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How to Set Taming Speed on an ARK Server

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

How to Set Taming Speed on an ARK Server

This guide explains how to adjust the taming speed multiplier on an ARK: Survival Evolved server, which controls how quickly creatures become tamed after being knocked out or fed. You’ll need access to your server’s configuration files—either through a hosting provider’s control panel or directly on your own machine—and a way to restart the server for changes to take effect.

What You’ll Need

  • Access to the server’s Game.ini file (for most settings) or GameUserSettings.ini (for some older or dedicated server setups).
  • Administrator or owner permissions on the server, either via a hosting panel, FTP, or local file system.
  • A text editor like Notepad++ or VS Code (avoid plain Notepad on Windows if possible, as it can mess with line endings).
  • The ability to restart the server after editing the file.

Step-by-Step

  1. Locate the configuration files. If you rent a server from a hosting provider, log into their control panel (e.g., Nitrado, GPortal, or your host’s custom panel) and find the “Config Files” or “Files” section. For a dedicated server you run yourself, navigate to the server’s ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer (or LinuxServer) folder.
  2. Open Game.ini. This is the primary file for taming speed. If the file doesn’t exist, create it in the same folder. If you see a GameUserSettings.ini, you may also need to edit that, depending on your server version—but the taming multiplier is almost always in Game.ini.
  3. Find or create the [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode] section. If the file already has this section, add your setting inside it. If not, add the section at the top of the file, like this: 
    [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode]
TamingSpeedMultiplier=2.0
  4. Set the multiplier value. The default is 1.0 (normal speed). Use a higher number for faster taming (e.g., 5.0 = 5x faster), or a lower number for slower taming (e.g., 0.5 = half speed). Values below 1 are allowed but not recommended for most servers.
  5. Save the file. Make sure you save it as Game.ini with UTF-8 encoding (most editors do this by default). Do not change the file extension.
  6. Restart the server. Go back to your hosting panel and click “Restart” or “Reboot.” If you’re running a local server, stop the server process and start it again. The new multiplier will apply after the restart.
  7. Verify the change. Log into the game, knock out a low-level creature (like a Dodo), and feed it. The taming bar should fill noticeably faster than before. You can also check the server’s startup log for the loaded settings.

Common Mistakes

  • Editing the wrong file. Many players put the setting in GameUserSettings.ini by mistake. The taming multiplier belongs in Game.ini under the [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode] section.
  • Missing the section header. If you add the setting without the section header, the game ignores it silently. Always include the [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode] line.
  • Using the wrong variable name. The correct is TamingSpeedMultiplier. A common typo is TamingSpeed or TameSpeedMultiplier—these won’t work.
  • Not restarting the server. Some settings can be applied with a command, but the taming multiplier requires a full restart. If you don’t restart, nothing changes.
  • Setting an extreme value. A value like 1000 can cause taming to complete instantly, which may break the game’s animations or cause crashes. Stick to reasonable values (1-10) unless you know what you’re doing.

Tips

  • Use a value that matches your server style. For a casual PvE server, 2-3x is common. For a hardcore PvP server, 5-10x is typical to reduce downtime.
  • Combine with other multipliers. You can also set XPMultiplier, HarvestAmountMultiplier, and TamingFoodConsumptionMultiplier (if available) to create a balanced experience.
  • Test with a low-level dino first. Before applying a high multiplier to your whole server, test with a cheap tame to make sure it works as expected.
  • Keep a backup of your config. Before editing, copy the original Game.ini to a safe place. If something goes wrong, you can restore it.
  • Use a config editor if your host provides one. Many hosting panels have a GUI for server settings. If so, use that instead of manual editing—it’s less error-prone.

Troubleshooting

  • The setting doesn’t take effect. First, double-check the file path and section header. Then confirm you restarted the server. If it still doesn’t work, check if your server is running a mod that overrides taming speed (some mods like S+ or Classic Flyers have their own settings). Disable such mods temporarily to test.
  • The server fails to start after editing. This usually means a syntax error. Open Game.ini and look for missing brackets, extra spaces, or a missing = sign. Remove the line you added and try again, then re-add it carefully.
  • Taming is still slow even with a high multiplier. Some creatures (like Giganotosaurus or Titanosaurs) have a minimum taming time that cannot be reduced below a certain threshold. Also, if you’re using a mod that changes taming mechanics, it may override the multiplier.
  • The setting works for some players but not others. If you have a cluster or multiple maps, each server has its own Game.ini. You need to edit the file on every server in the cluster.
  • You can’t find the config files. If you’re on a rented server and can’t locate the files, contact your hosting provider’s support. They can point you to the correct location or even apply the change for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the taming speed multiplier affect food consumption during taming?

No, it only affects how quickly the taming bar fills. Food consumption is controlled by a separate setting, TamingFoodConsumptionMultiplier (if available), which you can adjust in the same section.

Can I set different taming speeds for different creatures?

Not with the basic multiplier. The TamingSpeedMultiplier applies globally to all creatures. To have per-species differences, you’d need a mod or a more advanced server plugin.

What is the maximum value I can set?

There’s no hard cap, but values above 100 are generally unnecessary and can cause issues. The game may also round extremely high values to a practical limit. A value of 10 is more than enough for most servers.

Will this setting affect taming effectiveness?

No, taming effectiveness (the bonus levels you get) is calculated based on how you tame (e.g., using preferred food, not hitting the creature). The speed multiplier only changes the time it takes, not the final effectiveness.

Do I need to edit both Game.ini and GameUserSettings.ini?

For taming speed, you only need Game.ini. However, some other settings like DifficultyOffset are in GameUserSettings.ini. Keep them separate as per the game’s documentation.

Can I change the taming speed without restarting the server?

No, the taming speed multiplier is read at server startup. You must restart the server for changes to apply. Using the in-game admin command SetTamingSpeedMultiplier (if available) is not a standard command; the only reliable way is editing the config and restarting.

Related

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.