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Offline base protection depends on the game and on the server you play. In Rust, a stocked Tool Cupboard keeps your building from decaying, but it does not stop other players from raiding while you are logged off. In ARK, the server operator can turn on Offline Raiding Prevention (ORP), which makes tribe characters, creatures, and structures invulnerable while the whole tribe is offline, but only if that setting is enabled on your server and only with the exceptions described below. Before you build anything, find out which of these protections your server actually provides.
Rust: upkeep protects against decay, not against raids
Rust’s base protection is built on the Tool Cupboard. The Facepunch Rust Wiki describes the Tool Cupboard, commonly called a “TC,” as the item that prevents your base from decaying and also stops other players from building on your base and close to it. That is a building-privilege and upkeep system. It is not a shield against damage.
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How upkeep works
- The Tool Cupboard must be supplied with upkeep resources. While it is stocked, the buildings it covers do not decay.
- If upkeep runs out, the base begins to decay. Decay is a slow loss of building health that happens whether or not anyone is attacking you.
- The cupboard itself must be protected. The Facepunch item page lists the Tool Cupboard as craftable from 1,000 wood, a figure that applies to the game version that page documents.
What happens when a cupboard is destroyed
The Rust Wiki states that a destroyed cupboard can consume up to 24 hours of the upkeep remaining in it, which delays decay. This is a grace period against decay after a raid. It does not prevent the raid, and it does not apply to the damage an attacker deals to the walls and doors while you are away.
What this means for leaving the game
A fully stocked cupboard lets you stay away without your base decaying, but it leaves the base exposed to other players for as long as the server allows raiding. Whether anyone can actually break in depends on the server’s rules, not on the cupboard.
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- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
ARK: a server setting that can prevent offline PvP
ARK handles offline protection differently. The ARK Official Community Wiki documents a server option called PreventOfflinePvP. When it is enabled, tribe characters, creatures, and structures become invulnerable once all tribe members are logged off. The option is a server configuration value, so a community server only has it if the operator turns it on.
Activation timing
The option PreventOfflinePvPInterval sets how long the server waits after the last tribe member logs off before ORP activates. The ARK community configuration reference gives 10 seconds for official PvE servers. That figure comes from the reference page, and it may differ on unofficial servers or in other versions, so confirm the value on your own server.
Rank #2
- Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
- Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
- Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
Exceptions that still apply
- Starvation: creatures and characters can still starve while offline.
- Drowning: characters or creatures can still die if they drown.
Protection from PvP damage therefore does not mean your tribe’s assets are safe from every cause of loss. Plan food and creature care before you log off.
Check the server’s rules before you build
Whether a protection exists depends on the server’s ruleset. Facepunch documents Rust server modes, and its server browser tags include PvE, which help players find a server style. A tag tells you the general style of a server, but it does not spell out every custom offline-raid policy. Operators can change raid rules, so read the current written rules rather than relying on a label.
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Comparing the two games
| Question | Rust | ARK |
|---|---|---|
| What the protection covers | Building decay, and building privilege through the Tool Cupboard | Tribe characters, creatures, and structures from PvP damage while offline |
| Does it stop raids? | No. The cupboard does not prevent a raid | Yes, when ORP is enabled on the server |
| Activation | Not applicable. Protection depends on upkeep being supplied | Set by PreventOfflinePvPInterval; 10 seconds on official PvE servers per the ARK community configuration reference |
| Exceptions | Once upkeep runs out, decay begins. A destroyed cupboard can consume up to 24 hours of remaining upkeep | Starvation and drowning still apply |
| Where the rule is defined | Game mechanic documented by Facepunch; server rules set the raid policy | Server configuration controlled by the operator |
A checklist before you log off
- Confirm the game, server type, and current written raid rules.
- Ask the operator whether offline damage protection exists, when it activates, and what exceptions apply.
- In Rust, make sure the Tool Cupboard is secure and stocked for the full time you expect to be away, and that each separate building is covered as the building system requires.
- In ARK, confirm that ORP is enabled and check the interval. Plan food and drowning risks as well.
- If the server does not give the protection you want, look for a PvE or other lower-risk ruleset, or a private server whose operator can set the options yourself. Check the mode, tags, and rules before you join.
Community threads on Reddit show that players ask about offline protection often, including a question in r/playark and another in r/playrust asking why there is no offline base protection. Those threads reflect player concern, not an official policy, so use the game documentation and server rules as your reference.
Quick Recap
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- Hard-Hitting Arcade Beat ’Em Up Combat - Use brutal melee abilities, crowd-clearing ranged attacks, or a mix of the two in fast-paced skirmishes. Enjoy responsive, crisp, and satisfying fighting gameplay while exploring the apocalypse.
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- Replayable Arcade Challenge - Master each character’s move set and tackle multiple difficulty levels in an experience built for repeat runs and escalating challenges. Or jump in with an optional Easy Mode for casual play.
Rank #4
- Explore the island to gather resources and build your camp from scratch; Find immunity necklaces to ensure your safety during Tribal Councils
- Earn rewards and immunity by performing well during trials, but be careful not to get exhausted and avoid getting hurt so you don't forfeit
- Form alliances with strategies, read your competitors' personalities, and use everything learned to gain the upper hand during the Tribal Councils
- Enjoy the tropical paradise as you soak in stunning scenery and take in the sun; Watch out, you never know when a coconut might come crashing down
- Think you have what it takes to outdo your friends; Join the multiplayer mode and prove it
Sources
- Facepunch Rust Wiki, Tool Cupboard, decay and building privilege
- Facepunch Rust Wiki, Tool Cupboard item
- Facepunch Rust Wiki, Server Gamemodes
- ARK Official Community Wiki, Server configuration
- Facepunch Rust Wiki, Server Browser Tags
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