How do I breed for weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. Weight capacity is a crucial stat for creatures used in resource gathering and transportation, as it determines how much they can carry. To breed for high weight capacity, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding, stat inheritance, and mutations, as well as the steps required to achieve your goal.

First, you need to start with a pair of creatures that have high weight stats. The weight stat of the offspring is determined by the stats of its parents. Each stat, including weight, has a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means that if one parent has a high weight stat and the other has a low one, there is a 55% chance the offspring will inherit the high weight stat. To maximize the chances of getting a high weight stat, you should breed two creatures that both have high weight stats. This increases the likelihood that the offspring will inherit the desired stat.

Once you have a pair of creatures with high weight stats, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two creatures close to each other and enable the mating option. The female will lay an egg (for egg-laying species) or become pregnant (for live-bearing species). During this time, you need to ensure that both creatures are well-fed and in a safe environment. After the egg is laid or the baby is born, you will need to care for it until it reaches adulthood. This involves feeding it the appropriate food and protecting it from predators.

Imprinting is an important aspect of raising a baby creature. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby during its growth stages to increase its stats and loyalty. To imprint, you will need to follow the prompts that appear above the baby's head, such as feeding it a specific food or taking it for a walk. Each successful imprint increases the creature's stats, including weight, by a small percentage. Proper imprinting can significantly enhance the creature's effectiveness in carrying resources.

Mutations can also play a role in breeding for weight capacity. Mutations are rare and random, but they can introduce new stat points or color variations into your breeding lines. Each mutation adds two points to a random stat, which could include weight. However, mutations are not guaranteed to affect the weight stat, so you may need to breed multiple generations to achieve the desired result. It is important to keep track of your breeding lines to ensure you are making progress toward your goal.

Resource management is crucial when breeding for weight capacity. You will need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the offspring. For carnivores, this means a lot of meat, while herbivores will require berries or crops. You will also need a safe and secure base to protect your breeding creatures and their offspring. This may involve building walls, turrets, or other defensive structures to keep predators and hostile players at bay.

Common mistakes to avoid when breeding for weight capacity include not tracking the stats of your breeding creatures, neglecting imprinting, and not providing a safe environment for the offspring. It is important to keep detailed records of each creature's stats and lineage to ensure you are making progress toward your goal. Neglecting imprinting can result in a weaker creature that is less effective at carrying resources. Failing to provide a safe environment can lead to the loss of your breeding creatures or their offspring to predators or hostile players.

Advanced techniques for breeding for weight capacity include using multiple breeding pairs to increase the chances of getting the desired stat, and using cryopods to store and transport your breeding creatures. Cryopods allow you to store creatures in a portable device, making it easier to move them to a safe location or to a different base. You can also use cryopods to store multiple generations of breeding creatures, allowing you to quickly switch between them as needed.

Tribe and solo considerations are also important when breeding for weight capacity. In a tribe, you can divide the responsibilities of breeding, imprinting, and resource gathering among multiple players, making the process more efficient. Solo players will need to manage all aspects of breeding on their own, which can be more challenging but is still achievable with careful planning and resource management.

Specific examples of creatures that are commonly bred for weight capacity include the Argentavis, the Ankylosaurus, and the Brontosaurus. The Argentavis is a flying creature that is often used for transporting resources across long distances. Breeding for high weight capacity allows it to carry more resources, making it more efficient. The Ankylosaurus is a ground-based creature that is used for gathering metal and other resources. Breeding for high weight capacity allows it to carry more metal, reducing the number of trips needed to gather resources. The Brontosaurus is a large, slow-moving creature that is often used as a mobile base. Breeding for high weight capacity allows it to carry more structures and resources, making it more versatile.

In conclusion, breeding for weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. By starting with creatures that have high weight stats, carefully managing the breeding process, and using advanced techniques such as cryopods, you can create powerful creatures that are highly effective at carrying resources. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, careful planning and resource management are key to achieving your goal.