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 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 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.

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. The higher the base melee damage of the parents, the better the chances of the offspring inheriting a high melee damage stat.

To begin, you should tame or acquire multiple creatures of the same species with high melee damage stats. For example, if you are breeding Rexes, you would want to tame several Rexes and check their stats after taming. Focus on those with the highest melee damage. Once you have a few high-melee damage Rexes, you can start breeding them. Pair the two Rexes with the highest melee damage stats and wait for them to produce an egg. Hatch the egg and check the melee damage stat of the baby. If it inherits the high melee damage stat, you can use this baby as part of your breeding line.

Mutations play a crucial role in further enhancing the melee damage stat. Mutations can occur randomly during breeding and can increase a stat by 2 points. However, mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per stat per baby. To maximize the chances of getting a mutation in the melee damage stat, you should breed as many creatures as possible. This means setting up a large breeding operation with multiple pairs of creatures. Each time a mutation occurs, check if it affects the melee damage stat. If it does, you can use that mutated creature in your breeding line to pass on the enhanced stat to future generations.

One important tip is to keep track of your breeding lines. Use a spreadsheet or a notebook to record the stats of each creature and any mutations that occur. This will help you keep track of which creatures have the highest melee damage stats and which ones have mutations. It will also help you avoid inbreeding, which can reduce the effectiveness of your breeding program.

Resource management is another key consideration. Breeding requires a lot of resources, including food for the parents and the babies, as well as materials for incubating eggs and raising the babies. Make sure you have a steady supply of meat, berries, and other food items. You will also need a safe and secure base to house your breeding operation. This base should have plenty of space for the creatures, as well as storage for food and other resources.

When it comes to tribe versus solo considerations, breeding for high knockback damage is easier in a tribe. Tribes can pool resources and share the workload of breeding and raising creatures. However, it is still possible to do this solo, though it will require more time and effort. If you are playing solo, focus on breeding a smaller number of creatures at a time and make sure you have enough resources to support them.

Common mistakes to avoid include not checking the stats of the parents before breeding, not keeping track of mutations, and not having enough resources to support the breeding operation. Another mistake is not imprinting the babies. Imprinting increases the stats of the baby and makes it more loyal to you. To imprint, you need to interact with the baby during its growth stages by feeding it, cuddling it, or taking it on walks. Proper imprinting can significantly enhance the melee damage stat and overall effectiveness of the creature.

Advanced techniques include using cryopods to store and transport creatures, which can save space and make it easier to manage your breeding operation. You can also use a breeding calculator to predict the stats of the offspring and plan your breeding lines more effectively. Additionally, consider using a creature with a high melee damage stat as a breeder and pairing it with a creature that has other desirable stats, such as high health or stamina. This can create a well-rounded creature with high knockback damage and other useful stats.

In conclusion, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and a lot of patience. By focusing on high melee damage stats, introducing mutations, and properly imprinting your creatures, you can create powerful creatures with high knockback damage. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, following these steps and avoiding common mistakes will help you achieve your breeding goals.