal helps.
🎯 Example Day‑by‑Day Plan for First Few Burrow Upgrades
Here’s how a typical first few hours might play out:
- Day 1: Clear fallen sticks & pebbles near burrow; repair fireplace and armchair.
- Day 2: Craft first axe (Stone Axe) to speed wood gathering; collect enough planks for workbench.
- Day 3: Repair workbench; craft basic tools; gather materials for bridge/path repair.
- Day 4: Repair bridge/path; explore new zone; collect higher tier wood & stone.
- Day 5: Unlock basement/second floor or first major base upgrade; start crafting improved furniture.
- Day 6+: Continue clearing, upgrading crafting stations, furniture sets, and fully flesh out your burrow to the final tier.
🔍 What Gets Unlocked With the Major Upgrades
- Expanded Crafting Menu: More recipes for tools, furniture, clothing become available.
- New Zones Access: Upgrades often open doorways or paths to resource‑rich areas.
- Inventory & Storage Improvements: With better base you can carry more, store more, waste less time.
- Better Quality of Life: Furnace/stove upgrades, more space to craft, safer rest, less penalty from cold.
- Achievement Progression: Many achievements tie into base upgrades (e.g., furniture sets, full house, craft station upgrades).
✅ Summary
Your base upgrade roadmap in Winter Burrow can be summarised as:
- Stabilise your home (fireplace, armchair)
- Unlock key crafting stations and tool access
- Expand gathering/exploration zones (bridge/path)
- Unlock deeper home parts (basement/second floor)
- Upgrade décor, furniture, fully flesh out your burrow
By following a logical sequence and aligning your material gathering with these goals, you can avoid feeling stuck or overwhelmed. Keep survival (warmth, hunger, tools) balanced while upgrading. The payoff is a cozy, functional burrow you’ll feel proud of.
If you like, I can pull together a detailed table of every single base upgrade piece from the most recent version of Winter Burrow (materials, unlock conditions, location) so you have a full reference sheet.