How do I breed for higher food stat in a Ovis in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for a higher food stat in an Ovis in ARK: Survival Evolved involves understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. The Ovis is a passive creature that does not require traditional taming but instead needs to be fed Sweet Vegetable Cake to be claimed. Breeding Ovis can be beneficial for their Wool and Mutton, which are valuable resources. To breed for a higher food stat, you need to focus on selective breeding, stat inheritance, and potentially mutations.

First, you need to understand how stat inheritance works. When two Ovis breed, the baby has a 70% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent. This means if one parent has a higher food stat, there is a good chance the baby will inherit it. To start, you need to find or tame Ovis with high food stats. Since Ovis spawn with random stats, you may need to tame multiple Ovis to find ones with high food stats. Once you have a pair with high food stats, you can begin breeding them.

To breed Ovis, you need to place them close to each other and enable wandering or use the mating option if you have the necessary structures. Ensure they are in a safe, enclosed area to prevent them from wandering off or being attacked. Once they mate, the female will become pregnant, and after a gestation period, she will give birth to a baby Ovis. The baby will inherit stats from its parents, and you will need to care for it until it reaches adulthood.

Caring for the baby Ovis involves feeding it and ensuring it stays warm. Baby Ovis require Sweet Vegetable Cake for food, so make sure you have a good supply. You can also imprint on the baby by interacting with it during its growth stages. Imprinting increases the baby's stats and loyalty, making it more effective. However, imprinting does not directly affect the food stat, so focus on breeding for the stat itself.

To increase the food stat further, you can introduce mutations. Mutations are rare and random, but they can increase a stat by two levels. Each mutation has a chance to affect either the stat or the color of the Ovis. To maximize the chance of getting a mutation in the food stat, you need to breed multiple generations of Ovis. Keep track of the stats and mutations in each generation to ensure you are making progress.

One common mistake is not keeping track of the stats and mutations. It is essential to document the stats of each Ovis and the mutations they have. This helps you identify which Ovis to breed next to achieve the desired stat. Another mistake is not having enough resources to care for the baby Ovis. Make sure you have a steady supply of Sweet Vegetable Cake and a safe environment for the baby to grow.

Advanced techniques involve creating a breeding line focused solely on the food stat. This means breeding Ovis with high food stats together and culling those with lower stats. Over time, you can create a line of Ovis with significantly higher food stats. You can also use multiple breeding pairs to increase the chances of getting mutations. This requires more resources and space but can speed up the process.

Resource requirements include Sweet Vegetable Cake, which is made from crops, sap, and other ingredients. You will also need a safe breeding area, preferably indoors or enclosed, to protect the Ovis from predators. If you are in a tribe, you can divide the responsibilities, with some members focusing on gathering resources and others on breeding and caring for the Ovis. Solo players will need to manage all aspects themselves, so efficient resource management is crucial.

In summary, breeding for a higher food stat in an Ovis involves understanding stat inheritance, selective breeding, and mutations. Start by taming Ovis with high food stats, breed them, and care for the babies. Keep track of stats and mutations, and avoid common mistakes like not documenting stats or running out of resources. Use advanced techniques like creating a dedicated breeding line and managing multiple pairs. With patience and careful planning, you can breed Ovis with significantly higher food stats, making them more valuable for their Wool and Mutton.