ARK: Survival Evolved offers a variety of customizable settings to tailor the player's experience. Common ARK settings include breeding, difficulty level, taming speed, and gathering rate settings. These settings allow players to adjust the game and create a unique experience. The guide below walks players through a list of common Ark settings, what they do, and how to customize them to their liking.
Note: Learn how to edit Ark server settings here.
Breeding and Mating
Setting: BabyCuddleGracePeriodMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases the time before a baby dino loses imprinting quality after a care session.
Setting: BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value lower decreases the time baby dinos want to cuddle. The default 1.0 value gives an 8-hour interval between cuddles. If BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier= is at a higher value, BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier= should have a much lower value to achieve 100% imprinting quality on all dinos, provided every cuddle is applied.
Example: BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier=5 and BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier=0.25 set imprinting quality to 100% for all dinos with 2-hour cuddle intervals.
Setting: BabyCuddleLoseImprintQualitySpeedMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value lower decreases the speed at which a baby dinosaur loses imprinting quality after the grace period of not being cuddled.
Setting: BabyFoodConsumptionSpeedMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value lower makes babies eat more slowly.
Setting: BabyImprintAmountMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases the imprinting quality percentage generated per cuddle.
Example: If 1.0 gives 10% imprinting quality, setting this to 2.0 gives 20% imprinting quality.
Setting: BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher makes babies mature faster. Mature time varies by dino.
Setting: EggHatchSpeedMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher makes eggs hatch faster.
Setting: LayEggIntervalMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value lower makes dinos lay eggs faster.
Setting: MatingIntervalMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value lower allows dinos to start mating sooner.
Setting: MatingSpeedMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher makes dinos finish mating faster.
Building and Structures
Setting: AllowCaveBuildingPvE=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True allows building in caves on a PvE server.
Setting: AllowCaveBuildingPvP=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True allows building in caves on a PvP server.
Setting: bAllowPlatformSaddleMultiFloors=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True allows multiple floors on platform saddles.
Setting: bDisableStructurePlacementCollision=False
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value to True allows structures to collide and clip into the terrain, allowing for more flexible building.
Setting: OverrideStructurePlatformPrevention=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True allows the building of functional spike and turret structures on platform saddles.
Setting: StructureResistanceMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value lower decreases the damage a structure takes.
Setting: StructureDamageRepairCooldown=180
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value lower reduces the cooldown period on structure repair from the last time it was damaged. The value is in seconds. When set to 0, the cooldown is removed.
Setting: AlwaysAllowStructurePickup=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True makes the quick pickup system available immediately after placing down a structure.
Setting: StructurePickupTimeAfterPlacement=30.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value lower decreases the time for quick pickup to be available after placing down a structure. The value is in seconds.
Setting: AllowIntegratedSPlusStructures=True
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to False removes the S+ Structures added in the Homestead update.
Setting: StructurePickupHoldDuration=0.5
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value lower increases the quick-pickup hold duration. When set to 0, it is disabled, making quick-pickup instant.
Crop and Poop Rates
Setting: CropGrowthSpeedMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases the speed of crop growth.
Setting: CropDecaySpeedMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value lower increases the time before crop decay.
Setting: PoopIntervalMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher decreases the frequency of player and dino pooping. Setting this too low may cause dinos to get stuck in the pooping animation, which can interfere with battles.
Day and Night Cycle
Setting: DayCycleSpeedScale=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value lower slows down the full-day cycle. When set to 0.035, it matches a real-time 24-hour cycle.
Setting: DayTimeSpeedScale=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases daytime duration.
Setting: NightTimeSpeedScale=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value lower decreases nighttime duration.
Decay Rates
Setting: DisableDinoDecayPvE=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables the gradual decay of tamed dino ownership in PvE. Leaving this on False allows any player to claim dinos.
Setting: DisableStructureDecayPvE=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables the gradual decay of player-made structures in PvE.
Difficulty
Setting: DifficultyOffset=0.2
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value higher raises the max level of dinos, makes bosses more challenging, and increases loot quality. See here for a more in-depth guide on calculating the Ark difficulty setting.
Example: At 1.0 with OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0, the max wild dino level goes up to 150.
Setting: OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value higher raises the max level of dinos, makes bosses more challenging, and increases loot quality. See here for a more in-depth guide on calculating the Ark difficulty setting.
Example: At 5.0 with DifficultyOffset=1.0, the max wild dino level goes up to 150.
Dino and Player Stats
Setting: DinoCharacterHealthRecoveryMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value higher makes dinos heal faster. While useful for tamed dinos, wild dinos are affected as well.
Setting: DinoCharacterStaminaDrainMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value lower makes dinos tire out more slowly.
Setting: PlayerBaseStatMultipliers[7]=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases the player's weight-based stat.
Example: When set to 2.0, players gain 20 weight instead of 10 when leveling up the stat.
Setting: PlayerCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value lower makes players hungry more slowly.
Setting: PlayerCharacterHealthRecoveryMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value higher makes players heal faster.
Setting: PlayerCharacterStaminaDrainMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value lower makes players tire slower.
Setting: PlayerCharacterWaterDrainMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value lower makes players' thirst slower.
Setting: PlayerDamageMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases player attack damage.
Setting: PlayerResistanceMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value lower increases player resistance.
Flying
Setting: AllowFlyerCarryPvE=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True allows player-mounted flying dinos to pick up other dinos and players in PVE.
Setting: bAllowFlyerSpeedLeveling=False
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value to True brings back the Movement Speed stat to flyers and can be leveled up.
Setting: -ForceAllowCaveFlyers
Location: Command Line - Custom End
Description: Adding the setting enables flying in caves and on the Genesis map. Note that setting the value to false will disable flying on all maps.
Game Mode
Setting: bDisableFriendlyFire=False
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables friendly fire in PvP.
Setting: bPvEDisableFriendlyFire=False
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables friendly fire in PvE.
Setting: bShowCreativeMode=False
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value to True enables creative mode, accessed through the ESC menu. The option will only show for players with admin access.
Setting: serverForceNoHud=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables the HUD.
Setting: serverHardcore=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True spawns players back to level 1 after death.
Setting: serverPVE=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables PvP.
Gamma
Setting: DisablePvEGamma=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True restricts players from editing gamma in PvE.
Setting: EnablePvPGamma=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True allows players to edit gamma in PvP.
Harvest Rates
Setting: HarvestAmountMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases the number of materials received from harvesting trees, rocks, corpses, etc.
Setting: HarvestHealthMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases the health of resources that can be harvested.
Example: The more strikes a tree takes before being chopped down, the more the overall harvest yield increases.
Loot Quality
Setting: FishingLootQualityMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases the quality of loot when fishing.
Setting: SupplyCrateLootQualityMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases the quality of loot found in supply crates.
Resource Spawn
Setting: ResourceNoReplenishRadiusPlayers=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher spawns resources further from players.
Setting: ResourceNoReplenishRadiusStructures=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher spawns resources further from structures.
Setting: ResourcesRespawnPeriodMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value lower causes resource nodes such as trees, rocks, and bushes to respawn more quickly.
Quality of Life
Setting: AllowHitMarkers=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True enables hit markers for ranged attacks.
Setting: bAllowCustomRecipes=False
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value to True allows players to create custom food recipes.
Setting: allowThirdPersonPlayer=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True allows Third Person mode.
Setting: bAllowUnlimitedRespecs=False
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value to True removes the 24-hour cooldown when using Mindwipe Tonic.
Setting: bUseCorpseLocator=False
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value to True enables a green beam of light on the player's location of death.
Setting: bUseSingleplayerSettings=False
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value to True applies multipliers to several settings, such as difficulty and taming. It is balanced around solo and small group play.
Setting: CraftingSkillBonusMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases the bonus received when leveling up the Crafting skill, improving the quality of custom food recipes and blueprints when crafting.
Setting: EnableCryoSicknessPVE=True
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to False disables cryo sickness in PvE.
Setting: FuelConsumptionIntervalMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher causes fuel sources such as wood and gas to burn longer. Note that turning wood into charcoal will take longer as well.
Setting: HairGrowthSpeedMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases the speed of hair growth.
Setting: ItemStackSizeMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases the global maximum item stack size.
Setting: NonPermanentDiseases=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True removes diseases when respawning.
Setting: PreventDiseases=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables diseases completely.
Setting: PreventSpawnAnimations=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True removes the wake-up animation when players spawn.
Setting: ServerCrosshair=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True enables the crosshair. Leaving this on False enables in-game attachments, such as iron sights, for immersion.
Setting: ShowFloatingDamageText=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True enables showing damage numbers.
Setting: ShowMapPlayerLocation=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True enables an icon to show the player's location when viewing the map.
Server Notifications
Setting: alwaysNotifyPlayerJoined=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True notifies players when someone joins the server.
Setting: alwaysNotifyPlayerLeft=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True notifies players when someone leaves the server.
Spoil Time
Setting: GlobalCorpseDecompositionTimeMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher extends the time for corpses to spoil globally.
Setting: GlobalItemDecompositionTimeMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher extends the time it takes for dropped items and loot bags to spoil globally.
Setting: GlobalSpoilingTimeMultiplier=1.0
Location: Game.ini
Description: Setting the value higher extends the time for perishable items to spoil globally.
Taming
Setting: TamingSpeedMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value higher makes taming dinos faster.
Tribute Downloads
Setting: noTributeDownloads=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables downloading characters from other servers.
Setting: PreventDownloadSurvivors=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables downloading characters from other servers.
Setting: PreventDownloadItems=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables downloading items from other servers.
Setting: PreventDownloadDinos=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables downloading dinos from other servers.
Setting: PreventUploadSurvivors=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables uploading characters to other servers.
Setting: PreventUploadItems=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables uploading items to other servers.
Setting: PreventUploadDinos=False
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value to True disables uploading dinos to other servers.
XP
Setting: XPMultiplier=1.0
Location: GameUserSettings.ini
Description: Setting the value higher increases the overall experience gain of players, tribes, and dinosaurs when doing various actions.
Conclusion
ARK: Survival Evolved offers players an incredibly customizable experience, with a vast array of settings to tailor the game to their liking. It's important to note that this guide does not cover every setting in Ark, but instead focuses on the most commonly asked-for options. Whether players are interested in breeding, building, taming, or more, settings are available to modify each aspect of the game. The flexibility of ARK's settings adds depth to an already immersive and exciting game, making it one of the most popular survival games available today.
Helpful Links
Ark Server Settings Wiki
Edit Ark Server Settings
Enable Ark Events
Install Mods on an Ark Server