ARK Survival Evolved Taming Calculator

Your essential tool for planning and executing successful creature tames in ARK.

Taming Calculator

Input the creature’s level and other relevant details to estimate taming time and food needed. Remember to select the correct taming method and server settings!

Taming Data Table

Estimated requirements for the selected creature and level.

Attribute	Value
Creature	—
Level	—
Primary Food	—
Food Per Piece	—
Taming Method	—
Estimated Food Needed	— pieces
Estimated Taming Time	—
Approx. Knockout Damage	—
Approx. Torpor Required	—

Taming Time vs. Food Consumption

What is the ARK Survival Evolved Taming Calculator?

The ARK Survival Evolved Taming Calculator is an indispensable tool for any player looking to efficiently and effectively tame creatures within the game. ARK Survival Evolved features a vast array of creatures, each with unique taming mechanics, food preferences, and stat distributions. Simply put, this calculator takes the guesswork out of the taming process. By inputting specific details about the creature you wish to tame – such as its level, the type of food you plan to use, and your server’s taming settings – the calculator provides crucial estimates for taming time, the total amount of food required, and the necessary knockout damage or passive feeding intervals.

This tool is essential for both new survivors just starting their journey and veteran players aiming to tame high-level or difficult creatures. It helps players optimize their resource gathering, prepare adequate narcotic or trank recipes, and manage their time effectively, especially during long or complex taming operations. Common misconceptions about taming include assuming all creatures tame the same way, underestimating the food requirements for higher levels, or not accounting for server multipliers which drastically alter taming durations.

Who Should Use It?

• New Players: To understand the basics of taming and avoid wasting valuable resources.
• Mid-to-Late Game Players: For planning efficient tames of powerful creatures like Gigantopithecus, Rexes, Spinos, and Gigas.
• Tribe Leaders: To coordinate tribe efforts for large-scale taming operations.
• PvP Players: To quickly assess the taming difficulty of enemy targets or for raiding preparation.
• Single Player / Small Tribe Players: To maximize efficiency when playing with limited resources or time.

Common Misconceptions

• “All berries are equal”: Different creatures have different preferred berries, and some prefer kibble or meat, which are significantly more effective.
• “Taming speed is just about knockout”: While important, the rate at which a creature’s hunger drops (food consumption rate) and the effectiveness of the food also heavily influence total taming time.
• “Server settings don’t matter that much”: Taming speed, torpor decay, and food consumption multipliers can reduce taming times from hours to minutes, or vice versa.
• “Passive tames are easy”: While they don’t require knockout, passive tames still need specific foods, and some require stealth or protection, making planning essential.

ARK Survival Evolved Taming Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The core of the ARK Survival Evolved Taming Calculator lies in understanding how the game calculates taming. While the exact internal formulas are proprietary and can change with game updates, the general principles involve several key factors:

Taming Progress & Food Consumption

Creatures have a “taming progress” bar and a “hunger” stat. Each time a creature is fed (either by interacting for passive tames or when its torpor drops low enough for knockout tames), a portion of food is consumed, and taming progress increases. The amount of progress gained per feeding depends on the food’s effectiveness for that specific creature and the creature’s level.

The general progression can be visualized as:

Taming Progress = (Amount of Food Eaten * Food Effectiveness * Taming Multiplier) / Total Hunger

The Total Taming Time is largely determined by how quickly the creature’s hunger depletes and how much progress is gained per feeding. This is influenced by:

• Food Consumption Multiplier: Higher values mean the creature eats more frequently.
• Taming Speed Multiplier: Higher values mean taming progress increases faster per feeding.

Torpor and Knockout Taming

For knockout taming, the calculator estimates the total torpor required to keep the creature unconscious until tamed. Torpor decreases over time, influenced by the Torpor Decay Multiplier (lower values mean slower decay, which is beneficial for taming). Narcotics or other torpor-inducing items must be administered periodically to keep the creature’s torpor high.

The Knockout Required Damage is an estimation. The game calculates the initial torpor needed to knock out a creature based on its level and base torpor stat. The calculator uses this to provide a baseline damage figure that would inflict sufficient torpor.

Variables Table

Taming Variables

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
Creature Level	The wild level of the creature. Higher levels require more food and time.	Level	1 – 150 (Official Servers)
Primary Taming Food	The most effective food item for the specific creature.	Food Type	Kibble, Berries, Meat, Crops, etc.
Food Amount Per Piece	The quantity of the selected food item consumed in one feeding.	Count	1+
Taming Method	How the creature is tamed (Passive or Knockout).	Method	Passive, Knockout
Torpor Decay Multiplier	Server setting affecting how fast a creature loses torpor.	Multiplier	0.1 – 10.0+
Taming Speed Multiplier	Server setting affecting how fast taming progress increases.	Multiplier	0.1 – 10.0+
Food Consumption Multiplier	Server setting affecting how often a creature eats.	Multiplier	0.1 – 10.0+
Food Needed	Total number of food pieces required for taming.	Pieces	Varies greatly
Taming Time	Estimated time to complete the taming process.	Minutes/Hours	Varies greatly
Torpor Required	Total torpor points needed to maintain unconsciousness.	Points	Varies greatly

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Let’s explore how the ARK Survival Evolved Taming Calculator helps plan tames in different scenarios.

Example 1: Taming a Level 50 Rex (Official Server Settings)

Scenario: You’ve found a Level 50 Tyrannosaurus Rex on an official server (all multipliers at 1.0) and want to tame it using its preferred food, Prime Cooked Meat.

Inputs:

• Creature Name: Rex
• Creature Level: 50
• Primary Taming Food: Prime Cooked Meat
• Amount of Food Per Piece: 1
• Taming Method: Knockout
• Torpor Decay Multiplier: 1.0
• Taming Speed Multiplier: 1.0
• Food Consumption Multiplier: 1.0

Calculator Output (Hypothetical):

• Primary Result: Estimated Taming Time: ~3 hours, 45 minutes
• Intermediate Values: Food Needed: ~33 pieces of Prime Cooked Meat, Knockout Required: ~4,500 damage, Torpor Required: ~3,500 points.

Interpretation: This tells you that taming a Level 50 Rex will take a significant chunk of time. You’ll need to gather at least 33 units of Prime Cooked Meat (which requires hunting Prime Fish or other specific methods). Critically, you need to prepare a high-damage weapon or creature (like a high-level Trike or Scorpion) to inflict enough damage to keep the Rex unconscious, and have ample Narcotics ready, as its torpor will deplete over about 3 hours and 45 minutes under official settings.

Example 2: Taming a Level 120 Therizinosaurus (2x Taming Speed)

Scenario: You’re playing on a private server with a Taming Speed Multiplier of 2.0, and you’ve found a Level 120 Therizinosaurus. Its preferred food is Superior Kibble.

Inputs:

• Creature Name: Therizinosaurus
• Creature Level: 120
• Primary Taming Food: Basic Kibble (Assuming Superior Kibble is not an option, Basic Kibble is often used as a placeholder or general kibble type in calculators if not specified)
• Amount of Food Per Piece: 1
• Taming Method: Knockout
• Torpor Decay Multiplier: 1.0
• Taming Speed Multiplier: 2.0
• Food Consumption Multiplier: 1.0

Calculator Output (Hypothetical):

• Primary Result: Estimated Taming Time: ~2 hours, 10 minutes
• Intermediate Values: Food Needed: ~55 pieces of Basic Kibble, Knockout Required: ~7,200 damage, Torpor Required: ~5,800 points.

Interpretation: The doubled taming speed significantly reduces the time compared to official servers, cutting down the ~4+ hours to just over 2 hours. However, the higher level (120) means a substantially larger quantity of food (55 pieces) and a much higher torpor requirement. This emphasizes the need for a robust taming pen, a reliable way to generate torpor (e.g., high-level Argentavis with a Saddle), and potentially a tribe member to help administer narcotics.

How to Use This ARK Survival Evolved Taming Calculator

Using the ARK Survival Evolved Taming Calculator is straightforward. Follow these steps to get accurate taming estimates:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Identify the Creature: Know the exact name of the creature you want to tame.
2. Determine its Level: Find out the wild level of the creature. This is crucial for accuracy.
3. Select Primary Food: Choose the most effective taming food for that creature from the dropdown menu. This significantly impacts efficiency. If you’re unsure, consult ARK taming guides or a more comprehensive database.
4. Input Food Quantity: Enter how much of that food item is consumed per feeding. For most single items like Kibble or Mejoberry, this is 1. For stacks of items, it might be different depending on game mechanics.
5. Choose Taming Method: Select “Passive” for creatures that require you to simply approach and feed them, or “Knockout” for those that need to be rendered unconscious first.
6. Enter Server Multipliers (If Applicable): If you are not on official servers, input your server’s Taming Speed Multiplier, Torpor Decay Multiplier, and Food Consumption Multiplier. These are vital for accurate time estimates. If unsure, default to 1.0 for official settings.
7. Click “Calculate Taming”: The calculator will process your inputs.

How to Read Results:

• Primary Result (Highlighted): This shows the estimated total time required to tame the creature.
• Estimated Food Needed: The total number of individual food pieces you’ll need to administer.
• Approx. Knockout Damage: For knockout tames, this is a rough estimate of the damage needed to inflict enough torpor to knock the creature out initially.
• Approx. Torpor Required: The total amount of torpor the creature needs to maintain to stay unconscious until tamed. This helps gauge how many narcotics/tranquilizers you’ll need.
• Data Table: Provides a summary of all inputs and calculated results in a structured format.
• Chart: Visualizes the relationship between taming time and food consumption, offering a quick glance at the taming pace.

Decision-Making Guidance:

Use the results to prepare adequately:

• Resource Gathering: Plan how much time and effort to spend gathering the required food.
• Taming Arena: Ensure your taming pen is large enough and secure, especially for longer tames.
• Narcotics/Torpor: Estimate the quantity of Narcotics or other torpor-inducing items needed. Remember that Torpor decays, so you might need more than the initial requirement to keep them down throughout the tame.
• Time Commitment: Allocate sufficient real-world time for the taming process, especially for high-level creatures on slower taming servers.
• Defense: For knockout tames, prepare defenses against aggressive creatures or players that might interfere.

Key Factors That Affect ARK Taming Results

Several elements significantly influence the accuracy and outcome of any creature tame in ARK Survival Evolved. Understanding these factors is key to successful taming:

1. Creature Level:

   This is perhaps the most critical factor. Higher-level creatures have significantly higher base stats, including health, hunger, and torpor. Consequently, they require substantially more food, take longer to tame, and need more torpor to remain unconscious.

2. Taming Food Effectiveness:

   Different foods have varying effectiveness percentages for specific creatures. Using a creature’s preferred kibble or a highly effective meat/berry will drastically reduce taming time and food consumption compared to less effective options. The calculator uses a general estimation, but actual effectiveness can vary.

3. Server Taming Speed Multiplier:

   This multiplier directly affects how quickly taming progress increases with each successful feeding. A higher multiplier (e.g., 2x, 4x, 10x) dramatically shortens taming times, while a lower multiplier (common in PvE or certain PvP servers) can extend them considerably.

4. Server Food Consumption Multiplier:

   This setting determines how often a creature needs to be fed. A higher multiplier means the creature’s hunger depletes faster, requiring more frequent feedings and potentially increasing the overall duration if taming speed isn’t high enough to compensate. Conversely, a lower multiplier means fewer feedings are needed.

5. Server Torpor Decay Multiplier:

   Crucial for knockout tames. This setting dictates how quickly a creature loses torpor. A lower multiplier means torpor decays slower, giving you more time between administering narcotics and making the tame easier. A high multiplier requires constant vigilance and a large supply of narcotics.

6. Stamina and Knockout Method:

   For knockout tames, the method used impacts effectiveness and potential damage. Using primitive weapons can result in lower taming effectiveness, leading to longer taming times and more food needed. Higher-tier weapons, tranquilizer darts, or specific dino attacks yield better results. Also, the creature’s stamina affects how quickly it recovers from being knocked out if not done correctly.

7. Taming Effectiveness:

   This percentage reflects how “well” a creature was tamed. It’s affected by the food used, the method of knockout, and whether the creature ate anything it wasn’t supposed to during the process. Higher effectiveness means the creature retains more of its potential stats after taming, making it stronger.

8. Player Stamina & Inventory Management:

   Long tames require players to manage their own stamina for actions like shooting tranq arrows or defending. Inventory space for narcotics, food, and taming supplies is also a practical consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How accurate is this ARK taming calculator?

This calculator provides highly accurate estimations based on known ARK taming mechanics and common server settings. However, exact times can vary slightly due to factors like specific taming effectiveness after knockout, player actions during the tame, and potential game updates that might alter internal formulas. Always aim to have a little extra food and narcotics than calculated.

What is the best food for taming?

The “best” food is subjective and depends on the creature. Generally, creature-specific kibble (e.g., Rex Kibble for Rexes) offers the highest taming effectiveness and speed. For creatures that don’t have specific kibble, Prime Cooked Meat, Prime Fish Meat, or certain berries (like Mejoberries) are often the next best options. Always check reliable ARK taming guides for the specific creature.

What if my server has different taming multipliers?

This is critical! Ensure you input your server’s specific Taming Speed Multiplier, Food Consumption Multiplier, and Torpor Decay Multiplier into the calculator. These settings can drastically change taming times. If you don’t know them, they are often set to 1.0 for official servers.

Does taming effectiveness matter for passive tames?

Passive tames do not have a “knockout effectiveness” percentage in the same way knockout tames do. However, the specific food they eat still dictates their taming speed and efficiency. Using a less effective food will simply mean they require more feedings over a longer period.

How do I find the creature’s level?

In ARK, you can typically see the creature’s level when you approach it. On PC, you can often aim at it. Some mods or admin commands can also display this information. On consoles, the level is usually visible when you target the creature.

What is considered “Amount of Food Per Piece”?

This refers to the quantity of the chosen food item the creature consumes in a single feeding action. For single items like “Mejoberry” or “Prime Cooked Meat,” this is usually 1. For stacked items or specific resources, it might differ, but for most common taming foods, entering ‘1’ is standard.

Can I tame a creature multiple times?

No, each creature can only be tamed once. Once tamed, it belongs to you (or your tribe). If you kill a wild creature, it respawns later at a random level.

What happens if the creature’s torpor runs out during a tame?

If the creature wakes up before the taming progress reaches 100%, the taming process resets. Any progress made is lost, and you must start the taming process over. This is why maintaining high torpor is crucial for knockout tames.

Does the calculator handle boss tames or special event creatures?

This calculator is designed for standard wild creature tames. Bosses generally cannot be tamed, and special event creatures might have unique mechanics or altered stats that aren’t covered by general calculations. Always refer to specific guides for event creatures.

Related Tools and Internal Resources

• ARK Taming Calculator

  The primary tool for estimating taming times and food for all creatures.

• ARK Breeding Calculator

  Optimize your breeding lines by calculating mutations, stats, and maturation times.

• ARK Resource Map

  Find the locations of essential resources like metal, oil, and crystal across various ARK maps.

• ARK Creature Stats Guide

  Detailed information on the base stats, abilities, and preferred taming methods for every creature.

• ARK Crafting Recipes

  A comprehensive list of all craftable items, including structure, weapons, and armor recipes.

• ARK Server Settings Explained

  Understand how various server settings like taming speed, harvest rates, and XP gain affect your gameplay.

• ARK Kibble Tier List

  See which kibble tier is best for which creature, essential for efficient taming.