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 mutations. 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 the higher-stat parent and a 45% chance from the lower-stat parent. This means you can selectively breed creatures to pass down the highest melee damage stat. Start by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats. Look for individuals with naturally high melee damage. These will serve as the foundation for your breeding line.

Once you have identified creatures with high melee damage, begin breeding them. Pair the male and female with the highest melee damage stats to increase the chances of the offspring inheriting those stats. Keep track of the stats of each offspring to ensure you are making progress. If an offspring has a higher melee damage stat than its parents, use it as the new breeder. This process of selective breeding will gradually increase the melee damage stat over generations.

Mutations can further enhance your breeding efforts. Mutations occur randomly and can increase a stat by 2 points or change the creature's color. To maximize the chance of a melee damage mutation, breed as many creatures as possible. Each mutation has a 2.5% chance of occurring, so the more offspring you produce, the higher the likelihood of getting a mutation. When a mutation occurs, check if it affects the melee damage stat. If it does, incorporate that mutated creature into your breeding line. Be aware that there is a limit of 20 mutations per stat, so plan your breeding carefully to avoid hitting this cap.

Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food to keep your breeding creatures and their offspring healthy. Kibble is the most efficient food for breeding, as it provides the best taming effectiveness and reduces the time required for breeding. Additionally, you will need a secure base with enough space to house your breeding pairs and their offspring. Consider building a dedicated breeding area with feeding troughs, air conditioners for egg incubation, and a safe environment for raising babies.

Baby care and imprinting are also important. Imprinting increases the creature's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. To maximize imprinting, interact with the baby during its growth stages by feeding it, walking it, or cuddling it. Proper imprinting can significantly boost the creature's melee damage and overall performance.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to track stat inheritance, over-mutating a single stat, and failing to provide adequate care for babies. Always keep detailed records of your breeding lines to ensure you are making progress. Avoid over-mutating the melee damage stat, as this can limit your ability to introduce other beneficial mutations. Finally, ensure you have the resources and infrastructure to care for your creatures, as neglecting their needs can result in lost progress.

Advanced techniques include stacking mutations and using multiple breeding lines. Stacking mutations involves breeding mutated creatures with non-mutated ones to introduce additional mutations without exceeding the mutation cap. Using multiple breeding lines allows you to combine the best stats from different lines into a single creature. For example, you could have one line focused on melee damage and another on health, then breed the two lines together to create a creature with both high melee damage and high health.

Tribe and solo considerations differ slightly. In a tribe, multiple players can share the workload of breeding and caring for creatures, making the process faster and more efficient. Solo players will need to manage all aspects of breeding on their own, so careful planning and resource management are essential. Regardless of your playstyle, communication and coordination are key to successful breeding.

In summary, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of selective breeding, mutations, and proper care. By focusing on the melee damage stat, managing resources, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful creatures with high knockback damage. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, careful planning and execution will lead to success in your breeding endeavors.