ARK Clone Calculator
Use this ARK Clone Calculator to accurately determine the Element Shards required and the total cloning time for any creature in ARK: Survival Evolved. Plan your cloning projects efficiently and manage your resources effectively.
Select the creature you wish to clone.
Enter the creature’s current level. Max level is typically 450 for official servers (wild 150 + 74 levels + 200 levels from mutations/imprinting).
This is a server setting (e.g., 1.0 for official, 2.0 for double speed).
Estimated Cloning Requirements
Base Element Shards
Element Shards from Levels
Total Cloning Time
Formula: Total Element Shards = Base Shards + (Creature Level * Shards Per Level). Total Cloning Time = (Total Element Shards / 10) * Server Cloning Speed Multiplier.
| Level | Element Shards | Cloning Time (min) |
|---|
What is an ARK Clone Calculator?
An ARK Clone Calculator is an essential tool for players of ARK: Survival Evolved who utilize the Cloning Chamber. This specialized calculator helps you determine the exact amount of Element Shards and the total time required to clone a specific creature based on its species and level. Cloning in ARK allows players to duplicate their most valuable creatures, preserving mutations, stats, and imprinting bonuses, which is crucial for competitive play, boss fights, and efficient resource gathering.
Who should use an ARK Clone Calculator?
- Breeders: To duplicate high-stat or mutated creatures without the lengthy breeding process.
- PvP Players: To quickly replace lost war mounts or create an army of specialized creatures.
- PvE Players: To get multiple copies of utility creatures like gatherers or boss fighters.
- Server Admins: To understand the resource sink and time investment for cloning on their server.
- New Players: To grasp the mechanics and costs associated with advanced creature duplication.
Common misconceptions about the ARK Clone Calculator:
- It calculates breeding time: This calculator is specifically for cloning, not for the gestation/incubation and maturation times associated with traditional breeding. For that, you’d need an ARK Breeding Calculator.
- It includes all resources: While Element Shards are the primary cost, the Cloning Chamber itself requires power (usually Tek Generator) and maintenance. This calculator focuses solely on the cloning process’s direct Element Shard and time costs.
- Cloning is always better than breeding: Cloning is instant (once the time elapses) and preserves exact stats, but it’s very resource-intensive. Breeding allows for mutation stacking and can be more cost-effective over time, especially for new lines.
ARK Clone Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The cost of cloning a creature in ARK: Survival Evolved is primarily determined by its species and its current level. The formula for calculating Element Shards and cloning time is straightforward once you know the base values for each creature.
The core formula for Element Shards is:
Total Element Shards = Base Element Shards (Species Specific) + (Creature Level * Element Shards Per Level (Species Specific))
The cloning time is then derived from the total Element Shards:
Total Cloning Time (in minutes) = (Total Element Shards / 10) * Server Cloning Speed Multiplier
Let’s break down the variables:
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
Base Element Shards |
The fixed Element Shard cost for a creature species, regardless of level. | Element Shards | 50 (Dodo) – 3750 (Tek Giga) |
Creature Level |
The creature’s level after taming/hatching, including any level-ups, imprinting, or mutations. | Levels | 1 – 450+ |
Element Shards Per Level |
The additional Element Shard cost for each level the creature possesses. This is species-specific. | Element Shards/Level | 5 (Dodo) – 187.5 (Tek Giga) |
Server Cloning Speed Multiplier |
A server setting that modifies the cloning time. Default is 1.0 (official servers). Higher values reduce time. | Multiplier | 0.1 – 10.0+ |
Total Element Shards |
The final amount of Element Shards required for the cloning process. | Element Shards | Varies widely |
Total Cloning Time |
The total duration the creature will spend in the Cloning Chamber. | Minutes | Varies widely |
The “10” in the time formula is a constant derived from game mechanics, meaning 10 Element Shards typically equate to 1 minute of cloning time on official settings. Understanding these variables is key to effectively using any ARK Clone Calculator.
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Let’s look at a couple of examples to illustrate how the ARK Clone Calculator works with realistic numbers.
Example 1: Cloning a High-Level Rex
You have a powerful, fully-mutated Rex at level 350 that you want to duplicate for an upcoming boss fight. Your server has standard cloning speed (1.0).
- Creature Species: Rex
- Creature Level: 350
- Server Cloning Speed Multiplier: 1.0
Using the calculator (or the formulas):
- Base Element Shards (Rex): 500
- Element Shards Per Level (Rex): 25
- Element Shards from Levels: 350 * 25 = 8750
- Total Element Shards: 500 + 8750 = 9250 Element Shards
- Total Cloning Time: (9250 / 10) * 1.0 = 925 minutes (15 hours, 25 minutes)
Interpretation: Cloning this high-level Rex is a significant investment, requiring nearly 10,000 Element Shards and over half a day. This highlights the need for efficient Element Shard farming strategies.
Example 2: Duplicating a Utility Argentavis on a Boosted Server
You want to clone your favorite Argentavis, which is level 200, to have multiple flyers for resource runs. Your server has a 2.5x cloning speed multiplier.
- Creature Species: Argentavis
- Creature Level: 200
- Server Cloning Speed Multiplier: 2.5
Using the calculator:
- Base Element Shards (Argentavis): 300
- Element Shards Per Level (Argentavis): 15
- Element Shards from Levels: 200 * 15 = 3000
- Total Element Shards: 300 + 3000 = 3300 Element Shards
- Total Cloning Time: (3300 / 10) * 2.5 = 330 * 2.5 = 825 minutes (13 hours, 45 minutes)
Interpretation: Even with a boosted server, cloning still takes a considerable amount of time, though the Element Shard cost is lower than a high-level Rex. The boosted speed multiplier significantly reduces the actual waiting time compared to an official server.
How to Use This ARK Clone Calculator
Our ARK Clone Calculator is designed for ease of use, providing quick and accurate results. Follow these simple steps:
- Select Creature Species: From the dropdown menu, choose the specific creature you intend to clone. The calculator automatically loads its base Element Shard cost and per-level cost.
- Enter Creature Level: Input the exact level of your creature. This should be its current level, including any levels gained from taming effectiveness, experience, imprinting, or mutations. Ensure it’s a positive number within a realistic range (e.g., 1 to 450).
- Input Server Cloning Speed Multiplier: Enter your server’s specific cloning speed multiplier. This is a server setting that can be found in your server’s configuration files or by asking an admin. Official servers typically use 1.0.
- Click “Calculate Clone Cost”: The calculator will instantly process your inputs and display the results.
- Read the Results:
- Total Element Shards: This is the primary highlighted result, showing the total Element Shards needed.
- Base Element Shards: The fixed cost for the creature’s species.
- Element Shards from Levels: The additional cost incurred due to the creature’s level.
- Total Cloning Time: The total time, in minutes, the creature will spend in the Cloning Chamber.
- Review the Table and Chart: The dynamic table provides a breakdown of costs and times for various levels of your selected creature, while the chart visually represents the Element Shard cost and time progression.
- Use the “Copy Results” Button: Easily copy all key results to your clipboard for sharing or record-keeping.
- Use the “Reset” Button: Clear all inputs and return to default values to start a new calculation.
Decision-making guidance: Use these results to decide if cloning is feasible given your current Element Shard reserves and time constraints. Compare it with breeding costs and time if you’re considering alternatives.
Key Factors That Affect ARK Clone Calculator Results
Several factors significantly influence the Element Shard cost and cloning time, making the ARK Clone Calculator an indispensable tool for planning.
- Creature Species: This is the most fundamental factor. Larger, more powerful, or Tek creatures inherently have much higher base Element Shard costs and higher per-level costs. A Giganotosaurus, for instance, costs vastly more than a Dodo.
- Creature Level: The higher the creature’s level, the more Element Shards it will cost. This is because a fixed amount of Element Shards is added for each level the creature possesses. A level 400 creature will cost significantly more than a level 100 version of the same species.
- Server Cloning Speed Multiplier: This server setting directly impacts the cloning time. A higher multiplier (e.g., 2.0x or 5.0x) will reduce the actual time the creature spends in the Cloning Chamber, making the process faster. However, it does not affect the Element Shard cost.
- Element Shard Availability: While not directly affecting the calculator’s output, your ability to farm or acquire Element Shards is a practical factor. Efficient Element Shard farming routes or access to Element veins can make high-cost cloning projects viable.
- Cloning Chamber Power Source: The Cloning Chamber requires a constant power supply, typically from a Tek Generator. Ensuring you have a stable and fueled power source is crucial for the entire cloning duration.
- Server Lag and Stability: Unstable servers or high lag can sometimes cause issues with long-duration processes like cloning, though this is less common with the Cloning Chamber itself.
- Game Updates and Patches: Wildcard occasionally adjusts creature stats, costs, or mechanics. While rare for cloning, future patches could potentially alter base Element Shard costs or time formulas, making it important to use an up-to-date ARK Clone Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about ARK Cloning
A: The Cloning Chamber is a Tek-tier structure in ARK: Survival Evolved that allows players to duplicate their tamed creatures. It requires Element Shards and a power source (usually a Tek Generator) to operate.
A: Cloning preserves the exact stats, mutations, and imprinting of a creature, making it ideal for duplicating perfected boss fighters or highly mutated lines. Breeding is for creating new lines and stacking mutations, but it’s a much longer process.
A: Yes, cloning creates an exact copy, including any imprinting bonuses the original creature had. This is one of its major advantages.
A: No, only tamed creatures can be placed into the Cloning Chamber for duplication.
A: If the Cloning Chamber loses power, the cloning process will pause. It will resume once power is restored, but the timer will not advance during the power outage.
A: Generally, most tamed creatures can be cloned. However, some unique creatures or bosses might have restrictions. Always check the ARK Wiki for specific creature details.
A: Element Shards are primarily obtained by harvesting Element Veins on Aberration, Extinction, or Genesis maps, or by defeating certain bosses. They can also be crafted from Element Dust or found in supply drops.
A: The calculator provides theoretical values based on game formulas. While it accounts for the server’s cloning speed multiplier, it cannot predict or account for server performance issues or unexpected game bugs that might affect actual in-game times.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Enhance your ARK: Survival Evolved experience with these other useful tools and guides: