Complete ARK Server Settings Guide

Note: Learn how to edit these settings in our ARK Server Settings Customization Guide

What settings can I change? 

• Quality of Life

• Server Notifications

• Spoil Time

• Taming

• Tribute Downloads

• Experience (XP)

• Game Mode

• Gamma Settings

• Harvest Rates

• Loot Quality

• Resource Spawn

• Building and Structures

• Crop and Poop Rates

• Day and Night Cycle

• Decay Rates

• Difficulty

• Dino and Player Stats

• Flying

• Breeding and Mating

Quality of Life Settings

• AllowHitMarkers=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to enable hit markers for ranged attacks.

• bAllowCustomRecipes=False
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Set to True to allow players to create custom food recipes.

• allowThirdPersonPlayer=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to enable third-person view.

• bAllowUnlimitedRespecs=False
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Set to True to remove the 24-hour cooldown on Mindwipe Tonic use.

• bUseCorpseLocator=False
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Set to True to show a green beacon at your death location.

• bUseSingleplayerSettings=False
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Set to True to apply single-player balancing multipliers, ideal for solo or small group play.

• CraftingSkillBonusMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to boost the crafting bonus from Crafting Skill, improving quality of custom recipes and crafted blueprints.

• EnableCryoSicknessPVE=True
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to False to disable cryo sickness in PvE.

• FuelConsumptionIntervalMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to make fuel (e.g., wood, gas) last longer. Note: Charcoal production will take longer too.

• HairGrowthSpeedMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to speed up hair growth.

• ItemStackSizeMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Increase the value to raise the global item stack size limit.

• NonPermanentDiseases=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to remove diseases upon respawning.

• PreventDiseases=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to disable diseases entirely.

• PreventSpawnAnimations=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to skip the wake-up animation on spawn.

• ServerCrosshair=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to enable a crosshair. Keep it False for a more immersive experience using weapon sights.

• ShowFloatingDamageText=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to show floating damage numbers.

• ShowMapPlayerLocation=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to display your location icon on the map.

Server Notifications

• alwaysNotifyPlayerJoined=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to notify when a player joins the server.

• alwaysNotifyPlayerLeft=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to notify when a player leaves the server.

Spoil Time Settings

• GlobalCorpseDecompositionTimeMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to delay corpse decomposition.

• GlobalItemDecompositionTimeMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to delay spoil time for dropped items and loot bags.

• GlobalSpoilingTimeMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to slow down spoil timers for perishable items.

Taming

• TamingSpeedMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Increase the value to speed up dino taming.

Tribute Downloads

• noTributeDownloads=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to disable survivor downloads from other servers.

• PreventDownloadSurvivors=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to block character downloads from other servers.

• PreventDownloadItems=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to block item downloads from other servers.

• PreventDownloadDinos=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to block dino downloads from other servers.

• PreventUploadSurvivors=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to block uploading characters to other servers.

• PreventUploadItems=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to block uploading items to other servers.

• PreventUploadDinos=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to block uploading dinos to other servers.

Experience (XP)

• XPMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Increase the value to boost XP gain for players, tribes, and dinos.

Game Mode

• bDisableFriendlyFire=False
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Set to True to disable friendly fire in PvP.

• bPvEDisableFriendlyFire=False
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Set to True to disable friendly fire in PvE.

• bShowCreativeMode=False
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Set to True to enable Creative Mode via the ESC menu (admin access required).

• serverForceNoHud=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to disable the HUD.

• serverHardcore=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to activate Hardcore Mode—players respawn at level 1 after death.

• serverPVE=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to disable PvP and enable PvE mode.

Gamma Settings

• DisablePvEGamma=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to prevent players from changing gamma in PvE.

• EnablePvPGamma=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to allow gamma adjustments in PvP.

Harvest Rates

• HarvestAmountMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Increase the value to receive more materials when harvesting (trees, rocks, corpses, etc.).

• HarvestHealthMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Increase the value to give harvestable resources more durability—yielding more materials per node.
  Example: Trees require more hits to chop down, but you gather more overall.

Loot Quality

• FishingLootQualityMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to improve the quality of loot obtained from fishing.

• SupplyCrateLootQualityMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to improve the quality of loot from supply crates.

Resource Spawn

• ResourceNoReplenishRadiusPlayers=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to prevent resources from respawning too close to players.

• ResourceNoReplenishRadiusStructures=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to prevent resources from respawning too close to structures.

• ResourcesRespawnPeriodMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Lower the value to make resources like trees, rocks, and bushes respawn faster.

Building and Structures

• AllowCaveBuildingPvE=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to allow building inside caves on PvE servers.

• AllowCaveBuildingPvP=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to allow building inside caves on PvP servers.

• bAllowPlatformSaddleMultiFloors=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to allow multiple building floors on platform saddles.

• bDisableStructurePlacementCollision=False
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Set to True to allow structure placement without collision restrictions—enables clipping into terrain and tighter building.

• OverrideStructurePlatformPrevention=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to allow spike walls and turrets on platform saddles.

• StructureResistanceMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Lowering this value makes structures take less damage.

• StructureDamageRepairCooldown=180
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Lowering this value shortens the cooldown before a damaged structure can be repaired. Set to 0 to remove the cooldown entirely (value is in seconds).

• AlwaysAllowStructurePickup=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to make the quick-pickup option instantly available after placing a structure.

• StructurePickupTimeAfterPlacement=30.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Lower the value to reduce the time window for quick pickup after placement (value in seconds).

• AllowIntegratedSPlusStructures=True
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to False to remove integrated S+ structures introduced in the Homestead update.

• StructurePickupHoldDuration=0.5
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Lower the value to make quick-pickup faster. Set to 0 for instant pickup (value in seconds).

Crop and Poop Rates

• CropGrowthSpeedMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to make crops grow faster.

• CropDecaySpeedMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Lower the value to delay crop decay.

• PoopIntervalMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to reduce how often players and dinos poop. Too low may cause animation issues in battle.

Day and Night Cycle

• DayCycleSpeedScale=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Lower the value to slow down the full day/night cycle.
  Example: Set to 0.035 to simulate a real-time 24-hour day.

• DayTimeSpeedScale=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Raise the value to make daytime last longer.

• NightTimeSpeedScale=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Lower the value to shorten the night.

Decay Rates

• DisableDinoDecayPvE=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to disable automatic dino claim decay in PvE.

• DisableStructureDecayPvE=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to disable structure decay in PvE.

Difficulty

• DifficultyOffset=0.2
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Raise the value to increase wild dino levels, boss strength, and loot quality.
  Example: Use DifficultyOffset=1.0 and OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0 for max wild dino level 150.

• OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Works with DifficultyOffset to define dino max levels and overall game challenge.
  Example: At 5.0 with DifficultyOffset=1.0, max wild dino level is 150.

Dino and Player Stats

• DinoCharacterHealthRecoveryMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Raise the value to increase dino healing rate (affects wild and tamed dinos).

• DinoCharacterStaminaDrainMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Lower the value to reduce stamina drain in dinos.

• PlayerBaseStatMultipliers[7]=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase this to boost the base weight stat gain when leveling up.
  Example: 2.0 gives +20 weight instead of +10 per level.

• PlayerCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Lower the value to make players get hungry slower.

• PlayerCharacterHealthRecoveryMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Raise the value to make players heal faster.

• PlayerCharacterStaminaDrainMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Lower the value to reduce player stamina drain.

• PlayerCharacterWaterDrainMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Lower the value to make players get thirsty slower.

• PlayerDamageMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Increase the value to raise player attack damage.

• PlayerResistanceMultiplier=1.0
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Lower the value to reduce incoming damage and increase resistance.

Flying

• AllowFlyerCarryPvE=False
  Location: GameUserSettings.ini
  Description: Set to True to allow flyers to pick up dinos and players in PvE.

• bAllowFlyerSpeedLeveling=False
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Set to True to allow leveling Movement Speed on flyers again.

• -ForceAllowCaveFlyers
  Location: Command Line (Custom End)
  Description: Add this parameter to enable cave flying on all maps (including Genesis).
  Note: Leaving it False disables cave flying everywhere.

Breeding and Mating

• BabyCuddleGracePeriodMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to extend the grace period before a baby dino loses imprinting quality after missing a cuddle.

• BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Lower the value to reduce the time between cuddle interactions.
  Note: When using a high BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier, this should be reduced accordingly to achieve full imprinting.
  Example: BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier=5 and BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier=0.25 allow 100% imprinting with 2-hour cuddle intervals.

• BabyCuddleLoseImprintQualitySpeedMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Lower the value to slow down the rate at which imprint quality is lost after the grace period.

• BabyFoodConsumptionSpeedMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Lower the value to make babies consume food more slowly.

• BabyImprintAmountMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to raise the imprint percentage gained per cuddle.
  Example: If 1.0 = 10%, then 2.0 = 20% imprint per cuddle.

• BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to speed up baby dino maturation. (Time varies by species.)

• EggHatchSpeedMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to speed up egg hatching time.

• LayEggIntervalMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Lower the value to make dinos lay eggs more frequently.

• MatingIntervalMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Lower the value to reduce the cooldown time before dinos can mate again.

• MatingSpeedMultiplier=1.0
  Location: Game.ini
  Description: Increase the value to make dinos complete mating faster.

Note: Learn how to edit these settings in our ARK Server Settings Customization Guide