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 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.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding and stat inheritance. When two creatures breed, the offspring has a 55% 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, the baby has a good chance of inheriting the higher stat. To maximize this, you should start by taming multiple creatures of the same species and checking their stats. Look for individuals with naturally high melee damage stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding line.

Once you have identified creatures with high melee damage, you can begin the breeding process. Place the two selected creatures close to each other and enable mating. Make sure they are well-fed and in a safe environment. After mating, the female will either lay an egg or become pregnant, 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-regulating items. For live-bearing creatures, you simply need to wait for the gestation period to complete.

After the baby is born or hatched, it will require constant care. This includes feeding it the appropriate food, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores. During this time, you can also begin the imprinting process. Imprinting involves interacting with the baby at specific intervals, such as cuddling, walking, or feeding it a specific item. Successful imprinting will increase the baby's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat. Imprinting is particularly important for boosting melee damage, as it provides a percentage-based increase to the creature's stats.

To further enhance the melee damage stat, you can introduce mutations. Mutations are random and can affect either the creature's stats or colors. Each mutation increases a stat by two levels and can stack up to 20 times per stat. However, the chance of getting a mutation is low, so you will need to breed many generations to achieve the desired results. To increase your chances, you can breed multiple pairs of creatures simultaneously and keep track of their stats and mutations. This process can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, so it is important to plan accordingly.

Resource management is crucial when breeding for high knockback damage. You will need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the babies, as well as materials for building incubators, air conditioners, and other necessary structures. It is also important to have a secure base to protect your breeding creatures from wild predators or enemy players in PvP servers. Consider building a dedicated breeding area with walls, turrets, and other defenses to ensure the safety of your creatures.

When breeding in a tribe, coordination is key. Assign specific roles to tribe members, such as gathering resources, monitoring the breeding process, and caring for the babies. This will help streamline the process and ensure that nothing is overlooked. For solo players, it is important to manage your time effectively and prioritize tasks. Focus on breeding a few high-quality creatures rather than trying to manage a large number of low-quality ones.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting imprinting, failing to track stat inheritance, and not securing your breeding area. Imprinting is essential for maximizing your creature's potential, so make sure to interact with the baby regularly. Tracking stat inheritance is important to ensure that you are making progress toward your goal of high melee damage. Finally, a secure breeding area is necessary to protect your creatures from threats.

Advanced techniques include using external tools or spreadsheets to track stat inheritance and mutations. This can help you identify the best pairs to breed and keep track of your progress. Additionally, you can use cryopods to store and transport your creatures, making it easier to manage large breeding operations.

In summary, breeding for high knockback damage in ARK: Survival Evolved involves selecting creatures with high melee damage stats, carefully managing the breeding process, and introducing mutations to further enhance the desired stat. Proper resource management, base security, and coordination with your tribe are essential for success. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful creatures with high knockback damage to dominate in combat.