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

Breeding for higher oxygen in an Ichthyosaurus in ARK: Survival Evolved involves understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. The Ichthyosaurus is a small, fast aquatic creature that is often used for early-game water exploration. While it is not typically bred for combat, increasing its oxygen stat can make it more efficient for underwater travel and resource gathering. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to understand the basics of breeding. Breeding in ARK involves pairing two creatures of the same species, in this case, two Ichthyosaurs. To start, you need a male and a female Ichthyosaurus. Place them close to each other and enable the "Enable Wandering" option. This will initiate the mating process. Once mating begins, a progress bar will appear, and after a short time, the female will lay an egg if the species is egg-laying, or give birth to a live baby if it is a mammal. Ichthyosaurs lay eggs, so you will need to incubate the egg until it hatches.

Stat inheritance is a key aspect of breeding. When an egg hatches, the baby Ichthyosaurus will inherit stats from its parents. Each stat, including oxygen, has a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means that if one parent has a higher oxygen stat, there is a good chance the baby will inherit that higher stat. To breed for higher oxygen, you need to start with parents that have high oxygen stats. If you donÔÇÖt have high-oxygen Ichthyosaurs, you may need to tame several and check their stats before starting the breeding process.

Mutations can also play a role in increasing stats. Mutations are random and can affect either a stat or the creatureÔÇÖs color. Each mutation increases a stat by two levels and can also change the creatureÔÇÖs appearance. However, mutations are rare, with only a 2.5% chance per stat per baby. To maximize your chances of getting a mutation in the oxygen stat, you need to breed many generations of Ichthyosaurs. Keep track of each generationÔÇÖs stats and colors to identify when a mutation occurs.

Once you have a baby Ichthyosaurus with a higher oxygen stat, you need to raise it. Baby creatures require constant care, including feeding and protection. Ichthyosaurs eat fish meat, so make sure you have a good supply. You will also need to imprint on the baby by interacting with it during its growth stages. Imprinting increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and makes it more loyal to you. Proper imprinting can significantly enhance the IchthyosaurusÔÇÖs effectiveness.

Resource management is crucial during the breeding process. You will need a steady supply of fish meat to feed the baby, as well as resources to build a safe environment for breeding and raising the baby. Consider building a secure underwater pen to protect your Ichthyosaurs from predators. You may also need to gather materials for air conditioning units or other temperature control methods to ensure the egg incubates properly.

Common mistakes to avoid include not checking the stats of the parents before breeding, not having enough resources to care for the baby, and not protecting the breeding area from predators. ItÔÇÖs also important to avoid over-mutating, as each creature can only have 20 mutations total, and after that, further mutations will not increase stats.

Advanced techniques include using a breeding calculator to predict stat inheritance and mutations, and creating a breeding line with multiple generations to combine the best stats. You can also use cryopods to store and transport your Ichthyosaurs, making it easier to manage your breeding program.

In terms of tribe or solo considerations, breeding can be resource-intensive, so having a tribe to help gather resources and care for the baby can be beneficial. However, solo players can also successfully breed for higher oxygen by carefully managing their resources and time.

In summary, breeding for higher oxygen in an Ichthyosaurus involves selecting parents with high oxygen stats, understanding stat inheritance and mutations, and carefully raising the baby. With patience and careful planning, you can create a highly efficient Ichthyosaurus for underwater exploration.