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 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 program.
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. Ensure 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. Baby creatures need to be fed regularly, and you should keep a supply of the appropriate food on hand. For carnivores, this means raw meat or cooked meat, while herbivores will need berries or crops. 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 on melee damage when given the choice.
Mutations can further enhance your breeding program. Mutations are random and can affect either a creature's stats or its colors. To increase the chances of a mutation, you should breed as many creatures as possible. However, keep in mind that each creature has a mutation counter, and once this counter reaches 20, further mutations become much less likely. To avoid this, you can create separate breeding lines and only introduce mutations into your main line when they are beneficial. For knockback damage, you are specifically looking for mutations that increase the melee damage stat.
Resource management is crucial for a successful breeding program. You will need a steady supply of food, as well as materials for building and maintaining a breeding facility. This includes structures like feeding troughs, air conditioners, and incubators. If you are playing solo, this can be a significant time investment, so plan accordingly. In a tribe, you can divide responsibilities among members to make the process more efficient.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to check the stats of the parents before breeding, failing to properly care for the baby, and not keeping track of mutation counters. It is also important to avoid inbreeding, as this can lead to weaker offspring. Always introduce new bloodlines into your breeding program to maintain genetic diversity.
Advanced techniques include using external tools or spreadsheets to track your breeding lines and mutation counters. This can help you plan your breeding strategy more effectively and ensure you are making progress toward your goal. Additionally, you can use cryopods to store and transport your creatures, making it easier to manage a large breeding program.
In summary, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and a deep understanding of the game's breeding mechanics. By focusing on high melee damage stats, utilizing mutations, and properly caring for your creatures, you can create powerful offspring capable of delivering devastating knockback damage. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, this process can be highly rewarding and significantly enhance your gameplay experience.
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 program.
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. Ensure 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. Baby creatures need to be fed regularly, and you should keep a supply of the appropriate food on hand. For carnivores, this means raw meat or cooked meat, while herbivores will need berries or crops. 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 on melee damage when given the choice.
Mutations can further enhance your breeding program. Mutations are random and can affect either a creature's stats or its colors. To increase the chances of a mutation, you should breed as many creatures as possible. However, keep in mind that each creature has a mutation counter, and once this counter reaches 20, further mutations become much less likely. To avoid this, you can create separate breeding lines and only introduce mutations into your main line when they are beneficial. For knockback damage, you are specifically looking for mutations that increase the melee damage stat.
Resource management is crucial for a successful breeding program. You will need a steady supply of food, as well as materials for building and maintaining a breeding facility. This includes structures like feeding troughs, air conditioners, and incubators. If you are playing solo, this can be a significant time investment, so plan accordingly. In a tribe, you can divide responsibilities among members to make the process more efficient.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to check the stats of the parents before breeding, failing to properly care for the baby, and not keeping track of mutation counters. It is also important to avoid inbreeding, as this can lead to weaker offspring. Always introduce new bloodlines into your breeding program to maintain genetic diversity.
Advanced techniques include using external tools or spreadsheets to track your breeding lines and mutation counters. This can help you plan your breeding strategy more effectively and ensure you are making progress toward your goal. Additionally, you can use cryopods to store and transport your creatures, making it easier to manage a large breeding program.
In summary, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and a deep understanding of the game's breeding mechanics. By focusing on high melee damage stats, utilizing mutations, and properly caring for your creatures, you can create powerful offspring capable of delivering devastating knockback damage. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, this process can be highly rewarding and significantly enhance your gameplay experience.