What Does the Sleeping Bag Do in Ark: Survival Evolved?
The sleeping bag in Ark: Survival Evolved serves two primary and crucial functions: it acts as a respawn point upon death and allows you to fast travel (or teleport) to it from other locations. In essence, it’s your early game safety net and rudimentary base of operations rolled into one portable package.
The Foundation of Survival: Understanding the Sleeping Bag
In the harsh world of Ark, death is frequent. Whether you’re being hunted by raptors, succumbing to starvation, or simply misjudging a jump, having a reliable place to respawn is paramount. The sleeping bag provides precisely that. Once placed and used, it becomes a designated respawn location. When you die, you’ll be presented with the option to respawn at the nearest sleeping bag (or bed, later in the game).
Beyond respawning, the sleeping bag offers a convenient, albeit temporary, method of fast travel. This allows you to quickly return to a known location after venturing out to gather resources or explore. This is especially valuable in the early game before you acquire tames capable of carrying you across the map.
The Limitations and Caveats of the Sleeping Bag
While invaluable, the sleeping bag isn’t without its limitations. Notably, it’s a relatively primitive structure and thus has a cooldown period after each use. You can’t respawn at it or teleport to it immediately after using it, adding a layer of risk to exploration. This cooldown is shorter than the cooldown for beds.
Furthermore, the sleeping bag is susceptible to destruction. If an enemy player or creature destroys your sleeping bag, you’ll lose your designated respawn point and will have to craft and place a new one. This vulnerability makes choosing a safe and discreet location for your sleeping bag a critical survival skill. Placing it in an open, easily accessible area is a recipe for disaster. Consider hiding it in dense foliage, behind rocks, or in a secure, even temporary, structure.
The sleeping bag also has a range limitation for fast travel. You cannot teleport to a sleeping bag if you are too far away from it on the map.
Crafting and Placement: Getting Started
Crafting a sleeping bag is relatively simple. You’ll need fiber, which is readily available by harvesting plants. Once you have the necessary materials, simply access your inventory, craft the sleeping bag, and place it on the ground.
Placement is key. As mentioned earlier, prioritize safety and concealment. Ensure the area is relatively clear of obstructions to avoid clipping issues. Once placed, interact with the sleeping bag to “use” it. This registers it as your current respawn point. Remember, only one sleeping bag (or bed) can be active as your respawn point at any given time. Placing a new one will override the previous one.
Beyond the Sleeping Bag: The Evolution of Respawn Points
As you progress through Ark, you’ll unlock more advanced respawn options, such as the bed and the tek bed. These offer various advantages over the basic sleeping bag, including shorter cooldowns, increased durability, and even health regeneration upon respawn (in the case of the tek bed). However, the sleeping bag remains a crucial starting point and a useful backup respawn option throughout the game.
FAQs About Sleeping Bags in Ark: Survival Evolved
1. What level do I need to be to craft a sleeping bag?
You can craft a sleeping bag at level 1. It’s one of the first items you’ll unlock.
2. What resources are required to craft a sleeping bag?
You need 4 fiber to craft a sleeping bag. Fiber is gathered from bushes and plants.
3. Can someone else use my sleeping bag to respawn?
No. Only the player who placed the sleeping bag can use it as a respawn point.
4. How long is the cooldown after using a sleeping bag?
The cooldown after using a sleeping bag is approximately 2 minutes (120 seconds).
5. Can I pick up my sleeping bag and move it?
Yes, you can pick up your sleeping bag, but it destroys the sleeping bag and you would need to recraft it, therefore destroying your respawn point.
6. Does the sleeping bag protect me from the environment?
No. The sleeping bag provides no protection from the elements or creatures. It is solely a respawn and fast travel point.
7. Can I use the sleeping bag in caves?
Yes, you can place and use a sleeping bag inside caves, provided there is enough space. This can be incredibly useful for exploring challenging caves.
8. What happens if my sleeping bag is destroyed?
If your sleeping bag is destroyed, you will lose your designated respawn point and will have to craft and place a new one.
9. Can I have multiple sleeping bags placed at the same time?
Yes, you can have multiple sleeping bags placed, but only the most recently used one will be your active respawn point.
10. Are there any visual indicators to show the location of my sleeping bag on the map?
No, there is no specific marker for sleeping bags on the map. You’ll need to remember their location.
11. Does the sleeping bag prevent wild dinos from spawning nearby?
No, the sleeping bag does not affect dino spawns.
12. Is there a difference between the sleeping bag and the primitive bed?
Yes. The primitive bed requires more resources, is unlocked at a higher level, has a shorter cooldown, and can be locked to tribe members only.
13. Can I place a sleeping bag on a platform saddle?
Yes, you can place a sleeping bag on a platform saddle, creating a mobile respawn point. This can be useful for long expeditions.
14. Does the sleeping bag have a weight limit?
The sleeping bag itself does not have a weight limit, but you will be carrying it in your inventory until you place it.
15. What are the best strategies for protecting my sleeping bag?
Concealment is key. Hide it in dense foliage, behind rocks, or in a small, enclosed structure. Avoid placing it in easily accessible areas. Consider placing spike walls around a small structure that houses it.