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 careful management of 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 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 and a 45% chance from the lower-stat parent. This means you need to start with a pair of creatures that have high melee damage stats. You can find these creatures in the wild or by taming high-level creatures, as higher levels generally mean better stats.

Once you have a pair of creatures with high melee damage, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two creatures close to each other and enable mating. Make sure they are well-fed and in a safe environment. 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 until it hatches. For live-bearing creatures, you will need to wait for the gestation period to complete.

After the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. You need to feed it the appropriate food, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores, until it reaches the juvenile stage. During this time, you can also imprint on the baby by interacting with it when prompted. Imprinting increases the baby's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. To maximize the melee damage stat, focus on imprinting actions that boost this stat.

To further enhance the melee damage stat, you can introduce mutations. Mutations are rare and random, but they can significantly increase a creature's stats. Each mutation increases a stat by 2 points and can also change the creature's color. To maximize the chances of getting a mutation in the melee damage stat, you need to breed multiple generations of creatures. Keep track of the stats and mutations in each generation to ensure you are making progress toward your goal.

One common mistake to avoid is breeding creatures with low melee damage stats. This will result in offspring with lower stats, making it harder to achieve high knockback damage. Another mistake is neglecting imprinting, as this can significantly boost the creature's stats. Additionally, avoid inbreeding, as this can lead to negative mutations and weaker offspring.

Advanced techniques include using a breeding line to combine the best stats from multiple creatures. For example, you can breed a creature with high melee damage with another creature that has high health or stamina. This will create offspring with a combination of strong stats, making them more versatile in combat. You can also use a breeding calculator to track the stats and mutations in your breeding line, ensuring you are making progress toward your goal.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, and a safe environment for the baby to grow. You will also need a breeding pen or enclosure to keep the creatures safe from predators. If you are playing solo, you will need to manage all aspects of breeding and baby care on your own. If you are in a tribe, you can divide the tasks among tribe members to make the process more efficient.

In conclusion, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and management. Start with creatures that have high melee damage stats, breed them to create offspring with even higher stats, and introduce mutations to further enhance the melee damage. Avoid common mistakes, use advanced techniques, and ensure you have the necessary resources and preparation. With patience and persistence, you can create powerful creatures with high knockback damage that will dominate in combat.