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 mechanics. 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 inherits stats from either parent. Each stat, including melee damage, has a 55% chance to be inherited from one parent and a 45% chance from the other. This means you need to start with a pair of creatures that have high melee damage stats. Capture or tame multiple creatures of the same species and check their stats. Keep the ones with the highest melee damage and discard the rest. This will form the foundation of your breeding line.

Once you have a pair of high-melee creatures, place them in a secure breeding area. Ensure they are set to wander or enable mating in their behavior settings. Keep them well-fed with the appropriate food to maintain their health and stamina. When they breed, they will produce an egg (for egg-laying species) or a live baby (for mammals). The baby will inherit stats from both parents, so there is a chance it will have high melee damage.

After the baby is born or hatched, you need to care for it until it reaches adulthood. This involves feeding it regularly and ensuring it is safe from predators. During this time, you can also imprint on the baby by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the baby's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. Aim for 100% imprinting to maximize the melee damage boost.

To further enhance the melee damage stat, you can introduce mutations. Mutations are random and can affect either stats or colors. Each mutation adds 2 levels to a stat, which can significantly increase melee damage over time. However, mutations are rare, so you will need to breed multiple generations to accumulate them. Keep track of your breeding lines to ensure you are making progress. Use a spreadsheet or notes to record the stats and mutations of each generation.

One common mistake is breeding creatures without checking their stats. Always verify the melee damage stat before breeding to ensure you are working with the best possible parents. Another mistake is neglecting imprinting. Imprinting provides a substantial boost to stats, so always aim for 100% imprinting. Additionally, avoid inbreeding, as it can lead to weaker offspring. Always introduce new creatures with high stats into your breeding line to maintain genetic diversity.

Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and combining stats from multiple breeding lines. Stacking mutations involves breeding a mutated creature with a non-mutated one to preserve the mutation while allowing for further mutations. This can be done up to 20 times per stat, but be aware that the mutation counter increases with each mutation, and there is a limit to how many mutations a creature can have. Combining stats from multiple breeding lines involves breeding creatures with different high stats to create an offspring with the best combination of stats.

Resource requirements for breeding include food, shelter, and time. You will need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the babies. Build a secure breeding pen to protect your creatures from predators and environmental hazards. Breeding and raising babies can be time-consuming, so be prepared for a long-term commitment. If you are playing solo, consider using mods or settings to speed up the breeding process. In a tribe, coordinate with other members to share the workload and resources.

Specific examples include breeding Rexes for high knockback damage in boss fights. Rexes have high base melee damage, making them ideal for this purpose. Start by taming multiple high-level Rexes and selecting the ones with the highest melee damage. Breed them and introduce mutations to further increase the melee damage stat. Once you have a line of high-melee Rexes, use them in boss fights to maximize knockback damage and increase your chances of success.

In conclusion, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, selective breeding, and patience. Focus on high melee damage stats, introduce mutations, and ensure proper imprinting to create powerful creatures. Avoid common mistakes, use advanced techniques, and manage your resources effectively. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, this process will help you achieve your goal of creating creatures with high knockback damage.