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 creature's melee damage stat, as higher melee damage results in greater knockback 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 the higher-stat parent. This means that if one parent has a significantly higher melee damage stat, there is a good chance the offspring will inherit it. To maximize this, you should start by taming or breeding creatures with naturally high melee damage stats. For example, creatures like the Rex, Spino, or Therizinosaurus are excellent candidates due to their naturally high base melee damage.

Once you have a pair of creatures with high melee damage stats, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two creatures close together and enable mating. Ensure they are well-fed and in a safe environment to avoid interruptions. 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 structures.

After the egg hatches or the baby is born, you will need to care for it until it reaches adulthood. This involves feeding it the appropriate food, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores. During this time, you should also focus on imprinting the baby. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals, such as feeding it or taking it for walks. Successful imprinting will increase the baby's stats, including melee damage, and improve its loyalty to you. Imprinting is crucial for maximizing the creature's effectiveness in combat.

To further enhance the melee damage stat, you can introduce mutations into your breeding line. Mutations are random and can affect either the 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 multiple generations to achieve the desired results. To increase your chances of getting a mutation, you can breed a large number of creatures simultaneously. This requires a significant amount of resources, including food, space, and time.

One common mistake to avoid is neglecting the other stats of your creatures. While focusing on melee damage is important, you should also ensure that your creatures have adequate health, stamina, and weight stats. A creature with high melee damage but low health will not survive long in combat. Therefore, it is essential to balance your breeding efforts to create a well-rounded creature.

Advanced techniques for optimizing your breeding process include using a breeding calculator to track stat inheritance and mutations. This tool can help you plan your breeding lines and predict the outcomes of each generation. Additionally, you can use cryopods to store and transport your creatures, making it easier to manage a large breeding operation. Cryopods also allow you to pause the growth of a baby creature, giving you more time to prepare resources for its care.

Resource requirements for breeding are significant, especially if you are breeding multiple creatures simultaneously. You will need a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, as well as materials for building incubators, feeding troughs, and other structures. It is also important to have a secure base to protect your breeding operation from wild creatures or hostile players. If you are playing solo, consider automating some aspects of the breeding process, such as using feeding troughs to keep your creatures fed while you are away.

In a tribe setting, breeding for high knockback damage can be a collaborative effort. Tribe members can share the responsibilities of taming, breeding, and caring for the creatures. This allows for a more efficient and scalable breeding operation. However, it is important to establish clear roles and communication within the tribe to avoid confusion and ensure the success of the breeding program.

Specific examples of breeding for high knockback damage include creating a line of Rexes with exceptionally high melee damage for boss fights. By selectively breeding Rexes with high melee damage stats and introducing mutations, you can create a powerful army capable of dealing significant knockback damage to bosses. Another example is breeding Therizinosaurus for both melee damage and harvesting efficiency, making them versatile creatures for both combat and resource gathering.

In conclusion, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and mutation mechanics. By focusing on creatures with high melee damage stats, carefully managing the breeding process, and introducing mutations, you can create powerful creatures capable of dealing significant knockback damage. Proper resource management, base building, and tribe coordination are also essential for a successful breeding operation. With patience and dedication, you can achieve your goal of breeding creatures with high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved.