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 associated with creatures like the Therizinosaurus, which has a powerful melee attack that can knock back smaller creatures. To maximize knockback damage, you need to focus on increasing the melee damage stat of the creature, as this directly influences the strength of its attacks. 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 parents that have high melee damage stats. To do this, tame multiple creatures of the same species and check their stats after taming. Look for individuals with naturally high melee damage. Once you have identified these high-stat creatures, you can begin the breeding process.

To start breeding, place the two selected creatures close to each other and enable the mating option. Make sure they are well-fed and in a safe environment. Once mating begins, the female will either lay an egg or, in the case of mammals, become pregnant. For egg-laying creatures, you will need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature. Use air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items to maintain the required temperature. For mammals, simply wait for the gestation period to complete.

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

Mutations play a crucial role in breeding for high knockback damage. Mutations can increase a creature's stats or change its colors. Each mutation adds two levels to a stat, which can significantly boost melee damage over time. However, mutations are rare and random, so you need to breed multiple generations to accumulate them. Keep track of your breeding lines to ensure you are making progress. Use a spreadsheet or notes to record the stats and mutations of each generation.

One common mistake is breeding creatures without first checking their stats. Always tame multiple creatures and compare their stats before starting the breeding process. Another mistake is neglecting imprinting. Imprinting not only increases stats but also improves the creature's overall performance. Make sure to interact with the baby during its growth stages to maximize imprinting bonuses.

Advanced techniques involve stacking mutations. This requires careful planning and management of your breeding lines. To stack mutations, you need to breed a mutated creature with a non-mutated one. This allows you to accumulate mutations without exceeding the mutation cap. The mutation cap is 20 for each stat, so you can potentially add 40 levels to a stat through mutations. However, reaching this cap requires a lot of time and resources.

Resource requirements for breeding include food, shelter, and temperature control. You will need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the offspring. Build a secure base with enough space to house your breeding creatures and their offspring. Use air conditioners or other temperature-regulating items to maintain the correct temperature for eggs. If you are playing solo, consider automating some of these tasks using feeding troughs and air conditioners.

In a tribe, breeding can be more efficient as multiple players can share the workload. Assign roles such as taming, feeding, and imprinting to different tribe members. This allows you to breed multiple creatures simultaneously and manage larger breeding lines. However, communication and coordination are key to avoid mistakes and ensure progress.

A specific example would be breeding Therizinosaurus for high knockback damage. Start by taming multiple Therizinosaurus and selecting those with the highest melee damage stats. Breed these high-stat creatures and hatch their eggs in a controlled environment. Imprint on the babies to boost their melee damage further. Over multiple generations, accumulate mutations to increase the melee damage stat. Eventually, you will have a Therizinosaurus with significantly higher knockback damage, making it a formidable combatant.

In conclusion, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and mutation management. By following the steps outlined above, you can create powerful creatures with enhanced melee damage. Pay attention to stat inheritance, imprinting, and mutations to maximize your results. Avoid common mistakes such as neglecting imprinting or breeding without checking stats. With careful planning and resource management, you can achieve your breeding goals and create a powerful army of creatures with high knockback damage.