What is the best way to breed for high attack speed in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high attack speed in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a deep understanding of the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. Attack speed is not a direct stat that can be bred for, but it is influenced by the creature's melee damage stat. Higher melee damage often translates to faster attack animations or more efficient damage output, which can be perceived as increased attack speed. Below is a detailed guide on how to breed creatures for high melee damage, which indirectly improves attack speed.

To begin, you need to understand the basics of breeding. Breeding involves pairing two creatures of the same species to produce an offspring. The offspring inherits stats from both parents, with each stat having a 55% chance to be inherited from the higher-stat parent and a 45% chance from the lower-stat parent. This means you can selectively breed creatures to pass down the best stats, including melee damage. Start by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats. Look for individuals with high melee damage and other desirable stats like health or stamina. These will form the foundation of your breeding line.

Once you have identified high-stat creatures, place them in a breeding pen. Ensure they are well-fed and have the necessary resources to breed, such as a suitable environment and mating enabled. After mating, the female will either lay an egg or become pregnant, depending on the species. For egg-laying creatures, you will need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items. For live-bearing creatures, you simply need to wait for the gestation period to complete.

When the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. This includes feeding it the appropriate food, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores. Babies have a high food consumption rate, so ensure you have a steady supply of food. As the baby grows, you will have the opportunity to imprint on it. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals, such as feeding it or walking it. Successful imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. Aim for 100% imprinting to maximize the benefits.

To breed for high melee damage, focus on stacking mutations. Mutations are rare genetic variations that can increase a creature's stats or change its colors. Each mutation adds 2 levels to a random stat and can occur during the breeding process. However, mutations are capped at 20 per stat, so you need to plan carefully. Start by breeding your high-melee damage creatures together. If a mutation occurs in the melee damage stat, keep the mutated offspring and use it for further breeding. Over time, you can stack multiple melee damage mutations to create a creature with exceptionally high damage output.

Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food, especially for raising multiple babies. Consider building a dedicated breeding base with feeding troughs, incubators, and storage for resources. If you are playing solo, this process can be time-consuming, so plan accordingly. In a tribe, you can divide responsibilities, such as one player handling breeding while another gathers resources.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting, which can significantly reduce the effectiveness of your creatures. Also, avoid over-mutating, as exceeding the mutation cap can lead to wasted effort. Always track your breeding lines to ensure you are making progress toward your goals. Use spreadsheets or notes to keep track of stats and mutations.

Advanced techniques include using cryopods to store and transport creatures, which can save time and resources. You can also use breeding calculators to predict stat inheritance and plan your breeding lines more efficiently. Additionally, consider breeding for other stats like health or stamina to create a well-rounded creature.

In summary, breeding for high attack speed in ARK: Survival Evolved involves focusing on the melee damage stat through selective breeding and mutations. By carefully managing your breeding lines, resources, and imprinting, you can create powerful creatures with high damage output. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, patience and planning are key to success.