How do I start breeding creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Breeding creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process that allows players to create stronger, more specialized offspring with unique stats, colors, and mutations. To start breeding, you need to understand the mechanics, prepare your resources, and follow a step-by-step process to ensure success. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you get started.
First, you need two creatures of the same species and opposite genders. Place them close to each other in a secure area, such as a fenced-off pen or a dedicated breeding room in your base. Ensure they are set to "Enable Wandering" in their behavior settings. When both creatures are on wandering mode and close enough, they will initiate the breeding process. For most creatures, this results in an egg being laid, but some species, like mammals, will produce a live baby instead. Once the breeding process starts, you will see a mating bar that indicates progress. After the bar fills, the female will lay an egg or give birth to a baby.
Once the egg is laid or the baby is born, the real work begins. Eggs need to be incubated at the correct temperature. Some eggs require heat, while others need cold. You can use air conditioners, standing torches, or campfires to regulate the temperature. Place the egg in an area where the temperature is just right, and a timer will appear showing how long it will take to hatch. For live births, the baby will appear immediately and require immediate care.
After hatching or birth, the baby creature will need constant attention. It will have a food stat that depletes quickly, so you must feed it manually or ensure it has access to food in its inventory. Baby creatures can only eat specific foods, such as berries for herbivores or raw meat for carnivores. As the baby grows, it will go through several stages: baby, juvenile, and adolescent. Each stage requires less frequent feeding, but you must still monitor its food levels closely.
Imprinting is a crucial part of raising a baby creature. During the growth stages, the baby will periodically request care, such as cuddling, walking, or specific food items. Fulfilling these requests will increase the imprinting percentage, which boosts the creatureÔÇÖs stats and makes it more loyal to you. Imprinting can significantly enhance the creatureÔÇÖs effectiveness in combat or other tasks, so itÔÇÖs worth the effort.
Resource preparation is essential for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the baby. For carnivores, stockpile raw meat or cooked meat. For herbivores, gather berries or crops. You will also need materials for temperature control, such as air conditioners or torches. Additionally, having a secure base with walls and gates is crucial to protect your breeding creatures and their offspring from predators or hostile players.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting the babyÔÇÖs food needs, failing to regulate the eggÔÇÖs temperature, and not imprinting properly. Babies can starve quickly, so always keep an eye on their food stat. Eggs will spoil if not incubated correctly, so monitor the temperature closely. Imprinting requests have time limits, so respond promptly to maximize the imprinting bonus.
Advanced techniques involve selective breeding to combine the best stats from both parents. Each stat, such as health, stamina, or melee damage, has a chance to be inherited from either parent. By breeding multiple generations, you can create creatures with superior stats. Mutations add another layer of complexity. Mutations can affect stats, colors, or both, but they are rare and random. To optimize mutations, keep detailed records of your breeding lines and focus on creatures with desirable traits.
Tribe considerations are important, especially in multiplayer. Breeding can be resource-intensive, so coordinating with your tribe can make the process more efficient. Assign roles, such as one player gathering food while another monitors the babyÔÇÖs growth. In solo play, you will need to manage everything yourself, so plan your time carefully.
Specific examples include breeding high-level Rexes for boss fights or creating colorful creatures for aesthetic purposes. For boss fights, focus on health and melee damage stats. For aesthetics, prioritize color mutations and unique patterns. Breeding is a long-term investment, but the rewards are well worth the effort. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create powerful and unique creatures that give you an edge in ARK: Survival Evolved.
First, you need two creatures of the same species and opposite genders. Place them close to each other in a secure area, such as a fenced-off pen or a dedicated breeding room in your base. Ensure they are set to "Enable Wandering" in their behavior settings. When both creatures are on wandering mode and close enough, they will initiate the breeding process. For most creatures, this results in an egg being laid, but some species, like mammals, will produce a live baby instead. Once the breeding process starts, you will see a mating bar that indicates progress. After the bar fills, the female will lay an egg or give birth to a baby.
Once the egg is laid or the baby is born, the real work begins. Eggs need to be incubated at the correct temperature. Some eggs require heat, while others need cold. You can use air conditioners, standing torches, or campfires to regulate the temperature. Place the egg in an area where the temperature is just right, and a timer will appear showing how long it will take to hatch. For live births, the baby will appear immediately and require immediate care.
After hatching or birth, the baby creature will need constant attention. It will have a food stat that depletes quickly, so you must feed it manually or ensure it has access to food in its inventory. Baby creatures can only eat specific foods, such as berries for herbivores or raw meat for carnivores. As the baby grows, it will go through several stages: baby, juvenile, and adolescent. Each stage requires less frequent feeding, but you must still monitor its food levels closely.
Imprinting is a crucial part of raising a baby creature. During the growth stages, the baby will periodically request care, such as cuddling, walking, or specific food items. Fulfilling these requests will increase the imprinting percentage, which boosts the creatureÔÇÖs stats and makes it more loyal to you. Imprinting can significantly enhance the creatureÔÇÖs effectiveness in combat or other tasks, so itÔÇÖs worth the effort.
Resource preparation is essential for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the baby. For carnivores, stockpile raw meat or cooked meat. For herbivores, gather berries or crops. You will also need materials for temperature control, such as air conditioners or torches. Additionally, having a secure base with walls and gates is crucial to protect your breeding creatures and their offspring from predators or hostile players.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting the babyÔÇÖs food needs, failing to regulate the eggÔÇÖs temperature, and not imprinting properly. Babies can starve quickly, so always keep an eye on their food stat. Eggs will spoil if not incubated correctly, so monitor the temperature closely. Imprinting requests have time limits, so respond promptly to maximize the imprinting bonus.
Advanced techniques involve selective breeding to combine the best stats from both parents. Each stat, such as health, stamina, or melee damage, has a chance to be inherited from either parent. By breeding multiple generations, you can create creatures with superior stats. Mutations add another layer of complexity. Mutations can affect stats, colors, or both, but they are rare and random. To optimize mutations, keep detailed records of your breeding lines and focus on creatures with desirable traits.
Tribe considerations are important, especially in multiplayer. Breeding can be resource-intensive, so coordinating with your tribe can make the process more efficient. Assign roles, such as one player gathering food while another monitors the babyÔÇÖs growth. In solo play, you will need to manage everything yourself, so plan your time carefully.
Specific examples include breeding high-level Rexes for boss fights or creating colorful creatures for aesthetic purposes. For boss fights, focus on health and melee damage stats. For aesthetics, prioritize color mutations and unique patterns. Breeding is a long-term investment, but the rewards are well worth the effort. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create powerful and unique creatures that give you an edge in ARK: Survival Evolved.