What is the best way to breed for higher movement speed in a Bloodstalker in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Breeding for higher movement speed in a Bloodstalker in ARK: Survival Evolved involves understanding the game's breeding mechanics, stat inheritance, and mutation systems. Bloodstalkers are unique creatures that require specific strategies to optimize their movement speed, which is one of their most valuable stats for traversal and combat. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to understand how stat inheritance works. When two Bloodstalkers breed, the offspring has a 55% chance to inherit the higher stat from either parent for each stat, including movement speed. This means you need to start with parents that have high movement speed stats. To find these, tame multiple Bloodstalkers and check their stats after taming. Keep the ones with the highest movement speed and discard the rest. This is the foundation of your breeding line.

Once you have your high-stat parents, place them in a suitable breeding area. Bloodstalkers do not lay eggs; they give birth to live babies. Ensure the area is safe, enclosed, and has enough space for the baby to grow. You will also need a steady supply of food, such as Blood Packs, to keep the parents and the baby fed. Blood Packs can be crafted using a Blood Extraction Syringe and a preserving bin or refrigerator to keep them fresh.

After the baby is born, it will require constant care. Feed it Blood Packs regularly and keep it safe from predators. During its growth stages, you can imprint on the baby by interacting with it when it requests care. Imprinting increases the babyÔÇÖs stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat and traversal. Imprinting is crucial for maximizing movement speed, as it provides a percentage boost to all stats, including movement speed.

Mutations are another key factor in breeding for higher movement speed. Mutations can randomly occur during breeding and can affect stats or colors. Each mutation increases a stat by 2 points and can stack up to 20 times per stat. However, mutations are rare, with a 7.31% chance per baby. To maximize your chances, breed as many Bloodstalkers as possible and keep track of their stats. When a mutation occurs in movement speed, use that Bloodstalker as a parent for future breeding to pass on the mutation.

One common mistake is breeding Bloodstalkers without tracking their stats and mutations. Use a spreadsheet or notes to keep track of each BloodstalkerÔÇÖs stats, mutations, and lineage. This helps you identify which Bloodstalkers to breed together to combine the best stats and mutations. Another mistake is neglecting imprinting. Always prioritize imprinting to maximize the babyÔÇÖs stats and loyalty.

Advanced techniques involve stacking mutations. To do this, breed a mutated Bloodstalker with a non-mutated one to keep the mutation counter low on one side. This allows you to continue stacking mutations on the other side. For example, if you have a male Bloodstalker with a movement speed mutation, breed it with multiple females that have no mutations. This increases your chances of getting another mutation in movement speed without hitting the mutation cap too quickly.

Resource requirements for breeding Bloodstalkers include a steady supply of Blood Packs, preserving bins or refrigerators to store them, and a safe breeding area. You will also need time and patience, as breeding and raising Bloodstalkers can be time-consuming. If you are in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to share the workload. Solo players will need to manage their time carefully to ensure the baby is fed and imprinted on schedule.

In summary, breeding for higher movement speed in Bloodstalkers involves selecting high-stat parents, managing mutations, and prioritizing imprinting. Track your breeding lines carefully, avoid common mistakes, and use advanced techniques to stack mutations. With patience and careful planning, you can create a Bloodstalker with exceptional movement speed, making it a powerful asset in ARK: Survival Evolved.