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 mutation management. 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 this, 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 guide on how to achieve this goal.
First, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding and stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means if one parent has a high melee damage stat and the other has a low one, the baby has a good chance of inheriting the higher stat. To maximize this, you should start by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats. Look for individuals with naturally high melee damage stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding line.
Once you have identified creatures with high melee damage, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two selected creatures close to each other and enable mating. Make sure they are well-fed and in a safe environment, as breeding can take some time. 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 make sure you have plenty of resources on hand. As the baby grows, you will have the opportunity to imprint on it by interacting with it during specific intervals. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. To maximize knockback damage, prioritize imprinting bonuses that increase melee damage.
Mutations are another key aspect of breeding for high knockback damage. Mutations can randomly occur during breeding and can affect a creature's stats or colors. Each mutation increases a stat by two levels and can stack up to 20 times per stat. However, mutations are rare, so you will need to breed many generations to achieve significant improvements. To manage mutations effectively, keep track of which creatures have mutations and ensure they are passed down to future generations. This can be done by breeding mutated creatures with non-mutated ones to avoid exceeding the mutation limit.
Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food, such as raw meat or berries, to feed both the parents and the babies. Additionally, you will need materials for building incubators, air conditioners, and other breeding-related structures. If you are playing solo, this can be time-consuming, so consider setting up automated feeding systems using troughs and preserving bins. In a tribe, you can divide responsibilities among members to make the process more efficient.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting, over-mutating, and not tracking stat inheritance. Imprinting is essential for maximizing a creature's potential, so make sure to interact with the baby during its growth stages. Over-mutating can lead to diminishing returns, as each mutation increases the chance of negative side effects. Always keep track of which creatures have mutations and plan your breeding lines accordingly. Finally, not tracking stat inheritance can result in losing valuable stats, so use spreadsheets or notes to monitor your progress.
Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and using cryopods. Stacking mutations involves breeding multiple generations to combine the best stats and mutations into a single creature. This requires careful planning and patience but can result in a highly specialized creature with exceptional knockback damage. Cryopods can be used to store and transport creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations. They also allow you to pause the growth of a baby if you need to focus on other tasks.
In conclusion, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process. By focusing on stat inheritance, mutations, and imprinting, you can create powerful creatures capable of delivering devastating knockback attacks. Proper resource management, careful planning, and avoiding common mistakes are essential for success. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, following these strategies will help you achieve your breeding goals and dominate the ARK.
First, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding and stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means if one parent has a high melee damage stat and the other has a low one, the baby has a good chance of inheriting the higher stat. To maximize this, you should start by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats. Look for individuals with naturally high melee damage stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding line.
Once you have identified creatures with high melee damage, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two selected creatures close to each other and enable mating. Make sure they are well-fed and in a safe environment, as breeding can take some time. 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 make sure you have plenty of resources on hand. As the baby grows, you will have the opportunity to imprint on it by interacting with it during specific intervals. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. To maximize knockback damage, prioritize imprinting bonuses that increase melee damage.
Mutations are another key aspect of breeding for high knockback damage. Mutations can randomly occur during breeding and can affect a creature's stats or colors. Each mutation increases a stat by two levels and can stack up to 20 times per stat. However, mutations are rare, so you will need to breed many generations to achieve significant improvements. To manage mutations effectively, keep track of which creatures have mutations and ensure they are passed down to future generations. This can be done by breeding mutated creatures with non-mutated ones to avoid exceeding the mutation limit.
Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food, such as raw meat or berries, to feed both the parents and the babies. Additionally, you will need materials for building incubators, air conditioners, and other breeding-related structures. If you are playing solo, this can be time-consuming, so consider setting up automated feeding systems using troughs and preserving bins. In a tribe, you can divide responsibilities among members to make the process more efficient.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting, over-mutating, and not tracking stat inheritance. Imprinting is essential for maximizing a creature's potential, so make sure to interact with the baby during its growth stages. Over-mutating can lead to diminishing returns, as each mutation increases the chance of negative side effects. Always keep track of which creatures have mutations and plan your breeding lines accordingly. Finally, not tracking stat inheritance can result in losing valuable stats, so use spreadsheets or notes to monitor your progress.
Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and using cryopods. Stacking mutations involves breeding multiple generations to combine the best stats and mutations into a single creature. This requires careful planning and patience but can result in a highly specialized creature with exceptional knockback damage. Cryopods can be used to store and transport creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations. They also allow you to pause the growth of a baby if you need to focus on other tasks.
In conclusion, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process. By focusing on stat inheritance, mutations, and imprinting, you can create powerful creatures capable of delivering devastating knockback attacks. Proper resource management, careful planning, and avoiding common mistakes are essential for success. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, following these strategies will help you achieve your breeding goals and dominate the ARK.