Beds vs. Sleeping Bags in Ark: A Comprehensive Guide

In the harsh, prehistoric world of Ark: Survival Evolved, establishing a secure respawn point is paramount to survival. Two primary tools facilitate this: the Hide Sleeping Bag and the Simple Bed. While both serve as respawn locations, they differ significantly in their functionality, usage, and strategic value. Understanding these differences is crucial for every survivor striving to thrive in Ark.

Core Differences: The Sleeping Bag vs. The Bed

The most fundamental distinction between the two is their permanence and reusability. The Hide Sleeping Bag is a single-use respawn point. Once used to respawn, it vanishes. This makes it a great emergency option but unreliable as a permanent base marker. On the other hand, the Simple Bed functions as a permanent respawn point, usable repeatedly, making it the cornerstone of any established base.

Another key difference lies in placement. While the Hide Sleeping Bag is incredibly versatile and can be placed virtually anywhere on the game map, the Simple Bed requires a more stable environment. It can only be placed on foundations or ceilings, dictating that a structure needs to be built prior to utilizing one. This requirement makes the Simple Bed more challenging to deploy quickly but also means they are usually in a more protected space.

Here’s a breakdown of their primary features:

Hide Sleeping Bag:

• Single-Use: Can only be used once to respawn.
• Placement: Can be placed almost anywhere.
• Cost: Very inexpensive to craft.
• Purpose: Acts as an early-game emergency respawn point or a temporary spawn marker.
• Pick Up: Can be picked up after placed.

Simple Bed:

• Permanent Use: Can be used to respawn repeatedly.
• Placement: Must be placed on a foundation or ceiling.
• Cost: More expensive to craft than sleeping bags.
• Purpose: Functions as a primary, reliable respawn location within a base or established structure.
• Pick Up: Once placed, cannot be picked up.

Strategic Usage in Ark

The Hide Sleeping Bag is often the first respawn tool players encounter, and is vital during the initial exploration phase. Being cheap to craft and quickly deployable, it allows players to set up emergency spawn points whilst venturing into dangerous areas. Imagine you’re exploring a cave, and encounter a strong creature, the sleeping bag allows you to respawn back there to reclaim your gear. However, for permanent respawn points within a secure area, the Simple Bed is the preferred choice. It becomes essential for any long-term base of operations or main home. It ensures that if you are caught out in the open you can be taken to a safe location.

The contrast in placement restrictions also impacts tactics. The ability to put the Sleeping Bag in a hidden spot, like on top of a large rock, makes it useful for forward operating bases or hidden stashes. Whereas, because the Simple Bed needs to be placed within a structure, its placement also indicates the location of a more defended base, meaning any opponents must find your base in order to have a chance at destroying it.

Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the point of the sleeping bag in Ark?

The Hide Sleeping Bag is primarily a one-time use respawn point and a fast-travel location. It is a cost effective, short term respawn point for a player that is exploring and will not be using one location as their base of operations for too long.

2. Can I use a sleeping bag multiple times in Ark?

No, the Hide Sleeping Bag is a single-use item. Once used to respawn, it disappears. You need to craft a new one for each use, this also makes the Simple Bed better in the long run.

3. What are the crafting requirements for a Hide Sleeping Bag and a Simple Bed?

The Hide Sleeping Bag is inexpensive, requiring only a small amount of Hide and Fiber. The Simple Bed needs a higher investment, requiring more Hide, Fiber, and Wood or Stone as well as a placement spot within a structured building.

4. Can I pick up my Simple Bed after placing it?

No, once a Simple Bed is placed, it cannot be picked up. This means that placement is very important.

5. What happens if my bed or sleeping bag is destroyed?

If a Simple Bed is destroyed, you will need to make a new one, however any respawn point is destroyed when used for the hide sleeping bag. This is one of the reasons the bed is far better as a long-term respawn point, as opponents must specifically target the bed.

6. Is there a better bed than the Simple Bed in Ark?

Yes, there are more advanced bed options in Ark, like the Tek Bed and Bunk Bed, each offering additional benefits, such as faster health regeneration or the ability to accommodate more players.

7. How does time of day in Ark affect gameplay and should I be using a bed then?

Nighttime in Ark is usually much darker and dangerous. Beds do not necessarily affect this aspect of gameplay but provide a respawn option within the base so if a player does die at night, they will respawn in a safe location. If the night is too dark, you can change the gamma settings to make it brighter. This does not affect your respawn options, however.

8. How can I adjust the in-game brightness in Ark?

You can adjust the gamma settings in Ark through the game’s options menu. You can also use console commands to adjust the brightness, but this may require server-side adjustments.

9. Can I force another player to sleep in Ark?

Yes, using the console command Exec Set Sleeping "true" will put a player to sleep, and Exec Set Sleeping "false" will wake a player up. This also will have no impact on using the bed or sleeping bag though.

10. Does Fortitude affect my ability to use beds or sleeping bags?

No, Fortitude does not affect the usage of beds or sleeping bags. It primarily affects your insulation against hot and cold, your resistance to being stunned, and how often you defecate.

11. How does the Tek Sleeping Pod compare to the normal bed or sleeping bag?

The Tek Sleeping Pod is an advanced bed that unlocks through beating Gamma Rockwell. This also means this is a late-game item. It provides better health regeneration and faster recovery, however it is still no different in its function as a respawn point compared to the other two.

12. Can I pick up sleeping players in Ark?

Yes, as far as the information provided dictates, sleeping players can be grabbed by humans, not animals. This may be used to move a player to a bed to respawn in a safe location.

13. What is the purpose of the toilet in Ark?

Using a toilet provides a +33% experience buff that lasts 120 seconds. It also has no effect on the use of respawn points.

14. Is there any purpose to toilet paper in Ark?

Toilet paper is a purchasable item using Ancient Amber, and serves no practical purpose other than being a placement decoration, and is often a novelty.

15. How does sleep work for Shadowmanes?

Putting your Shadowmane to sleep will allow it to regenerate health faster. The lower the health, the faster the regeneration, and vice versa. However, this does not impact your ability to use the bed or sleeping bag.

Conclusion

Both the Hide Sleeping Bag and the Simple Bed are integral to surviving in Ark, each filling a specific need. While the sleeping bag serves as a temporary measure, the bed provides a reliable, permanent respawn location. Understanding their differences enables players to make informed decisions about base planning and survival strategies. By utilizing each appropriately, survivors can dramatically improve their odds in the challenging world of Ark: Survival Evolved.