Ark Survival Taming Calculator – Optimize Your Dino Tames


Ark Survival Taming Calculator

Accurately plan your dino tames in Ark: Survival Evolved. Calculate food, narcotics, and time needed for optimal taming effectiveness.

Ark Survival Taming Calculator



Select the dinosaur you wish to tame.


Enter the wild level of the dinosaur (e.g., 150 for max level on official servers).
Please enter a valid level between 1 and 450.


Choose the food item you will use for taming. Higher quality food reduces time and quantity.
Please select a valid food type for this dinosaur.


Select the item you’ll use to maintain the dino’s torpor.


Your server’s taming speed setting (e.g., 1 for official, 2 for 2x).
Please enter a valid multiplier (e.g., 1, 2, 5).

Taming Results

Taming Time: —

Food Items Needed

Narcotics Needed

Final Level (Optimal)

Formula Explanation: This Ark Survival Taming Calculator estimates total taming points required based on dino species and level, then divides by the selected food’s taming value to find items needed. Taming time is derived from food consumption rate. Narcotics needed are estimated to maintain torpor for the calculated taming duration. Final level assumes 100% taming effectiveness.

Taming Requirements by Level

This chart illustrates how the required food items and narcotics scale with the dinosaur’s level for the selected species and food/narcotic types.

Food Comparison Table


Food Type Taming Value (Points) Items Needed Total Weight (Approx.)

Compare different food types for the selected dinosaur and level to find the most efficient option.

What is an Ark Survival Taming Calculator?

An Ark Survival Taming Calculator is an essential online tool designed to help players of Ark: Survival Evolved efficiently plan the taming of wild dinosaurs and creatures. Taming in Ark is a complex process that involves knocking out a creature (for most tames) and then feeding it specific foods while keeping its torpor high enough to prevent it from waking up. The Ark Survival Taming Calculator simplifies this by providing precise estimates for the amount of food, narcotics, and time required for a successful tame.

Who should use it? Every Ark player, from beginners to seasoned veterans, can benefit from an Ark Survival Taming Calculator. New players can avoid common mistakes like running out of food or narcotics mid-tame, while experienced players can optimize their taming runs for high-level creatures, saving valuable time and resources. It’s particularly useful for planning tames on official servers where resources are often scarce and taming times can be lengthy.

Common misconceptions:

  • “All food is equal”: Many new players believe any food will do. In reality, creatures have preferred foods (e.g., Kibble, Raw Mutton, Raw Prime Meat) that significantly reduce taming time and improve taming effectiveness. An Ark Survival Taming Calculator highlights these differences.
  • “Just bring lots of narcotics”: While having enough narcotics is crucial, knowing the exact amount prevents over-farming and inventory clutter. The Ark Survival Taming Calculator gives you a precise number.
  • “Taming effectiveness doesn’t matter much”: Taming effectiveness directly impacts the bonus levels a creature gains upon taming. Higher effectiveness means a stronger, more capable creature. An Ark Survival Taming Calculator helps you aim for 100% effectiveness.
  • “Taming is always fast”: Server multipliers greatly affect taming speed. A 1x server will take much longer than a 5x server. The Ark Survival Taming Calculator accounts for these multipliers.

Ark Survival Taming Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The core of any Ark Survival Taming Calculator lies in its ability to predict the resource requirements based on underlying game mechanics. While Ark’s taming system is intricate, the calculator uses simplified formulas to provide actionable estimates.

Step-by-step derivation:

  1. Total Taming Points Required (TPR): Each creature at a given level requires a certain number of “taming points” to be tamed. This is influenced by the creature’s base taming points, its level, and the server’s taming multiplier.
    TPR = (Base Taming Points + (Dino Level - 1) * Taming Points Per Level) / Server Taming Multiplier
  2. Food Items Needed (FIN): Once TPR is known, we divide it by the taming value of the chosen food item. Different foods provide different amounts of taming progress.
    FIN = Ceiling(TPR / Taming Value Per Food Item)
  3. Estimated Taming Time (ETT): This is calculated by multiplying the number of food items needed by the creature’s average time between eating.
    ETT (seconds) = FIN * Time Between Eats (seconds)
  4. Total Torpor Drain (TTD): Over the estimated taming time, the creature’s torpor will naturally drain. We calculate the total torpor that needs to be counteracted.
    TTD = ETT (seconds) * Torpor Drain Rate (per second)
  5. Narcotics Needed (NN): Finally, we divide the total torpor drain by the torpor-inducing value of the chosen narcotic.
    NN = Ceiling(TTD / Torpor Per Narcotic Item)
  6. Final Level (FL): Assuming optimal taming (100% effectiveness), the creature gains bonus levels.
    Bonus Levels = Floor(Dino Level * 0.5)
    FL = Dino Level + Bonus Levels

Variable explanations:

Variable Meaning Unit Typical Range
Dino Level The wild level of the creature you are taming. Levels 1 – 450
Server Taming Multiplier A server setting that speeds up or slows down taming. Multiplier (x) 0.1x – 100x
Base Taming Points A species-specific base value for taming progress. Points Varies by species
Taming Points Per Level How many additional taming points are needed per dino level. Points/Level Varies by species
Taming Value Per Food Item The amount of taming progress a single food item provides. Points Varies by food & species
Time Between Eats The average time a creature waits before consuming another food item. Seconds Varies by species (approx. 100s)
Torpor Drain Rate How quickly a creature’s torpor naturally decreases. Torpor/Second Varies by species
Torpor Per Narcotic Item The total torpor provided by one narcotic item. Torpor Narcotics: 40, Narcoberries: 7.5, Bio Toxin: 80

This Ark Survival Taming Calculator provides a robust framework for understanding the resource demands of taming, allowing players to make informed decisions.

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Let’s look at a couple of examples to demonstrate how the Ark Survival Taming Calculator can be used in practice.

Example 1: Taming a High-Level Rex on an Official Server

You’ve found a magnificent Level 150 Rex and want to tame it on an official server (1x taming multiplier). You have plenty of Exceptional Kibble.

  • Dino Species: Rex
  • Dino Level: 150
  • Preferred Food Type: Kibble (Exceptional)
  • Narcotic Type: Narcotics
  • Server Taming Multiplier: 1

Calculator Output:

  • Taming Time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Food Items Needed: 9-10 Exceptional Kibble
  • Narcotics Needed: 150-160 Narcotics
  • Final Level (Optimal): 225

Interpretation: This Ark Survival Taming Calculator shows that a high-level Rex requires relatively few high-quality kibble but a significant amount of narcotics due to its high torpor drain. The taming time is manageable, but you’ll need to be prepared to keep its torpor up consistently. This planning helps you gather the exact resources, avoiding wasted time or a failed tame.

Example 2: Taming a Carbonemys for Eggs on a Boosted Server

You need a Carbonemys for Simple Kibble production. You found a Level 50 one on your private server with a 5x taming multiplier. You only have Mejoberries.

  • Dino Species: Carbonemys
  • Dino Level: 50
  • Preferred Food Type: Mejoberries
  • Narcotic Type: Narcoberries
  • Server Taming Multiplier: 5

Calculator Output:

  • Taming Time: Approximately 15 minutes
  • Food Items Needed: 20-25 Mejoberries
  • Narcotics Needed: 30-40 Narcoberries
  • Final Level (Optimal): 75

Interpretation: Even with a lower-quality food like Mejoberries, the 5x taming multiplier drastically reduces the time and resource investment. The Ark Survival Taming Calculator confirms that this will be a quick and easy tame, requiring minimal preparation. This allows you to quickly acquire utility creatures without much hassle.

How to Use This Ark Survival Taming Calculator

Using our Ark Survival Taming Calculator is straightforward, designed to give you quick and accurate results for your taming endeavors.

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Select Dino Species: From the “Dino Species” dropdown, choose the creature you intend to tame. This selection dynamically updates available food options and internal calculations.
  2. Enter Dino Level: Input the exact wild level of the dinosaur you’ve found. This is crucial as higher levels require more resources.
  3. Choose Preferred Food Type: Select the food item you plan to use. The calculator will automatically filter this list based on the chosen dino’s preferences. Always aim for the highest quality food you can acquire for the best results.
  4. Select Narcotic Type: Pick the narcotic you’ll use to keep the creature unconscious. Narcotics, Narcoberries, and Bio Toxin have different torpor values.
  5. Input Server Taming Multiplier: Enter your server’s specific taming speed multiplier. This is often found in server settings or by asking an admin. Official servers typically use 1x.
  6. Click “Calculate Taming”: The calculator will instantly process your inputs and display the results.

How to read results:

  • Primary Result (Highlighted): This shows the estimated “Taming Time” in hours and minutes. This is your primary indicator of how long you’ll need to dedicate to the tame.
  • Food Items Needed: The total number of your selected food items required for a successful tame.
  • Narcotics Needed: The estimated quantity of your chosen narcotic to keep the creature unconscious throughout the taming process.
  • Final Level (Optimal): The creature’s level after taming, assuming 100% taming effectiveness. This includes bonus levels.

Decision-making guidance:

The Ark Survival Taming Calculator empowers you to make informed decisions:

  • Resource Planning: Use the “Food Items Needed” and “Narcotics Needed” to gather the exact resources before starting.
  • Time Management: The “Taming Time” helps you allocate enough time, especially for longer tames, or decide if a tame is feasible within your play session.
  • Food Optimization: Use the “Food Comparison Table” to see if a slightly harder-to-get food type drastically reduces items needed or time, making it worthwhile.
  • Server Settings: Understand how your server’s taming multiplier impacts the effort required.

By leveraging this Ark Survival Taming Calculator, you can approach every tame with confidence and efficiency.

Key Factors That Affect Ark Survival Taming Calculator Results

Understanding the variables that influence taming is crucial for maximizing your efficiency in Ark: Survival Evolved. The Ark Survival Taming Calculator takes these into account, but knowing their impact helps you strategize.

  • Dino Species: Different creatures have vastly different taming requirements. A Dodo is quick and easy, while a Giga requires immense resources and time. Each species has unique base taming points, torpor drain rates, and preferred foods.
  • Dino Level: Higher-level creatures require significantly more food and narcotics. Their torpor also drains faster, making them harder to keep down. Always check the level before committing to a tame.
  • Food Type: This is perhaps the most impactful factor. Preferred foods (especially Kibble) provide much more taming progress per item, drastically reducing the number of items needed and the overall taming time. Using non-preferred foods or raw meat/berries when kibble is available will extend the tame and reduce taming effectiveness.
  • Server Taming Multiplier: This server setting directly scales the taming speed. A 2x multiplier halves the food needed and taming time compared to a 1x server. Always know your server’s settings.
  • Taming Effectiveness: While our Ark Survival Taming Calculator assumes 100% effectiveness, in-game actions can reduce it. Taking damage after a creature is knocked out, or feeding it non-preferred foods, will lower effectiveness, resulting in fewer bonus levels and a weaker tamed creature.
  • Narcotic Choice: Narcotics, Narcoberries, and Bio Toxin have different torpor-inducing values and durations. Choosing the right narcotic for the creature’s torpor drain rate can save inventory space and prevent accidental wake-ups. Bio Toxin is generally the most potent.
  • Imprinting/Breeding: While not directly part of the initial taming calculation, the ability to breed and imprint creatures significantly impacts their final stats and effectiveness in combat or resource gathering, often surpassing wild tames.

By carefully considering these factors and utilizing an Ark Survival Taming Calculator, players can master the art of taming and build a formidable army of creatures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Ark Survival Taming

Q: Why is my taming effectiveness dropping?

A: Taming effectiveness drops if the creature takes damage after being knocked out, or if it eats non-preferred food types. To maintain 100% effectiveness, ensure the area is clear of threats and only feed it its most preferred food.

Q: What’s the best food for taming?

A: Generally, Kibble is the best food, as it provides the most taming progress and highest effectiveness. The specific Kibble type varies by creature. After Kibble, Raw Mutton and Raw Prime Meat are excellent alternatives for carnivores, while Mejoberries are good for herbivores.

Q: How do I keep a creature’s torpor up during a long tame?

A: Regularly administer narcotics (Narcotics, Narcoberries, or Bio Toxin) to the creature’s inventory. Watch its torpor bar closely and feed narcotics before it gets too low. Bio Toxin provides the most torpor per use.

Q: Can I tame a creature that’s already taken damage?

A: Yes, but any damage taken *before* knocking it out will not affect taming effectiveness. Only damage taken *after* it’s unconscious will reduce effectiveness. It’s always best to heal a creature to full health before knocking it out.

Q: What are bonus levels?

A: Bonus levels are additional levels a creature gains upon taming, based on its taming effectiveness. A 100% effective tame will grant the maximum bonus levels, making the creature significantly stronger than its wild counterpart. Our Ark Survival Taming Calculator shows the optimal final level.

Q: Why is my Ark Survival Taming Calculator showing different results than another calculator?

A: Differences can arise from slight variations in underlying data (e.g., specific taming point values, torpor drain rates), rounding methods, or assumptions about taming effectiveness. Ensure both calculators use the same server multiplier and assume 100% effectiveness for a fair comparison.

Q: Is it worth taming low-level creatures?

A: For utility purposes (e.g., egg production, basic resource gathering), low-level creatures can be very efficient due to their quick taming times and low resource cost. For combat or high-end resource gathering, higher levels are generally preferred.

Q: What happens if a creature wakes up during taming?

A: If a creature wakes up, all taming progress is lost, and its taming effectiveness will be reset to 0%. You’ll need to knock it out again and restart the taming process from scratch.

Related Tools and Internal Resources

Enhance your Ark: Survival Evolved experience with these other helpful tools and guides:

© 2023 Ark Survival Tools. All rights reserved. This Ark Survival Taming Calculator is for informational purposes only.



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