As a Single-Player, I always build a base just east of Mounds of the Dead - just south of where the southernmost meteors fall, so not within danger zone. Then I just do stuff in or around my base, such as some friendly exchange of blows with my neighbors, harvesting materials, crafting, etc. until I hear the telltale explosions of a meteor shower. Then I go look around for a bit, harvest whichever meteors I can find, and get back to doing whatever.

I don’t get chests overflowing with the ore this way, but I get enough for my needs, and I never need to go out of my way to find star metal.

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