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 a crucial stat for creatures used in resource gathering and transportation, as it determines how much they can carry. To achieve high weight capacity, you need to understand the breeding mechanics, plan your breeding lines, and optimize your approach over multiple generations.
The first step is to select two creatures of the same species with high weight stats. Weight is one of the seven stats that can be inherited from parents, so you want to start with the best possible base stats. Tame multiple creatures of the same species and check their stats after taming. Look for individuals with naturally high weight stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding program. Once you have identified the best candidates, place them in a secure breeding area. This area should be enclosed to prevent wild creatures from interfering and should have enough space for the creatures to move around comfortably.
To initiate breeding, set the creatures to wander or enable mating in their behavior settings. Make sure they are well-fed and have a suitable environment, as stress or hunger can reduce breeding efficiency. Once breeding begins, the female will lay an egg (for egg-laying species) or become pregnant (for mammals). The egg or baby will inherit stats from both parents, with each stat having a 55% chance to be inherited from the higher-stat parent. This means that if one parent has a higher weight stat, there is a good chance the offspring will inherit it.
After the egg hatches or the baby is born, you will need to care for it until it reaches adulthood. This involves feeding it the appropriate food and ensuring it is safe from predators. During this time, you can also imprint on the baby by interacting with it at regular intervals. Imprinting increases the baby's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat and other tasks. For weight-focused creatures, imprinting can provide a significant boost to their carrying capacity.
Mutations are another important factor in breeding for high weight capacity. Mutations can randomly increase a stat by two levels or change the creature's color. While mutations are rare, they can be a powerful tool for improving your breeding lines. To maximize the chances of mutations, breed as many creatures as possible and keep track of their stats. If a mutation occurs in the weight stat, that creature should be prioritized for future breeding. However, be aware that each creature can only have 20 mutations total, so plan your breeding lines carefully to avoid hitting this limit.
One common mistake is neglecting other stats in favor of weight. While high weight capacity is important, you should also consider other stats like health, stamina, and melee damage, especially if the creature will be used in combat or other demanding tasks. Balancing these stats will ensure your creature is versatile and effective in multiple roles. Another mistake is not keeping detailed records of your breeding lines. Tracking the stats and mutations of each generation will help you make informed decisions and avoid inbreeding, which can reduce the effectiveness of your breeding program.
Advanced techniques include using external tools or mods to track breeding lines and stat inheritance. Some players use spreadsheets or breeding calculators to plan their breeding programs and predict the outcomes of each pairing. These tools can save time and help you optimize your breeding strategy. Additionally, consider using cryopods to store and transport your breeding creatures. Cryopods allow you to easily move creatures between bases or breeding areas, making it easier to manage large breeding programs.
Resource requirements for breeding include food, shelter, and time. You will need a steady supply of food to keep your creatures healthy and well-fed, especially during the baby stage. Meat for carnivores and berries or crops for herbivores are essential. Shelter should be secure and spacious, with enough room for multiple creatures and their offspring. Time is also a significant factor, as breeding and raising creatures can take several hours or even days, depending on the species.
For solo players, breeding for high weight capacity can be challenging due to the time and resource investment required. However, it is still achievable with careful planning and efficient resource management. Focus on a single species at a time and prioritize creatures that are easy to tame and breed. For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort, with different members specializing in different aspects of the process. This can speed up the breeding program and allow for more complex breeding lines.
Specific examples include breeding Argentavis or Mammoths for high weight capacity. Argentavis are excellent for transporting resources across long distances, while Mammoths are ideal for gathering large quantities of wood and thatch. By selectively breeding these creatures for high weight stats, you can create powerful and efficient resource gatherers that will significantly improve your gameplay experience.
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 following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful creatures with exceptional carrying capacity. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, breeding is a rewarding and essential aspect of the game that can greatly enhance your survival and resource-gathering capabilities.
The first step is to select two creatures of the same species with high weight stats. Weight is one of the seven stats that can be inherited from parents, so you want to start with the best possible base stats. Tame multiple creatures of the same species and check their stats after taming. Look for individuals with naturally high weight stats, as these will serve as the foundation for your breeding program. Once you have identified the best candidates, place them in a secure breeding area. This area should be enclosed to prevent wild creatures from interfering and should have enough space for the creatures to move around comfortably.
To initiate breeding, set the creatures to wander or enable mating in their behavior settings. Make sure they are well-fed and have a suitable environment, as stress or hunger can reduce breeding efficiency. Once breeding begins, the female will lay an egg (for egg-laying species) or become pregnant (for mammals). The egg or baby will inherit stats from both parents, with each stat having a 55% chance to be inherited from the higher-stat parent. This means that if one parent has a higher weight stat, there is a good chance the offspring will inherit it.
After the egg hatches or the baby is born, you will need to care for it until it reaches adulthood. This involves feeding it the appropriate food and ensuring it is safe from predators. During this time, you can also imprint on the baby by interacting with it at regular intervals. Imprinting increases the baby's stats and loyalty, making it more effective in combat and other tasks. For weight-focused creatures, imprinting can provide a significant boost to their carrying capacity.
Mutations are another important factor in breeding for high weight capacity. Mutations can randomly increase a stat by two levels or change the creature's color. While mutations are rare, they can be a powerful tool for improving your breeding lines. To maximize the chances of mutations, breed as many creatures as possible and keep track of their stats. If a mutation occurs in the weight stat, that creature should be prioritized for future breeding. However, be aware that each creature can only have 20 mutations total, so plan your breeding lines carefully to avoid hitting this limit.
One common mistake is neglecting other stats in favor of weight. While high weight capacity is important, you should also consider other stats like health, stamina, and melee damage, especially if the creature will be used in combat or other demanding tasks. Balancing these stats will ensure your creature is versatile and effective in multiple roles. Another mistake is not keeping detailed records of your breeding lines. Tracking the stats and mutations of each generation will help you make informed decisions and avoid inbreeding, which can reduce the effectiveness of your breeding program.
Advanced techniques include using external tools or mods to track breeding lines and stat inheritance. Some players use spreadsheets or breeding calculators to plan their breeding programs and predict the outcomes of each pairing. These tools can save time and help you optimize your breeding strategy. Additionally, consider using cryopods to store and transport your breeding creatures. Cryopods allow you to easily move creatures between bases or breeding areas, making it easier to manage large breeding programs.
Resource requirements for breeding include food, shelter, and time. You will need a steady supply of food to keep your creatures healthy and well-fed, especially during the baby stage. Meat for carnivores and berries or crops for herbivores are essential. Shelter should be secure and spacious, with enough room for multiple creatures and their offspring. Time is also a significant factor, as breeding and raising creatures can take several hours or even days, depending on the species.
For solo players, breeding for high weight capacity can be challenging due to the time and resource investment required. However, it is still achievable with careful planning and efficient resource management. Focus on a single species at a time and prioritize creatures that are easy to tame and breed. For tribes, breeding can be a collaborative effort, with different members specializing in different aspects of the process. This can speed up the breeding program and allow for more complex breeding lines.
Specific examples include breeding Argentavis or Mammoths for high weight capacity. Argentavis are excellent for transporting resources across long distances, while Mammoths are ideal for gathering large quantities of wood and thatch. By selectively breeding these creatures for high weight stats, you can create powerful and efficient resource gatherers that will significantly improve your gameplay experience.
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 following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can create powerful creatures with exceptional carrying capacity. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, breeding is a rewarding and essential aspect of the game that can greatly enhance your survival and resource-gathering capabilities.