Cloning Calculator ARK: Survival Evolved
Determine the exact Element Shard cost and time to clone your creatures.
Cloning Cost & Time Projection
The table and chart below illustrate how costs and time scale with the level of the selected creature. This helps in planning your resource gathering for the cloning calculator ark.
| Creature Level | Element Shard Cost | Cloning Time |
|---|
What is a Cloning Calculator ARK?
A cloning calculator ark is a specialized tool designed for players of the popular survival game, ARK: Survival Evolved. Its primary function is to calculate the precise amount of Element Shards and the total time required to duplicate a creature using the in-game Tek Cloning Chamber. This process, known as cloning, allows players to create an exact copy of a creature, preserving its level, stats, and colors. For any serious tribe, using a cloning calculator ark is essential for resource management and strategic planning.
Anyone who has access to the Tek Cloning Chamber—an end-game structure—should use this calculator. It is invaluable for tribe leaders planning to duplicate powerful boss-fighting dinosaurs, breeders wanting to preserve perfect genetic lines, or solo players looking to create a backup of their favorite tame without going through the entire taming and leveling process again. A common misconception is that cloning is instant; however, as this cloning calculator ark demonstrates, the time and resource cost can be substantial, especially for high-level creatures.
Cloning Calculator ARK Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The calculation for cloning in ARK is a linear function based on the creature’s species and its level. Each creature has a base shard cost and a base time, which are then multiplied by its level. Our cloning calculator ark automates this process for you. The formulas are as follows:
- Total Element Shards = BaseShardCost × CreatureLevel
- Total Cloning Time (in seconds) = BaseTimeCost × CreatureLevel
The values are specific to each species, making a dedicated cloning calculator ark a vital tool for accurate predictions.
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| BaseShardCost | The base number of Element Shards required for a level 1 creature. | Shards | 2 (Dodo) – 150 (Giga) |
| BaseTimeCost | The base time in seconds required for a level 1 creature. | Seconds | 20 (Dodo) – 480 (Giga) |
| CreatureLevel | The current level of the creature you wish to clone. | Level | 1 – 1000+ |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Cloning a High-Level Rex for Boss Fights
A tribe is preparing to fight the Alpha Dragon and wants to clone their prized Level 250 Rex. Using the cloning calculator ark, they input ‘Rex’ and ‘250’.
- Inputs: Creature = Rex, Level = 250
- Outputs: The calculator shows a total cost of 21,250 Element Shards and a cloning time of approximately 16 hours and 40 minutes.
- Interpretation: The tribe now knows they need to farm over 21k shards and start the cloning process the day before they plan to attempt the boss fight.
Example 2: Duplicating a Rare-Colored Argentavis
A player has tamed a Level 135 Argentavis with a unique color mutation and wants a backup. They use the cloning calculator ark to determine the cost.
- Inputs: Creature = Argentavis (using Rex stats as a proxy if not listed), Level = 135
- Outputs: The calculator estimates a cost of 11,475 Element Shards and a time of around 9 hours.
- Interpretation: The player decides the cost is worth securing a copy of their rare creature and begins gathering the necessary resources. This cloning calculator ark prevents them from starting the process without enough shards.
How to Use This Cloning Calculator ARK
Using this tool is straightforward and designed for efficiency. Follow these steps for an accurate calculation:
- Select the Creature Type: Choose the creature you intend to clone from the dropdown menu. The list contains some of the most commonly cloned creatures with their specific base values.
- Enter the Creature’s Level: Input the exact level of the creature as it appears in-game. Do not include any levels gained after taming unless they are part of the final level.
- Review the Results: The cloning calculator ark will instantly update in real-time. The primary result is the total Element Shard cost. You will also see crucial secondary information like total cloning time and efficiency metrics.
- Analyze the Projections: Use the dynamic table and chart to see how costs change at different levels for your selected creature. This is key for long-term planning.
Key Factors That Affect Cloning Calculator ARK Results
Several factors influence the final cost and time shown by the cloning calculator ark. Understanding them is key to efficient resource management.
- Creature Species: This is the most significant factor. Large, powerful creatures like a Giganotosaurus have vastly higher base costs than smaller creatures like a Dodo.
- Creature Level: The cost and time scale linearly with the creature’s level. A level 200 creature will cost exactly twice as much as a level 100 creature of the same species.
- Server Rates: While this calculator assumes official 1x rates, some unofficial servers may have modified cloning costs or speeds. Always double-check your server’s settings.
- Element Shard Availability: The difficulty of obtaining Element Shards on your map directly impacts the feasibility of cloning. Farming methods vary greatly from map to map.
- Tek Generator Power: The Cloning Chamber must be continuously powered by a Tek Generator. Any interruption will pause the cloning process, effectively increasing the real-world time until completion.
- Tribe Strategy: Your tribe’s goals will determine if a clone is worth the cost. For a simple utility dino, the cost might be too high, but for a top-stat Giga, it’s a necessary expense. This cloning calculator ark helps make that decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I clone a creature that is higher than the official level cap?
Yes, the cloning cost continues to scale linearly regardless of the level cap. This cloning calculator ark accepts levels up to 1000 and beyond for use on servers with custom settings.
2. Does the Cloning Chamber require fuel?
The Chamber itself consumes the Element Shards for the cloning process. However, it must be within the range of an active Tek Generator, which consumes Element as fuel.
3. What happens if the power goes out during cloning?
The process pauses. The time remaining and shards required will not be lost. The process will resume once power is restored.
4. Does a creature’s inventory get cloned?
No, only the creature itself is cloned. Its level, stats, colors, and gender are copied. Any items in its inventory, including saddles, will not be duplicated.
5. Is it more efficient to clone or breed?
It depends. For getting an exact copy with identical stats, cloning is the only way. For mass-producing creatures or combining stats from different parents, breeding is superior. For preserving a perfect-stat creature before it’s potentially lost in a risky fight, the cost calculated by a cloning calculator ark is often a worthwhile insurance policy.
6. Can I use a cloning calculator ark for creatures on ARK: Survival Ascended?
The mechanics for cloning are expected to be similar in ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA). Once ASA’s specific values are confirmed, this calculator will be updated. For now, it provides a very strong estimate.
7. Where is the best place to farm Element Shards?
This varies by map. On Genesis: Part 2, the space biome is excellent with a Tek Stryder. On Extinction, defending Element Veins is effective. On Genesis: Part 1, the Volcano biome’s red crystals are a source.
8. What is the maximum number of shards the Cloning Chamber can hold?
The Tek Cloning Chamber has an inventory capacity of 48,000 Element Shards. If a clone requires more than this, you cannot initiate the process. This cloning calculator ark helps you see if your target creature is even possible to clone.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
- Taming Calculator – Plan your next tame by calculating the required food and time. A perfect companion tool for our ark shard calculator.
- Element Shard Farming Guide – A comprehensive guide on the best methods for farming Element Shards across all maps.
- Giganotosaurus Creature Page – Learn everything about the Giganotosaurus, one of the most expensive creatures to clone.
- Tek Tier Guide – Explore all structures in the Tek Tier, including the Cloning Chamber and Tek Generator.
- Breeding Guide – Master the art of breeding in ARK to create powerful new genetic lines. A good alternative to cloning for some dinos.
- Resource Calculator – Calculate the raw materials needed to craft any item or structure in the game.