Upgrade order that keeps progression smooth
In Enshrouded, your Flame Altar is the center of your base. It sets your protected build area and works as a fast-travel anchor. The altar has two upgrade tracks, and each one does a different job: Upgrade Altar increases build space, while Strengthen the Flame increases progression stats like Shroud time and Shroud Passage. Open the altar menu, check the requirements for the next tier, and let that list decide your next resource run.
The Shroud is the deadly fog biome, and it puts you on a survival timer. Several altar-upgrade materials come from Shroud content, so plan those trips with purpose. Go in with an empty inventory, food, and healing. Grab only what you still need, then return to base and process it right away. If a requirement asks for a refined material, unlock the needed rescued crafter or workstation first (for example, the Alchemist for crafting Shroud Cores) so raw drops do not become a bottleneck.
Simple progression loop
- Check the next altar tier and list only the materials you are missing.
- Farm nearby objectives first, then go deeper when your gear and prep feel stable.
- Upgrade the altar as soon as you can, then expand storage and crafting at that same base.
- After each upgrade, review map objectives and routes that were blocked before.
- Keep one main base stocked so death recovery and rebuilds stay quick.
If progress stalls, it is usually one of three issues: flame/altar requirements are not met yet, a rescued crafter is still missing, or your Shroud prep is too weak. Fix those in that order, and momentum usually returns fast.