I think I finally hit a build limit for my PC or I am really close to it.
I got Starlight Drive in up to about 120 plots. It always kinda took a while to load when I came back. However my last trip out it simply did a CTD.
So I figured before investing any more time into that save and settlement I would see what others get in it.
I realize there is going to be somewhat of a variance due to how much you non-plot stuff you build. just looking for some other input.
Hahahahaha, I really like this thread.
It is a reoccurring question that is good to document and discuss for new users.
It also is good to differentiate the subject of the thread.
Bored Peon asked:
“how many?”
- Plots # 120 ish
- Likely unstable
- Perhaps 60 settlers?
Important point, “Bored Peon is in acknowledgement of the results of this to the overall game stability.” He is asking a question akin to “destructive load testing.” I like this!
I have deliberately tried this on broken saves when I had nothing more to lose other than to experiment. It is fun to do this now and again. What I am trying to say, it is fun to see what are the limitations of the game, your knowledge and experience, your hardware, and even the load order you are using and compare it to other users. To this end I really like thread question!
For the sake of not wanting to advocate a competition to see how many plots and settlers are required to break a game. I really want to emphasize what Woodfuzzy has said.
Woodfuzzy replyed:
“recommended”
- Plots # 40 ish
- Hopefully stable (“as bugthesda allows”)
- This supports around 20 settlers.
Woodfuzzy, nails what I would call a recommended safe population and plot count.
- THE GENERAL SAFETY BASELINE / GUIDELINE
What I am having fun playing with is:
- The trade-off between # of settlers and # of plots.
- If you get a settlement built out to level #3 by shifting settlers and then leaving plots un-manned once fully upgraded only to later bring up the population to match the plot count
- The trade-off between using vanilla beds and construction in order to increase the number of plots generating revenue, components, resources or scrap
All that I have figured out here is little / nothing: Sure, there seems to be some flexibility but it has more to do with the general location of the settlement than the trade-off between (population, beds, jobs and plots). So given the 20/40 ish baseline the below is just my observations:
For safe plot # and settler #s
2 plots = 1 settler
What I thought (theory) was:
1bed (or vanilla job) + 1 plot = 1 settler (maybe 1.5 or 1.25 settlers, theory but unconfirmed)
What I think now (theory) is:
What I do like to use more so than the # of plots is the base population at each general location as my preferred guideline for a “safe play-through” so I am trying to play as such.
My Logic is to back-off the population a little and the # of plots in a settlement is irrelevant as long as it is no more than 2 to 1.
Example, max Settlers is what I prefer to use over # plots and why by location:
Sanctuary: 20 max – I like 16-18 for my game
Red Rocket: 10 max – I like 6-8 for my game
Abernathy: 14-16 max – I like 14 for my game
TenPines: 16
Hangmans Ally: 10 max (given the overhaul I am using this is pushing it)
Sunshine: no more then 10 at first – “delay” +10 =20: I do not know why, likely affected by other mods. If I build too many plots too quickly scripts seem to get backed up and sand boxing gets screwy. I have fixed this by really spreading out how much I build at one time. I use a boarder expansion mod at this location so as long as I stop building at 10 settlers, then let everything get to level 3 then add on slowly up to 20+/- it works fine and the expanded settlement boundaries are maximized.
County Crossing: 20, In my game seems to be able to go higher numbers consistently. This settlement seems hard to break. I love it.
Outpost zimonja: 14-20, maybe more? In my game it is also hard to break it is just so small.
Castle: 20 -30, High number of vanilla objects very few plots.
Spectacle Island: 20 maybe more.
Etc. for each location
I have more notes but not with me as I write this. Still, the above should give the gist of what I am trying to say if the subject was “safe - recommended settlement size / location.”
