Best ARK Server Settings
The settings that make an ARK server fun without breaking it — sensible harvest, taming and XP rates, the right difficulty, and breeding multipliers that don't need night shifts. Where each one lives (GameUserSettings.ini vs Game.ini), and how to keep the server smooth. Works for ARK: Survival Ascended and Survival Evolved.
ARK's config is split across two files: GameUserSettings.ini holds the rates and options you change first (harvest, taming, XP, difficulty, server identity), and Game.ini holds the advanced per-stat and breeding multipliers. Always stop the server before editing, or it overwrites your changes on shutdown.
Below are balanced starting values for a casual-to-moderate PvE/PvP server, plus what each does — tune from there to taste.
What you'll need
A quick checklist before you begin — have these ready and the rest is easy.
- Access to your server's config files (a panel File Manager or SFTP).
- The two files: GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini.
- The ability to stop the server before editing (or edits get overwritten).
- Admin access to run DestroyWildDinos after difficulty changes.
- A strong CPU and plenty of RAM for a busy server.
Dial in your ARK server, setting by setting
Know the two config files
Rates and common options go in ShooterGame/Saved/Config/<platform>/GameUserSettings.ini under [ServerSettings]. Advanced multipliers (breeding, per-stat) go in Game.ini under [/script/shootergame.shootergamemode]. Stop the server before editing either.
Set harvest, taming and XP rates
These are the first thing players feel. Moderate values keep progression rewarding without trivialising it — 2-3x is a comfortable casual pace; 1x is vanilla; 5x+ is fast/boosted.
[ServerSettings] HarvestAmountMultiplier=3.0 TamingSpeedMultiplier=3.0 XPMultiplier=2.0 HarvestHealthMultiplier=1.0
Set the difficulty
Difficulty controls wild creature levels and loot quality. Set DifficultyOffset=1.0 and OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0 for max wild level 150, then run DestroyWildDinos once (admin command) so the map repopulates at the new levels.
DifficultyOffset=1.0 OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0
Tune breeding in Game.ini
Breeding is the biggest time-sink. In Game.ini raise maturation and cut the imprint interval so raising creatures doesn't need overnight babysitting.
[/script/shootergame.shootergamemode] BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier=5.0 EggHatchSpeedMultiplier=5.0 BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier=0.4 MatingIntervalMultiplier=0.5
Set stacks, weight & quality-of-life
A few QoL options hugely reduce grind: bigger item stacks, faster crafting and a shorter corpse/loot decay. These live in GameUserSettings.ini and/or Game.ini depending on the option.
ItemStackSizeMultiplier=3.0 AllowFlyerCarryPvE=true ShowMapPlayerLocation=true
Keep it stable & performant
ARK is heavy. Auto-save on a sensible interval, cap wild/tamed dino counts if the map is struggling, and give the server a strong CPU and plenty of RAM. Restart on a schedule to clear memory.
Balanced, stable and fun
2-3x is the sweet spot
For most communities, harvest/taming around 3x and XP around 2x keeps progression rewarding without making tames and levels feel meaningless.
Fix breeding, not just rates
The complaint that drives players off ARK is overnight imprint babysitting. Raise BabyMatureSpeed and lower BabyCuddleInterval so raising is possible in a normal session.
DestroyWildDinos after difficulty
Difficulty changes only apply to newly-spawned creatures. Run DestroyWildDinos once so the whole map repopulates at your new max level.
It's CPU- and RAM-hungry
ARK (especially ASA) is one of the heaviest survival games. A high-clock CPU, plenty of RAM and scheduled restarts keep a busy server smooth.
Common problems & fixes
Hit a snag? These are the issues people run into most — and how to solve them.
My changes keep disappearing
You edited while the server was running. Stop it first, edit GameUserSettings.ini / Game.ini, save, then start it — the server writes the file on shutdown and overwrites you.
Difficulty changed but dinos are still low level
Difficulty only affects new spawns. Run the admin command DestroyWildDinos once so the map repopulates at the new levels.
A setting has no effect
It's in the wrong file or section. Rates go in GameUserSettings.ini [ServerSettings]; breeding/per-stat go in Game.ini [/script/shootergame.shootergamemode]. Check spelling exactly.
The server lags or crashes when busy
ARK is heavy. Cap wild/tamed dino counts, schedule restarts to clear memory, and give it a stronger CPU and more RAM.
Skip the setup — host it with ESAGAMES
Want a fast, stable ARK server without tuning hardware? Our ARK hosting (ASA & ASE) runs high-clock CPUs on NVMe behind a multi-Tbps Frankfurt network — panel included, instant setup.
Frequently asked questions
Which file do ARK server settings go in?
Rates and common options go in GameUserSettings.ini under [ServerSettings]. Advanced multipliers like breeding and per-stat tweaks go in Game.ini. Always stop the server before editing.
What are good taming and harvest rates?
For a balanced casual server, 3x harvest and 3x taming with 2x XP is a comfortable pace. 1x is vanilla (slow); 5x and up is fast/boosted. Tune to your community.
How do I make wild dinos higher level?
Raise the difficulty — DifficultyOffset=1.0 and OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0 gives max wild level 150. Then run the admin command DestroyWildDinos once so the map repopulates.
How do I make breeding less painful?
In Game.ini raise BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier and EggHatchSpeedMultiplier, and lower BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier so imprinting doesn't need overnight sessions.
Do these settings work for both ASA and ASE?
Yes — the setting names are the same across ARK: Survival Ascended and Survival Evolved. A few advanced options differ, but the rate, difficulty and breeding settings here apply to both.
Why do my settings keep resetting?
You edited the config while the server was running — it overwrites the file on shutdown. Always stop the server first, edit, save, then start it back up.
Keep reading
ARK: Survival Ascended and ARK: Survival Evolved are trademarks of Studio Wildcard. ESAGAMES is an independent hosting provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by Studio Wildcard. You must own a legitimate copy of the game to play.
