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 the 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. This means that if one parent has a higher melee damage stat, the offspring is more likely to inherit that higher stat. To maximize the chances of passing down high melee damage, you should start by taming or breeding creatures with naturally high melee damage stats. This can be achieved by taming high-level creatures and using kibble or other preferred taming foods to maximize their post-tame stats.

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. After mating, the female will either lay an egg (for egg-laying species) or become pregnant (for live-bearing species). Ensure that the environment is suitable for the egg to hatch or for the pregnancy to progress. For eggs, this means maintaining the correct temperature, either through air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature control methods. For live-bearing creatures, ensure the female is well-fed and protected during the pregnancy.

After the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. This includes feeding it the appropriate food, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores, and ensuring it is safe from predators. During this time, you can also begin the imprinting process. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals to increase its stats and loyalty. Imprinting can significantly boost the creature's melee damage, making it even more effective in combat. To maximize imprinting, you should be prepared to interact with the baby every few hours, depending on the species.

Mutations are another key aspect of breeding for high knockback damage. Mutations can randomly increase a creature's stats or change its colors. Each mutation adds 2 levels to a stat, which can be a significant boost if applied to melee damage. However, mutations are rare and random, so you will need to breed multiple generations to accumulate the desired mutations. To increase the chances of mutations, you can breed creatures that have not yet reached the mutation cap (20 mutations per stat). Keep track of your breeding lines to ensure you are making progress toward your goal.

Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the offspring, as well as materials for maintaining the breeding environment. This includes preserving bins or refrigerators for storing food, and air conditioners or other temperature control devices for eggs. If you are playing in a tribe, you can divide responsibilities among tribe members to ensure the breeding process runs smoothly. For solo players, it is important to plan ahead and ensure you have enough resources to sustain the breeding process.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting the imprinting process, which can result in a weaker creature, and failing to protect the baby from predators or environmental hazards. Additionally, it is important to avoid over-mutating a creature, as this can lead to diminishing returns and make it harder to introduce new mutations in the future. Always keep track of your breeding lines and mutations to ensure you are making progress toward your goal.

Advanced techniques include using a breeding calculator to predict the stats of offspring and optimize your breeding lines. You can also use cryopods to store and transport creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations. Additionally, you can use selective breeding to combine multiple high stats into a single creature, such as combining high melee damage with high health or stamina.

In conclusion, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and a deep understanding of breeding mechanics. By focusing on high melee damage stats, maximizing imprinting, and strategically introducing mutations, you can create powerful creatures capable of delivering devastating knockback damage. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, the key to success is patience and attention to detail. With the right approach, you can create a formidable army of creatures that excel in combat and dominate the world of ARK.