Oasis

Oasis is a 256x256 unconventional map introduced in Version 1.0 that centers its entire gameplay around Aquifer-based water access, creating a fundamentally different experience from maps with traditional river systems. Instead of relying on surface Water Sources for the majority of clean water, Oasis challenges players to locate and drill into underground Aquifers scattered across a largely arid landscape. This design makes the Aquifer Drill one of the most critical technologies to research early, as surface water alone may not be sufficient to sustain a growing colony through the increasingly long Drought and Badtide cycles.

The aquifer-focused design of Oasis requires players to rethink their standard approach to water management. Rather than building dams across rivers and filling surface reservoirs, the primary strategy revolves around identifying Aquifer locations, building power infrastructure to run the drills, and constructing local water distribution networks around each drilling site. Geothermal Fields may also be present on this map, providing the steady 400 horsepower needed to keep Aquifer Drills running through every weather cycle. The arid surface terrain means that traditional farming is limited to areas near active Aquifer sites, creating a hub-and-spoke settlement pattern centered on water extraction points.

As an unconventional map, Oasis requires mastery of advanced mechanics that go beyond basic river damming and crop management. Players must understand power generation, underground resource extraction, and efficient water distribution to succeed. The 256x256 size provides ample space for multiple Aquifer-based settlements, and the map rewards exploration as players discover new drilling sites that can support colony expansion. Oasis is best attempted by experienced players who are comfortable with the Aquifer Drill system and have a solid understanding of power grid management. Both factions can succeed here, though Iron Teeth's industrial infrastructure may make power generation slightly easier in the early game.