Make Up Your Mind, Avowed: Should I Go To Camp Or Not?

Published Mar 3, 2025

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Not all games have embraced the day-night cycle, though as time goes on it becomes more and more common, but Avowed's nighttime environment is truly spectacular; it's interesting that the game punishes you for trying to enjoy it. The Living Lands comes alive at night with bioluminescence and a truly breathtaking sky, but only at night can these things be seen. What's up with this, Avowed?

Avowed's day-night cycle is pretty long and can encom over an hour of gameplay. However, sleeping at camp always resets you to the morning when you exit. For those who don't care one way or another what scenery they see as they explore and research the Dreamscourge, this is no problem. But if you're anything like me, this is a little disappointing.

Nighttime Is One Of The Coolest Parts Of Avowed

Night In The Living Lands Is Dangerous But Beautiful

As night falls across the Living Lands, the countryside's flora really comes to life. Mushrooms, moss, and even plants alight with an eerie glow. If you enjoyed the Underdark portions of Baldur's Gate 3, you'll have an idea of what to expect.

Avowed's key art, showing a Skelton holding a sword, covered in various fungi.

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Alongside the foliage of the Living Lands, the starscape is also something to behold that can only be seen at night. A sky dotted with thousands of stars reveals itself as the sun goes down, and though I, the player, know this is just a well-rendered skybox texture, it's still an excellent backdrop for adventuring or trying, and failling, to sneak around in Avowed. Unfortunately, you miss out on a lot of nighttime adventuring because of how Avowed's camp mechanic works.

Avowed’s Morning Reset Makes Me Not Want To Camp

It's Always Sunny In The Living Lands

Kai warming his hands on the campfire in Avowed.

No matter what time of day you head to camp, you exit the camp at the crack of dawn. This means that no matter how long you spend in camp, you're treated to a full eight hours of rest and are on your way to the sun. While playing during the nighttime doesn't have any gameplay benefit, I truly love the ambiance of quiet darkness lit by fungi.

Some, but not all, of this glowing fungus in the Living Lands are connected to the Voice in your head in a truly mysterious way.

Now, to be clear, I know this is a non-issue, all things considered, but for me, waiting to camp until I got my fill of marveling at all the scenery started to impact my gameplay. I would find myself waiting to camp, pushing for just one or two more side-quests just so I could hang out with the incredible lighting and sky for just a bit longer. Unfortunately, this catches up to you quickly, particularly as you progress through the main story quest.

Going To Camp Is Unfortunately Essential In Avowed

Base Level Weapons And Armor Get Outscaled Quickly

Despite my desire to stay out in the Living Lands' dusky environs until the sun rises again, upgrading armor and weapons is just too important to spend time lollygagging at night. More often than not, I'll need to upgrade some items before the night even falls, meaning my time will reset once again. Players more determined than me to enjoy the nightlife might be able to stay out, but as someone who doesn't enjoy a tough fight, I'll keep heading back to camp anyway to avoid certain death.

Player camp is also where you go to chat with your party about relevant story beats (even if they're not the most interesting), and this dialogue only appears there.

On top of needing to go to camp to upgrade your gear, you can only use the camps to fast-travel by sleeping at them. Whether you like it or not, fast-traveling using a camp will reset the time to morning just like sleeping does. Avowed's scenery is breathtaking, but hiking ten minutes across the Emerald Stair just isn't working for me. Whether I head to camp to suit up for combat or to get from one place to another, I'll always be sad to miss Eora's beautiful evening sky.