I still tend to make one 'main' base near the standing stones since I know I will be returning there and the first few bosses tend to be close, but beyond that I reclaim abandoned buildings.

The only other big base will be in the Plains just because of the specific requirements of the plants.

Beyond those I usually just reclaim ruins as I go. I can almost always find a ruin next to or very near mining and logging sites. And it is easy enough to up the comfort level with some basic furniture, Plus a few tin and you have your cook pot.

I will still, once I feel I have gathered enough of whatever I was out gathering, make a trip back to whichever 'main' base is active to stockpile. Just something about coming to dock at home base after a long trip.

But if you are merely playing linearly with the sole goal of beating all the bosses and no intention of using the same seed for the next biomes then I think you could get away with just reclaimed ruins.

As for raids I always sally out for combat in the field so I tend not to use moats and earthen walls and such so no concern for stomp proof buildings.

Agreed-fire arrows are underrated, but so is beating things to death with a torch.