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 management. 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 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 one parent and a 45% chance from the other. This means you need to start with a pair of 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, you should tame multiple creatures of the same species with high melee damage stats. For example, if you are breeding Rexes, you would want to tame several Rexes and check their stats after taming. Use a tool like the ARK Smart Breeding app or manually record the stats to identify the best candidates. Once you have a male and female with high melee damage, you can start breeding them. The goal is to produce offspring that inherit the high melee damage stat from both parents.

After the first generation, you will need to continue breeding the offspring with the highest melee damage stats. This process is called selective breeding and involves pairing the best offspring with each other to create even stronger generations. Over time, you will create a line of creatures with increasingly high melee damage stats. However, this process can be time-consuming, as it requires multiple generations of breeding.

Mutations can significantly speed up this process. Mutations are random events that can occur during breeding and can increase a stat by 2 points or change the creature's color. To maximize the chances of getting a melee damage mutation, you should breed as many creatures as possible. Each time a baby is born, there is a small chance of a mutation occurring. If the mutation affects the melee damage stat, it will increase by 2 points. You can then breed this mutated creature with others to pass on the mutation.

It is important to note that each creature can have a maximum of 20 mutations on each side (maternal and paternal). Once a creature reaches this limit, it can no longer receive new mutations. To avoid hitting this limit too quickly, you should focus on stacking mutations on one side. For example, you can use a clean male (no mutations) and breed it with mutated females. This way, all new mutations will be added to the maternal side, leaving the paternal side open for future mutations.

Resource management is crucial for successful breeding. You will need a steady supply of food to keep the parents and babies fed. Kibble is the best food for breeding, as it provides the most nutrition and reduces the time between breeding attempts. You will also need a safe and secure breeding area to protect the parents and babies from predators. A well-built base with walls, turrets, and other defenses is essential.

Imprinting is another important aspect of breeding. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby during its growth stages to increase its stats and loyalty. Proper imprinting can significantly enhance the creature's melee damage and overall effectiveness. To maximize imprinting, you should be present during the baby's growth stages and provide the required care, such as feeding it specific foods or taking it on walks.

Common mistakes to avoid include breeding creatures with low melee damage stats, neglecting imprinting, and hitting the mutation limit too quickly. It is also important to avoid inbreeding, as this can lead to weaker offspring. Always introduce new bloodlines by taming new creatures with high stats.

Advanced techniques include using multiple breeding pairs to increase the chances of mutations and using cryopods to store and transport creatures. Cryopods can also be used to pause the growth of babies, allowing you to manage multiple breeding projects simultaneously.

In conclusion, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and patience. By focusing on high melee damage stats, utilizing mutations, and properly imprinting your creatures, you can create powerful offspring capable of delivering devastating knockback damage. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you achieve your breeding goals and dominate the ARK.