ARK Cloning Calculator

Estimate the Element Shard cost and time for cloning creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved.

Formula: Total Shards = Base Cost + (Cost/Lvl * Creature Lvl). Time = Total Shards * 4s / Multiplier.

Cost & Time Analysis

Cost vs. Time Chart

A chart comparing the total shard cost to the cloning time in minutes.

Cloning cost projection for the selected creature at different levels.

Level	Total Shard Cost	Total Time (at 1x speed)

What is an ARK Cloning Calculator?

An ARK Cloning Calculator is a specialized tool for players of the video game ARK: Survival Evolved. It is designed to calculate the precise amount of resources (specifically Element Shards) and the total time required to duplicate a creature using the in-game Tek Cloning Chamber. Cloning is a vital end-game process that allows players to create an exact copy of a valuable tame, preserving its stats and colors. This calculator removes the guesswork, helping survivors plan their resource gathering and manage their time effectively, ensuring they have enough power and materials before starting the lengthy and expensive cloning process. This is particularly useful for planning to duplicate high-level combat dinos or rare event-colored creatures without risking a loss of resources due to miscalculation.

ARK Cloning Calculator Formula and Explanation

The cloning process in ARK follows a specific formula based on the creature’s species and level. Our ark cloning calculator uses these official formulas to provide accurate estimates.

Formulas Used:

• Total Shard Cost: Total Shards = BaseShardCost + (ShardCostPerLevel * CreatureLevel)
• Total Cloning Time: Time (seconds) = TotalShards * 4 / CloningSpeedMultiplier

The cloning speed is inversely affected by the server’s `BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier`. A higher multiplier reduces the time needed.

Variables Table

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
BaseShardCost	The initial cost for cloning a level 1 creature of a specific species.	Element Shards	2,000 – 40,000+
ShardCostPerLevel	The additional shard cost for each level the creature has.	Element Shards	40 – 400+
CreatureLevel	The current level of the creature you wish to clone.	Level (unitless)	1 – 500+
CloningSpeedMultiplier	A server setting that modifies the cloning duration.	Multiplier (e.g., 1x, 2x)	0.1 – 10x

Practical Examples

Example 1: Cloning a High-Level Rex

Imagine you have a prized Level 225 Rex that you want to clone on a standard server with a 1x multiplier. A Rex has a base cost of 4,400 shards and a per-level cost of 300.

• Inputs: Creature=Rex, Level=225, Multiplier=1x
• Shard Calculation: 4400 + (300 * 225) = 71,900 Shards
• Time Calculation: (71,900 * 4) / 1 = 287,600 seconds
• Results: The clone would require 71,900 Element Shards and take approximately 3 days, 7 hours, 53 minutes, and 20 seconds. As this exceeds the Cloning Chamber’s 48,000 shard capacity, it would not be possible on official servers. This is a common issue players face, which our ark cloning calculator helps identify beforehand.

Example 2: Cloning a Pteranodon on a Boosted Server

Now, let’s say you’re on a private server with a 2x cloning speed multiplier and want to clone a Level 150 Pteranodon. A Pteranodon’s base cost is 2,500 shards and 50 per level.

• Inputs: Creature=Pteranodon, Level=150, Multiplier=2x
• Shard Calculation: 2500 + (50 * 150) = 10,000 Shards
• Time Calculation: (10,000 * 4) / 2 = 20,000 seconds
• Results: This clone would cost 10,000 Element Shards and take 5 hours, 33 minutes, and 20 seconds. For more precise numbers, consult a ark taming calculator to see if taming a new one is faster.

How to Use This ARK Cloning Calculator

Using this calculator is a straightforward process designed to give you quick and accurate results.

1. Select Creature Type: Start by choosing your creature from the dropdown menu. This will automatically fill in the base shard costs. If your creature isn’t listed, select “Custom” and enter the values manually.
2. Enter Creature Level: Input the exact level of the dino you wish to clone.
3. Set Server Multiplier: Enter your server’s cloning speed multiplier. If you’re on an official server, this is typically 1.
4. Review Results: The calculator will instantly display the total Element Shards required, the total cloning time, the power consumption, and the effective time per shard.
5. Analyze Breakdowns: Use the chart and table below the calculator to see how costs and times change for different levels of your selected creature, helping you plan for future clones.

Key Factors That Affect ARK Cloning

Several critical factors can influence the outcome and feasibility of cloning a creature in ARK. Understanding them is key to successful duplication.

• Creature Species: Different species have vastly different base costs. A Giganotosaurus, for example, is exponentially more expensive to clone than a Raptor.
• Creature Level: The cost scales linearly with the creature’s level. This is the most significant factor in the final shard cost. Higher levels always mean higher costs.
• Server Multipliers: Unofficial servers can change the `BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier` setting, which directly impacts the cloning time. Faster rates can make cloning much more practical.
• Cloning Chamber Capacity: The Tek Cloning Chamber has a maximum inventory of 48,000 Element Shards. If a creature’s required cost exceeds this, it cannot be cloned.
• Tek Generator Power: Cloning is an energy-intensive process that requires a constant power supply from a Tek Generator. Any interruption will cancel the process and waste all invested shards. A reliable ark resource calculator can help plan fuel needs.
• Breeding vs. Cloning: For creatures that can be bred, it’s often more resource-efficient to use a breeding line to get a desired creature. Cloning is best for non-breedable tames or for perfectly preserving a specific specimen. A dedicated ark breeding calculator can help compare the efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the maximum level I can clone?

The maximum level depends on the creature’s species. The hard limit is the Cloning Chamber’s 48,000 Element Shard capacity. Our ark cloning calculator will help you determine if a specific creature and level combination is possible.

Does imprinting transfer to the clone?

No. A cloned creature will have 0% imprinting, even if the original was 100% imprinted. The clone will still be “imprinted to” the same player, but it will not receive any imprinting stat bonuses.

What happens if the power goes out during cloning?

If the Tek Generator loses power for any reason, the cloning process is immediately canceled. All Element Shards that were in the chamber are lost, and you will have to start over from the beginning.

Why are some creatures so expensive to clone?

Cloning cost is determined by a combination of a base value and a per-level multiplier specific to each species. Creatures considered “end-game” or that are difficult to tame, like a Giga or Mosasaurus, have much higher values. Use a dino stats calculator to see if the creature’s stats justify the cost.

Can I clone creatures that can’t be bred?

Yes, this is one of the primary benefits of the Cloning Chamber. It is the only way to duplicate creatures like the Rock Elemental, Griffin, and Karkinos.

Where do I find my server’s cloning multiplier?

The setting is typically `BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier` in the server’s `GameUserSettings.ini` file. This setting also affects baby raising times. If you are not a server admin, you may need to ask for this value.

Is it better to clone or find another high-level tame?

It depends. If you have an extremely rare or perfectly stated creature, cloning is a guaranteed way to get a copy. However, it can be very expensive. Using an element dust guide can help you farm the necessary resources.

What are Element Shards?

Element Shards are a refined form of the resource Element. They are the fuel for the Tek Cloning Chamber. You can craft shards from Element or harvest them on certain maps.

Related Tools and Internal Resources

Planning is everything in ARK. Use these other tools and guides to master every aspect of survival and domination.

• ARK Taming Calculator: Calculate the food and time required to tame any creature.
• ARK Breeding Guide: A deep dive into the mechanics of breeding for mutations and superior stats.
• Interactive Resource Map: Find the best locations to farm for metal, crystal, element, and other vital resources.
• Dino Stat Analyzer: Input your dino’s stats to determine its strengths and weaknesses.
• Industrial Forge Calculator: Optimize your metal production with this efficiency calculator.
• Ultimate Element Farming Guide: Discover the best methods for farming Element and Element Dust across all maps.