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 mutation mechanics. 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 high knockback damage, you 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 two 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, tame multiple creatures of the same species with high melee damage stats. For example, if you are breeding Rexes, tame several Rexes and check their stats after taming. Look for Rexes with naturally high melee damage. Once you have a few candidates, pair them up for breeding. The goal is to produce offspring with even higher melee damage than the parents. This is done by selectively breeding the best offspring back into the line.

Mutations play a crucial role in enhancing stats. Mutations can increase a stat by 2 points and also change the creature's color. However, mutations are random and rare, so you need to breed many creatures to increase the chances of getting a mutation in the melee damage stat. Each creature can have up to 20 mutations on the maternal and paternal sides combined. After 20 mutations, the chances of further mutations decrease significantly, so it is important to plan your breeding lines carefully.

To optimize your breeding process, set up a dedicated breeding area in your base. This area should have air conditioners or dimetrodons to regulate the temperature for eggs, as well as troughs to store food for the babies. Breeding requires a lot of resources, so make sure you have a steady supply of meat, berries, and other necessary items. You will also need a lot of time, as breeding and raising creatures can take several hours or even days, depending on the species.

One common mistake is not keeping track of the stats and mutations. Use a spreadsheet or a notebook to record the stats of each creature and the mutations they carry. This will help you identify which creatures to breed together to achieve the desired results. Another mistake is rushing the process. Breeding for high stats takes time and patience, so do not expect immediate results.

Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and combining stats from multiple lines. For example, you can breed two separate lines of creatures, each with high melee damage, and then combine the best offspring from both lines to create a super creature with even higher stats. This requires careful planning and tracking of mutations to avoid hitting the mutation cap too quickly.

Resource requirements for breeding include a large supply of food, such as raw meat or berries, depending on the species. You will also need a secure base with adequate defenses to protect your breeding area from wild creatures or other players in PvP. If you are playing solo, consider using cryopods to store and manage your creatures more efficiently.

In summary, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved involves selecting creatures with high melee damage stats, carefully managing stat inheritance, and introducing mutations to enhance the desired stat. Set up a dedicated breeding area, keep detailed records, and be patient. With time and effort, you can create powerful creatures with high knockback damage that are effective in combat and other tasks.