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Set the maximum level for newly spawned common wild creatures with OverrideOfficialDifficulty in GameUserSettings.ini. With DifficultyOffset=1.0, divide your target level by 30: use 5.0 for a level-150 cap, 10.0 for level 300, or another value that matches your target. Restart the server and run DestroyWildDinos so fresh spawns use the new setting.
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Which setting controls the maximum wild dino level?
The primary setting is OverrideOfficialDifficulty, located in the [ServerSettings] section of GameUserSettings.ini. It controls the effective difficulty used for ordinary wild-creature spawns. The practical relationship for standard common creatures is:
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OverrideOfficialDifficulty = desired maximum common wild level ÷ 30
This gives the following targets when the server is using the normal difficulty offset:
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| Desired maximum level | OverrideOfficialDifficulty | Typical result |
|---|---|---|
| 120 | 4.0 |
Common wild creatures can reach level 120 |
| 150 | 5.0 |
Common wild creatures can reach level 150 |
| 180 | 6.0 |
Common wild creatures can reach level 180 |
| 210 | 7.0 |
Common wild creatures can reach level 210 |
| 300 | 10.0 |
Common wild creatures can reach level 300 |
The level relationship describes standard common wild spawns, not every creature in every map. Special creatures can follow their own level rules, and a single creature is not enough to confirm that a server-wide change worked.
How ARK decides which difficulty to use
Several configuration values can affect the result. The ARK Official Community Wiki describes this order of precedence:
- If
MaxDifficulty=Trueis enabled inGame.ini, ARK forces difficulty 5.0 and ignores other related difficulty settings. - If
MaxDifficultyis not forcing 5.0,OverrideOfficialDifficultysupplies the final difficulty value. - If neither setting is active, the game derives difficulty from
DifficultyOffsetand the map’s base difficulty.
This order explains why a correctly typed custom value can appear to do nothing: a MaxDifficulty=True entry can override it. It also explains why changing only DifficultyOffset may produce different caps on different maps.
Default values
The documented defaults are DifficultyOffset=1.0 and OverrideOfficialDifficulty=0.0. A zero override is disabled; it does not represent a level-zero setting. The official configuration reference states that an override of 5.0 allows common creatures to spawn up to level 150.
Map base difficulty matters when using only the offset
When no explicit override is supplied, the map’s base difficulty participates in the calculation. The wiki lists a base map difficulty of 4.0 for The Island, Scorched Earth, Aberration and Genesis: Part 2. Several other maps use a base value of 5.0. Therefore, an offset-only configuration can produce one maximum on one map and another maximum after changing maps.
| Map group listed in the reference | Base difficulty | Practical implication |
|---|---|---|
| The Island | 4.0 | Offset-only calculations use this map’s base value |
| Scorched Earth | 4.0 | Offset-only calculations use this map’s base value |
| Aberration | 4.0 | Offset-only calculations use this map’s base value |
| Genesis: Part 2 | 4.0 | Offset-only calculations use this map’s base value |
| Several other maps | 5.0 | The same offset can resolve to a different cap |
For a predictable cap across map profiles, specify OverrideOfficialDifficulty rather than relying on the map’s default.
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1. Back up both configuration files
Before editing, make a copy of the active GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini. Keep the copies outside the host panel’s editor or in a separate local folder. A backup lets you restore a working configuration if a panel rewrites a section, a typo prevents startup, or you decide to return to the previous cap.
2. Stop or pause the server
Use the host control panel’s stop button, scheduled maintenance control or the server process controls. Do not edit while the process is running: a shutdown or automatic save can overwrite your changes. Wait until the panel reports that the instance is stopped before opening the files.
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3. Edit GameUserSettings.ini
Find the [ServerSettings] header. Add the two lines below, or change existing entries so there is one effective value for each key:
[ServerSettings]
DifficultyOffset=1.0
OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0Replace 5.0 with your target maximum divided by 30. For example, a level-180 target uses OverrideOfficialDifficulty=6.0; a level-300 target uses OverrideOfficialDifficulty=10.0. Keep the spelling and capitalization exactly as shown. A key placed outside [ServerSettings] may be ignored.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems4. Check Game.ini for a forced difficulty
Open Game.ini and look in the [ShooterGameMode_Options] section for:
MaxDifficulty=TrueWhen this is true, ARK sets difficulty to 5.0 and ignores the other related difficulty settings. That is useful when you specifically want the 150 common-wild cap, but it defeats a planned value such as 6.0 or 10.0. Remove the line or change it to False when a custom override is intended:
[ShooterGameMode_Options]
MaxDifficulty=FalseIf the key is absent, the server is not using this explicit force. A host panel may expose the same option as a checkbox instead of showing the raw line; use the panel’s setting only if it writes to the active profile and map.
5. Save and restart
Save both files, close the editor and start the server again. The exact file path, restart control and profile layout vary by provider, but the underlying keys remain the same. If your host offers separate profiles for different maps or instances, verify that you edited the profile attached to the server you actually start.
6. Remove existing wild creatures
Changing the configuration does not recalculate creatures that are already in the world. With administrator access, run:
DestroyWildDinosSome control panels provide a button that issues the same command. This removes wild creatures and allows the map to repopulate under the new difficulty. It does not delete tamed creatures and it is not a command for granting additional tame levels. Warn players first, because the command removes every wild creature on the map.
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7. Verify fresh spawns
After the wipe, allow time for the map to repopulate. Check several newly spawned common creatures rather than judging the result from one dino. Levels occur in increments governed by the effective difficulty, so the exact distribution will not necessarily show the maximum immediately. Special creatures may have different level limits or spawn rules even when ordinary creatures reach the intended cap.
Why the old levels may still appear
Existing creatures were not changed
ARK stores the level of each spawned wild creature. Editing the INI changes future spawn calculations; it does not upgrade creatures already loaded into the world. Restarting alone therefore is not enough. Run DestroyWildDinos after the restart, then wait for new spawns.
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The forced-difficulty setting is still active
If every test creature tops out around the level-150 range despite an intended value above 5.0, inspect Game.ini for MaxDifficulty=True. The wiki’s precedence rule says that this setting forces 5.0 and causes all other related settings to be ignored. Set it to False or remove it, save, restart and wipe wild spawns again.
The override is in the wrong file or section
OverrideOfficialDifficulty belongs under [ServerSettings] in GameUserSettings.ini. Putting it in Game.ini, placing it before the section header, or misspelling the key means the server may silently continue using its previous calculation. Search the active file for duplicate entries and leave one intentional value in the correct section.
The host edited a different instance
Managed panels often keep separate configuration sets for each server, map or cluster member. Confirm the server name, map profile and instance ID before editing. A correct line in an unused profile has no effect on the running world.
Repopulation is incomplete
A wipe does not instantly fill every spawn point. If only low-level creatures are visible immediately afterward, travel through several regions and allow additional spawn cycles. Test multiple fresh common creatures after the map has had time to repopulate.
The edition or panel uses different controls
ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended deployments can differ by edition, host and panel. Treat the INI names and command as the configuration model, but check the documentation for the specific edition and hosting interface before assuming a button or file path is identical. The active profile shown by the panel is the authority for that instance.
Common configuration mistakes
- Using a percentage or level directly: enter the difficulty value, not
150for a level-150 target. Level 150 corresponds to5.0under the standard formula. - Leaving the override at zero:
OverrideOfficialDifficulty=0.0is the documented disabled default, so the map and offset determine the result. - Changing only
DifficultyOffset: this can be map-dependent. Use an explicit override when you need the same target across maps. - Forgetting to restart: the server must load the saved configuration before new spawns use it.
- Skipping the wild-dino wipe: old creatures retain their original levels until removed naturally or by the destroy command.
- Testing a special creature: special species can have independent level rules; verify with several ordinary common spawns first.
- Confusing wild and tame progression: a higher wild cap does not add extra levels that a tamed creature can earn after taming.
Wild spawn levels versus levels a tame can gain
There are two separate systems. OverrideOfficialDifficulty changes the level range used when wild creatures spawn. It does not increase the number of post-tame levels available to a creature, nor does it redefine the experience required for player or dino progression.
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The server configuration reference documents LevelExperienceRampOverrides for custom experience curves. That setting defines the experience points for each configured level. It can be supplied once for player progression and a second time for tame-creature progression. Every intended level must be enumerated in the override; it is an advanced configuration task separate from setting the wild-spawn cap.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Managed hosting panel considerations
A managed ARK server or ARK server control panel may hide the INI files behind forms, toggles or map-specific profiles. The panel still has to write the equivalent settings: OverrideOfficialDifficulty under [ServerSettings] and, when needed, MaxDifficulty under [ShooterGameMode_Options]. Record the target level and calculated value before saving so you can compare the panel’s result with the intended configuration.
Some providers expose separate controls for each cluster member or map. Apply the setting to every profile that should share the cap, and confirm which instance the restart button actually starts. If the panel regenerates configuration files, make the change through its editor after stopping the server rather than editing an inactive copy that will be replaced on the next launch.
Choosing a target and checking the result
For a level-150 server
Use DifficultyOffset=1.0 and OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0, ensure MaxDifficulty is not conflicting, restart, wipe wild spawns and inspect fresh common creatures. This is the documented setting that allows common creatures up to level 150.
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Use OverrideOfficialDifficulty=10.0 with the same offset, disable a conflicting MaxDifficulty=True, restart and run the wild-dino wipe. The level-300 figure is the formula’s target for standard common wild creatures; special creatures and map-specific systems can differ.
For an intermediate cap
Divide the desired maximum by 30 and enter the resulting value. A target of 120 uses 4.0, 180 uses 6.0, and 210 uses 7.0. Keep the target and the resulting INI value together when documenting your server so another administrator can understand the setting later.
A repeatable maintenance checklist
- Identify the exact running instance, map profile and ARK edition.
- Back up
GameUserSettings.iniandGame.ini. - Stop or pause the server before editing.
- Set
DifficultyOffset=1.0and the calculatedOverrideOfficialDifficultyunder[ServerSettings]. - Check
[ShooterGameMode_Options]forMaxDifficulty=Trueand disable it when a value other than 5.0 is required. - Save, start the server and confirm the panel is using the edited profile.
- Warn players, then run
DestroyWildDinos. - Wait for repopulation and inspect several new common creatures.
- If results are wrong, recheck spelling, section placement, duplicate keys, forced difficulty and map profile before changing additional settings.
What this change does—and does not do
| Change | Effect |
|---|---|
OverrideOfficialDifficulty |
Sets the effective difficulty used for standard wild-spawn calculations |
DifficultyOffset alone |
Participates in the calculation together with the map’s base difficulty |
MaxDifficulty=True |
Forces difficulty 5.0 and ignores related custom difficulty settings |
DestroyWildDinos |
Removes existing wild creatures so replacement spawns use the loaded settings |
LevelExperienceRampOverrides |
Defines experience requirements for configured player or tame levels; it does not set the wild spawn cap |
Once the correct profile is loaded, the override is in the right section, forced difficulty is not taking priority, and fresh spawns have been generated, the server is using the intended wild-dino level calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I put in GameUserSettings.ini for level 150 dinos?
Under [ServerSettings], use DifficultyOffset=1.0 and OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0. Restart the server and run DestroyWildDinos so newly spawned common creatures use the setting.
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How do I set the maximum wild dino level to 300?
Divide 300 by 30 and set OverrideOfficialDifficulty=10.0 under [ServerSettings] in GameUserSettings.ini. Make sure MaxDifficulty=True is not forcing 5.0, then restart and refresh wild spawns.
Why are dinos still spawning at the old levels?
Existing wild creatures keep their original levels. After saving the files and restarting, run DestroyWildDinos, allow the map to repopulate and check several new common creatures.
Can I change only DifficultyOffset?
You can, but the result depends on the map’s base difficulty. The same offset can produce different caps on different maps. Use OverrideOfficialDifficulty when you need a predictable target.
Why does my custom value keep producing level-150 creatures?
Check Game.ini under [ShooterGameMode_Options] for MaxDifficulty=True. That setting forces difficulty 5.0 and ignores related custom difficulty values. Remove it or set it to False, restart and wipe wild spawns again.
Does a higher wild cap give tamed dinos more level-ups?
No. Wild spawn difficulty and post-tame progression are separate. Use LevelExperienceRampOverrides for custom player or tame experience curves, and enumerate every intended level.
Do special creatures always follow the same cap?
No. The divide-by-30 rule is a practical rule for standard common wild creatures. Special creatures and map-specific systems can have different level rules, so verify the result with several ordinary fresh spawns.
Is the procedure identical on Survival Evolved and Survival Ascended?
The configuration model is similar, but file paths, controls and panel behavior can differ by edition and provider. Check the documentation for the specific edition and confirm that the active profile is the one being restarted.
The Bottom Line
Set OverrideOfficialDifficulty under [ServerSettings], using the desired common wild level divided by 30. Disable a conflicting MaxDifficulty=True, restart the correct server profile, then run DestroyWildDinos and verify several fresh common spawns. Remember that this changes wild levels only; tame-level progression requires a separate experience-ramp configuration.
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