Outpost

On the PTC Ark server this is the most common type of player-built location.

While a base will have several amenities, outposts have the bare minimum needed to survive. An outpost can be very small (e.g. to foundations) or large and elaborate (e.g. looks like a library).

Purpose
Outposts are meant as a place to stop and rest during travel, to stop during server lag, as resurrection points while exploring or fighting, or to provide a "jumping off point" while newer members are building a base.

All of them have a landing roof or pad for fliers to keep you out of reach of attack by ground-based dinos. The exception to the landing pads: a few locations you should not loiter in due to very high danger may not have a pad, but warnings will be posted on signs.

Players are welcome to log off overnight, but these locations lack (typically) dino highly secure enclosures, so consult posted signs and do so at your own risk in some places.

Amenities
The minimum amenities for an outpost include: They might include:
 * A durable shelter with stone or better for the foundations, walls, and roof. While some critters can damage stone, it's adequate against most in the majority of places.
 * A campfire or similar way to cook meat and warm up.
 * Water access, preferably inside the building, unless the outpost abuts a water source in a relatively safe location.
 * A bed or sleeping bag that remains in place at all times.
 * A smithy for armor repair.
 * A "vanilla" mortar and pestle or Grindstone to make sparkpowder. Sparkpowder is far more efficient than wood and smacking a single rock is often easier than finding a tree.

PTC Rules
These locations are a free for all, but:
 * Please leave enough fuel for the next person to stay warm overnight and to cook, as many times storms or weather changes makes this attractive rest stops.
 * Leave behind any excess supplies weighing you down like wood, stone, etc. if you're stopping for a rest. This isn't required, but nice.
 * Leave behind any gear you might otherwise dump, like common looted cloth or leather armor in case you or someone else needs warmth i a pinch.
 * Don't dump all looted trash in containers here as space is limited. For example, "vanilla" building parts just create clutter, so dump those on the ground or take them to your base's industrial grinder.

Billboards and Signs
If a location is of particular interest or very high danger, it's often noted on a sign or billboard, so read them!

Related Topics
Other types of player-built locations:
 * Base
 * Foundry
 * Camp
 * Refinery
 * Taming Pen
 * Hatchery
 * Boat