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 creature's melee damage stat, 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. You can find these creatures in the wild or tame them, but it is essential to check their stats before taming to ensure they have high melee damage.

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. Ensure 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, you will need to care for it until it reaches adulthood. This involves feeding it the appropriate food and protecting it from predators. During this time, you can also imprint on the baby by interacting with it. 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 adds two levels to a random stat and can also change the creature's color. To increase the chances of getting a mutation in the melee damage stat, you will 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 low knockback damage, making it harder to achieve your goal. Always check the stats of the creatures before breeding and only breed those with high melee damage. Another mistake is neglecting imprinting. Imprinting is crucial for maximizing the creature's stats, so make sure to interact with the baby regularly.

Advanced techniques include using a breeding line to stack mutations. This involves breeding multiple generations of creatures and selectively breeding those with the desired mutations. For example, if you get a mutation that increases melee damage, breed that creature with another that also has high melee damage. Over time, you can stack multiple mutations to create a creature with extremely high melee damage and knockback.

Resource requirements for breeding include food for the parents and baby, as well as materials for building a safe breeding area. You will also need resources for incubating eggs, such as air conditioners or campfires. Preparation is key, so make sure you have enough resources before starting the breeding process.

For tribes, breeding for high knockback damage can be a collaborative effort. Tribe members can help with taming, breeding, and caring for the baby creatures. This can speed up the process and make it easier to manage multiple breeding lines. For solo players, it may take longer, but with careful planning and resource management, it is still achievable.

In summary, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved involves selecting creatures with high melee damage stats, carefully managing the breeding process, and introducing mutations to enhance the desired stat. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful creatures with high knockback damage, making them highly effective in combat.