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To change the maximum level of newly spawned wild dinosaurs, edit GameUserSettings.ini and set OverrideOfficialDifficulty under [ServerSettings]. With DifficultyOffset=1.0, divide your desired maximum common wild level by 30: 5.0 targets level 150, while 10.0 targets level 300.
Save the file, restart the server, and run DestroyWildDinos. Existing wild creatures keep their old levels until they are removed and replaced. If MaxDifficulty=True is present in Game.ini, it forces difficulty 5.0 and overrides your custom value.
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ARK uses a difficulty value to determine the level range of newly spawned wild creatures. On a server with the normal offset, the practical relationship for common wild creatures is:
OverrideOfficialDifficulty = desired maximum common wild level / 30
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The setting belongs in GameUserSettings.ini, inside the [ServerSettings] section. A basic level-150 configuration is:
[ServerSettings]
DifficultyOffset=1.0
OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0DifficultyOffset and OverrideOfficialDifficulty are different controls. The offset participates in ARK’s normal map-based calculation. The override supplies the final difficulty when it is enabled with a value above zero. The documented defaults are DifficultyOffset=1.0 and OverrideOfficialDifficulty=0.0, with the latter treated as disabled.
This formula is for the usual common wild creatures. Special creatures, event creatures, bosses, and map-specific spawn systems can follow separate level rules, so a single unusual spawn is not proof that the server setting failed.
Choose the target level and calculate the value
Use the target maximum common wild level, not a creature’s possible post-tame or post-imprint level. Divide that target by 30 and enter the result as the override.
| Desired maximum common wild level | OverrideOfficialDifficulty |
Example configuration line |
|---|---|---|
| 120 | 4.0 | OverrideOfficialDifficulty=4.0 |
| 150 | 5.0 | OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0 |
| 180 | 6.0 | OverrideOfficialDifficulty=6.0 |
| 210 | 7.0 | OverrideOfficialDifficulty=7.0 |
| 300 | 10.0 | OverrideOfficialDifficulty=10.0 |
Keep DifficultyOffset=1.0 when using this simple calculation. If you change the offset as well, the result can differ from the table and becomes harder to diagnose. Enter a decimal number with a period, and spell the key exactly as OverrideOfficialDifficulty; ARK configuration keys are not forgiving of misspellings.
How to interpret a target
The calculated number is a difficulty value, not a promise that every creature will spawn at the target. A value of 5.0 means common wild creatures can reach level 150; most individual spawn rolls will be lower. Check several fresh creatures in different regions before deciding that the cap is wrong. Levels are generated in increments controlled by the effective difficulty, so the levels you see should form the pattern associated with that value rather than a completely random set of numbers.
If your desired level is not a multiple that you commonly see, use the division rule as a starting point and verify the resulting fresh spawns. The rule is intended for standard common creatures. A special species can have a different cap or spawn rule even when the global setting is working correctly.
How ARK decides which difficulty wins
The server evaluates the relevant settings in this order:
MaxDifficulty=TrueinGame.ini: this forces difficulty 5.0. When enabled, related difficulty settings are ignored, so a planned level-300 cap will not take effect.OverrideOfficialDifficultyinGameUserSettings.ini: when present with a usable value, this becomes the final difficulty.- Normal calculation: if neither setting controls the result, ARK combines
DifficultyOffsetwith the map’s base difficulty.
Before troubleshooting a custom value, inspect both files. A correct line in GameUserSettings.ini cannot overcome MaxDifficulty=True in Game.ini.
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Map defaults explain different results
If you rely only on DifficultyOffset, the map’s base difficulty matters. The ARK Official Community Wiki server-configuration reference (accessed October 15, 2026) lists a base map difficulty of 4.0 for The Island, Scorched Earth, Aberration, and Genesis: Part 2, and 5.0 for several other maps. Consequently, the same offset can produce different wild-level caps after changing maps. An explicit override avoids that particular map-default difference, provided no higher-priority setting replaces it.
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| Configuration approach | What determines the result | When it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| Offset only | DifficultyOffset plus the active map’s base difficulty |
Acceptable when you want the map’s normal progression and are staying on one map |
| Explicit override | Your OverrideOfficialDifficulty value, unless MaxDifficulty=True takes priority |
Best when you need a predictable cap such as 150, 210, or 300 across supported maps |
| Maximum-difficulty switch | MaxDifficulty=True forces 5.0 |
Useful only when a level-150-style difficulty is intended and custom values are not needed |
Step-by-step: set the maximum wild dino level
1. Back up the files and save
Make a copy of the current GameUserSettings.ini, Game.ini, and the server save before changing anything. Keep the backup outside the live configuration directory. If a host panel offers a configuration backup or snapshot, create one as well. This gives you a clean rollback if a syntax error or panel update removes your changes.
2. Stop or pause the server
Use the host panel’s stop button, scheduled task controls, or the server process controls. Do not edit while the server is writing its configuration or save. Some panels regenerate files when the process exits; stopping first prevents your changes from being overwritten.
3. Edit GameUserSettings.ini
Open the active server instance’s GameUserSettings.ini. Find the [ServerSettings] header. Add the keys below if they are missing, or edit the existing lines:
[ServerSettings]
DifficultyOffset=1.0
OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0Replace 5.0 with your target maximum divided by 30. Do not put these lines in Game.ini; they are server settings and belong in GameUserSettings.ini. If the file contains duplicate entries, remove the older conflicting copies and leave one clear value under the correct header.
4. Check Game.ini for MaxDifficulty
Open Game.ini and inspect the [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode] or host-panel equivalent section used for game-mode options. Some documentation and panels label this area ShooterGameMode_Options. If you find:
MaxDifficulty=Trueremove it or change it to:
MaxDifficulty=Falsewhen you intend to use a value other than 5.0. Leaving it set to true forces difficulty 5.0 and defeats a higher or lower custom override. If your panel exposes a checkbox instead of raw text, turn off the maximum-difficulty option and verify the generated file afterward.
5. Save and restart
Save both files, close the editor, and start the server again. The exact directory, restart control, and configuration editor vary by host, but the underlying keys and precedence are the same. Wait until the server has completed startup before connecting. If the panel has separate profiles for maps or instances, confirm that you edited the profile being launched.
6. Remove existing wild creatures
Changing the setting does not recalculate creatures that already exist in the world. With administrator access, run DestroyWildDinos using the server’s normal admin-command method, or use the host panel’s equivalent wipe control. This removes wild creatures only; it does not reset tamed animals or player progress. The world will need time to repopulate, so do not judge the result immediately after the command.
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7. Verify several fresh spawns
Inspect multiple newly spawned common creatures in different areas. Levels are generated in increments determined by the effective difficulty, and one creature can be an exception because of its species or map rules. A level-150 target means common wild creatures can reach that cap; it does not mean every spawn will be level 150. If all fresh creatures remain in the old range, return to the troubleshooting section rather than repeatedly wiping the map.
What the wipe command does and does not do
DestroyWildDinos removes existing wild creatures so future spawn rolls use the new difficulty. It does not increase the level of tamed creatures, change a creature already in a cryopod, or grant additional post-tame levels. It also does not guarantee an immediate high-level spawn: the map must repopulate, and random spawn rolls still produce a range of levels.
Run the command only after the server has restarted with the intended configuration. If you wipe first and then discover that MaxDifficulty=True is still active, the replacement creatures will be generated with the wrong cap and you will need another wipe after correcting the files.
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The wild cap and the number of levels a tamed creature can gain are separate systems. Setting OverrideOfficialDifficulty=10.0 can raise the maximum wild spawn level to the level-300 target, but it does not automatically add more level-ups after taming.
Additional player or tame levels are configured with LevelExperienceRampOverrides. The server configuration reference allows one occurrence for player progression and a second occurrence for tame-creature progression. Each occurrence must enumerate every intended level and its experience requirement; it is not a single multiplier that can be changed with one number.
Plan the progression change separately
- Decide whether you are changing player levels, tame levels, or both.
- Build a complete experience list for every level you intend to support; missing entries can produce an incomplete or unexpected progression curve.
- Back up
Game.inibefore adding the override lines, because a malformed list can prevent the intended progression from loading. - Test on a copy or low-population server first. A tame-level ramp changes long-term balance even when wild spawn settings are correct.
Do not use a tame-level override as a substitute for the wild-difficulty setting. They affect different stages of progression and can be adjusted independently.
Troubleshooting: why wild dinos still have the old maximum
The key is misspelled or in the wrong file
Check capitalization and spelling: OverrideOfficialDifficulty. It must be under [ServerSettings] in GameUserSettings.ini. A line placed in Game.ini, below an unrelated section header, or with a typo will be ignored.
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MaxDifficulty=True is overriding your value
Inspect Game.ini even if the override line looks correct. When maximum difficulty is enabled, ARK forces difficulty 5.0 and ignores the other related difficulty settings. Disable that option when you need a target other than 150.
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The server was not restarted
Many hosts do not reload these settings while the process is running. Stop and start the actual server instance after saving. A graceful restart is preferable to editing live files and hoping the process notices the change.
Old wild creatures were never removed
Existing creatures retain their generated levels. After confirming the configuration and restarting, run DestroyWildDinos, then allow the spawn system to repopulate. Checking one creature immediately after the wipe can give a misleading result.
The panel edited a different instance or map profile
Multi-instance hosts often show several configuration tabs with similar names. Confirm the server port, instance name, active map, and file path. If the panel has separate profiles for each map, apply the change to the profile that is currently launched.
Only low-level creatures appear
Give the map time to repopulate and inspect a representative sample of fresh common creatures. Random generation does not fill the world with maximum-level animals. If the entire sample remains low, recheck the effective difficulty, the active map profile, and the presence of MaxDifficulty=True.
A special creature does not follow the expected cap
Use common wild creatures for the initial test. Special creatures can have separate level rules, spawn restrictions, or map-specific behavior. A different result for one special species does not by itself show that the global override failed.
Edition and host-panel differences
ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended can expose different panel labels, file locations, and configuration workflows. The setting names described here are the underlying server configuration, but an editor may present them as form fields, advanced options, or generated text. Check that the panel supports the edition and map you are running before assuming that a button with a similar name writes the same key.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Safe rollback and maintenance
If the server behaves unexpectedly, stop it, restore the backed-up files, and restart. Do not keep changing several difficulty variables at once; isolate the override, maximum-difficulty switch, map profile, and spawn reset so you know which change affected the result.
- Keep a dated copy of the working configuration after you verify it.
- Record the intended target level and the calculated override beside the backup.
- Repeat the map-profile check whenever you change maps or migrate hosts.
- After major game or host updates, verify that the panel has not regenerated the files with default values.
Quick decision guide
- You want common wild level 150: use
DifficultyOffset=1.0andOverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0, ensureMaxDifficultyis not forcing a different plan, restart, then wipe wild spawns. - You want common wild level 300: use
OverrideOfficialDifficulty=10.0, setMaxDifficulty=Falseor remove it, restart, and wipe existing wild creatures. - You changed maps and the cap changed: check whether you were relying only on
DifficultyOffset; map base difficulty can differ. - You want tames to gain more levels: leave wild-difficulty configuration separate and design a complete
LevelExperienceRampOverridesprogression.
Additional checks before declaring success
Use a repeatable verification sequence whenever you change the cap. First record the target and calculated value, such as 210 and 7.0. Next confirm the two INI files while the server is stopped, including the section headers. After the restart, note the map and instance that actually loaded. Then wipe wild creatures once and wait for repopulation. Finally, inspect several common species rather than relying on a single high or low roll. This sequence separates configuration errors from normal spawn randomness.
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Keep the old configuration until the new one has survived a full stop-and-start cycle. Hosts can regenerate files from templates, and a map migration can select another profile. Comparing the saved file before shutdown with the file after startup quickly shows whether a panel removed or relocated a key. If the value changed, correct the panel template or custom-INI field before wiping again.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What line sets the maximum wild dino level?
Put OverrideOfficialDifficulty under [ServerSettings] in GameUserSettings.ini. With DifficultyOffset=1.0, divide the desired maximum common wild level by 30.
What value gives level-150 dinos?
Use OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0 and keep DifficultyOffset=1.0. Restart the server and wipe existing wild spawns.
What value gives level-300 dinos?
Use OverrideOfficialDifficulty=10.0. Also remove MaxDifficulty=True or set it to False, because that option forces difficulty 5.0.
Why are dinos still spawning at the old levels?
Existing wild creatures keep their generated levels. Confirm the file location and spelling, restart the active instance, run DestroyWildDinos, and allow the map to repopulate.
Can I put OverrideOfficialDifficulty in Game.ini?
No. It belongs in GameUserSettings.ini under [ServerSettings]. Use Game.ini to check the separate MaxDifficulty option.
Does MaxDifficulty=True improve a level-300 setup?
No. It has priority and forces difficulty 5.0, so it defeats a custom value such as 10.0.
Will changing the wild cap give my tames more level-ups?
No. Wild spawn difficulty and tame progression are separate. Use a complete LevelExperienceRampOverrides configuration for additional tame levels.
Why does the same offset produce different caps on different maps?
When no explicit override is active, ARK combines DifficultyOffset with the map’s base difficulty. Those base values differ by map, so use an explicit override for a predictable cap.
Does DestroyWildDinos reset tamed creatures?
No. It removes existing wild creatures so future spawns use the new difficulty; tames, cryopodded creatures, and player progress are not reset.
Do special creatures always reach the configured maximum?
Not necessarily. Special, event, boss, and map-specific creatures can follow separate level rules. Verify the global setting with several common wild creatures.
The Bottom Line
For a predictable wild-dino cap, set DifficultyOffset=1.0 and calculate OverrideOfficialDifficulty as your desired common wild level divided by 30. Check that MaxDifficulty=True is not forcing 5.0, restart the correct server profile, run DestroyWildDinos, and verify multiple fresh common spawns. Configure tame levels separately with LevelExperienceRampOverrides.
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