How do I breed for high weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for high weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. Weight capacity is one of the key stats for creatures, especially for those used in resource gathering or transportation. To achieve a high weight capacity, you need to understand the mechanics of breeding, stat inheritance, and mutations, as well as how to optimize your breeding lines over multiple generations.

First, you need to start with a pair of creatures that have high base weight stats. Each creature in ARK has base stats that are randomly generated when it is tamed or spawned. To find creatures with high weight stats, you will need to tame multiple individuals of the same species and compare their stats. Use the creature's inventory screen to check its weight stat. Once you have identified two creatures with high weight stats, you can begin the breeding process.

Breeding involves placing two creatures of the same species near each other and enabling the "Enable Wandering" option. This will cause them to mate, producing an egg or live baby, depending on the species. The baby will inherit stats from both parents, with each stat having a 55% chance to be inherited from either parent. This means that if one parent has a higher weight stat, there is a 55% chance the baby will inherit that higher stat. Over multiple generations, you can selectively breed creatures to combine the best stats into a single individual.

Mutations can also play a role in increasing weight capacity. Mutations are rare and random, but they can increase a creature's stats or change its colors. Each mutation adds 2 levels to a stat, which can be beneficial if it occurs in the weight stat. However, mutations are limited to 20 per stat, so you need to carefully manage them to avoid wasting mutations on less important stats. To maximize the chances of getting a mutation in the weight stat, you should focus on breeding creatures that already have high weight stats.

Once you have a baby with the desired weight stat, you will need to care for it until it reaches adulthood. This involves feeding it the appropriate food and ensuring it is protected from predators. Imprinting is also important, as it can increase the baby's stats and loyalty. To imprint, you will need to interact with the baby during its growth stages and complete the requested tasks, such as feeding it or taking it for a walk. Proper imprinting can significantly enhance the creature's weight capacity and overall effectiveness.

Resource management is crucial when breeding for high weight capacity. You will need a steady supply of food for both the parents and the babies, as well as materials for building a secure breeding area. Kibble is the most efficient food for breeding, as it reduces the time between mating sessions and provides the best nutrition for babies. You will also need a large supply of resources for building and maintaining your breeding base, including walls, gates, and feeding troughs.

Common mistakes to avoid include breeding creatures with low weight stats, neglecting imprinting, and wasting mutations on less important stats. It is also important to avoid inbreeding, as this can lead to weaker offspring. To prevent inbreeding, you should keep track of your breeding lines and avoid mating closely related individuals.

Advanced techniques for optimizing weight capacity include using stat calculators to predict the outcomes of breeding pairs and focusing on specific species that have naturally high weight stats. For example, the Argentavis and the Quetzal are both excellent choices for breeding high weight capacity creatures, as they have naturally high weight stats and are useful for transportation and resource gathering.

Tribe considerations are also important when breeding for high weight capacity. In a tribe, multiple players can work together to tame, breed, and care for creatures, making the process more efficient. However, it is important to coordinate with your tribe members to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals and that resources are being used effectively.

In conclusion, breeding for high weight capacity in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of selective breeding, stat inheritance, and careful management of mutations. By focusing on creatures with high base weight stats, optimizing your breeding lines, and properly caring for your babies, you can create powerful creatures with exceptional weight capacity. With proper resource management and coordination with your tribe, you can achieve your breeding goals and create a formidable team of creatures for transportation and resource gathering.