How do I increase the chance of getting a mutation in ARK: Survival Evolved?

To increase the chance of getting a mutation in ARK: Survival Evolved, you need to understand the breeding and mutation mechanics deeply. Mutations are random events that can occur during the breeding process, and they can affect a creature's stats, colors, or both. Each mutation adds 2 levels to the creature's base stats and can also change its color regions. However, mutations are rare, with only a 7.31% chance per parent per baby. This means that for each baby, there is a 14.6% chance of getting at least one mutation, assuming both parents are eligible.

To start, you need a pair of creatures of the same species that you want to breed. The first step is to ensure that both parents have clean stats, meaning they have no mutations. This is important because each parent can only contribute up to 20 mutations to their offspring. Once a parent has 20 mutations, it can no longer pass on new mutations. Therefore, it is crucial to keep track of the mutation count on each parent. You can check the mutation count by looking at the ancestry tab in the creature's inventory.

Once you have your clean pair, you can start breeding them. Place the pair close together and enable mating. The female will lay an egg or give birth to a live baby, depending on the species. After the baby is born or hatched, check its stats and colors to see if it has any mutations. If it does, you can decide whether to keep it for further breeding or raise it as a new member of your army.

To maximize your chances of getting mutations, you should breed as many babies as possible. This means setting up a breeding farm with multiple pairs of the same species. The more babies you produce, the higher the chance of getting a mutation. However, this also requires a lot of resources, including food for the babies and space to raise them. Make sure you have a steady supply of food, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores, and a safe environment to raise the babies.

One important tip is to use a breeding line strategy. This involves keeping track of the stats and mutations of each generation and selectively breeding the best offspring. For example, if you get a baby with a mutation that increases its health, you can breed it with another creature that has high health to create a new generation with even higher health. This process can be repeated over multiple generations to create a powerful line of creatures with stacked mutations.

Another tip is to use a mutation stacking technique. This involves breeding a mutated creature with a clean creature to keep the mutation count low on one side. For example, if you have a male with 20 mutations and a clean female, the baby will inherit the mutations from the male but will still have a chance to get new mutations from the female. This allows you to continue stacking mutations without hitting the 20-mutation limit on both parents.

Common mistakes to avoid include breeding creatures with too many mutations on both sides, which can limit your ability to get new mutations. Also, avoid neglecting baby care, as imprinted creatures have better stats and are more loyal. Make sure to interact with the baby during its growth stages to maximize its imprinting bonus.

Advanced techniques include using a breeding calculator to predict the stats of the offspring and planning your breeding lines accordingly. You can also use cryopods to store and transport your creatures, making it easier to manage a large breeding operation. Additionally, consider using a dedicated breeding base with air conditioning, feeding troughs, and other amenities to make the process more efficient.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, and materials for building a breeding base. You will also need a lot of time and patience, as breeding and raising babies can be a long process. If you are playing in a tribe, you can divide the workload among members, with some focusing on breeding and others on resource gathering and base defense.

In conclusion, increasing the chance of getting a mutation in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and a deep understanding of the breeding mechanics. By following the strategies and tips outlined above, you can create powerful and unique creatures with stacked mutations, giving you a significant advantage in the game.