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 understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and the specific traits of the creatures you are working with. Knockback damage is primarily associated with certain creatures like the Therizinosaurus, Megatherium, or even the Giganotosaurus, which have attacks that can push back or stagger enemies. To breed for high knockback damage, you need to focus on increasing the melee damage stat of the creature, as this directly influences the knockback effect. HereÔÇÖs 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 has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means if one parent has a high melee damage stat and the other has a low one, thereÔÇÖs a good chance the baby will inherit the higher stat. To maximize this, you should start by taming multiple creatures of the same species with high melee damage stats. Use a taming calculator to ensure you are taming creatures with the best possible stats. Once you have a few high-stat creatures, you can begin the breeding process.

The first step is to pair your creatures. Place them close together in a secure area, such as a breeding pen, and set them to wander or enable mating. Make sure they are well-fed and have the necessary resources nearby, such as food and a preserving bin for eggs if needed. Once the breeding process starts, you will either get an egg or a live baby, depending on the species. For egg-laying creatures, you will need to incubate the egg at the correct temperature, which can be achieved using air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature control methods.

After the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. This includes feeding it the appropriate food, such as berries for herbivores or meat for carnivores. During this time, you should also focus on imprinting. Imprinting is a process where you interact with the baby by feeding it, walking it, or cuddling it. Each imprint increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. Imprinting is crucial for maximizing the melee damage stat, as it provides a percentage boost to the creatureÔÇÖs stats.

As you continue to breed, you will want to introduce mutations. Mutations are random and can affect either the creatureÔÇÖs stats or its colors. To increase the chances of getting a mutation in the melee damage stat, you should breed multiple generations of creatures. Each mutation adds two levels to a stat, so over time, you can significantly increase the melee damage of your creatures. However, mutations are rare, so you will need to breed many creatures to get the desired result. Keep track of your breeding lines to ensure you are making progress toward your goal.

One common mistake to avoid is breeding creatures with low stats. This can dilute your breeding line and make it harder to achieve high melee damage. Always start with the best possible stats from tamed creatures. Another mistake is neglecting imprinting. Imprinting provides a significant boost to stats, so itÔÇÖs essential to interact with your baby creatures regularly. Additionally, make sure you have enough resources to support your breeding efforts. This includes food, preserving bins, and temperature control devices.

Advanced techniques include using a breeding calculator to track stat inheritance and mutations. This can help you plan your breeding lines more effectively. You can also use cryopods to store and transport your creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations. If you are playing in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to share the workload. Breeding can be time-consuming, so having multiple people involved can speed up the process.

Resource requirements for breeding include a steady supply of food, such as meat or berries, depending on the species. You will also need a secure base with a breeding pen and temperature control devices. If you are breeding egg-laying creatures, you will need preserving bins to store the eggs. For live-bearing creatures, you will need a safe area for the babies to grow.

In conclusion, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of careful planning, resource management, and patience. By focusing on the melee damage stat, using imprinting to boost stats, and introducing mutations, you can create powerful creatures with high knockback damage. Avoid common mistakes like breeding low-stat creatures and neglecting imprinting, and use advanced techniques like breeding calculators and cryopods to optimize your efforts. With time and dedication, you can create a line of creatures that are formidable in combat.