How do I breed for higher oxygen in a Manta in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for higher oxygen in a Manta in ARK: Survival Evolved involves understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. Mantas are aquatic creatures, and oxygen is a crucial stat for them, as it directly impacts their ability to stay underwater for extended periods. To breed for higher oxygen, you need to follow a systematic approach that includes selecting the right parents, managing mutations, and ensuring proper care for the offspring.

First, you need to tame or find Mantas with high oxygen stats. The oxygen stat is one of the seven primary stats that creatures can have, and it is randomly distributed when a creature spawns. To start, you should tame multiple Mantas and check their stats. Look for Mantas with naturally high oxygen levels, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding program. Once you have a few Mantas with desirable oxygen stats, you can begin the breeding process.

Breeding in ARK involves placing two creatures of the same species close to each other and enabling the "Enable Wandering" or "Enable Mating" option. For Mantas, you will need to ensure they are in water, as they are aquatic creatures. Once mating is enabled, the female Manta will lay an egg after a short period. The egg will need to be incubated at the correct temperature, which for Mantas is slightly colder than the average temperature. You can use air conditioners, standing torches, or other temperature-regulating items to maintain the correct incubation environment.

After the egg hatches, you will have a baby Manta. The baby will inherit stats from its parents, with each stat having a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means that if one parent has a high oxygen stat, there is a good chance the baby will inherit it. However, breeding is not just about inheritance; it is also about mutations. Mutations can randomly occur during breeding and can affect either the stats or the colors of the offspring. Mutations that increase the oxygen stat are rare, but they can significantly boost the stat if they occur.

To maximize your chances of getting a mutation that increases oxygen, you should breed multiple generations of Mantas. Start by breeding your initial high-oxygen Mantas and keep track of the stats of each offspring. If an offspring has a higher oxygen stat than its parents, you can use it as a parent for the next generation. This process, known as selective breeding, allows you to gradually increase the oxygen stat over time. However, be aware that mutations are random, and it may take many generations to achieve the desired result.

One important consideration when breeding for mutations is the mutation cap. Each creature can have a maximum of 20 mutations on the maternal side and 20 on the paternal side. Once a creature reaches this cap, it can no longer receive new mutations. To avoid hitting the cap too quickly, you should focus on breeding creatures that have not yet reached the mutation limit. This means keeping track of the mutation count for each parent and selecting parents with lower mutation counts for breeding.

Resource management is also crucial when breeding Mantas. You will need a steady supply of food to keep the parents and offspring fed. Mantas primarily eat fish meat, so you should have a reliable source of fish. Additionally, you will need to prepare for the incubation and baby care phases. Incubation requires maintaining the correct temperature, and baby care involves feeding the baby Manta until it reaches adulthood. During this time, the baby will need constant attention, so it is best to have a dedicated area for breeding and raising Mantas.

For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort. Tribe members can help with taming high-oxygen Mantas, gathering resources, and caring for the offspring. This can speed up the breeding process and make it more efficient. However, for solo players, breeding can be more challenging due to the time and resource requirements. In this case, it is important to plan ahead and ensure you have the necessary resources before starting the breeding process.

Common mistakes to avoid when breeding for higher oxygen in Mantas include not checking the stats of the parents, neglecting to track mutations, and failing to provide adequate care for the offspring. It is also important to avoid inbreeding, as this can lead to weaker offspring. To prevent inbreeding, you should introduce new Mantas with high oxygen stats into your breeding program periodically.

Advanced techniques for optimizing the breeding process include using a breeding calculator to predict the stats of offspring and planning your breeding lines carefully. You can also use cryopods to store and transport Mantas, making it easier to manage your breeding program. Additionally, you can use a breeding pen to keep your Mantas organized and prevent them from wandering off during the mating process.

In conclusion, breeding for higher oxygen in a Manta in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of careful planning, resource management, and patience. By selecting the right parents, managing mutations, and providing proper care for the offspring, you can gradually increase the oxygen stat of your Mantas. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, following these strategies will help you achieve your breeding goals and create powerful, high-oxygen Mantas for your aquatic adventures.