How do I breed for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. Knockback damage is primarily determined by the melee damage stat of a creature, as higher melee damage increases the knockback effect when attacking. To achieve high knockback damage, you will need to focus on breeding creatures with high melee damage stats and potentially introduce mutations to further enhance this stat. Below is a detailed explanation of the mechanics, strategies, and considerations for achieving this goal.

First, you need to understand the basics of breeding mechanics. 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 either parent. This means that if one parent has a high melee damage stat, there is a good chance the offspring will inherit it. To start, you should tame or breed creatures with naturally high melee damage stats. For example, creatures like the Rex, Spino, or Therizinosaurus are known for their high base melee damage, making them good candidates for breeding.

Once you have a pair of creatures with high melee damage, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two creatures close to each other and enable mating. After a gestation or incubation period, depending on the species, you will have a baby creature. The baby will require constant care, including feeding and protection, until it reaches adulthood. During this time, you can imprint on the baby by interacting with it at specific intervals. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat.

To maximize the melee damage stat, you will need to breed multiple generations of creatures. Each time you breed, there is a chance for mutations to occur. Mutations can increase a stat by 2 points and may also change the creature's color. However, mutations are rare and random, so it may take many breeding attempts to achieve the desired result. It is important to keep track of your breeding lines to ensure you are making progress. You can use spreadsheets or notes to record the stats of each generation and identify which creatures to breed next.

One common mistake to avoid is breeding creatures with low melee damage stats. Even if you have a high melee damage stat on one parent, if the other parent has a low stat, the offspring may not inherit the desired stat. Always ensure both parents have high melee damage stats before breeding. Another mistake is neglecting imprinting. Imprinting not only increases stats but also improves the creature's overall effectiveness. Make sure to interact with the baby during its growth stages to maximize imprinting bonuses.

Advanced techniques for optimizing breeding include stacking mutations and using clean breeding lines. Stacking mutations involves breeding creatures with multiple mutations to further increase the melee damage stat. However, each creature can only have 20 mutations from each parent, so it is important to plan your breeding lines carefully. Clean breeding lines involve breeding creatures without mutations to create a base line with high stats. Once you have a clean line, you can introduce mutations to enhance specific stats.

Resource requirements for breeding include food, shelter, and time. You will need a steady supply of food to feed the baby and parents, as well as a secure base to protect them from predators. Breeding can be time-consuming, so patience is key. If you are playing in a tribe, you can divide the responsibilities among members to make the process more efficient. For solo players, it is important to manage your time and resources carefully to ensure you can care for the baby and continue breeding.

In conclusion, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. By focusing on creatures with high melee damage stats, tracking your breeding lines, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful creatures with high knockback damage. Advanced techniques like stacking mutations and using clean breeding lines can further optimize your results. With patience and careful planning, you can achieve your goal of breeding creatures with high knockback damage.