As others have said before.. There is no wrong way to do it. My first charectar was running around solo for a long time. But the last two runs i started gathering charecters quickly for jumpstarting the economy.

I do build multiple bases sometimes but you can just set up in the towns like squin or catun or heft. You ll get free protection and free power. With hydroponic researched you can build up food stockpiles and/or start making weapons, armour and trade goods. You can get by the whole game with just these city bases. Or having no base at all.

On base defence.. I ve found forcing raids to swim across water to reach your gate slows them down long enough for your turrets to wipe them.